Home / Poker News February 2011 / 888 Poker introduces PokerCam tables
888 Poker introduces PokerCam tables
Posted by: Randy Williams - Thu, 2011-02-24 14:32
One of online poker’s biggest drawbacks when compared to live poker, consists in the fact that players are unable to see their opponents face-to-face and they therefore miss out on a wealth of possible tells that they could use to their advantage. This drawback is a much bigger one than most rank and file
online poker players could ever understand. Highly skilled poker professionals fully understand the gravity of the situation though. Take a look at Daniel Negreanu for instance. The notorious
PokerStars pro is known for struggling at the online games, even as he reads his opponents’ hands perfectly at the live table.
We’re not here to talk about PokerStars and its pros this time though.
888 Poker have just taken a major step towards bridging the gap between live and online poker: they’ve launched their PokerCam tables which make use of webcam technology to allow players to see and hear each other the same way they would at a live table. The setup is based on Skype-like technology, which means that each player will be able to see and to hear all the other players involved in the game, not just one or two of them.
Besides the more than welcome breath of fresh air that the system will bring to the online tables strategy-wise (making reads based solely on facial expressions and gestures will be possible provided players don’t hide their faces), it will also give a boost to the social aspect of the game.
According to 888Holdings’ Director of Poker Offering, the feature has been in development for over a year. The results though were apparently well worth it. Those who sign up to
888Poker now and download their software, won’t just have to worry about how quickly they push those chips into the middle when they pick up those pocket rockets. They will also have to conceal their smile.
