When you think back on the first time you played poker, you will realize that the game is pretty straightforward. You have to learn the ropes and develop the skills. You probably made good money or you also made a bad call, went all-in, and lost everything. Looking back, poker games underwent major innovations in the past years that it has attracted new players and welcomed back old time favourites. With technological advancements plus creativity of operators, poker will continue evolving in the years to come.
In Malaysia, these innovations continue to behold poker enthusiasts. Living in a country with strict gambling laws, Malaysians have largely benefited from these innovations, allowing them to enjoy poker games without having to worry about violating any local laws.
Poker Innovations for Malaysians
Online Poker Trainings Websites
It is quite difficult for Malaysians to play poker competitively because they do not have the proper venue to master their skills. The Casino de Genting is the only legal casino in the country and it is not a popular option for Malaysians to play for cash. Those who have heard about the successes of Paul Phua and Richard Yong and want to follow their footsteps would want to have an avenue where they can learn about the tricks of poker. Thanks to online websites that offer resources for learning new strategies, Malaysians can now get good advice on how they can be successful in the game of poker. PokerVT, CardRunners, Deuces Cracked, and Paul Phua Poker offer aspiring Malaysian poker players great options to become successful players.
When you sign up for a training site, it puts you in close contact with the best poker players in the world. For example, hooking up with the Paul Phua Poker site will give you access to Paul Phua himself. If you have the potential and are lucky enough, you may get a look at Paul’s playbooks. More than just reading about the tips and tricks on print, you can watch extensive poker videos and apply your learning in cash game sessions. These websites are also more updated than printed books. As the poker innovations are introduced, you can get first and exclusive dibs on them.
Tracking Software
Playing poker in online sites has both advantages and disadvantages. One of the most debated innovations in poker is the development of a poker tracking software. Some claim that this has caused online poker to lose its huge following. Other say this innovation is one they cannot live without. Tracking software programs such as Hold’em Manager, PokerTracker, and PokerAce HUD give players the chance to review and monitor their opponent’s statistics and tendencies. Through this, they can extensively study and work on how to beat their opponents. With the information made available through this program, players can look for leaks and use it to their advantage. ROI calculators, win-loss records, and detailed cash game gives avid pokers a tool to evaluate their progress and know where they should make improvements or changes.
Rush Poker
When it comes to playing online poker, many players are fuelled by an adrenaline high. The introduction of Rush Poker by Full Tint brought new life to poker games. The game’s game format changed the landscape of online poker. Players can enjoy the game without having to deal with a long wait time. The “quick fold” option allowed its users to move on and play more hands in an hour. Aside from this, a large part of the game mechanics was changed, as well. There’s some sense of spontaneity and an element of surprise since table lineups are changed constantly making it much more difficult to track players. This keeps players always either quick folding it up or watching on the nits.
Guaranteed Prize Funds
People play poker to win. Mind you, it’s not simply to win but to win big time. Online poker sites learned that to keep players coming back to them is by giving them a guaranteed winning. It is an unspoken practice that gamblers will flock where the money is. For online sites, offering players substantial prize money will also guarantee a sold out game. Some of the tournaments like Poker Stars’ daily Eighty Grand and Nightly Seventy Grand tournaments offer guaranteed prize pools amounting to six figures. They also offer Sunday Million that has prize money of US$1.5 million.
Malaysian poker players who want to rank high in all-time money list would greatly benefit from joining tournaments with hefty guaranteed prize pools.
Customizable Poker Tables
One of the perks of playing online poker is the possibility of playing on multiple tables across several poker sites. Bertrand Grospellier once managed to play 62 games in only an hour of gaming. He had more than 40 tables spread across four screens thanks to the innovation of customizing tables particularly, resizing them. This innovation allows players to see and play on several tables. Some of the poker grinders worldwide earn a living in poker by playing in up to 16 tables at a time. They can maximize their profits.
Prior to the innovation of resizing tables, players have a limited play. They are confined to what their screens can accommodate. Some even invest good money on a decent computer set. In the early days, the maximum number of tables that players can manage is limited to four tables, squeezed together.
Rakeback
They say there’s no winner in gambling. This was negated by the introduction of rakeback. To gain a loyal following, online sites created the concept of rackeback. This means that players with an online account are eligible to receive back a percentage of the rack or what they spent on the website. Grinders playing on low limits that play at least 40 hours a week in about 12 tables can truly rake in the money. This ensures that even if they lose money, they can still earn a portion of that money each month. Malaysian who want to build up their bankroll can take advantage of this innovation. They can simply let their money grow and not worry about depositing or transferring money too much. Malaysian poker players who want to rebuild their stake can also benefit.
Loyalty Cards
When you go online looking for an ideal site to play poker, thousands of sites will flash on your screen. It can be quite hard to choose at first. Some say the market is already saturated but online operators have found a way to keep their players loyal and attract new subscribers. The answer: loyalty cards. Loyalty cards guarantee long-time players to get discounts and special perks. As mentioned, guarantee players good money or prize and they will come to you.
Live Poker
Probably one of the best innovations to benefit Malaysians is the existence of live poker or live tournament satellites. In Malaysia, locals have only one venue where they can play poker. It is in Casino de Genting. Of course, who would blame the locals if they want to look for a more exciting option? Online satellite broadcasting live events have allowed Malaysians to become familiar with the game. The world saw that it is not impossible for small players to win big in international poker games.
Mervin Chan is a Malaysian poker player who won the 2013 Aussie Millions Championship. He was a passionate poker player but an amateur when he entered the tournament. He has become an inspiration for many Malaysians who also want to make it big in the poker industry.
Innovations can be scary but they can be also a blessing. You just have to learn how to use it to your advantage.
