Give the people what they want

Poker is big business and we are well used to seeing poker on a multitude of TV channels after 9pm - be it through programming or advertisements. This is a clear indication of the appetite among poker companies to attract new online blood or to woo others from their preferred site. This can come in the form of seduction with professional players, celebrities and stylish imagery or promises of excitement and poker bling. It's all about attracting the casual home poker player or curious first-timer to the site. But is all this razzle-dazzle really worth it? Is it what people are looking for from their online poker provider?

Like any other poker site, Ladbrokes has a marketing department looking at design, brand positioning and future growth strategies. But it's not all about the serious sponsorship and dark glasses for us. We're looking to provide accessible poker for the man in the street. It's easy to get bogged down in poker lingo and forget that this language is often foreign and intimidating to the beginner.

It's also easy to forget, even given the 'please play responsibly' message, which quite rightly is on every TV and press advert, that this is still money we're talking about. Getting someone to entrust their hard-earned cash to an online entity for the purposes of gaming is difficult - the majority of people are way out of their comfort zone in comparison say, to purchasing a book or booking a weekend break online.

Substance over style

A recent survey stated that 53% of players choose their poker brand because they are a trusted company, and 41% said that the speed with which funds were deposited into accounts were a crucial factor. There are also the first time players who have been persuaded by a fancy TV advert? We know that any player worth his salt will follow the fish. But what if you are the fish? Protecting the newer player is important to ensure he/she has a good experience and is keen to come back again. Since joining the Microgaming network, Ladbrokes poker 'ring fences' players in hold'em no-limit cash games up to and including $2/$4 to ensure that they're only playing fellow Ladbrokes players - and up to €2/€4 with a partner site. We hope this gives players a chance to find their feet, their game, and their level before being exposed to a wider network of players.

It's important online poker continues to provide an environment that suits the novice as well as those that earn a living from poker. It shouldn't be all about pot odds, outs and percentages but about providing a fun platform for those wishing to take their home game online. Poker should be fun for the masses.

Not everyone is going to get to play in the WSOP and win $9m but anyone can play a low-stakes game online and win £5 against mates and enjoy bragging rights next time they're in the pub.

We provide a platform where players can bring their home games online. The benefit is you know who you're playing and can chat while you play around a virtual online poker table.

Poker shouldn't just be about the elite, it's a game for the people, so their online experience should reflect that or we will lose potential new players. So will we run a sexy TV advert for Ladbrokes Poker? Perhaps. But no superstars, gold medallions or cowboy hats - just plain and simple good, clean, fun and a chance of winning a little money. Poker to the people!