Online poker sites have come a long way since they first appeared online in the late 1990s. So, what are the fundamental differences between the sites of yesteryear and contemporary platforms? And why is it important to stay up to date with the trends?
Planet Poker Set the Early Trend
Planet Poker is widely regarded as the first online poker site where internet users can play multiple hands with other like-minded players. Given that this was new technology at the time, there was no prior software or aesthetic design on which to base their presentation. As such, the site tried to emulate real-life poker. Users were greeted with illustrated versions of poker rooms with clickable links to enter tables and lobbies. This was the early internet, and the idea of a hyperlink was still fascinating. This aesthetic of simulating real-life poker set the tone for multiple years, with many other sites and software packages following suit.
Upfront Offers on Display
Given that the online poker marketplace is incredibly saturated with hundreds and thousands of vendors vying for trade, vendors have to entice poker players with their promotional offers and USPs, explaining why they should play with them rather than competitors. As such, it is common for online poker sites to present their offers to customers on a landing page. This ensures that all site visitors understand what is available to them; this is especially common when trying to stimulate new customer sign-ups.
Crypto Influx on Modern Sites’ Banking
Browsing on the payment and banking section of any good poker site will show a plethora of different mediums to make transactions. In the contemporary era, many sites prefer that their customers use cryptocurrencies. This is because they are a lot less regulated than traditional currencies. This is particularly prevalent on the offshore casino and poker sites, many of which exclusively deal in cryptocurrencies. This is a stark difference from the original poker sites, which struggled to process payments, usually only through American-issued credit cards.
Increased Interactivity
When the early adopters of online poker played their hands, they might have been able to access their opponents’ usernames but could not communicate with them. Therefore, if you liked playing with MikeyBoy76, you might never get to play with them again. Contemporary sites ensure that users have ample chances with one another, with instant messaging functionalities available both in-game and outside of them. Of course, not everyone wants to use these, but they can be helpful if you like playing with specific opponents.
In addition, users might have been able to pick their username, but they probably had to choose from a default profile picture. A silhouette or a generic graphic of a person playing poker. These days, most poker sites allow users to upload their photos, whether they are in a Las Vegas casino, their pet cat, or a stunning landscape.
Celebrity Involvement
When the original poker sites appealed to the niche market, there was minimal budget for these sites. Many closed down due to a lack of funds, while those who survived didn’t dream of lavish marketing campaigns featuring celebrities. The best Planet Poker could do when it launched was an illustration of a poker dealer…
In 2024, many poker and online casino brands rely on partnering with well-known celebrities. Consumers will trust the advice of their favorite movie actors, sports stars, or other notable figures. As such, when Neymar Jr. worked with PokerStars, it was common to see a picture of him on every site page.
First Impressions Are Everything
First impressions count a lot when it comes to e-commerce or parting with money online. If a person does not feel comfortable or confident that the website is legitimate, they will navigate away from the site without spending their funds. Therefore, poker sites must do their utmost to present a polished and dependable landing page that not only makes them reliable but also enticing. This can be achieved by having a good website design that is in keeping with modern e-trends. You can find great sites here that are contemporary and up-to-date, and this is usually seen as being more trustworthy than older sites which may be tired-looking.
Site/Platform Functionality
When online poker first arrived, web developers only needed to worry about producing a desktop-compatible site for their services. Now, multiple avenues of access are necessary. The contemporary poker player wants to be able to use it on their phone (which means making an app for both Apple and Android) and keeping a desktop site running, too. While some brands have decided to veer away from a desktop version, this sometimes alienates consumers who prefer a computer over a mobile device.