When mobile poker first came about in 2005, it was dominated by clunky, brick-like cell phones. Thankfully, these days are long past us since smartphones and tablets rule the mobile game. Not only do these devices offer stunning visual displays, but they also give poker site operators far more capabilities to work with than old cell phones did.
It is worth mentioning, though, that some players aren’t sure whether to play mobile poker through their smartphone or tablet. And those who are looking for an answer should know that it largely depends on the individual and their specific tastes. That said, here’s a look at some key points that you should consider before playing tablet or smartphone poker.
Smartphones are Pocket-sized
While both smartphones and tablets are fairly small devices, many people like phones better because they actually fit into one’s pocket. This is especially handy for those times when your hands are full and you don’t want to be carrying a tablet around everywhere. Of course, this isn’t to say that tablets are completely unhandy. Anybody who carries a bag, bookbag or purse around can easily store this device away. However, it’s just so much easier to pocket your smartphone and take it out whenever you feel like playing mobile poker.
Tablets have Larger Screens
The uber convenience of smartphones is sometimes counterbalanced by how small the screen is. Sure, anybody with decent eyesight can see what they’re doing on these devices. But this certainly isn’t to say that players will be picking up all of the fine details in a mobile poker game. So if you’re somebody who likes bigger screens for your gaming experience, then tablets are definitely the way to go.
Tablets offer Superior Multi-tabling Capabilities
One feature that many sites have added to their poker mobile repertoire is multi-tabling. This capability has long been a favorite of serious players who look to maximize their profits and get more hands in per hour. It’s also good for recreational players who want more action and hate waiting around for others after folding. Unfortunately, smartphone poker isn’t exactly the best way to multi-table. As we discussed earlier, the screen is smaller so it’s harder to move between tables. A tablet is much better for players who want to use multiple tables simultaneously. In fact, there’s not much of a drop-off when multi-tablers move from a laptop to tablet.
Smartphones are Great Multi-Purpose Devices
Moving to another perk of smartphones, they are great for doing a lot of things beyond playing poker. Now, this isn’t to say that tablets aren’t also handy for various tasks. But when people want to send text messages and make phone calls, they reach for their phones. So recreational players would definitely do well to use their smartphone for poker purposes, especially if they send a lot of texts and make plenty of calls.
Ending the Debate
Based on what we’ve discussed, there’s no clear-cut winner in this mobile poker debate. Those who value convenience above all will likely find that their smartphone is the best device to use. However, anybody who’s a little more serious about their poker sessions should consider using a tablet due to the larger screen and multi-tabling capabilities. So once again, it all depends upon you as an individual.
