Clicking for Dollars: Our Perceptions of Online Poker

Author's note: Table Talk is intended to be an in-depth discussion of the most important issues in poker. My column will feature a wide range of perspectives designed to encourage debate and decisions on current topics within the poker industry.

Online poker is booming. Despite lingering ambiguity about the legality of online poker within the United States, it remains the single fastest-growing segment of the global gambling market. In fact, according to one Wall Street analyst, traffic and revenues at online poker sites are doubling about every six months. No other segment of gambling – not land-based gaming megaresorts, not sports betting, not even other successful online casinos – can boast of such staggering growth. The explosion of online poker worldwide has created more Internet cardrooms and more playing options than ever before.

However, online poker is not without its critics. There is a wide range of perceptions about online poker and how it affects more traditional "brick-and-mortar" cardrooms. While pro-Internet advocates insist that online poker generates more traffic to brick-and-mortar cardrooms, others see online poker draining a potentially enormous player base.

To date, no poll has ever been conducted that measures our attitudes about online poker. Since its inception six years ago, online poker has been a controversial subject – both in terms of legality and its relationship to traditional cardrooms. It took a Tennessee-based accountant by the name of Chris Moneymaker to bridge the gap between Internet poker and brick-and-mortar cardrooms. When Moneymaker parlayed a $40 investment at an online site into a whopping $2.5 million payoff at the 2003 World Series of Poker, online poker effectively announced to the rest of the world that it was here to stay.

The following poll is intended to measure our perceptions of online poker and its impact on the rest of the industry. Those who are interested in making their opinions known are encouraged to visit the Card Player website and record their votes. Each day between Jan. 7 and Jan. 16, a new poll question will be posted. So, you may vote daily on each of the poll questions.

Question 1: Do you play poker online?

Yes

No

Question 2: (For online poker players only) How many cash accounts do you have at various online poker sites?

One account

Two or more accounts

Question 3: (For online poker players only) Do you usually play in one game at a time or multiple games?

One game

Multiple games

Question 4: Do you believe that the easy access of online poker to consumers helps or hurts regular brick-and-mortar cardrooms?

It helps – There's an old saying that a rising tide lifts all boats. More players in the poker economy translates into more poker players who will eventually stream into brick-and-mortar cardrooms. The big problem with the argument that online poker hurts regular cardrooms is that poker is not legal in many states and countries. Online poker has given these players, who otherwise would not be able to play poker, the option to play in their homes. Perhaps if poker were legal everywhere, an argument could be made that online poker detracts from the overall player base. But, as long as live poker games are illegal in many communities, online poker presents a viable alternative and serves to attract more poker players.

It hurts – Money that would otherwise find its way into brick-and-mortar cardrooms is instead flowing offshore to online poker sites. Even though poker's popularity is growing amongst the general public, there have been no additional cardrooms constructed in any major poker market, nor have existing cardrooms expanded their operations. The clear winner in the recent poker boom has been online poker sites, not regular brick-and-mortar cardrooms.

Question 5: There are questions as to the legality of playing poker online in some (U.S.) states. Assuming you knew that online playing is illegal in your state and you could be prosecuted if caught, would you play online?

Yes

No

Question 6: In the last year, measures have been enacted that restrict financing of online poker accounts (such as major credit cards and PayPal policies that forbid money being used for "gambling purposes"). Have these restrictions ever dissuaded you from playing poker online?

Yes

No

Question 7: (For online poker players only) Which is softer online – cash games or tournaments?

Cash games

Tournaments

Question 8: Assuming both are legal and available in your area – if you had to choose between online poker or brick-and-mortar games, which would you choose?

Online poker – Reasons: games are faster, rake is usually lower, no annoying table chatter, smoking/nonsmoking is not an issue, convenience, games are sometimes easier to beat

Regular brick-and-mortar cardrooms – Reasons: have the ability to read opponents, games are more social, free drinks, more fun

Question 9: Should online poker be regulated by an impartial U.S.-based agency or gaming commission?

Yes – A government-sanctioned regulatory agency or gaming commission would ensure the legitimacy of online poker.

No – Online poker sites are already governed by the laws of the respective host country.

Question 10: Should online poker in all of its forms – that is, playing, operating, and owning an Internet poker site – be legalized in the United States?

Yes

No

What do you think? You are encouraged to visit www.cardplayer.com, where you can register your votes. Please do so from Jan. 7 to Jan. 16. You also may e-mail your comments directly to: [email protected]. Comments may be printed in a follow-up column, along with poll results. Due to space constraints, please limit your comments to no more than 300 words. All comments received may be edited for content.