Until the turn of the millennium, the USA was one of the few places on the planet in which poker was played. This all changed after the poker boom, though, and the pastime spread across the world like wildfire. Suddenly, anyone with internet access was able to play it from anywhere in the world. The 2020 WSOP final tables show just how widespread the game is now. There were two semi-final tables; one for American players and one for internationals. Nine nationalities were competing on the international table, and the Argentine player, Damian Salas, went on to win the competition. The uptake of poker has been slightly slower across Africa, but the continent is now beginning to catch up with the rest of the world.
Increased Internet Access Playing a Major Part
Poker is still spreading out into different countries and territories as internet access becomes easier to come by. Its popularity boomed in developed countries quickly throughout the 2000s, but it has taken slightly longer for it to gain traction in the third world. Until recently, internet usage across Africa was enjoyed only by a small minority. Times are changing, though, and even people in the most rural locations are now able to get online. Taking Kenya as an example, the number of internet users increased by 3.2 million between 2019 and 2020. Internet penetration across the country is now at 43 percent and rising.
Online casinos and poker sites are eyeing up these emerging markets and making themselves attractive to the new players that are logging on from them. 56.2 percent of the South African population is now online, and this is seen as one of Africa’s most important sectors to tap into now. This is highlighted by the list of poker sites recommended by Casinos.co.za. The site details all the rules of the game and explains to players where they can get action. It also lists some of the best bonuses on offer for new players. In 2021, almost all of these games can be played on mobile.
The list of places at which people can get a game of poker looks set to rise across the whole continent as more people get access to the internet for the first time. But this isn’t the only contributing factor to the growth of poker in Africa.
Top Poker Players Helping to Inspire Others
One of the key ways to help poker spread in emerging markets is for players from those nations to have success on the world stage. These people can act as a strong inspiration for blossoming players who want to try to replicate their success. There are a few Texas Hold’em experts from Africa who have hit the big time over the years, helping the pastime to grow in popularity in the process.
Raymond Rahme is probably the best-known player from the continent to make it to the top of the bustling poker scene. The South African has made more money than any other African player, thanks to his placing third in the 2007 World Series of Poker Main Event. He qualified for the tournament by finishing fourth in the All Africa Poker Championship that same year. This helped him to go on to win just over $3 million in the ultimate Las Vegas competition.
A lot of the other well-known poker players also hail from South Africa. Some household names include Jarred Solomon, Darren Kramer, and Eugene Du-Plessis.
Tournaments Taking Place Across the Continent
One of the main ways to help poker spread in any market is the hosting of major tournaments. The WSOP’s being held in the USA has done wonders for the game in the country, and the European Poker Tour has helped Texas Hold’em spread across that continent as well. The World Series of Poker Africa has certainly been a big help for Africa in the same way.
The inaugural competition was held in 2010, and there were events in 2012 and 2013 as well. There hasn’t been one since then, however. It may be wise for leaders of African nations to push for a reboot of the hugely popular event.
The chance to access poker online is coming to more Africans than ever before thanks to the rise of the internet. Famous African players and major tournaments in the country should help to stoke a greater amount of interest in the pastime.
