Online poker is changing and developing just like the rest of the Internet. In 2001 my cousin and I had an idea that we thought might catch on. We thought that music bands would benefit from having a space on the Internet where they can share their music. My cousin and I were right. Today they have myspace because of the “Web 2.0″ capabilities which due to the development of broadband gives users more things to do online. Video, audio and social networking and interaction with other cyber users are available to all and Facebook, Twitter and other interactive services are becoming the future of the Internet.
Millions of poker players are registered in various poker rooms and play poker games nearly everyday. As the Internet develops it is only natural that the poker community follows suit and takes advantage of the new opportunities that web 2.0 offers.
Currently there are around five major poker training websites with more in development that are entering the market to help players improve their online poker game. They are Stox Poker, Card Runners, Deuces Cracked, PokerVT with Daniel Negreanu and many more. They offer training videos that are streamed via a media player on demand to the player seeking training. Depending on the coaches at each site who are mostly online poker professional players they specialise in SNG, Cash games, Short Handed poker or poker tournaments. Using content management systems they are able to quickly upload videos to help players learn to play better poker. For a subscription fee users have access to new videos getting uploaded by the poker coaches every week.
Web 2.0 new media can be blamed (or thanked) for the increase in the standard of Texas Hold ‘em online. Before the release of poker training websites players had to read books and independently study away from the poker table. Many players simply did not do this and improvements to their game took longer to achieve. Now players can learn in front of their computer and their learning experience is made fun by the use of video, Skype and the Internet. This has improved Texas Hold ‘em play across the Internet and made it important for players to start learning other games such as Omaha or Stud.
There was a social network launched recently that mimics Facebook in style and purpose specifically for poker players. Whilst poker is an individual game that involves each player trying to win all of the money these social networks which are perhaps unlikely to work considering the selfishness of poker, are flourishing in popularity and allowing players to share ideas and help each other improve. This mutual tuition is another reason why the advancement of the Internets functionality is improving the standard of play you encounter when playing online poker. Before VOIP, Skype and web cams players only had email to keep in touch.
As the normal Internet user can use more video and more ways of connecting with other users the standard of poker will continue to improve. The technology used by poker rooms in their poker software will also develop which should make for a more enjoyable experience of online poker. Pokers development is closely linked with progress made online and as sites like YouTube, Google and Microsoft improve their sites and services we feel a direct benefit when playing online poker.
I very much enjoy discussing poker via Skype with many people around the world most of whom I have never met! The development of the Internet in this way means social contact in person is becoming rare in the context of poker. We can now discuss hands via Skype, replay hands using hand history replayers and easily post them to forums for feedback from other poker players. All you need do is get involved and feel the benefits of using web 2.0 to begin to improve your online poker game.
By Malcolm Clarke