For most new players, if someone suggests a game of poker it’s natural to assume that there’s only really one method of playing. Like most games, poker has adapted and grown over time to see multiple variations available, but it does seem like there’s one version of the game that reigns supreme – Texas Hold’em. To most, it’s the easiest version of the game and it does make sense to have a “standardized” set of rules out there so more people can play together. As a result, this is why most online sites tend to favor Texas Hold’em for real money as their primary offering, so let’s take a look at why it’s still so popular today.
Texas Hold’em has become the default option
The popularity of Texas Hold’em is helped massively by the status quo being this version of the game. When people say poker, they mean Texas Hold’em. When poker sites and TV stations cover the sports it’s all about Texas Hold’em. This natural default position over all of the other versions has led it to dominate the poker sphere as everyone thinks of this game instead of another version. It’s not anywhere near an equal footing as Texas Hold’em enjoys being referred to as poker, while others must have prefixes, suffixes, or completely different names to define that they are different. I.e. Chinese Poker, Omaha Poker, Pineapple Hold’em, and Caribbean stud poker.
Player traffic for Texas Hold’em is superior
When you log on to play online texas holdem poker for real money, it’s always good to have a packed table with new players consistently replenishing the ones who leave (rules permitting). Having a good amount of player traffic ensures that you always get a decent game. Given that Texas Hold’em is head and shoulders above every other version of poker, if a site has good player traffic, they will be found in the Texas Hold’em rooms – not the others. Empty or near-empty tables can be expected for minority poker versions on bad sites (with not many users) with maybe only a few players on the best sites with a big customer base.
Texas Hold’em is perfect for online medium
Texas Hold’em and other versions of poker were played long before the advent of online poker rooms. However, when Planet Poker emerged in January 1998, handing out the first real online poker hands, it was Texas Hold’em.
Why did the founders behind Planet Poker choose Texas Hold’em over all the others? Well, for one this version was already more popular than other versions. This was the game that all the top professional players were playing on the WSOP tours and the version that the average Joe knew how to play.
In addition, the metrics of the game lend themselves perfectly to online play. The actions of the tangible casino game are all easily replicated by users behind a computer screen (or smartphone, these days). In fact, in many cases, the game can be streamlined in the virtual world making for a better experience for players who want faster play.
Software built for Texas Hold’em experiences
In this technology-gifted era, information and the speed of information is king. Poker platforms and the software firms working for them have made bespoke Texas Hold’em codes to ensure that this product is the flagship of their poker experience. This means that players get HUDs, customizable information at hand, and the ability to fine-tune how they see the virtual poker table. All the money to build these virtual gambling experiences goes into this version. By comparison, other online poker game experiences can feel very dated and certainly don’t have all the bells and whistles associated with the online Texas Hold’em experience.
Easy and accessible game to learn
When comparing Texas Hold’em to other poker-based games like Omaha and Seven Card Stud, the rules are a lot simpler and straightforward, but they also have the added edge of offering extra avenues of play to the more experienced players too!. This allows beginners to have a basic understanding of Texas Hold’em even if it is their first session. Furthermore, unlike other versions of poker, it requires a relatively small amount of people to have a game. In theory, two people could play a game, whereas other versions require multiple participants.
In addition to this, given that this version is incredibly popular – it lends itself to new players who want to learn poker. This is because there are countless learning resources available about Texas Hold’em, meaning that prospective players can easily attain knowledge and the skills to start playing. While there will be other opportunities to learn alternative versions of poker, there will exist in much smaller numbers than those related to Texas Hold’em.
Does online Texas Hold’em have any weaknesses?
Well…probably not. There is of course the issue that pertains to all card games that go online. If you can’t see your opponent you can’t read them as well as you could if they were in the same physical room as you. This isn’t a drawback exclusive to online Texas Hold’em games.
Some online poker players have adapted and begun trying to spot trends in how their counterparts at the table are playing to compensate for the lack of physical information. I.e. if they note that player X is now playing at a slower place, it could be that he’s rattled. Of course, it’s harder to know for sure and that player could be bluffing.
The potential to go pro
Everyone can recall the moment in the poker boom when Chris Moneymaker, an average American qualified for a WSOP event just by playing online. He went on to win the 2003 Main Event and made poker history as a result. While the market is a lot more saturated now with billions more online players, the possibility is still there with online Texas Hold’em. If you’re an exceptional player on the WSOP app, you could in theory qualify for the live events. Try doing that on Omaha, short answer: it won’t happen.
