Card games are a major part of Diwali festivities for many Indians, but this Diwali is going to be a bit different with the coronavirus pandemic still there.
This is where online card gaming apps/websites like Baazi Games, Stickpool & Pocket52 which offer a wide array of card games like poker, rummy & teen patti are going to play a big role. These apps and similar ones are going to be the go-to destination for card gaming enthusiasts this Diwali, with them providing the facility to play your preferred card game with friends & family from the safety of your home.
With a variety of contests available ranging from free-entry tournaments to cash tables beginning from just Rs 5 to Rs 100 & the availability of Rs 50 bonus on completing registration for the Diwali Contest with a prize pool of Rs 3 lakh, there’s a lot for card games lovers to savour online this Diwali.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has forced people to stay at home and rethink their lives and has thereby affected the way they choose to entertain themselves. This has just accelerated the growth we were already projecting for the industry We expect and encourage people to maintain social distancing norms and enjoy gaming online this festive season,” Baazi Games CEO Navkiran Singh said.
“Anyone who knows and loves playing poker is the target audience,” said Pocket52 CEO & founder Nitesh Salvi.
“And yes, apart from a regular poker player, some occasional and recreational poker players come and play during Diwali. We have Diwali Freerolls with guaranteed real cash prize pools worth Rs 3 lakh up for action this Diwali,” Salvi added.
“We have seen a spike of around five times in the user base from the past few days as people are getting into the Diwali festive spirit. People want to experience the game of poker around this time and therefore the engagement and average time spent per user has also gone up from regular days,” said Stickpool co-founder Vivek Singh.
Stickpool has already experienced a 5x rise in its user base during the ongoing festive season, with Pocket52 foreseeing a surge of 40-45% in its user base.
All these positive things considered, it’s best to exercise caution when playing as money is involved. As per pro poker player and AIGF responsible gaming ambassador Muskan Sethi, there are a few things that a new user should follow while playing online real-money card games.
“Always choose a site or app that is recognised by the All India Gaming Federation (AIGF). Always consider risk versus reward, risk minimum for a maximum reward. Play with players who have a similar skillset as you. Follow all the rules, don’t play under the influence of alcohol when playing for real money, and don’t forget to have fun,” said Sethi.