Raise the stakes with these exciting poker stats and facts

Welcome to the thrilling world of poker, where the cards you hold can shape your fate! Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, mastering the game's details can give you a serious advantage.

Did you know that understanding some key stats can totally transform your strategy? Or that a few interesting facts can completely change how you approach the game?

Online poker’s origin story

Poker has a rich history, stretching back centuries across different cultures. From clever bluffing to calculating pot odds, the game is as much about strategy as it is about chance. Now, let's check out a few facts that’ll change how you think about poker!

Online poker kicked off five years after the internet became public. In 1998, the first real-money online poker game was launched, and its popularity has only grown since then, thanks to the rise of smartphones and faster internet.

Officially a sport of the mind

Poker isn’t just about luck – it requires a ton of mental effort, logic, and reasoning. In 2010, the International Mind Sports Association officially declared poker a "mind sport." So, while poker players might not be athletes, you can still proudly say you’re playing a sport!

No wonder so many intellectuals and celebrities enjoy playing poker!

Crazy poker variations

Did you know that there are 13 recognised poker variants? But plenty of unrecognised variants exist, too! One of the wildest?

The largest poker tournament

The World Series of Poker’s Big 50, held in 2019 at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, holds the record for the largest live poker event, with thousands of players battling it out.

Poker’s “Black Friday”

April 15, 2011, is a dark day in poker history. Known as Poker Black Friday, it’s when the US Department of Justice seized the domains of several major online poker sites, shaking the poker world.

Smart poker stats

If you’re wondering what the best way to boost your skills is, start paying attention to these essential poker stats. You’d be surprised how much tracking your own stats can show how much you've improved – or where you might need to step up your game.

1. Preflop Raise (PFR)

This stat shows how often a player raises before the flop. It’s an aggressive move – a high PFR means you’re raising with a wide range of hands, while a low PFR shows you’re playing it safe, only raising with strong ones.

If you’re wondering what makes a good PFR, keep reading. Your PFR should ideally be about 2% lower than your VPIP (more on that in a second), but 10-20% is considered a solid range.

2. Voluntarily Put Money In Pot (VPIP)

This stat measures the percentage of hands where you voluntarily put money into the pot. It’s all about what you choose to play – blinds don’t count here! High VPIP? You’re probably an aggressive player. Low VPIP? You’re playing fewer hands, maybe waiting for the best ones.

What’s a good VPIP? The sweet spot is between 15% and 20%. This tight-aggressive style is super popular – and winning!

To calculate your VPIP, take the number of hands where you voluntarily put money in and divide it by the total number of hands you’ve played.

3. Aggression Factor (AF)

AF shows how often you’re making aggressive moves like betting or raising. It’s one of the clearest indicators of a player’s style. But what is a good AF? While poker can be unpredictable, an AF of around 3 is considered strong.

4. The 3bet

This stat shows how often you re-raise instead of just calling when someone else has already raised. A high 3bet means you’re dealing with aggressive players, so maybe tighten up your play against them.

5. Went to Showdown (WTSD)

This stat tracks how often you make it to a showdown. A high WTSD means you’re more likely to play your hand all the way through. Around 30% is considered solid, meaning you’re putting your hand to the test the right amount. In order to calculate the WTSD, you’ll need to divide the number of times you went to showdown by the total number of hands you’ve played.

A full house of fun

As you can see, poker is more than just a game of chance. It’s full of history, intriguing stats, and strategies that can sharpen your skills. Next time you sit down at the table, remember that every hand tells a story. So, keep your eye on those stats, and you’ll be playing smarter in no time.