There’s a near-endless number of new video games released each year, but what’s new isn’t always the best. To earn the title of the best on the planet, a game must have long-term appeal.
But, of course, longevity alone won’t cut it. Monopoly has been around for more than 100 years, but there aren’t too many people who love the game; in fact, most people hate playing the game, which was actually the whole point of it.
Great games that are historic, enjoyable, and still played today are a minority. Poker is one of them. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why poker might be the best game ever invented.
It’s Enduringly Popular
With around 100 million players across the globe, poker is clearly extremely popular. But the game isn’t a new phenomenon. It has been around for about two hundred years and has remained consistently popular over the centuries. There’s never been a point when it has fallen out of favor. If League of Legends or another popular modern game is still going strong on its 200th birthday, then we’ll talk. For now, poker rules.
It’s Accessible — But Also Difficult
Some people would argue that bridge is the best game. Others would say chess. While they’re undoubtedly great games, the fact remains that they’re not very accessible. They’re both complex and difficult to learn. Poker, on the other hand, is different. A newcomer could learn the rules of Texas Holdem, the most widely-played poker variant, within an hour or two. Yet poker is also challenging, complex enough to be engaging on the first or 5,000th day of playing. The game offers the perfect balance between accessibility and difficulty, essentially.
It Draws Upon a Wide Range of Skills
Blackjack is the world’s most popular card game, but success in that game doesn’t require all that many skills. Success in poker, on the other hand, demands a whole range of attributes. Good performance at the poker table is dependent on solid decision-making, critical thinking, emotional control, and psychology. Plus, the benefits of drawing upon these skills can extend beyond the poker table, with some evidence suggesting that players enhance their broader concentration, memory, and problem-solving capabilities just through the course of playing.
There Are Different Types
People tend to discuss poker as if it’s a single game. But in actual fact, it’s more a family of games. The previously mentioned Texas Holdem might be the most popular version, but it’s far from the only one. There are dozens of poker variants, which tend to fall under one of the following categories:
- Draw Poker
- Stud Poker
- High/Low Poker
- Wild Poker
A player who learns how to play the primary poker variants will find it easy to pick up the gameplay of other versions. If you’re new to poker, then we’d recommend that you do so, too — playing as many types as you can will help develop your overall poker performance.
It’s a Lifelong Passion
Poker players don’t just play the game. They study it, too. Speak to the best players in the world, and they’ll all tell you that they spend a significant amount of time reading up on strategies that’ll help to give them a minor edge. Part of what makes poker so fascinating is it’s impossible to truly master the game. You can get better, but you can’t “complete” the game, in part because it’s continually evolving; strategies that worked a few years ago would be ineffective today.
You Can Play Anywhere
Finally, poker, like football, is a truly global game, which means you can play anywhere, especially given that there are 100 million players spread across the planet. Whether it’s playing online, with friends, or at a casual game when traveling, you’re never too far from a fellow poker player. And given how popular the game is, that’ll likely always be the case, no matter how many years you play for.
Disclaimer:
CBD:
Qrius does not provide medical advice.
The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (NDPS Act) outlaws the recreational use of cannabis products in India. CBD oil, manufactured under a license issued by the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, can be legally used in India for medicinal purposes only with a prescription, subject to specific conditions. Kindly refer to the legalities here.
The information on this website is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
Gambling:
As per the Public Gambling Act of 1867, all Indian states, except Goa, Daman, and Sikkim, prohibit gambling. Land-based casinos are legalized in Goa and Daman under the Goa, Daman and Diu Public Gambling Act 1976. In Sikkim, land-based casinos, online gambling, and e-gaming (games of chance) are legalized under the Sikkim Online Gaming (Regulation) Rules 2009. Only some Indian states have legalized online/regular lotteries, subject to state laws. Refer to the legalities here. Horse racing and betting on horse racing, including online betting, is permitted only in licensed premises in select states. Refer to the 1996 Supreme Court judgment for more information.
This article does not endorse or express the views of Qrius and/or its staff.
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