Ed. note: We originally published this article about 10 years ago. Since that time, much has changed in the word; the poker world specifically. So much excellent poker media content is being published, but far more of it online nowadays than in print. In fact, upon reviewing the list of magazines we picked for this article, we realized that some are no longer even in print! With that said, if you can get your hands on an old copy of some of these great poker magazines, the articles still make for a great read.
There are some great poker magazines that have been produced over the years and although many poker players will turn to the Internet to get their fix of poker news on the daily, it’s well worth thinking about subscribing to one or two of the very best magazines out there. “Why?” I hear you ask, “I can get all that I need online!” Maybe you can get all you need online, and perhaps you prefer visiting sites like https://www.casimoose.ca/ for your gambling fix, but poker magazines offer something a little different, and it’s not just the info between the covers.
We all know that there are many great sites that deliver poker news as it happens. A magazine, however, is tangible and collectible and as I am sure you all know, reading online is not the same as reading off it – we just don’t absorb information online in the same way. To cut to the chase, below we list five great poker magazines that all poker players should at least consider getting a hold of, even if it’s just on a trial run. In no particular order, they are:
Card Player
Card Player (no relation to this poker blog) has been around longer than many poker players themselves and is arguably the most respected offline source of poker news, views and reviews. With regular columns by some of the most battle-hardened players in the game and with 26 issues per year running off the press at $39.95 in the US, $59.95 in Canada and $75.95 internationally it’s a steal. Card Player is perhaps not for the beginner and does tend to assume the reader is up on their own game, however with such great contributors, to dumb things down would be nothing short of a crime. It’s also given away for free in many US card rooms.
Ante Up
At $30 for 12 issues and with single copies available to order online at just $5 each, Ante Up is great value. Ante Up offers a very different focus, and one that is vital to the game of poker in that it really does dig a lot deeper than the big well-known events. It goes into the foxholes to provide news and information on players at a regional level in the US. There’s plenty of detailed info on regional tourneys with a state-by-state rendering of all the local going-on. It doesn’t get more grassroots than Ante Up. It’s different and it’s a great read.
Poker Player
The UK-based Poker Player magazine is a little lighter in content than the aforementioned publications. Although it does feature many great strategy articles and interviews with the big-name players, it tries not to take itself too seriously. In fact, I’d assess that it’s the perfect mix between a ‘lad’s mag’ and a poker magazine. While not necessarily for the poker purist, Poker Player offers a good read and the fact that it’s only £9.99 for 6 issues means it is well worth taking a look at.
WPT Poker
WPT Poker is huge and covers just about everything there is to cover in poker. With content supplied by many fine poker writers and players, at $29.95 in Canada and £27.99 in the UK for a year’s subscription it’s got bargain written all over it. You’ll find many in-depth features as well as detailed strategy articles. In my opinion, the stand-out thing regarding WPT Poker is that players at every level of the game can get something out of it.
Bluff
Bluff used to be found free in many US card rooms, or you can subscribe and get it delivered in the US for $24.99, Canada $34.99 and Internationally for $44.99. Lance Bradley was the main man over at Bluff and he has a wealth of poker media experience. Moreover, the fact that he was also an online poker room manager at Bodog for a few years gives him a little bit of an inside edge. You’ll find great articles and features in these pages, and along with their sister publication Bluff Europe they have many bases covered.
People Love to Read About Poker
Not everything related to poker news, reviews, strategy and general poker nonsense is to be found online. In these five poker magazines, we’ve just listed a few of the best; there are even more great ones out there. The fact that multiple publications have such a sustained, wide audience says something about poker’s worldwide popularity.
If you’re debating about pulling the trigger to subscribe to any of these fine publications, just visit their websites for a taste of the the print versions have to offer.
Although magazines may rely on on the online side of poker to a certain extent, their existence is proof that there is life beyond the modem….and it doesn’t look good carrying a laptop to the bathroom.
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