Key Takeaways:
- Playing poker on Zoom is a great addition to any team building program.
- Poker skills are very similar to business skills. Decision making, reading people, and emotional control are hallmarks of a good player and coworker.
- Poker is especially good for women in the workplace who are not often seen as strategic thinkers and risk takers.
- Team building has benefits for the employees and the company. From happier employees with less turnover to better productivity and more profits.
- Hosting a team building poker game on Zoom is simple when you work with The Poker People.
How to Play Virtual Poker on Zoom
Going All In on Poker
Hey, Hey, Poker People. Lara here with another post about how to bring your team together through the power of play. This one is on playing virtual poker on Zoom. I’ve been writing for over a year now on the topic of team building and I have to say I have learned a lot, but there is so much more out there. For example, did you know Gallup reported that highly engaged teams outperform average teams by 33% in the US. Fun Fact.
Today’s topic is one that is near and dear to me as a poker player and company owner. Playing virtual poker on Zoom. I’ve written lots of articles on how to develop leadership, build stronger teams, and leverage virtual team building for charitable causes, but I am finally writing about the game I love and sharing it with you.
We try to practice what we preach here at The Poker People and provide team building activities for our own staff both in person and online. Our virtual video poker is a Sunday Funday game and I’m going to tell you exactly how you can add poker online to your team building schedule.
How to Add Zoom Video to Team Building Activities
Step One: Decide to do it. And I don’t just mean deciding to host a poker tournament for your coworkers on Zoom, I mean deciding to actually commit to a real team building program. Going to the gym once won’t make you an Olympian, honestly, I could go to the gym 1,000 times and not be anywhere near those amazing folks, but I digress…. My point is to see any real gains you must apply effort constantly over time. Here is an easy way to do the heavy lifting of getting your coworkers to work better.
- Breakout the Icebreaker. They are common well-known team building games because they work. Sure, they can be corny but if they make your team laugh and they share something new then they have done their job. Taking time at the start of a meeting to learn who owns a cat, went to high school with a celebrity, or has traveled the farthest will be five minutes well spent.
- Make Time for Trivia. Or any of the other 15-to-30-minute games that are easy to put on. There are plenty of games that you can do in-house. If you are stumped, check out this list of 100 Virtual Team Building Activities.
- Engage a Professional. There are lots of companies that offer fully curated online team building activities. The Poker People is the best poker vendor out there, but you can also find escape rooms, and more. There is a whole list in my post about Team building Games for Large Groups.
A program with a robust schedule of different games will break down barriers and build camaraderie without your team even knowing they have joined the gym. The metaphorical team building gym that is. As I have mentioned, poker is a great part of a schedule of team building games played on video. For a list of more games to round out your program check out this article on Zoom Team Building Games.
For your next Poker Team Building Event
Is Virtual Poker with Video a Good Team Building Activity?
Spoiler Alert: Yes! Yes it is.
I believe that poker is the perfect team building activity. It has a fantastic balance of friendly competition, social opportunities, and a structured environment. Unlike more intensive games, poker allows people room to talk. Everyone plays their own cards so there is no rush to scream out the trivia answer or huddle with your team. The game has a very smooth rhythm that gently brings everyone along. Don’t get me wrong, there is plenty of shouting when someone tries a big bluff or has pocket aces to scoop a huge pot.
The most popular poker game is Texas Hold’em. The New York Times estimated that nearly 50 million people play poker in the US so there is a good chance some of your coworkers already know how to play. Maybe at a home game, maybe virtual video poker, or even in a casino. Texas Hold’em is the simplest version to learn since players only manage their own two private cards and the game quickly develops a pattern that is easy to pick up on.
But wait, there’s more! I am saying that poker is the perfect team building activity for work. How can I make that claim? Because there is so much overlap between poker skills and busines skills.
There is so much overlap between poker skills and business skills that many colleges and universities teach game theory as part of their economic and business courses. You can event get a Masters Degree in game theory from Yale, M.I.T., Harvard and even Texas A&M, (which only seems logical.)
Play Like A Girl and Dominate the Virtual Poker Room
Women deserve a seat at the table
Not only will you find me advocating for poker as the best team building activity you will also find me shouting from the hilltops that more women need to learn to play poker to be successful at work. I’m happy to see the traditional gender-based roles fade as children have access to dolls and robotics in equal measure, but the women in today’s workforce are still at a disadvantage.
Positions that involve risk taking, negotiation, leadership, and decision making under pressure are generally filled by men. By engaging in games like poker women are able to not only find those skills within themselves but demonstrate them in front of their peers and supervisors. This occasion to show their mettle can lead to more opportunities to prove themselves when the stakes are higher.
There is a fantastic TEDx Chicago Talk by Jenny Just and her daughter Juliette Hulsizer about this very topic. She dives deeper into how playing to win can be practiced at the poker table and then brought to the Boardroom table. Don’t take it from me, Jenny Just is a Cofounder of the investment firm Peak6 and according to Forbes, is worth over 400 million. She knows more than a thing or two about poker and business.
How Can You Play Poker Virtually?
So how does playing poker at the kitchen table with my friends translate to playing virtual poker online with my coworkers? The good news is that the best parts haven’t changed at all. The trash talk, the laughter, and the camaraderie all remain the same when you’re on Zoom. The only real difference is that when you play at home, or even in a casino, someone is dealing out physical cards. That obviously won’t work online so you will need to find a virtual place to play. That can be harder than you think.
- Poker Apps. They are often stuffed with ads, you probably will have to download something, and the quality of the game can be suspect.
- Real-money poker websites. The only thing I will be betting on is how quickly IT has a meltdown when you start creating accounts on gambling websites. Probably best to avoid organizing your office’s version of the World Series of Poker even if you are in a state where it is legal.
- Play-money poker websites. There are a few sites out there that allow for play-money poker, but they are usually associated with a real money site. If you can get past IT these are generally not terrible, but they will take some leg work before you can start the game. Each player will need an account and then the “host” will need to set up a game and get a code out to all the players so they can join.
If you want a turnkey solution than you need to hire a professional who can host your virtual video poker game. The Poker People is that solution. Their poker website is browser based so there’s nothing to download. Players get to choose a cool poker avatar and create their own poker nickname. They have real human dealers who act as “Poker Ambassadors” and start each game off with poker lessons and are there to answer questions and guide players the entire tournament.
For your next Poker Team Building Event
How to Schedule Your Own Virtual Poker Game on Zoom
So, I’ve talked you into it. You are adding poker on Zoom to your team building schedule. Awesome. Now what? Here is a step-by-step guide to how to play poker online using Zoom.
- Save the Date. Choose a date that works for as many folks as possible. Remember time zones, workloads, and holidays. Start the game in the late afternoon so players can join as they wrap up their workday. Making it strictly an after hours event will mean a lot of no-shows. Play on the clock as much as possible.
- Book the dealers. Contact The Poker People and get connected with an Event Manager. They will set up your Zoom call, answer any questions, and even put your company logo on the virtual felt.
- Invite your players. Get that meeting invite out to everyone with enough notice that they can make adjustments to attend. Poker can be scary so be sure to include a description of what to expect (poker lessons, real dealers, etc) to help rookies feel more comfortable. Your Event Manager can look over your invitation to make sure you’re not missing anything and even give you links to online poker lessons to watch before game day.
- Have fun! Game day will be here before you know it and the team at The Poker People will handle everything. Players simply join the Zoom call, and the dealers will help them get on the poker site. There is nothing to download but they still get to pick out an avatar and make up a cool poker nickname. Poker lessons start as soon as they are logged in and the tournament will start when you say go. Then relax and watch everyone bet and bluff their way to poker glory.
My last tip is to always follow up with your new card-sharks for feedback. Share any screen shots you grabbed during the game and be sure to let everyone know who had the best poker nickname. The dealers always vote for their favorite.
In Conclusion
I appreciate your time reading this post and hope that you found some useful information. Incorporating virtual poker with video into your team’s regular activities can significantly enhance team cohesion, leadership development, and overall workplace satisfaction. By engaging in poker, employees not only have fun but also develop essential business skills in a relaxed yet competitive environment. Poker serves as a powerful tool to foster a positive and inclusive corporate culture, leading to happier employees and I am thrilled to be able to bring it to you. Enjoy your day and I’ll see you at the tables.
Frequently Asked Questions About Virtual Poker on Zoom
Below, we’ve compiled answers to some of the most common questions I have been asked when it comes to playing virtual poker on Zoom. I hope they help you plan and execute a successful online poker event for your team.
To play virtual poker on Zoom, start by selecting a convenient date and time for your team, considering different time zones and work schedules. Use a browser-based virtual poker platform to avoid the need for downloads, and consider booking live dealers from a professional service like The Poker People, who can handle the setup, teach the rules, and run the game.
Poker helps develop leadership skills by simulating situations that require decision-making, risk assessment, and strategic thinking—key attributes of effective leaders. For women, playing poker provides a platform to practice and showcase these skills in a friendly environment, which can boost confidence and visibility in the workplace.
There are apps and play-money poker websites that can host online poker but be aware, some require you to download software, provide more information then you may want to share, or be difficult to set up for a novice. Alternatively, companies like The Poker People provide fully managed virtual poker experiences with live dealers and customized game settings, ensuring a professional and engaging experience without the need for real-money gambling.
Regular team-building activities can lead to increased employee engagement, and improved morale but team building just for the same of team building can leave participants bored and wishing they were answering emails. Curated, intentional, and regularly scheduled team building activities, including quick icebreaker games and more involved long-form activities like a poker tournament, are components of a healthy team building program. These activities help to reduce turnover rates, promote a positive and inclusive work culture, and enhance the company’s reputation, making it easier to attract and retain top talent.
