Problem Statement

User Challenges:

• Table-like interface created cognitive overload for players

• Difficult to locate active games with engaged players

• Poor organization made game selection unnecessarily complex

• No clear visual hierarchy to guide users to popular tables

Business Impact:

• Reduced player engagement due to difficulty finding suitable games

• Lower retention rates from poor first-time user experience

• Missed opportunities for cross-promoting different game types

• Decreased table participation due to discovery friction

Research & Discovery

Usability Testing

• Conducted usability tests to identify pain points in existing lobby

• Gathered qualitative feedback on game discovery patterns

• Observed user behavior during table selection process

• Validated findings through user interviews

Secondary Research

• Analyzed competitor platforms for discovery patterns

• Researched best practices for content-heavy interfaces

• Studied user behavior patterns in similar gaming platforms

Key Insights:

• Players preferred visual browsing over data-heavy table layouts

• Active player count was a primary decision factor for table selection

• Users wanted quick access to tables matching their preferred stakes

• Integration with waitlist system was crucial for seamless experience

Solution Design

Key Features

1. Carousel-Based Game Organization

   • Tables grouped by blind levels for intuitive navigation

   • Visual cards replacing traditional table rows

   • Quick-view stats for active players and waitlist status

2. Enhanced Discovery System

   • Prominent display of active tables

   • Integrated waitlist information

   • Clear visual hierarchy highlighting popular games

3. Information Architecture

   • Streamlined navigation for different game types

   • Simplified filtering system

   • Consistent placement of key information

Design Challenges & Solutions

Information Hierarchy

Challenge: Needed to present multiple data points without overwhelming users Solution:

• Implemented visual hierarchy emphasizing:

  1. Game type (prominently displayed with large image)

  2. Buy-in amount

  3. Blind levels

  4. Current player count

• Used size and positioning to naturally guide user attention

Table Status Organization

Challenge: Multiple table states needed clear visual distinction Solution:

• Implemented priority-based ordering system:

  1. Full/waitlisted tables (highest priority)

  2. Available tables with active players

  3. Empty tables

• Used visual cues to distinguish between states

User Flow & Navigation

Challenge: Complex navigation between different game types and blind levels Solution:

• Carousel interface for intuitive horizontal browsing

• Added dynamic horizontal components between sections to:

  • Provide visual breaks during scrolling

  • Integrate marketing content naturally

  • Maintain user engagement

Design Process

Initial Concepts

• Explored multiple navigation patterns

• Investigated semi-guided search approach featuring "Previously Played Blinds"

  • Initially planned personalized recommendations

  • Adapted design due to technical constraints

Iterations & Refinement

• Modified design based on development team capacity

• Removed personalized blinds carousel due to technical limitations

• Integrated marketing components as scrolling breaks

• Refined visual hierarchy through multiple iterations

Stakeholder Collaboration

• Regular alignment with development team on technical feasibility

• Adapted design solutions to match development capabilities

• Balanced ideal user experience with technical constraints

Technical Considerations

Development Constraints

• Worked within existing technical framework

• Adapted design to meet development team capacity

• Prioritized features based on technical feasibility

Performance

• Optimized carousel loading for smooth navigation

• Implemented efficient data loading patterns

• Maintained responsiveness across different screen sizes

Results & Impact

User Experience Improvements

• More intuitive game discovery process

• Clearer visual hierarchy for decision making

• Improved integration of marketing content

• Enhanced table status visibility

Future Opportunities

• Potential implementation of personalized recommendations

• Enhanced filtering capabilities

• Advanced player matching features

Key Learnings

• Importance of balancing ideal design with technical feasibility

• Value of clear visual hierarchy in complex interfaces

• Success of integrated marketing approach

• Critical role of user behavior patterns in design decisions