Live Over The Internet Poker Debuts Soon

Published: Saturday, June 24, 2006 Online-Casinos.com

LIVE OVER THE INTERNET POKER DEBUTS SOON

Pharaohs Poker Palace claims first poker via webcam


Pharaohs Poker Palace claimed this week that it is set to become the first online poker room to offer live interactive poker play over the Internet.

Using proprietary software on a new dynamic poker platform, the company is about to offer the webcam-based service as an optional, complementary facility available to all players, in an effort to help move poker to the next level of competition and social interaction.

In his concept "Super System 2", the legendary Doyle Brunson suggested that "...just a couple of years down the road, you may well be able to see real opponents on your screen. Poker will be like a video conference, and you'll be able to focus on the players across the table from you and read them…tells will be everywhere, and then full-scale psychological warfare will come to the online poker battlefield - and nothing will be missing."

Brunson's suggestion was prescient, suggesting the adoption of webcam technology as standard future practice, and the opportunity to engage in the type of interaction he describes will be available shortly, says PPP.

Pharaoh's Poker Palace intends to make the facility completely optional at all tables, allowing players an opportunity to become acquainted with the concept. After the introductory period, however, a subset of tables will be designated as "webcam only". At these tables, all players will be required to have a webcam on themselves to play, creating a level playing field for those wanting to see and be seen.

The majority of Pharaoh's tables will remain open to webcam and non-webcam players, allowing the option of using either live video or a static avatar. Pajamas are still a viable option for either set of players, so long as they are not offensive.

Pharaoh's Poker Palace opened its site to the public for beta testing on June 15 this year, and plans to launch real-money tables next month. Once they are live, the site will be offering real-money depositors free webcams, to help ensure that hardware is not an impediment to players being exposed to the next level of internet poker.