Nikita Golodaev: Navigating the changing tides of poker strategy, technology, and regulation

In the dynamic world of poker, where strategy, psychology, and innovation converge, the landscape has seen remarkable evolution over the years. To explore the evolution of poker, we turn to expert Nikita Golodaev, who drives key business initiatives at Evenbet Gaming as a Business Account Manager and brings a wealth of experience as a professional poker player.

In this article, Nikita explores the key issues shaping the evolution of poker: the transformative changes within the game, the innovations impacting the market, the evolving regulatory landscape, and the anticipated challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for the industry.

Q: What drew you to the poker industry? How did your career begin?

I started playing poker in 2008 when I was 16. The chance to earn money playing immediately caught my attention. Various online poker schools were popular then, offering free starting capital after successful training and testing. My poker journey began with that, along with my friends' one.

Q: Can you tell us how the poker game has changed since you started playing?

The game has changed, adding faster and more dynamic formats that offer big wins in a short time. The market now offers a variety of options. With some probability, you can win a million dollars by depositing money and spinning a wheel, increasing your pot by a randomised multiplier. There is a feeling that there are more such mechanics. The game’s pace has accelerated, which attracts many players with its dynamic and potential profit. At the same time, this change, approaching poker to casino games, causes resentment among many classic poker fans and old-school poker players, insisting that poker should stay a game of skill predominantly.

Q: How long did it take you to develop your winning poker strategy? How has your strategy changed with time?

I started winning money immediately, but it wasn't much. Developing a strategy that would generate a stable income took me about two years. Since then, I've been constantly refining my strategy, looking for new ways to increase my earnings, analysing what works best, what doesn't, and what aspects of the game I need to develop.

The average level of play has improved significantly since then with access to extensive tutorials and analytical software. However, as competition has increased, making money has become more complex. In addition, many countries have introduced geographical restrictions limiting players' market access. This means that Australian players can only play with Australian players; if it's the US, it's between Americans; if it's Europe, it's Spain and France playing each other. As a result, it has become more challenging to access players from some of the most profitable markets who generally have more money and work less.

Q: What key developments and innovations have had the biggest impact on the evolution of the poker market?

More payment systems have made the deposit process more convenient for players, including the use of cryptocurrencies. In addition, the development of software to analyse the game and make optimal decisions has also had a significant impact on poker. Despite all the poker rooms’ and developers’ efforts to block the use of such software, it continues to spread wider. People make fewer mistakes and it has become harder to win.

The use of artificial intelligence, including bots that can play in place of humans, has increased competition and made the game environment more complex, causing concern among players. AI also allows you to get money from poker rooms faster and causes more problems for the system as a whole.

Q: Is poker now more profitable in terms of making a profit? What has changed in poker that has made the game more or less profitable?

On average, players have started to earn less due to the reduced cash flow in the game environment partially caused by the geographical restrictions. Those actively using different programs and learning the game independently tend to earn less.

Another important aspect is the community of players who strive to develop together and don’t cheat at the same table. Creating educational schools and foundations promotes learning and sharing among players, which affects their income. Players involved in such communities and using modern software are likely to earn more.

Q: How does the strategy differ depending on the GEO in which you're playing?

Different types of poker are popular in different markets: one style is favoured in Latin America, another in India, another in the USA, and so on. Each requires specific skills, and success in one does not guarantee success in the other. Therefore, it is important for the player to define their goals as well as choose a discipline and a location. There can also be differences in the pace of play and style of players. While some enjoy playing aggressively, others prefer to play very little.

Previously, it was considered a winning strategy that if you wanted to make money, you had to play fewer hands and be a tight player. So you play less, but you play stronger combinations.

Generally, if the field prefers to play tight, you have one strategy. For example, when I started playing in China, no such players existed. They preferred to play loose. This necessitated a shift in strategy, as the previous approach was no longer effective under those conditions.

Q: How has the advent of online poker affected the poker market? What benefits and challenges has online poker brought to players and operators?

In my opinion, there has been a huge increase in the popularity and accessibility of poker as a result.

1. The number of players in poker has increased. In the past, offline poker was considered an expensive treat due to the high expenses associated with venue rental, tables, and dealer fees, making low-stakes games uneconomical to organise. The players’ buy-ins were proportional to these expenses, so quite high. In contrast, online poker is more accessible to a wider audience, making it easier to organise low-stakes games. This accessibility has democratised the game, welcoming players of all backgrounds and skill levels.

2. Playing has become much more accessible and convenient. If you have internet access, there's no need to seek out a physical casino, as they may be scarce or nonexistent in your country of residence. Additionally, the online format enables players to engage at multiple tables simultaneously, enhancing efficiency and adding a dynamic element to the gaming experience.

Q: What skills and qualities are becoming the most important for successful poker players today?

Maintaining psychological composure at the table has become increasingly important, significantly as the pace of play has accelerated. The frequency of wins and losses has increased, underscoring the need for quick decision-making skills to succeed in modern gaming. Intuition and the ability to make fast, accurate decisions play an important role in navigating this dynamic environment.

Q: How have poker laws and regulations changed in different countries over the past decades? Which of these changes have most seriously affected the poker market?

Governments in countries experiencing significant capital outflows due to lower average skill levels of players have begun to implement local regulations to stem the outflow of funds.

The development of responsible gaming practices has also become prominent. Many gaming platforms now offer the ability to set time and money limits, which wasn’t previously available. Operators are developing mechanisms, as regulators require, to help players avoid overspending. Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, and other countries have also set legal restrictions on promoting bonuses and first deposits to narrow the funnel of people who want to play.

Q: Where do you see the poker industry in 5-10 years? What challenges and opportunities will the poker industry face in the future?

As a poker enthusiast, I observe the game evolving towards a casino-like experience. The traditional format of poker is gradually losing its allure, and I anticipate this trend to persist over the next 5-10 years. This shift may draw in new audiences who were previously uninterested in poker, including those who prefer more straightforward and quicker games with a more relaxed approach. This evolution could make poker more accessible and appealing to a broader, potentially increasing overall participation and interest in the game.

The development of artificial intelligence could have a dual impact on poker. On the one hand, there could be the emergence of players who are able to win money. On the other hand, poker rooms could use artificial intelligence to attract players by running bots to fill the tables. This causes mixed feelings among players who prefer to play against real opponents: losing money to a bot comes close to fraud in a player’s mind. This can be beneficial for companies if AI is advanced enough to mimic human behaviour and evolve the gaming environment.

Q: What advice would you give to aspiring players starting out in today's market?

Choose trustworthy operators with a good reputation, especially if you are playing for fun. Many smaller poker rooms may be less protected against fraud. For those looking to make money, the choice of room becomes more difficult - you need to carefully weigh up the terms and conditions. Sometimes, smaller rooms can be more lucrative, with generous bonuses and promotions to attract players and with less skilled opponents.

Conclusion

The evolution of poker has been shaped by many factors, including online platforms that have made the game more accessible to players of all skill levels and financial backgrounds. Simultaneous multi-table play and tournament play have increased accessibility and competitiveness. Successful online play requires psychological resilience, quick decision-making, and intuition.

In addition, global regulatory efforts aim to stabilise the industry by promoting responsible gaming and controlling the flow of capital. The future of poker depends on balancing innovation with regulatory compliance while adapting to changing player preferences and technological advances.

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