Curious about poker influencers? Poker’s got plenty of “fame to its name,” but in recent years, it’s got bigger than ever. We have witnessed online poker catapult into the social space over the last 10 years, and it just keeps on getting bigger! So just what are we looking at? Well, we’re now in a digital age with over 5 billion internet users across the world, meaning that making a business online is easier than it has ever been. A big part of building an online business relates to influencing, and a poker influencer’s a whole new type of social media influencing.
Influencers come in all kinds of forms – from beauty to lifestyle or fashion to gaming and poker – they’re no different. What was once confined to dark brick-and-mortar casino spaces aimed at one specific type of person is now being spread to the masses. Online poker influencers are targeting a new niche of individuals, making the world of poker a whole new, creative place. Whether it be live streaming gameplay or sharing Twitch videos of casino games, poker influencers are bringing the thrill of the game into the living rooms of millions across the world.
We’re going to be taking a look at what these poker influencers do, along with everything you need to know about how it works. We’ll discuss how social media is now a powerful piece of technology in the gaming space, and how new opportunities are being created everywhere.
First things first – what are influencers and what does it entail?
The term “influencer” is thrown around as part of our vocabulary, but it covers a wide range of industries. The influencing market is set to be worth $24 billion by the end of 2024, proving that the world of the influencer really is here to stay. But what are they?
An influencer is someone who has the power to affect the purchasing decisions of someone else because of their authority and following – and a social media influencer educates, influences, and inspires those who follow them.
The growth of poker influencers
Whether you’re scrolling on your phone, sitting at a PC, or dabbling on a tablet – online poker is everywhere. And with great growth around the world comes growth in the influencer industry, which is why poker influencers like Dan Bilzerian are getting bigger than ever, and using their images to redefine the game.
These poker influencers monetize their accounts and make use of every platform available. Each platform offers new opportunities and the sheer number is part of the reason behind the boom in poker players.
Here are the top platforms that poker influencers use:
1. YouTube: Many poker influencers use YouTube for longer-form videos. They create strategy guides, tournament live sharing, and in-depth knowledge of the psychology of the game. Influencers use YouTube as a looking glass into the high-stakes decisions that go on in the wild world of poker playing.
2. Twitch: Twitch is the leader in all things live streaming and gaming. It’s known for being a hotspot for poker influencers who broadcast their gameplay in real-time. Influencers manage to amass large audiences by sharing their live poker sessions, providing commentary, and interacting with viewers. It’s truly engaging for both the viewer and influencer, as it allows the streamer to communicate with everybody.
3. Instagram: Instagram is one of the most popular social media platforms out there, and is perfect for quick, casual content. Poker influencers use this method to share behind-the-scenes looks at the world of poker and casinos.
How poker culture is changing
The role of poker influencers isn’t just making it a better experience for poker fans – but they’re also changing the world of poker as we know it. They are breaking down barriers and making poker more accessible everywhere, which has switched the main perception of how poker is viewed.
How poker influencers are changing the poker world:
● Making poker accessible: Influencers make poker widely available to a broad audience, while also providing free, educational content. This introduces new players to the poker world, who might otherwise have never had the courage to play before.
● Building a community: Through the content that is posted, influencers are creating a vibrant community of poker players. This has created a safe space for strategies to be discussed, along with a place where people can support everyone else on the poker path.
● Creating trends: Poker influencers growing in popularity are driving new trends and creating new strategies.
As a whole, social media is shaping the landscape of online poker and bringing in a wide world of diverse individuals. Whether it is brand partnerships, sponsorships, or educational ventures, influencers are making poker popular everywhere. Many influencers have burst onto the online course scene and coaching sessions, showing innovation in the many different ways they can use their poker skills.