Second Life Poker

Virtual poker rooms in Second Life are taking off.  Apparently they are so successful, their growth is even outstripping that of Second Life itself – bringing in about L$3,000,000 a month! (around $12,500 US Dollars, see exchange rates).

Initially however, there were some security concerns.

Reuters writes:

The problem was players didn’t trust the honesty or fairness of Second Life poker. Patel [owner of Myth Casino, one of the three largest poker houses in SL] built confidence by hiring dealers and pit bosses to keep his casino staffed on a 24/7 basis. Now Patel said he’s seen pots in excess of L$250,000. “Once a reputation of fair practices was set, it really didn’t pose an issue,” Patel said.

Another major factor in why SL poker is becoming so popular is the high level of personal communication that players and dealers have that other online gamblings sites lack. 

Players say Second Life’s immersive environment creates a unique poker experience. “You get reads on players,” said slpokerplayer.com’s Dix. “You can do tells off people in Second Life. People fidget in their chair.”

“Playing poker in SL, you have pit bosses and dealers saying ‘Hi, do you need anything?’” Dix said. “You don’t get that anywhere else. Outside Second Life, if there’s a table glitch, you have to email support. Here you IM the casino owner.”

Reuters: In legal limbo, Second Life poker rakes in profits