Poker’s Influence on Gaming
Poker players are in a unique position though. Because mastering the skills and strategies of poker can help players very quickly pick up on the intricacies of other games as well. Many speak about the similarities between poker and chess; and how a player who has mastered one can also quickly pick up on the other game. But the same is true for quite a few games outside of poker.
The goal we’ve set out in this text is to examine how getting good at poker can help players stay ahead when playing different online games. From the casino staples at Wildz Casino to the fast-paced first-person shooters that dominate eSports today; we are talking about how poker strategies impact a gamer’s ability to stay on top.
Poker Players at the Casino
The first thing that a poker player needs to understand about standard casino games is that they are nothing like your favorite game. Slots and roulette are as far removed from poker as you can possibly imagine. They require no skill or strategy; relying instead entirely on luck. Players have no control over where the reels on the slot land; or how the roulette wheel spins. That means that they must rely entirely on their money management skills to strategize.
This is where poker comes in quite handy. Money management is a key part of the game after all. It is so ingrained into it in fact; that many don’t even see it as a component. But a savvy poker player must have at least the most rudimentary money management skills. Otherwise, they would wager all of their cash in one go and lose in the first round. Knowing when to wager and how much is a skill that most poker players have honed sharply. But it is not the only one that can help at a casino.
If we were to compare poker to one casino game it would have to be blackjack. Both are card games that have been around for centuries. Both games are also staples of the gambling market. But the two could not be more different. There is one thing about blackjack that poker players might be quite familiar with. That is the basic blackjack strategy that has helped professional players win tournaments. Knowing when to hit and when to hold is instrumental. Poker players should already understand the basic concept; considering how useful it is in their own game.
Poker Players and Multiplayer Games
The more one plays online multiplayer games; the more similarities they may find between them and poker. Both require immense skill to keep up on a professional level. Both are taken incredibly seriously by their respective players. Most important of all; in both games a lucky shot can end a winning streak. Multiplayer games have become incredibly successful in the past few years. Their success has also revealed that poker players might be able to find something they enjoy in these titles.
But what can poker teach us about gaming? The most obvious skill is pattern recognition. Poker players use pattern recognition almost subconsciously. They observe and analyze their opponent’s behaviors and clock down the subtle changes that occur when they are either lying or telling the truth. These behaviors are called “tells” in poker; and most of us are already familiar with them thanks to the plethora of films about poker that feature these tells.
It is true that tells may be over exaggerated in film. In real-world poker tournaments these behaviors are often subtler than anyone can imagine. Top players like Danny Tang would never rely solely on tells to win a game of poker. But any professional player has internalized just how important observation and pattern recognition is in the game. Though it may not be their sole winning strategy; it is a card that they have up their sleeve in case they need it. That pattern recognition can easily be used by gamers to pick up on the enemy team’s attack pattern; and come up with a counter-strategy.
Poker Players and Sports
Believe it or not; there is a link between sports and poker as well. By now we should all be familiar with the traits it takes to be a good poker player. But some fans of sports might already recognize how those skills can help on the field. An observant soccer player can quickly pick up on the opposing strategy. It is key to form a counter to an attack as quickly as possible after all. A player might also notice the strengths and weaknesses of the opposing striker and masterfully exploit them.
Bluffing is also a skill that an athlete might be able to use to their advantage. A basketball player might be able to fake out the opposing team’s defense and score a goal in tandem with their own teammates. They could also be twice as vigilant about bluffing and spot it a mile away; thus limiting the offensive patterns of the other players. But poker knowledge isn’t just useful on the field. It can also help the fans who are participating in the fandom outside the field.
Poker and sports bettors share a lot in common. They both must understand the intricacies of the games that they are wagering on. Both must also have rudimentary money management skills at least. The observation skill is also key to both of their success. The best poker players are always those who hone their skills to the max; while also understanding that Lady Luck will not always be on their side. But the exact same thing could be said about the best and most famous sports gamblers in the world.
