{"id":36103,"date":"2020-05-18T09:00:12","date_gmt":"2020-05-18T09:00:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pokerscout.com\/?p=36103"},"modified":"2020-05-18T16:15:54","modified_gmt":"2020-05-18T16:15:54","slug":"streaming-shows-strength-twitch-poker-sees-big-growth-during-pandemic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pokerscout.com\/streaming-shows-strength-twitch-poker-sees-big-growth-during-pandemic\/","title":{"rendered":"STREAMING SHOWS STRENGTH: Twitch Poker Sees Big Growth During Pandemic"},"content":{"rendered":"
With players indoors during the <\/span>Coronavirus<\/b> pandemic, <\/span>online poker sites<\/b> continue to see huge numbers. But beyond that, <\/span>Twitch<\/b> has reported growing viewer numbers in recent weeks as well.<\/span><\/p>\n For those who may not know, Twitch is the world’s leading live <\/span>streaming platform<\/b> for gamers and owned by <\/span>Amazon<\/b>. In recent years that has included a growing number of online <\/span>poker streamers<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n Sites like <\/span>PokerStars<\/b> and <\/span>Global Poker<\/b> even cater to this segment of player and poker fan. With growing numbers checking out streaming action, the platform offers yet another medium to grow the game.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n While recent numbers released by the platform indicate significant gains since <\/span>March<\/b>, poker-related streams aren’t specifically singled out. However, with so many more viewers it’s a good bet some of those are checking out <\/span>online poker<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n According to a recent <\/span>BBC <\/span><\/i><\/a>article, Twitch reported “week-on-week engagement is growing with average concurrent viewers now more than <\/span>1.5 million<\/b>.”<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Twitch viewers also increased <\/span>31%<\/b> in early March during the beginning of the Coronavirus quarantines, notes <\/span>StreamElements<\/span><\/i><\/a>. That includes <\/span>43 million hours<\/b> watched during this time frame.<\/span><\/p>\n The site saw growth of <\/span>45%<\/b> between March and <\/span>April<\/b>. The industry as a whole has seen viewership increase by <\/span>99 percent<\/b> year over year.<\/span><\/p>\n Twitch Poker<\/b> regularly ranks among the top 20 for most-watched categories. Poker is certainly seeing some benefit from that surge in growth.<\/span><\/p>\n While Twitch initially focused on video games<\/strong>, other categories have been added in recent years. Poker has become a popular channel<\/strong>. Some simply enjoy sharing their play with others and fans like seeing how others compete on the felt.<\/span><\/p>\n Vincent Del Guercio<\/strong> (aka VinnyGoombatz<\/em>) streams weekly from Hoboken, New Jersey<\/strong>, as part of the PlayUSA stream team<\/strong>. He made the transition from video game streamer to eventually finding the casino and poker world.<\/span><\/p>\n “I couldn’t really figure out which game I wanted to play,” he says. “My first recommendation on someone trying to start up a stream is finding what they’re passionate about and really being genuine about what their content is going to be. Streaming is a grind and you gotta love what you do.”<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n One of the most difficult parts about streaming is getting started. Adding some personality and entertainment helps beyond just bets and raises.<\/span><\/p>\n “Be yourself, be energetic and just keep talking!” says Jarred Gabin<\/strong> (aka GodsBigToe<\/em><\/a>), a Twitch poker streamer from Las Vegas<\/strong>. “That’s the toughest part starting out. You spend hours and hours a day talking to no one.<\/span><\/p>\n “But if people jump into your stream and you are on a delay like most poker players, the audience isn’t going to hang around if you are silent.”<\/span><\/p>\n Some streamers have found Twitch allows them to connect with family and friends during the pandemic. Sharing a game allows them to communicate and have some fun.<\/span><\/p>\n Streamer Jeff Crawford<\/strong> (aka 35Marlin<\/em><\/a> from Las Vegas) has enjoyed some time co-streaming with his son Dalton<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n “He is an accomplished streamer,” Crawford says, “and had to help me with everything and I mean everything.”<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Considering its roots and popularity with gamers, Twitch is also allowing the game to be seen by a young demographic.<\/span><\/p>\n With tours and online operators also streaming, many hope that leads to more players getting in on live poker as well. In the meantime, many in the poker world hope poker at casinos returns soon.<\/span><\/p>\n If you’ve ever thought about dipping your toes in the streaming pool, now is the time to test the water. Here are <\/span>10 reasons<\/b> to get in the Twitch Poker game.<\/span><\/p>\n When no one is looking, it’s easy to gamble in spots that may not be the correct play. Though when people are watching it makes for <\/span>smarter play<\/b>. Streams can also be saved and recorded so you can easily go back and review your mistakes. <\/span><\/p>\n While streaming most grinders cut back on the number of tables they generally play. This may seem like a negative, but when streaming Twitch allows a player to <\/span>focus<\/b> more on fewer tables. When streamers talk to viewers, they can figure out problems – focusing on a hand and highlighting it to viewers.<\/span><\/p>\n Having a Twitch stream has given players more exposure and has helped attract new backers to the game. Having a stream allows <\/span>potential backers<\/b> to see how a streamer plays and can put a face to a name. Backers are more comfortable investing with someone they feel a connection to and can trust. <\/span><\/p>\n Instant feedback and chatting allows a player to educate himself in situations they normally wouldn’t think twice about. Having <\/span>open lines of communication<\/b> with viewers will allow streamers and fans to grow in the game. Not everyone will be a streamer but a lot of players just want to watch and study the pros online. Some streamers even host weekly strategy and review sessions.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Twitch offers additional ways of online income through <\/span>affiliate and partner programs<\/b>. Once a Twitch streamer grows a large enough following and average viewership they can receive donations. Streamers can also earn <\/span>monthly subscriptions<\/b> for their work. Most online poker sites now have dedicated sponsored streamers on their team. <\/span>Partypoker’s<\/b> Jeff Gross<\/b> is an example of building a platform using Twitch and landing a sponsorship deal.<\/span><\/p>\n One of the best things in the Twitch universe is the interaction and online friends streamers encounter. <\/span>Amy Marx<\/b> (aka <\/span>The Poker Mami<\/span><\/i><\/a>) is from <\/span>Texas<\/b> and started streaming earlier this year. She loves the communication she receives on the platform.<\/span><\/p>\n “Most people involved in the community are there to support and root for you and offer advice,” she says. “I’ve rarely come across anything negative.”<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n The Twitch poker community has shown it has an enormous heart, often raising amazing amounts of money for good causes. <\/span>Brian Frenzel<\/b> (aka <\/span>The Golden Blazer<\/span><\/i><\/a>) recently streamed to raise money for COVID-19 relief. He raised thousands of dollars for the charity and continues to do more!<\/span><\/p>\n Thanks to #BlazerNation<\/a> for the support during the 24-hour stream we were able to donate $1,279 to the @funds4dTwitch Poker numbers continue to grow<\/span><\/h2>\n
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Online poker streamers offer insight<\/span><\/h2>\n
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Connecting via Twitch Poker stream during the pandemic<\/span><\/h2>\n
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10 reasons for starting a Twitch stream<\/span><\/h2>\n
1. Accountability and review<\/span><\/h3>\n
2. Talking out your problems<\/span><\/h3>\n
3. Network creation<\/span><\/h3>\n
4. Learning poker<\/span><\/h3>\n
5. Financial and sponsorship opportunities<\/span><\/h3>\n
6. Community focused<\/span><\/h3>\n
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7. Charity and giving something back<\/span><\/h3>\n
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COVID-19 Response fund with another 1k to be coming from @official_glp<\/a>! Thanks to everyone who came out to sweat the #500SNGChallenge<\/a> for this great cause pic.twitter.com\/SGsNUxunie<\/a><\/p>\n