Few games have the enduring appeal of poker or have existed for so long. Games that are hundreds of years old often lose popularity. However, poker has bucked this trend and only got more popular at the dawn of the digital age.

The game has a blend of fortune and skill/strategy, and it is something that has been seen as an entertainment option for well over a hundred years. In Europe, the game was popular in the 1600s and 1700s.

How Tech Changed Poker

When the world went online in the 1990s and early 2000s, poker proved to be popular online pretty quickly. There was even a spell people refer to as the “poker boom” when lots of people took up the hobby for the first time.

Back in the day, picking up poker skills might have required a trip to the library or finding a mentor. It wasn’t as easy to find info like rules and even strategy. Now, however, information is everywhere. Finding poker instructions online has never been more straightforward for people who want to do so, and it can start with a search online rather than having to go to the library or search for a book.

The sheer volume of content means that anyone can learn, it doesn’t matter if someone is a total beginner or someone that is more of a pro looking to sharpen their skills, people can find guidance tailored to their level online and even in a way that suits them. Video content is better for some while others are looking to read about poker or just watch the game.

Mobile apps take this a step further. Many are designed specifically to teach poker rules or even advanced things like odds calculation. Some even come with interactive quizzes or simulated games, which allow users to practice different hands and scenarios without any pressure. Poker learning on the go has never been easier and it’s as simple as pulling out a phone during a commute or coffee break.

Learning from the Best

One of the great benefits of technology is the access it provides to poker professionals. Some huge names like Dan Negreanu have created Masterclasses that people can watch and read to learn how others have approached the game. Watching them navigate different situations and explain their rationale offers valuable insights that can’t always be gleaned from books or tutorials.

Some even offer personalized coaching sessions or host live Q&A events, providing an opportunity for learners to ask questions and receive feedback in real time. In this way, technology has created a bridge between novices and experts that simply didn’t exist before, getting a front-row seat to a master class, without ever leaving home.

Specific Tech Tools

Poker is a game of probabilities and technology has made it easier to understand and apply these principles. Several software tools and apps are designed specifically for calculating odds or showing the strength of hands. Beginners may find it helpful to have some sort of reference. They don’t have to be complex, either. Some of these tools, often referred to as “poker solvers,” use complex algorithms to find optimal strategies for various situations.

Will AI Have a Role in Learning Poker?

Artificial intelligence has made headlines for its ability to take on human champions in games. Maybe the robots will take over! We’re just kidding, it isn’t a science fiction scenario here, but AI-driven tools and bots have become a valuable resource for poker players looking to learn from the best. Advanced algorithms can now analyze millions of hands in seconds, identifying patterns and suggesting strategies that might take a human years to discover. AI can run on a device or it also has the potential to run from the cloud. Could it be that more software is invented in the coming years?

Some platforms already offer AI coaching where players can receive feedback on their moves. While these tools may not be perfect yet they offer a unique opportunity to learn from a mathematically perfect opponent (or coach). For those looking to refine their game, AI offers insights that go beyond traditional study methods.

AI is already revolutionizing sports and other similar fields so it could potentially have a part to play in table games like these. The game stays the same, of course.

Conclusion

Learning for any hobby is becoming more simple and straightforward in the modern age. We’re all more connected now and this means that there are more ways for people to learn and understand different games. We’ve also seen this in esports and other ways for people to play games – poker is different as it is one of the classic games played long before the internet (or even computers). However, it has remained extremely popular which is why the internet has thousands of sites devoted to the game.