What Makes a Great Poker App? Features That Keep Players Coming Back

WORDS: Ocean Road Editorial Staff PHOTOGRAPHY Supplied

Poker is special in Australia’s gaming ecosystem as it is commonly played in local pubs and casinos. The player base for the game in the country is substantial, with around 38% of its adult population admitting to participating in weekly poker games.  

What attracts this large population is not just the money but the joy derived from playing and the convenience with which they can play now that online poker is available. 

With this option, many gamblers get to enjoy a game of poker using their mobile devices from the comfort of their home. Some of Australia’s most trusted poker platforms see a lot of traffic (over 55,000 players online) because they provide players with a variety of games, anonymity, and the opportunity to test their skills against players of different skill levels. Some of them also accept major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum for added security and instant payments. 

When looking for a poker app to invest your time and money, there are a few things to consider. These features make a good poker app.

UX/UI

Some poker apps have a poor user interface, which drives away players. The best poker apps create a user-friendly interface and design that makes it easy for users to navigate the app without any extra help.

A user-friendly design means users can find their favourite games easily and select a template that can be customised to their taste. This also means little to no glitches, clear graphics that appeal to the eye, and a well-organised user interface. Once users begin to find it hard to move around the app or check relevant information, it makes the gameplay very difficult, and they may not return. 

By focusing on a smooth experience for the player, allowing them to focus on enjoying their games, poker apps will definitely record more usage by gamblers.

Game Variety

Players are very interested in improving their skills. It is one of the things that drives them, and a good poker app should be able to provide this feeling. 

Good poker apps provide a cross-section of games to attract players. This variety makes sure the poker experience is fresh for every player. Some of the biggest poker apps offer a wide range of games, including Texas Hold’em, Omaha, 7-Card Stud, and unique formats like Boost Poker and Windfall Poker. 

Apart from a wide variety of games, these apps offer big tournaments that involve the inclusion of a large player base, increasing the competitiveness of the platforms. Players get a chance to play against opponents of different skill levels. Rather than playing against people who won’t make it worth the time, great poker apps present players with a chance to feel the tension and rush that made them fall in love with poker.

Some players who wish to participate in tournaments like the annual Australian Poker Open use great poker apps to practice their skills before the main events. Although the games are virtual, the competition is real. 

Fairness and Security

In the online gaming ecosystem, trust is important. Building trust is the easiest way to bring players back to your platform. Players love a fair battle. 

By using Random Number Generation (RNG), poker apps make sure that the cards or numbers are generated randomly. Suspicious win rates and unusual betting patterns can ruin the entire gaming experience. Poker platforms ensure fairness by using advanced systems to check unusual betting patterns and prevent cheating. 

Good customer service is another way to establish trust and fairness. This helps in answering players’ questions and providing good customer service, which builds player retention.

It is also important to safeguard user data and information. When users know that their personal information and transaction details are secure, they trust the app more. To prevent glitches and breaches, good poker apps organise regular maintenance of their platforms and also send out updates to players to keep them informed on any latest developments.

Bonuses, Promotions, and Loyalty Programs

To attract new players and retain the attention of regular ones coming back, many online poker platforms give big bonuses and promotions. By giving out rewards and rolling out loyalty programs, players are motivated to engage with the app so they don’t miss out on the perks.

New players are mostly drawn to platforms where they can get huge welcome bonuses. For seasoned players, they feel valued when they gain access to promotions and loyalty programs.

Easy Payments

Having safe and secure ways to make withdrawals and deposits attracts many bettors. Players like apps that allow them to make transactions without stress. 

Some of the best poker apps have many payment options. Users can choose from paying with credit cards, bank transfers or even cryptocurrency. Nobody wants to wait for days before getting their winnings, they want it quickly. Just recently, one of the largest crypto exchanges, Coinbase, released a statement urging Australia to step up its crypto regulations if the country wants to become a leader in the crypto industry. When that happens, Aussie poker players will enjoy more payment freedom. 

Choosing a great poker app depends on a lot of factors, but players mainly look for an app that they can easily use. They are more likely to pick apps that guarantee safe and secure payment methods and a large collection of games.