Why Online Poker Remains a Viable Game for VIP Gamblers

Posted by Harry Kane on Thursday, March 12, 2020

Unless you’ve spent the last decade living under a rock, you’ll probably know that online or video poker may no longer be the draw that it once was in the UK. The GGY generated by online poker has certainly declined since the end of the global boom in 2008, and it shows no immediate signs of increasing any time soon.

However, this doesn’t mean that the online poker vertical on these shores is moribund, as there remain a number of active and immersive networks that offer ample opportunity for skilled players to earn significant returns.

In fact, it’s even arguable that online poker has become even more rewarding for VIP players in the UK, even as overall market participation has dwindled. But why is this the case, and how can players capitalise to their advantage?

Why Is Poker Still a Viable Option for Skilled Players?

In terms of GGY poker has declined incrementally over the course of the last few years, to the point where it accounted for just 5.9% of the total online yield in the year ending March 2017.

More recently, it has tended to plateau across all demographics in the UK, while losing market share to fast-growing verticals such as slots and live casino gaming.

As a direct result of this, it’s fair to say that some poker rooms have been closed by brands since 2008, many of which now operate small but immersive networks that prioritise quality and the overall user experience over quantity.

Take Microgaming, for example, whose own poker network underwent a huge software and UI experience as recently as 2018, despite seeing the precise number of rooms included fall from 40 to 29 over a period of years.

Microgaming is certainly something of a trail-blazer in the modern-day poker market, and not only because of its unique focus on constantly upgrading its software and creating an interactive and interconnected platform that strikes the optimal balance between playability and impressiveness.

It’s also interesting to note that Microgaming’s network is packed full of little known and independent poker rooms, each of which has subsequently been rebranded under the developer’s iconic banner.

This is central to the success of the network, while it also underscores one of the reasons why online poker is such a viable option for VIP players in the UK.

More specifically, many of Microgaming’s individual poker rooms are relatively obscure, meaning that they’re not particularly well-known amongst the majority of seasoned and experienced players.

This actually creates the ideal situation for skilled and switched-on players who are looking to increase their rake, as it leads to busy poker rooms with a relatively high proportion of so-called ‘fish’.

The term ‘fish’ is used to describe an individual who plays poker regularly without really understanding the game, with this type of person prone to rash and naive decision-making that typically causes them to lose significant sums of cash.

Of course, fish can also be difficult to predict and are often slow to fold in instances when they probably should, enabling them to occasionally walk away with a huge jackpot by luck rather than judgement.

However, as a general rule they struggle to play both good and bad hands with any kind of skill or consistency, making it relatively easy for seasoned players to win a higher percentage of hands and optimise their overall take.

On another note, operators and poker rooms tend to offer lucrative bonuses as a way of incentivising players in the current climate, with 100% and 200% deposit matches up to the value of £1,000 and above in some instances.

From the perspective of VIP players, operators also have a tendency to offer a competitive fixed rakeback, often up to 30%.

This is definitely a significant boon for experienced players who like to wager significant amounts within a specific period of time, as a guaranteed rakeback helps them to minimise losses and ultimately manage their bankroll more efficiently.

How Can VIP Players Capitalise in the Current Climate?

With these points in mind, there’s no doubt that online poker remains a potentially lucrative option for VIP players in 2020, so long as you’re able to make informed decisions that enable you to make the most of this competitive advantage.

Here are some tips to help you achieve this objective and increase your profits even as the video poker market declines!

1. Target a Viable Network

We’ve already spoken about the Microgaming poker network, which has recently been upgraded and includes a powerful and collaborative selection of bonus-packed rooms and sites.

By targeting this type of network, you can instantly benefit from outstanding software and excellent playability, while banking on a secure platform that safeguards your transactions and takes care of your bankroll effectively.

It’s also important to reinforce the benefit of identifying relatively unknown and underrated poker rooms within such networks, as this increases the number of fish present and creates a unique opportunity to win multiple hands.

2. Compare the Best Real-Time Promotions

When it comes to promotions, we’d also recommend comparing the best real-time promotions to make the most of your bankroll when crediting your new account.

Whether you target sites within a specific network or open up your search across the entire market, take the time to consider each room’s promotion in terms of the total bonus value, the fixed rakeback and any wagering requirements that are attached to a particular offer.

This should enable you to make an informed choice and one that optimise the amount of free capital that you have to play with.

3. Play at a Stake Level that You’re Comfortable With

Whenever you enter an online poker room, there are usually various tables in play within a wide range of betting limits.

With this in mind, it’s always important to manage your bankroll carefully and target stake amounts that you’re comfortable with.

Remember, if you identify the best poker rooms you’ll have ample opportunity to gain a competitive advantage and optimise your rake, so be patient and refrain from betting more than you can afford to lose from the outset.