We’re embarking on a new year and it feels an opportune time to assess how profitable poker is in 2022. Last year was pretty hectic with unprecedented external factors. Each year that passes, the old players who once won cry “poker is dead”. But clearly players are winning as there are increasing numbers across the major sites. In this article we will look at some of the key influencing factors on one’s ability to turn a profit from poker in 2022.
Less HUDs
More online poker sites are clamping down on poker tracking software. Heads up displays (HUDs) are a staple of a part-time poker professional’s routine. With several sites banning their usage, the playing field is being levelled. So, this depends on what side of the spectrum you’re on. If you are accustomed to 8 tabling with the best poker software, your edge is weakened. If you’ve struggled to win in the past, you are now less handicapped as your opponents won’t have real time stats on you. This clampdown on the HUD by sites like Unibet and Coral should definitely make it easier to win for those who play fewer tables. It will invite recreational players to return to online poker, which is good for everyone.
What about casino players?
The online casino industry is continuing to generate record numbers across the globe. All the gambling industry is better off when new casino players join the community. The by-product of more casino players is that some of them will try their hand at poker. Initially, beginners won’t be winners, that’s just a fact. Therefore, many poker sites will receive an injection of cash flow and traffic from online casino review sites like Casino.xyz. With new casino players joining poker sites, you’ll find the lower stakes games easier to beat. Naturally, some of these players will leave and others will improve, but the general increase in casino player activity trying poker will make profiting from poker easier in 2022, not harder.
Hand range analysis
Recent years have seen the proliferation of advanced study software for poker players. There are some effective poker tools out there that can accelerate one’s ability to master poker. We’re a big advocate of using this software if you’re a professional or have the time to study them properly. But there is no denying the impact of the availability of this software is a tougher game, particularly at the mid and high stakes. Hand range analysis software lets players understand and implement ranges effectively. They can grasp equity analysis and craft a strategy from their learnings that will make them very hard to beat. If this is something you’re interested in studying, we suggest you look at our recommended poker software.
Impact of Cryptocurrency
We must touch on cryptocurrency and its impact on poker for 2022. The online poker sites have taken notice of the far reaching and practical usage cryptocurrency has for players. That’s why a number of sites are now accepting BTC as a safe deposit method and availability for cash outs. Cryptocurrency isn’t completely mainstream yet so there are a finite number of places users can spend their funds and poker is a great place. Poker has opened the door widely and said “come in and play” and its fantastic for the poker community. We also suspect the perks of speed of transaction and anonymity it affords resonates with many existing players too. More players, (particularly those who are new) is certainly a positive and means its easier to turn a profit than before.
There are always live games
Finally, its worth pointing out that live poker is still an option for many. If you play on a site that is tough, don’t like online poker or suffering from burn out, try live instead. Most cash games in a casino are going to be soft with players making rookie mistakes all over the place. You can expect to generate a decent live poker win rate through just playing the fundamentals. People will be impatient before the flop, prone to calling off lightly later in the hand and chasing draws like no tomorrow. Add the negatives of ego and tilt to live games and you’ll be laughing.
Conclusion
As you can see its very possible to turn a profit from poker in 2022. With new casino players and users of cryptocurrency joining the poker world, there will be more poor play. Combine this with sites appealing to recreational players with banning HUDs and you can see it’s a thriving place. The availability of advanced hand analysis will make the better players even tougher but for now, they won’t be the majority. If you’ve set some poker goals this year and want to improve, get in touch with us below.
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Narciso Baldo
Narciso Baldo is the Director and Head Coach of Texas Hold'em Questions. He has been playing poker for over 16 years. After spending many years as a professional, he now runs UK poker training site Texas Hold'em Questions. Narciso regularly writes poker articles sharing tips, strategy, news and experience with gambling enthusiasts. Narciso also writes for reputable gambling portal Casino City Times, (bio here). Contact: [email protected]
