Online poker continues to go from strength to strength. In figures just released by Poker Pages Industry Index, online poker grew by a phenomenal 30 percent in the first quarter of this year alone compared with the same period in 2005. Similar trends are expected throughout the course of the year.

Mark Napolitano, the founder of Poker Pages Industry Index, says that industry growth is being boosted by unprecedented interest in live poker tournaments, which have increased their buy-in fees per entry substantially. “The Average Buy-in per Entry Index for the quarter is 113, showing a growth of 13 percent versus the same quarter last year, with an average buy-in of $1 207 per entry,” says Napolitano. “This also represents a trend with four consecutive months over $1,000."

While buy-in numbers were down for March due to the numbers of players competing in the Party Poker Million Main event decreasing by 29 percent, figures are expected to improve next month. The pace should be quickening on the World Series of Poker circuit and a new poker tournament hosted at Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut is expected to generate record interest. Foxwoods are also staging their own championship event later in April at the Bellagio in Las Vegas with $25,000 up for grabs.
Napolitano’s hot pick for the season is the inaugural event in May from the newly formed International Poker Association's Tour. The PPII boss will be closely following poker statistics over the next three months as players and poker fans prepare for the World Series of Poker. May-July figures should bear a strong indication on overall poker growth throughout 2006.
The figure for total-buy in dollars in the first quarter of 2006 is $98 million. Growth throughout 2005 was consistent, with the buy-in Index listed at 155 for the year. This represents a 55 percent increase on 2004 figures.

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