Yes, I was skeptical of the value of online poker a few years ago. So were many of the people who managed real-world poker card rooms. They were afraid that online poker would siphon off their business more than it would help bring in new players to their physical cardrooms.
That argument has been resolved. Today, it's hard to find anyone in the industry who doesn't realize that online poker games have helped in the resurgence of real-world poker. I meet players everyday at the Commerce, Casinos and elsewhere who began by playing poker online. And the one thing that proves the point most convincingly is the number of players at the major tournaments who qualified online. For some, these real-world poker tournaments constitute their first exposure to casino poker. They like the adventure of playing against live opponents they actually can shake hands with and speak to at the tables. And they enjoy trying to read them and spot tells - something that isn't possible online.
Count the new players pouring into casino poker tournaments through online channels and you will be as convinced as I am that online poker has helped greatly to bring our game into the public spotlight, giving it the respect it always deserved, but never had.
