Poker expansion and Asia

Thanks to the internet poker sites and television coverage, poker is a game known around the world. It is becoming increasingly popular as more and more people learn how to play the different games of poker. Recently there have been poker tournaments popping up around the globe in different regions. The Latin American Poker Tour has recently been announced and dates as well as locations are being doled out. In Europe poker is already established and there is a European Poker Tour in different cities. Many of the biggest stars in poker already head over to play in those games as well because of their prize pools and exotic locations. PokerStars sponsors the Asia Pacific Poker Tour (APPT). The APPT has tournaments in four different countries and is already in its second year. While poker is becoming more popular worldwide, does it have a realistic chance of growth in Asia?

At first blush it seems like the no-brainer answer is yes. However if you stop to look into the history of Asia you may realize that poker may not have as much success in Asia as it does in other parts of the globe. The Asian market is largely untapped for poker players. India and China alone have approximately 1/3 of the world’s entire population. Take into account the fact that the middle class is expanding rapidly in both countries due to solid economic growth over the last ten to twenty years. It is natural to think poker rooms would want to exploit this region. Some Asian countries, such as China, have a strong connection to the notion of luck and gambling is often considered socially acceptable.

Gambling is well established in China. Poker is just one of many games competing for attention and money. Pai Gow, Mah Jongg and Horse Racing are very popular in Asian countries. These games have been played for centuries and poker may find it difficult to make inroads and attract followers. While many Americans and Europeans play poker and want to see it continue to grow worldwide, it is important to remember that we are not alone in the world. Other cultures may be less enthusiastic when it comes to embracing poker. As time marches on, it is reasonable to assume poker will grow in popularity in Asia, it just may take a little longer than you would expect.