Poker is easily one of the most popular ways to gamble. Even non-gamblers are known to dabble in a dash of poker on occasion. The game is the perfect blend of risk, reward, socialness, and a battle of the minds. It is a game that has a little bit of everything, and whether you’re playing for a few cents or thousands of dollars, the game is constantly thrilling. 

You probably already know why people play poker, but we want to use this list to really drum home just how varied this game is, and why so many people love to sit around the poker table for hours on end, even when they’re not ‘getting lucky’. 

1. You Can Win Money

It’s gambling, so, let’s be honest, one of the main reasons people love to jump into a game of poker is because there’s always the chance they’ll make a bit of moolah. Every single hand dealt is a chance for a player to walk away with a splash of cash if they literally play their cards right.

While we know there are some people who will play poker without cash on the line (just playing for some simple chips and, yes, even strip poker), most love to have some cash in the bank. It doesn’t even have to be much. Just a few dollars in the pot can give that game a bit of an extra edge. Many of the people playing poker online are only playing for a few cents. Just some money can give the game a whole new dynamic.

2. It is a Social Game

While there are solo variants of poker, most poker games involve interacting with others. In fact, it is a major part of the game. If you aren’t a social person, you’ll struggle to get a read on people around the table. You’ll also be pretty bored since many poker games can last an hour or more (well, multiple hands will be dealt in that time).

There are very few forms of gambling that even come close to the socialness that poker provides. With poker, assuming you’re not playing at a competitive level, you’re almost expected to communicate with your fellow players.

Since we find gambling is so much more fun when you’ve got people to chat to, then poker is often our go-to game. It doesn’t matter whether we’re playing in person, or using an online chat room, we just love to have a bit of a chat while we’re playing a few hands.

3. It Is More Than a Game of Luck – It is a Battle of the Mind 

Poker is one of those rare gambling games where skill is involved. In fact, the best way we’ve ever seen poker described is “50% luck, 100% skill”. Ignore the fact that it is over 100%. It perfectly sums up the game.

Obviously, there’s some luck involved when you’re playing the game. You can only play the hand that you’re dealt. However, if you’re skilled enough, you can win with even the crumbiest of hands. No other gambling game does that. Remember – there always has to be a winner in a round of poker.

Some people love this. They love the idea of winning using terrible hands. They love learning how to read their opponents, and they love knowing when to push the pot forward and when to fold. We must admit – we love it too. Sure, you aren’t always going to win, but that’s part of the thrill of the game, right?

4. The High-Pressure Game is Thrilling

Poker is a high-pressure game. Every single hand you are dealt, you could potentially win. Every time somebody boosts the pot, you’ve got to decide whether you’re willing to put more money on the line.

We don’t think there is a single game of poker we’ve ever played where our heart isn’t beating at a mile a minute. It certainly isn’t a game for the weak! Since it is this thrill that most people crave when they’re gambling, it is no surprise that so many people want to play poker.

5. A Game You Can Constantly Improve At

With most casino gambling, you smash a button or two and hope for the best. You can’t really improve at the game. Well, you could press the button a little bit faster, but that’s it. Poker is a different kettle of fish.

Every single game of poker you play, you’ll learn more about the game. You’ll learn more about reading people. You’ll learn more about playing cards. You’ll know which hands work and which hands will likely cause you to lose.

This is what we really, really love about poker. The more you play, the better you get. Play a game as a beginner, and you’ll lose most of your hands (but it will be vital learning). Play a game after a few dozen games under your belt, and you may even pick up a few wins. 

There’s so much information out there about improving at poker, and we can guarantee that once you get the thrill of poker, you’ll want to consume as much of it as possible.

6. There are Multiple Variations of the Game

While Texas Hold Em will be the most popular version of poker you’ll play, there are so many different game types out there. This means that you can really experiment with games of poker and get a completely different experience each time you sit around the table. As we said – this is a game that you can constantly improve at, and it is exciting trying to come up with different strategies for the variants of poker.

Conclusion

So, what are you waiting for? Now you know why poker is so fun, why not go and dabble in a few games? Gone are the days when you’ll need to find somebody in real life to play with. You can now play poker online, and there are tons and tons of sites that you can hit. Have fun!