While many online poker networks are eagerly anticipating the usual increase in traffic that comes with the Fall season, WSOP NV is fully leveraging its close connection to the world’s most prestigious tournament series.
Thus far, the results have been exceptional.
Data collected from PokerFuse Pro and PokerScout.com indicates that WSOP.com Nevada’s cash-game traffic is set to surpass its previous record. This is happening at a time when the global market is experiencing a significant drop, heading towards its yearly low.
We’ll emphasize some of the main reasons behind WSOP NV’s deviation from the seasonal cash-game trend and scrutinize how the WSOP.com Online Championship series stacks up against its New Jersey equivalent.
Counting down the reasons behind WSOP NV’s traffic surge
New Rules at the Rio Make It More Laptop Friendly – #5
So far, only a handful of players have been discovered playing online while physically sitting at one of the Rio’s poker tables.
This could be attributed to the concentration typically required at live World Series of Poker events. Alternatively, it could be due to the inconvenience most players find in carrying around a bulky laptop.
The “Grind Room” at The Rio hasn’t been particularly successful, however, the casino floor, which is favorable for online poker, has contributed to the growth of WSOP NV.
#4 – B&M Marketing
The Rio is decorated with WSOP.com logos. Whether it’s lighted displays, banners, or branded tables, players can’t go more than 15 feet without a reminder that WSOP.com is live in Nevada.
While most WSOP veterans are used to seeing various explicit advertisements during their stay at the Rio, I think that all the sparkle and spectacle might be having a lingering impact on the traffic levels of WSOP.com.
#3 – David Tuchman
Living on the East Coast, I frequently find myself living vicariously through the fortunate players participating in the WSOP. However, with the help of the (almost) live streams provided by David Tuchman, I can do this.
However, the commentary for this year’s play is slightly different from the previous year, as Tuchman can’t refrain from injecting some WSOP.com-related information every two minutes.
Tuchman is one of WSOP NV’s most outspoken supporters, advocating for regulated online poker through general discussions, direct promotions, or reminders about upcoming satellite or Online Championship events. His influence is undeniably aiding in raising awareness.
Online Championship and online qualifiers – #2 on WSOP.com.
The Rio hosts a daily Deepstack tournament at 3 p.m. This $235 buy-in tourney, always a crowd favorite, often draws between 1,000 to 2,000 participants during the WSOP, resulting in prize pools that regularly reach six figures.
Why do poker players who are eliminated early from WSOP events feel so unsatisfied, as described by Teddy KGB’s character played by John Malkovich? The reason is that some of these players compete in smaller tournaments to amass a bankroll substantial enough for the Main Event.
The ongoing WSOP.com Online Championship provides comparable incentives, as it is a series of moderately priced tournaments with top prizes around $10,000.
Next, there are the WSOP online qualifiers. These allow players at the Rio to win online tickets to a $1,500 or $10,000 event. They can then walk downstairs and potentially turn their luck into hundreds of thousands of dollars. At least, that’s the idea.
#1 – The WSOP
Despite all the cross-promotion hype, the primary reason players are engaging online is due to everything related to the WSOP currently being a success. Additionally, the poker community in Las Vegas has likely tripled in the last two weeks.
Last year, Ultimate Poker saw substantial growth during the series. Wouldn’t it be reasonable to anticipate even more now that a site, sharing the same name as the pinnacle of live tournament poker, is accessible to a wider audience?
Notable facts about WSOP NV’s traffic surge
- Cash-game traffic on WSOP.com NV has surpassed WSOP.com NJ for the first time since December. Moreover, Nevada’s Online Championship events are significantly outdoing their New Jersey counterparts.
- The 7-day average volume of cash games on WSOP NV is currently around 140, surpassing the previous record of 135 set in early November 2013.
- Since May 20th, there has been a staggering increase of 37% in traffic.
- Most satellites for the $215 2014 WSOP Main Event 25 Seat Scramble are providing exceptional value for poker players.
- WSOP NV is closely trailing PartyPoker NJ in the competition for the top spot among US regulated poker sites.
- Since the beginning of the WSOP, traffic on Ultimate Poker NV has stayed relatively steady.
A Rundown of the WSOP.com NV Online Championship Thus Far
So far, five out of the 15 planned WSOP.com Online Championship events have been completed.
I must confess, I initially suspected that many would struggle to fulfill their ambitious promises. However, the results speak for themselves:
- Event #1: $215 No Limit Hold’em, $50k Guarantee: 196 participants, $10,800 overlay
- Event #2: No Limit Hold’em 6-Max $109, $10k Guaranteed: 177 participants, with a prize pool of $17,700.
- Event #3: $109 Pot Limit Omaha, $10k Guaranteed, 97 participants, $300 overlay
- Event #4: $109 Rebuy & Add-on No Limit Hold’em Poker, with a guaranteed prize of $25k. The event had 168 participants, 121 rebuys, and 109 addons, accumulating a total prize pool of $39,800.
- Event #5: $109 No Limit Hold’em – $10k Guarantee, with 142 participants and a prize pool of $14,200.
