Most of us are familiar with the stereotype of a bunch of guys playing strip poker against a couple of seemingly inexperienced girls, and then end up losing a bit more than their shirts. Well, it seems that online players are about be faced with the same prospect. iGaming News has reported on some research numbers from Poker Players Research Ltd. Here’s a quick overview:
- female poker players now account for over 26% of real-money online
- these players play for lower stakes than men, accounting for just 13% of the rake
- female players prefer to play one type of game
- they are less likely to play at multiple tables simultaneously
- female players are more likely to decide where to play based on recommendations from friends and areless likely to start playing at one of the top 20 sites.
- by the end of 2009, female players will account for 33% of online, real-money players and 20% of the rake.
The take-away for online poker operators here is clear: start marketing to women. Based on how these women choose where to play, moreover, the marketing strategy should focus on community engagement (something that is in no way alien to the online poker industry).
Basically, there an opportunity here (and growing) for poker rooms that want to capture a larger female audience. It’s going to require, however, that online poker brands leave the walls of their own online community and engage players in the communities where they go to find out where to play.
This doesn’t, of course, mean astro-turfing by posing as a player. Rather, it means simply working with other community webmasters to make sure that those reviewing various online poker rooms and products are fully aware of any new games, tables, or promotions that are being offered. From there, any poker room that’s worth its salt should be able to generate some new female sign-ups. After all, by creating awareness of their products among influencers, the pertinent recommendations should ensue.
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