Australian Penthouse

Why pub poker is good for the industry…

Aussies love pubs. They’re part of our history and culture, from tiny watering holes in outback towns to the fancy drinking palaces of our capital cities. Knocking off work and having a few settlers with mates can brighten up a bad day, and there’s no better way to spend a Saturday afternoon than watching footy on the big screen, eating a good-value meal, or chatting up the hot new babe behind the bar. But just when you thought they had covered every entertainment angle, a new feature has emerged that is packing pubs Australia-wide.

Poker has become a remarkably durable product that has surpassed even the most ambitious expectations. No-one thought it would make captivating television, few would have estimated the astronomical profits from online poker, and nobody could have predicted that hundreds of thousands of ordinary Aussies would regularly flock to their local for a game of pub poker.

There were a few rumblings in late 2005 from poker entrepreneurs who predicted that there was a growing appetite for organised games in pubs, but it really took off in Sydney in 2006, when non-poker-playing publicans realised it was all about selling entertainment. Sure, poker was at the heart of the pitch, but they devised a product that gave the punter a great night out.

On balance, I can’t see how people could argue that pub poker is bad for the industry as a whole. Pub poker doesn’t discriminate.

You could be a truckie, farmer, housewife or accountant; as long as you’re over 18 and have an IQ over 50, you can play and enjoy yourself. The pub game has been expertly crafted to give everyone a fighting chance at the start of each tournament, and while good players have a slight edge, a very average player is often just as likely to win. This is the key to its success—a level playing field. The only skill you need to play pub poker is a basic knowledge of No Limit Texas Hold ’Em.

The one problem that pub poker has is controlling the standard. Some companies do it well, but some do it badly and damage the reputation of the others. Two major companies in Australia have emerged as industry leaders, and both are run differently. The National Poker League (NPL) has the best model—they train tournament directors to run the events, creating a high standard. Their main competitor, the Australian Poker League (APL), uses a franchise system, which means that some operators are good, but some are just total idiots who don’t understand the game.

The NPL recently created a new pub poker association called the 888 Poker League. This is a groundbreaking competition that has the potential to transform pub poker by bringing the online aspect into the mix. Not only can members play for free in their local area, they also get to play in online tournaments against other members. The web component is everything online poker should be. You begin by playing for free, build up your skills, and eventually gain the confidence to compete in cash events in the safety of your own home. Get the full details at: www.888PL.com.au.

So, how long is pub poker going to last? Pessimists say it will be dead and buried sooner rather than later, but others reckon that as long as it maintains its quality and changes with the times, it will be around for a good while yet.

nitially, I was of the first opinion, but my local has found a new lease on life since introducing pub poker. I didn’t think the place had a chance, as it’s basically a dive, but a few months on and the punters are fighting to secure one of the 80 seats available.

Pub poker is helping to grow the game I love and play professionally, and it’s bringing new contenders to the high-stakes tables, keen to test their abilities against the best in the business, and maybe even find fame and fortune.

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