Online Poker is a form of gambling that is conducted over the internet and is one of the world’s most popular online games. In order to play online poker, players must first register an account with the poker website and deposit funds into it. Many poker sites also offer free play for those who want to try the game before investing money. These websites are often used by amateur players and can be a good way to learn the game without risking any of your own money.
The early boom years of online poker saw a sharp increase in interest in the game. One of the catalysts was the 2003 victory by Chris Moneymaker at the World Series of Poker Main Event, which led to a huge influx of new players and created a ‘Moneymaker effect’ that stimulated professional play in the game.
However, in spite of the popularity of the game, the reality is that many poker players experience harm. This article will explore how the risk factors identified in disordered gamblers’ literature and concepts from decision-making research map on to a group of elite online poker players. Four participants reported losing all of their poker bankroll at some point. These experiences were transitory, though, and were outweighed by participants’ level of personal development, which they perceived as a result of their time at the tables. This is in line with findings from the broader expertise literature. Online poker players are able to smoothly grow their small initial deposits into life-changing amounts through profitable cash game sessions and tournament prize winnings.