Online poker fans were energized by the discovery on Aug. 21 that DraftKings introduced a game called Electric Poker in Michigan on Aug. 20. Gamblers in New Jersey and West Virginia may be closely watching the new “3-handed, no-limit Texas Hold’em poker tournament game,” as well. Because their gaming regulators allow multi-state poker tournaments.
In West Virginia, a launch of DraftKings Electric Poker would not only represent the debut of multistate online poker, but peer-to-peer online poker, period. No operators yet offer online poker there, even though it’s legal and allows cross-border play.
DraftKings Casino is also available in Connecticut and Pennsylvania, which are not yet members of the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA).
For now, though, DraftKings said on its “help” site on Aug. 21:
At this time, to play DraftKings Electric Poker you must be physically located in Michigan.
Bonus requested comment on Aug. 21 from DraftKings (DraftKings 35,11 -1,74%) about which states would see Electric Poker next.
Bonus also asked the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) when it authorized the game.
MGCB declined to comment, referring questions to DraftKings, which didn’t reply to Bonus immediately.
DraftKings Electric Poker in Michigan
Perhaps no online gamblers are more passionate or critical than US online poker players. The group of bettors watches every happening and quickly expresses opinions.
However, online poker revenue pales in comparison to online casino — and specifically online slots — gross gaming revenue (GGR).
Hence, BetRivers hasn’t yet added online poker back into Delaware’s offerings. Until 888, now branded Evoke, left the state, Delaware was part of the WSOP interstate poker pool.
So that was the primary story online poker players were watching.
Then, on Aug. 21, DraftKings’ “help” page said this:
Important: You must be on the most up-to-date version of the DraftKings Sportsbook or DraftKings Casino application to access DraftKings Electric Poker.
By 8:46 a.m. on Aug. 21, a “Greater Chicago area” resident was asking on X:
Has anyone else tried DraftKings Electric Poker yet? It seems like their version of a 3 person Spin n Go sitngo. Played a $1 and people were donking off their stacks even with $2 on the line
By 3 p.m. that day, the online poker post by Alex Baker — also the co-founder of sports betting advice provider Stokastic — had 5,873 views, 10 replies, and 17 reactions.
The word was out about DraftKings Electric Poker.
With buy-ins of $1, $5, $10, and $25, bettors could register for up to four tables at a time.
DraftKings says the prize pools can exceed 10,000 times the buy-in.
For a tournament to begin, three poker players need to be registered.
DraftKings then explains the name of the game:
Electric Mode will occur in an Electric Poker tournament if no winner has been declared by the time the timer reaches zero (0:00). When this occurs, the remaining players are automatically ‘All In’ every hand until a winner is declared. Going all in before the “Electric Mode” when the timer reaches zero is entirely up to each player.
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