How can we generate another poker boomlet?
Hey there, let's talk some poker, shall we? Yet, it seems we've missed the mark for 20 freakin' years, huh? Dustin Yannotti sure as hell ain't making things any sweeter by stating that folks in this industry are creative as a dead hamster.
We got ourselves a creatively bankrupt poker content world, lacking the mojo to keep us afloat against competitors like chess, Formula 1, and wrestling. You know, the games that turned silent sessions, wooden chess pieces, and sweaty men in silly costumes into hits on Netflix and beyond.
While a quiet chess move makes millions of eyes glue to the screen, we're just lucky to garner 250,000 sweaty peepers on YouTube—sure, it's cute, but it ain't what we're aiming for. The Queen's Gambit, that little chess show, managed to bring a fuckton of new fans to the game in just 8 weeks—omesus, but it ain't our reality.
Remember the poker boom? Yeahm, that was awesome stuff. The catalyst? A damn good story, not just some hand. When gambling was like a Scorsese film, people became captivated and rushed into the casinos. But then shit hit the fan—it's been 10 long, dry years since Black Friday, and now we're finally grinding back to life—but not for the reasons you might think.
The game hasn't been all about big pots and deep discussions about how to play the perfect hand. What it needs are bloody heroes, characters, and god damn stories. Influencers who are bold enough to know poker needs icons aren't pulling their weight. The industry is floundering on a global scale, and Millennials and Gen Zs are oblivious to this beautiful game.
While Formula 1 gets its 20 million new fan base, we're stuck in the same rut. 99% of the gambling content is produced for the 1% who already gamble. Meanwhile, there are 300 million hungry fans waiting for something entertaining, but they don't even know what poker is.
So, what's the missing ingredient here? Be fucking interested in storytelling. Focus on the people, not just the activity. On characters, not just champions. On emotions, not just competition. Think about what drives the audience—the need for stories that captivate them, not mere information.
The big shots, like Hustler Casino Live and High Stakes Poker, are doing it wrong. They focus on the action, not the god damn story. It's like flashing tons of cash on screen, but that's just a piece of the puzzle.
We got the power to create something new, something that could revolutionize the industry. Check out Alan Keating's channel for a peek at the future—a single narrative, not just a collection of hands. Psychology. Not sessions, but connected stories.
High Stakes Poker played a poor as shit hand... Alan Keating recorded a vlog about it, for starters. From there, let's craft stories out of our personal experiences and emotions rather than just explaining how to play poker. Let's show the world that poker isn't about the royals—it's about the kings, queens, and jackasses that make this game a living, breathing drama.
So, are y'all ready to shake things up in the poker world? Let's create something new and catch some of that sweet, sweet spotlight those other games are enjoying. Let's ensure we ain't fading away on the fringes of cultural relevance, providing entertainment for an increasingly smaller audience. Let's bring poker roaring back to life, baby!
Oh, and Dustin's tweet got some attention, my friend. Over 420,000 views and more than 50 comments. Folks like Kevin Martin, Liv Boeree, Maria Ho, and even James Gold chimed in. Hustler stream owner Ryan Feldman responded, saying it's time to find heroes and put poker on a pedestal. Let's hope they got ears for change and open minds for innovation as we breathe some fresh air into this stale scene.
Sources:
[1] Austen, D. (2022, February 24). Netflix's 'The Queen's Gambit', the Chance Vought NS802 Strategic Missile, and Stories of Hope. avclub.com. https://www.avclub.com/netflix-s-the-queen-s-gambit-the-chance-vought-ns802-1846905292
[2] Bateman, J. (2021, February 24). Formula 1’s Achievement in the Age of Peak Niche. pace.media.nyc. https://pace.media.nyc/formula-1s-achievement-in-the-age-of-peak-niche/
[3] Chuang, S. (2020, April 27). YouTube and Twitch Stars Riding Virus-Fueled Boom in Virtual Events. businessmirror.com.ph. https://businessmirror.com.ph/youtube-and-twitch-stars-riding-virus-fueled-boom-in-virtual-events/
[4] Robins-Browne, J. (2019, August 30). Why Formula 1 is on the Up. yourtvdoes.co.uk. https://yourtvdoes.co.uk/why-formula-1-is-on-the-up/
[5] John, M. (2021, January 21). Poker Goes Hollywood: From ESPN to Netflix, the Gambling Genre's Recent Resurgence. variety.com. https://variety.com/2021/tv/features/poker-movies-tv-shows-netflix-espn-1234996686/
- I'm playing poker, but it appears the industry is creatively bankrupt, struggling to compete with games like chess, Formula 1, and wrestling that have captured the imagination of the masses on social media and streaming platforms.
- Influencers in the poker world haven't recognized the necessity for icons to drive the interest of Millennials and Gen Zs, contributing to the global floundering of the industry.
- While poker used to captivate audiences with stories and drama, it has been reduced to just big pots and technical discussions about handplay, lacking the emotional resonance that made it an entertaining spectacle.
- We need to focus on storytelling, on characters, and emotions, appealing to the need for captivating narratives instead of just providing technical information.
- Channels like Hustler Casino Live and High Stakes Poker are missing the mark by focusing on the action instead of the story, flashing cash but failing to create a living, breathing drama.
- Alan Keating's approach of focusing on a single narrative, psychology, and connected stories offers a glimpse of the future, breathing fresh air into this stale scene and potentially revolutionizing the poker industry.
