Are you a fan of poker? Well, many people are, and this is not just because of the many years the game has been here but also because of the exciting gameplay. The possibility of playing with random people or even friends virtually through VR has finally arrived. And it didn’t take us till the year 2050 to get there!
But what’s exciting today is the innovation in the poker industry, an innovation spearheaded by the rise of Virtual Reality. Today, we have a plethora of VR Poker games that you can play and get that immersive experience. In this article, we review the top three (3) poker games that are VR-inclined.
Is VR Poker the Future?
VR Poker, being a short form of Virtual Reality Poker, is a type of poker game that can be played over-the-air, especially through the Internet. Although many other poker variants, such as the live poker game, offer a live gameplay experience, they don’t come close to what the VR poker game offers.
Picture a scenario where you are seated with other poker gamers in the same room and playing your cards, while in the real world, you are seated in your living room and watching it all happen. In contrast to the regular poker games, the VR poker variant offers that immersive experience that most live casino games are missing.
About the VR poker being the future of online poker, the possibility cannot be ruled out. Before, poker games were played offline but the advent of the Internet enabled the online and real-time gaming experience we appreciate today. Today, we have the continuous rolling out of newer technologies, ranging from Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR).
With big players like Meta launching dedicated platforms for these types of VR games, we can posit that the future of poker games is virtually realistic. Already, some of the top VR poker games are launched and playable on top platforms, such as the Meta Oculus Quest 2 platform. We will now review some of the top VR poker games out there, pointing out the unique attributes and the aspects that will do with an upgrade.
Game 1: PokerStars VR
If you are looking for a VR poker game to start your VR gameplay experience with, look no further than PokerStars VR. Developed by Lucky VR, published by The Stars Group, this VR poker game is already for you to play. You can start playing it on either the Meta Oculus Quest 2 platform or on Microsoft Windows. Here is everything you need to know about the game.
It has multiple genres. The genres give you an idea of what the poker game is all about. As much as it is designed to be a free-to-play, social online casino game designed to give players from different parts of the world that immersive experience; it also supports other genres. The following is a list of some of the genres of the PokerStars VR poker game:
- Strategy
- Video game
- Casual game
- Early access
- Simulation video game
PokerStars VR Gameplay
This is a combination of the virtual and real-world poker gaming experience, especially when you consider the provisions made for a VR headset. With the VR headset, you get to “read the room” and “listen to every action.” The gameplay solely focuses on studying your fellow poker players, and seeing how best to play your hands to beat their strategies.
Features of the PokerStars VR Game
This Virtual Reality (VR) poker game has a lot of innovative features, ranging from the interactive toys and props, the in-game chip purchases and taking on your opponents on a streak of poker playing via the Texas Hold’em ring games.
Pros
- Superb and unprecedented realism, through which you get to read your opponents’ body language.
- Intuitive and fully-immersive interface.
- Leader Boards, promoting non-stop competition.
- Offers authentic poker, craps, blackjack and slots.
- Realistic props and toys, ranging from pistols, chips and balloons.
Cons
- Players need to have either the HTC Vive or the Oculus Rift VR Headsets to play the game.
- Access to the IAP may be restricted by location.
Game 2: Poker VR
The second poker game with Virtual Reality (VR) support is called the Poker VR. Developed and published by Mega Particle, Inc. Poker VR is an “evolution of the Casino VR Poker.” Casino VR Poker is the first social game launched by Mega Particle and following the success, the developer went back to the drawing board and came up with something better – Poker VR.
Here is what you need to know about this game. Among the different genres, the stimulated gambling is the most outstanding, as it ignites the game’s commitment to providing an immersive gameplay and gambling experience.
Poker VR also has other genres, such as:
- Social gaming
- Poker
Full Customization
Got some money, probably from your winnings? Want to spend it on upgrading your avatars? Take advantage of the full customization feature to specify how the avatar looks, as well as customizing the dozens of gifts shared between the players.
Pros
- Multiplayer game mode
- Supports both the hand tracking and touch controller formats.
- It allows you to invite your friends to join you at the table and play.
- Expressive avatars, with lips and bodily movements.
- Automated table balancing and;
- Multi-table tournaments, supporting up to 100 players.
Cons
- Doesn’t offer a single-play mode.
- The only player mode supported is the sitting position.
Game 3: Gangsta Underground
Do you want to enjoy that gangster vibes that come with playing the hard guy role? Well, you may not be disposed to show off your fighting skills offline, but you stand a chance to do it online.
What could be a better to get started than playing the Gangsta Underground VR poker game? Entitled Gangsta Underground: The Poker, it is a poker game with Virtual Reality (VR) undertone. Continue reading to find out more about this poker game.
Gangsta Underground Gameplay
The most outstanding attribute of the gameplay is the support for the 1:1 online multiplayer mode, so you can compete with some other “virtual gangsta.” But what solidifies the naming of the game is the inclusion of gangster-looking characters, as well as the integration of suspenseful music at the background. The gameplay is quite simple. Your goal is to prove your status as a “gangsta” by taking all the bets from the other player who automatically becomes the loser. Once you do that, proceed to shoot your opponents with your gun or risk being taking out.
Pros
- Intuitive and fully-immersive interface.
- Leader Boards, promoting non-stop competition
- Offers authentic poker
Cons
- There is no subtitle for the game
- Promotes violence
Cons to VR Poker – Not Real Money
Virtual Reality (VR) poker games offer that immersive and realistic experience that some games don’t have. However, this comes at a tradeoff – these are not real money games. As such, you only get to enjoy the free-to-play and fully-immersive gameplay experience, but wouldn’t be able to win real money, as everything is virtual.
Any money you can earn can only be used for two purposes – customizing your avatar/player or acquiring more tools to increase your chances of winning more quests.
Top 3 Alternative Real Money Poker Sites
One of the major reasons for playing VR poker games is to enjoy the intuitive and immersive gaming experience. Making money is always secondary, and most times, you don’t get to earn any money at the end of the gameplay. However, there are three (3) major websites that offer real money poker games? Want to check them out? Here’s their summary:
- Ignition Poker – Read Review
- Bovada Poker – Read Review
- BetOnline Poker – Read Review
1. Ignition Poker
If you are a poker player, the chances are that you would have already heard about Ignition Poker and the reason is not far-fetched. This online poker site offers the ultimate gambling experience with tons of poker options and a closely-knit online community. But that’s not all – staggering bonuses, exciting tournaments, and strategic guides for new poker players come as icing on the cake. This leaves you with no reason to want to miss the experience of playing on Ignition Poker on your mobile phone or PC. You can get started on Ignition Poker here.
Pros
- It remains the biggest poker site in the US
- Can accommodate over 3,000 players in a room
- Great banking options
- User-friendly interface
- Incognito playing modes
Cons
- Low signup bonus
- Works great on mobile
2. Bovada Poker
Bovada Poker is another top-rated online poker site that offers a full gambling experience. Apart from its intimate links with Ignition Poker, Bovada still stands out for being well-integrated. Users can switch from Poker to slots to racing and sports and back seamlessly with one account. For poker which we are interested in, Bovada offers instant play in its poker rooms with numerous cash rewards. Whether you want to play on a weekday or on a weekend, you will find poker events to enjoy regardless of your schedule. You can get started on Bovada Poker here.
Pros
- Reputable brand
- Quality games and journeys
- Safe banking options
- Regular bonuses
- Friendly customer support
Cons
- Rewards program could be better
3. BetOnline Poker
BetOnline is another exciting primary online poker site with real money options for players. What makes the site impressive is that poker comes first before every other thing and as a result, BetOnline has made its way into the top 3 online poker sites in terms of traffic. Having been into business for almost 2 decades, BetOnline has been able to establish itself as a reputable platform. The site offers generous bonuses and huge prize pools for players and also stands out for its cryptocurrency advocacy. You can get started on BetOnline Poker here.
Pros
- Accepts US players
- Offers the most interesting variety of poker games
- Safe and secure banking options
- Crypto-friendly banking options
- Offers large bad beat jackpots
Cons
- The website might be slower during the peak periods
- Withdrawal fees apply to bank wire transfers
Final Thoughts
Playing a poker game online has since transcended from using your mobile devices to using VR headsets. It is a better option if you crave the immersive experience and the near real-life-like gameplay experience.
However, it may be a better idea to go for the real money poker games at either of Bovada, BetOnline or Ignition casinos, as those platforms allow you to play and win real money from poker games.
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