Poker in Germany
In one of the most powerful EU countries people do love and respect gambling games. Every major city has at least one casino. Moreover poker is presented in the bulk of the gambling venues. Let’s hear more of German poker.
German history is complicated, contradictory and during some periods dreadful. In the first half of the 20th century the population of Germany was far from entertainment. So was it in the next decades. But casinos have existed in Germany for a long time already – even from the end of the 18th century.
Gaming industry of one of the leading European countries is characterized with draconian taxes – up to 80% – and tight state control. A few years ago a prohibition on work of private gaming companies set on the territory of Germany, but then it was raised under the European Union duress.
Today Germany as a poker state holds one of the first places in the poker world, and on the high roller scene – the honorable first place. Such players as Philipp Gruissem, Max Altergott, Fabian Quoss, Ole Schemion, Nicklas Heinecker, Christoph Vogelsang, Tobias Reinkemeier, Martin Finger and many others have been dominating in poker over a period of several years. German Poker players are very respected.
Where Do People Play Poker in Germany?
There are more than 50 noteworthy casinos in Germany. Most of them are pleasant, safe casinos with good personnel; some of them may display a century’s history and look like kings’ residences. There are few large gambling houses in the country.
The casinos are situated across the country proportionally, except for the eastern region. Though Berlin is situated on the northeast.
It is the city we’ll start with. There are several gambling venues in the capital (more is forbidden by the law) and all of them are of first class.
Spielbank Berlin, one of the largest casinos in the country, has even three poker rooms which are situated in different city areas – one even in the television tower. The largest room is situated at Potsdamer Platz. The second gambling venue – Casino Berlin – also has poker “corner”, but it is much smaller.
Compared to many countries where gambling games are not banned in Germany there are a lot of casinos outside the territory of the capital, e.g. Spielbank Wiesbaden, famous Baden-Baden, Spielbank Dresden, Casino Bremen, Casino Dortmund-Hohensyburg, etc.
In 2014 European Poker Tour (EPT) will sidetrack Germany, though Spielbank Berlin or Casino Dortmund-Hohensyburg constantly received the stages during the previous seasons. Then there is German poker league.
Tournaments and Cash in Germany
The tournaments with low or average buy-ins are held in many casinos with poker tables once every day or once or twice a week: approximately from €10 to €100. Plus there are different series such as German Poker Tour.
As for cash tables, the highest limits come up to €20/40 (for example, in Spielbank Berlin the most widespread are €2/2, €5/5, €5/10).
Who Plays Poker in Germany?
It is much profitable to play in the largest German cities that without any doubt attract a lot of tourists. Besides that some cities count more than 1 million inhabitants (and Berlin – even 3.4 million people), people who love to take pictures of sightseeing do perfectly stretch the fields.
Due to strict German legislature as well as by virtue of pretty high rake it is quite impossible to meet hardcore professional players in the casinos, on low limits at least (€1/€1, €2/2, €5/5). There are enough lovers to win or lose several hundred dollars: they are usually tourists.
Do not forget that many casinos are located in resort towns where habitual grinders do not go at all.