Here’s why poker is now one of the most streamed games, and how some mobile poker apps deliver life-like experiences.
To say that mobile gaming is a lucrative business won’t do justice in explaining how big this industry has become and will grow to be. This year, it valued at $50 billion, which accounts for more than half of the whole gaming market, according to Mediakix.
The media company also reports that over 80 percent of the revenue from Google’s and Apple’s app stores comes from mobile games.
Within this lucrative sphere, online poker providers managed to make a name for themselves and the game by making use of a powerful marketing tool: smartphones. Read on to learn more.
Mobile gaming trends
With smartphones getting to the point that flagship phones boast better specifications than a midrange laptop, mobile gaming will keep exploding. Quality console mobile games already exist with impressive graphics and gameplay. Google’s Play Store recognized PUBG Mobile — the popular FPS’s mobile version —as 2018’s best Android mobile game.
Live streaming also picks up, paving the way for esports to boost their already sizeable fan base. Mobile gaming developers recognize the growing strength of streaming platforms such as Twitch, and as a result, more mobile games will develop with streaming in mind.
That is not to say that only MMORPGs with complicated storylines or multiplayer first-person shooters steal the show. Candy Crush Saga was among the first when the mobile gaming craze all began. It offers endless entertainment thanks to its colorful ever-growing levels, yet there’s nothing complicated about its gameplay.
The same goes for the star of this article: poker. The fact is, poker is one of the most streamed games on Twitch. And it boasts a growing fan base across the globe — especially in the mobile gaming realm.
Tech advances in poker apps
Poker is not going anywhere for now. It’s one of the industries that readily embraces new technology, blurring the line between experiencing the game live or at home. Here are just a few ways poker has embraced technology:
For some players, playing at home is a preference while for others, a necessity. In either case, poker operators now offer live casino games through mobile platforms. Playing poker on your mobile is now easier than ever — you can play wherever you want while human dealers do their thing on a web camera, with card values presented to you via OCR.
Big data has also made its way into poker. And it’s no wonder, given how much poker depends on numbers. Online poker rooms provide you with all sorts of data on your play, letting you make better sense of your skills in gaming and managing your money.
Televising poker tournaments is what brought poker international fame a couple of decades ago. Now, live streaming takes the torch — save for storyline/FPS games, poker is among the most live-streamed games around. And thanks to live streaming, players can show off their skills while those who prefer to watch and learn can do so on demand.
PokerCam
But when playing online, you can’t read the body language cues of other players. And on the other hand, live games are not everyone’s cup of tea. To solve this problem, online poker provider 888poker came up with a solution that takes the best of both worlds: PokerCam.
PokerCam is an online poker table that allow players to turn on their web cameras and experience as close to a live play as possible without having to go to a casino. It’s excellent for mobile gaming as many smartphones come with HD front cameras. So when you’re on the go, you can enjoy the game and get a crystal-clear view of your opponents’ attempts at a poker face.
Who’s 888poker?
888poker is a known name within the poker industry. It is a sponsor of the world’s most coveted tournament, the WSOP, and one of the pioneers of online poker, with a history of operations going as far back as 1996.
The company offers play on all platforms, including the Android and Apple products, and provides in-browser gaming to those players who don’t want to install extra software.
As for 888poker’s app (pictured), its UI and UX are consistent with your expectation of great poker apps: real and play money games, easy navigation and quick response to commands. There are also few settings to tweak, both in the app’s “lobby” and at the virtual table, so players can play right after installing the app, which is excellent for those users who are new to poker apps.
On the other hand, the simplicity comes with a caveat: no stats on past play. Meaning, the app doesn’t provide you with performance data, which is necessary for players who’d like to play for more than recreation. While players who prefer play money or low-stakes real money games won’t miss seeing such a feature as a great deal, those who play at a higher level will need to consider a separate app for keeping track of their performance.
The future of gaming is here
Mobile gaming will overtake the gaming world. Gone are the days when playing on the phone means nothing more than playing Tetris or Snake. These days, smartphones are becoming the new consoles.
As for poker apps, they are becoming more functional, providing players with live-like experiences on the go and on demand. With how mobile gaming tech is developing — with AI/VR and low-data cloud technology on the rise — it’s only a matter of time until you can enjoy a complete live-play experience from anywhere.
