Why Poker is Capturing the Modern Gamer’s Imagination— & Then Some

Written by — April 15, 2025 at 16:49

Credit: Pexels

According to the annual State of Poker survey, 90% of respondents enjoy online and live poker, implying that the card game enjoys a steady appeal among enthusiasts regardless of the medium. 
The rising popularity of poker among online gamers, in particular, is thanks in part to the expanding platform that the gaming industry has provided. A Grand View Research report notes that the global gaming market value is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.7% from 2025 to 2030 due to digital distribution platforms and a diverse gaming demographic. As the industry continues to expand, more audiences are exposed to video games — many of them featuring poker.

Games allowing players to try poker are now available on Steam and other platforms. The popularity of streaming platforms like Twitch has also provided more opportunities for online poker to reach more gaming enthusiasts by delivering engaging content from amateurs and seasoned poker players alike. In this article, we look at why and how poker is capturing the modern gamer’s imagination. 

Expanding poker's audience 

Credit: Unsplash

Streaming services like Twitch are a popular avenue for gamers to access gameplay content, so these platforms play a crucial role in introducing the thrill of poker to a wider audience. Pioneering US online poker platform Americas Cardroom has partnered with Twitch streamers to showcase cash games and tournaments to a global audience. Members of ACR Poker’s streaming community Stormers, including Evan Jarvis and Mark Rubbathan, go live every day to provide tons of poker content and card game strategies to viewers. Last year, ACR Poker streamed its third online charity tournament on its poker-focused Twitch channel, introducing the card game to a broader community and providing ticket giveaways to the $1 Million GTD Vietnam Warmup tournament.

Other companies like PokerStars also stream regularly on Twitch and other platforms. However, aside from streaming, poker is also now more accessible to the modern gamer thanks to several video games that feature the card game.

Games that feature poker 

Balatro

Credit: IGN on YouTube

For gamers who like to bend the rules, playing the Balatro card game is a good way to enjoy poker while adding unique strategies to advance to the next round. The roguelike card game fuses deck-building principles with poker mechanics, with the aim of beating enemy blinds by earning chips and playing strategic poker hands. You can customize your deck through card upgrades and acquire Jokers to improve your hand. Each poker hand has a designated point score and a corresponding multiplier. When players receive a hand, they can discard up to five cards at once to acquire the highest possible points needed to move forward to the next level.

Sunshine Shuffle 

Credit: Strange Scaffold on YouTube

If you want to play the card game through a cozy, laidback approach, try the Sunshine Shuffle poker game, which includes cute animals going against each other to see who has the highest-ranking hand. It's a narrative poker adventure that pairs the allure of Animal Crossing with the excitement of a crime drama. Like Balatro, this game won’t let you bluff, call, or raise your way to the top without some exciting twists. While playing high-stakes Texas Hold ‘Em, players can uncover and piece together an engaging narrative that reveals interesting details of the characters’ past crimes.

Red Dead Redemption 2

Credit: GeauxBurns on YouTube

In Red Dead Redemption 2, gamers can play the mini-game to take a break from the main story’s intense combat and earn quick cash that can be used throughout the game. Red Dead Redemption 2’s poker mechanics are straightforward, staying true to the real-life version of Texas Hold ‘Em. You’re dealt with two cards, and three cards are placed at the center of the table. You can combine these community cards with your current ones to try and build the strongest hand at the table. Gamers can play poker in several locations within the game, including Blackwater, Valentine, and Tumbleweed. 

With multiple avenues for gamers to enjoy poker, it’s no wonder the card game has quickly captured the modern gamer’s imagination. Through streaming platforms and a diverse range of video games, more players are getting exposed to the thrill of poker. For more articles like these on gaming, visit the Adventure Gamers website.