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Will GGPoker’s SnapCam Result in an Increase in Online Poker Abuse

GGPoker has introduced a new feature on their software that will allow players to send video reactions to the table. SnapCam will allow players to take 15 second videos that can then be shared to the poker table. While this feature seems like a fun feature, it is one that will certainly have drawbacks.

What is SnapCam?

SnapCam is one of the newest features on the GGPoker client. After a hand, players can post a video reaction of up to 15 seconds. Just click on the SnapCam video button and record your video. Once you’re done recording, send the video to the table.

Up to four video reactions can play at the table at once. If there are more than four reactions, they will be queued and played in order.

Don’t want to participate in SnapCam? You must mute your chat entirely in order to avoid seeing videos. You can also block specific players SnapCams from their profile.

This feature will certainly have advantages and drawbacks. The question is whether the positives outweigh the potential drawbacks.

Increase Player Interaction

The first thing that SnapCam will do is increase player interaction at the table. Players can physically post a reaction to hands, both good and bad. In some cases, this can put faces and voices to the usernames of players on the website.

📷 @GGPoker’s New #SnapCam Feature Allows Players to Send Short Videos to Opponents @writing4poker https://t.co/IXgyellYZC pic.twitter.com/ryqrYP31P5

— CardsChat (@CardsChat) August 8, 2020

For people that enjoy the social aspect of poker, this is a huge positive. One problem with playing online poker is that it is very anti-social. You can perfect many strategies, but improving your player interaction is not one of those skills that can be improved online.

Increase in Abuse Likely

The one drawback that I can see for this feature is the likelihood of increased abuse by players. I can see players using this to spout verbal abuse or berate other players at the table. Also, I find it a bit amusing that Daniel Negreanu is a player they are using to promote this feature. He has famously had a couple of tirades on Twitch that have not been flattering to his persona.

There are many people that prefer playing online poker because they don’t have to put up with douchebags or jerks at the live poker tables. This feature will allow those aholes to abuse and berate players until they get their privileges revoked. In the meantime, I can see players leaving the platform over this feature.

Players Should Be Able to Disable SnapCam Independently

One thing I really don’t like about this feature is that you have to completely disable chat in order to avoid seeing these videos. This punishes players who want to continue using chat but don’t want to put up with potentially abusive videos.

At a time when WSOPcom has locked down text chat, GGPoker enables video chat.https://t.co/q1glscj7Kz

— pokerfuse (@pokerfuse) August 7, 2020

While being able to disable individual SnapCams is helpful, a blanket option would be better. It should be something simple such as a “Disable SnapCam” box on the main screen. This would allow players to disable the videos and still have chat. It is a lot easier to ignore chat abuse than Daniel Negreanu popping up on your screen telling you to go “F*** yourself.”

Overall, I am fairly neutral on this feature. It is something I personally would not use as I am not playing online poker to make friends and influence people. It is something that I think a good number of people will enjoy, so I don’t begrudge GGPoker for adding the option.

With that said, I still think that players should have an easier way to disable the feature as to avoid what will likely be an increase in player abuse. I wish I could claim that I am overreacting to this, but knowing how poker players are, this seems an inevitability.

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