Three weeks on from its March 21 launch in the New Jersey intrastate online gambling market, PokerstarsNJ remains largely in charge on 40 percent of poker cash game traffic, although it has slipped 3 percent from the last assessment at the end of March.
Figures published by the independent online poker monitor Pokerscout show that current cash game player averages on PokerstarsNJ are relatively stable at around 155, a decline of 15 percent over the past two weeks.
The corresponding statistic for peak periods (9pm-11pm) is around 450, compared to peaks at WSOP/888 of 322, and at Party-Borgata (255).
The two rival alliances ranged against Pokerstars’ dominating market share of poker cash games have roughly 35 percent and 25 percent respectively.
Overall, New Jersey’s online poker market currently boasts a 7-day average of 387 ring game players, which is down just under 11 percent on the March 30 assessment.
Observers have suggested there are several possible explanations for this, including the initial surge of interest in the Pokerstars’ debut easing; the allure of promotions like tournaments and Spin&Go competitions impacting cash game participation; a noticeable component of shark players preying on recreation players; and even the weather – a seasonal phenomenon.
Followers of the game point out that a hiatus in the action at this time is not new…last year liquidity dived 22 percent, but then stabilised and started an upward trend again by July.
And New Jersey cash game averages are up by 24 percent when compared to the same period (immediately prior to the Pokerstars New Jersey launch) just a month ago.