I think COVID-19 will be an overall plus for poker. Many things will transpire during these times but when the smoke clears, poker will be much better off. This is my opinion only and we will have to wait and see. The virus still could throw us a hook and really be world devastating. Then, all bets are off if the end of the world nears as some think. Overall, the opportunities created by the layoffs will help in both the short run and the long run when poker rooms reopen.
During this crisis, the online poker games should do fine and increase with both good players and bad. The good players that were not playing as much will return as they are house bound more. With more time, they will make more money and get back into the game more often after the pandemic is over and done. The bad players and new ones are sitting at home and will quickly tire of reading the web and sign-in or up to play. This increase in games is good for at least the short term and will pump money into the poker online economy. It should even give marginal players a chance to get part of the wealth and the air they get will let them play into the future longer.
The big benefit will come to the cash players that play live in both private games and public spaces. Most will be forced to sit out at home with nothing to do but miss playing poker. Sure, many will not have income or their business will be shut down so their cash bankroll may be depleted. That can hurt the return of those players for a time. The longer that time holds out, the more they will want to play. Many will still have money and those that don't seem to find some when they get desperate to play. For a bunch of players whose income is not stagnant, it will give their bankroll a chance to build up and be blown off upon their return.
The marginal players will come out of the woodwork to get back in action. Instead of breaking even or just losing, they will find a smorgasbord of games and money will actually go their way. It won’t be a great amount of course, as marginal players never really win much as that part is missing from their game. But their return and having a few extra bucks will keep them around for the games’ benefit.
The good winning players now get a boost from the extra money, can play longer, and be excited enough to start more games and keep them going. More money for the good players mean they move up and down the ladder so more games go and have seats filled. They may put in longer hours after being out of the game for a few months or so, and some will not be able to keep their dough and spread it around. There is always a contingent of winning players that seem when they reach a point in their bankroll where having more money doesn't help them, they tend to blow it off just like the bad players do.
So, basically a long layoff should mean better games after the resumption of poker. It could take a little while for it to get rolling as most things do, but I believe the absent faces from before the games stopped will return for a new inrush of gambling. How long it lasts is anybody’s guess. My guess it will last for a long time as people get used to the way things are and when they change they go to the new or back to the old and stick with it.
In the meantime, those that are not great players have plenty of time to study and read books, think about the games they play, and work to get better. There is so much information to absorb on the forums that will improve your game to new heights if only you spend the time needed to digest it properly. It can easily mean thousands of dollars a year or even a month for some in the right spots.
Along with improving your poker game, it is a great time to improve your health. Being stuck in the house makes it easy to eat right and stay fit with all the extra time on your hands. Many exercises can be done in home or in the yard; the gym is not necessary for that. By getting fit, you build stamina for when you are playing and will be less tired and hopefully your mind will work better along the way. Longer hours at top form mean more money in your pocket. That never hurts too much.
The rest from the game also will help you and your game. Most players that go on long down slides get into them because they have played too much without a break and poker becomes just one long game keeping score. Instead, it should be a bunch of short term games where each time you are out for blood trying for a victory for the day. That is the killer instinct needed to play and win. Play one day at a time trying to be victorious each time.
Good luck to all in these times and try to keep ten feet away from other people. That seems to be the best way to avoid COVID-19 and be ready to pounce on the poker games after they return.
