Poker in the UK and Ireland

Many sceptics are starting to write about an end to the poker revolution which we have all experienced over the past 5 or 6 Years, to put this in to perspective all you need to do is compare the numbers of entries in live tournaments compared to previous Years to see any trends. Whilst this may well show a drop in numbers you also have to consider other factors in to the equation.

Firstly there is much more choice available for players, live games often clash such as the GUKPT with some Dusk Till dawn events or the summer series with the World Series, player numbers in these events are going to be lower but that doesn’t mean the players aren’t still playing.

Secondly don’t forget the online side of things, with such value and convenience many players have found playing from home via a pc much more appealing than having to pay for travel costs not to mention hotels and all the other expenses we occur when playing circuit events.

Thirdly pub and club poker is very active and does not as many thing stop players from visiting card rooms and casino’s, these smaller games are the breeding ground for the future of the whole industry. Not only do players get to learn the game and experience the atmosphere they don’t feel the pressure some do when playing the “bigger game” on a bigger stage.

We are lucky enough to have a wide choice of large tournaments to pick and choose from, the gukpt, the coral British master, the Ept London, the World Series of Poker Europe, the Irish Open and now the new Pokerstars Uk Tour. This small list doesn’t include events held regularly across the Country which feature deepstacks and buyins of £100 and upwards.

So is poker in the UK and Ireland under threat? No, we very much doubt it, put together the above points and the so called credit crunch which must have hit a few peoples pockets and the fact is that the number of poker players in the UK id more than likely still on the increase.

Poker is an excellent game no matter where you play, how you play or what you play!