Michell Gatling asked 3 days ago
Gone will be the days when poker was played in back rooms by a handful of regular players. Now it appears as if you cannot turn on the television without seeing coverage of a poker tournament or instructional show. The media has jumped on the poker band wagon, fueling its popularity.
Poker, particularly Texas Hold-’em style, is broadcast on major networks for example Bravo, ESPN and also the Travel Channel. The Travel Channel reports that their World Series of Poker shows are among the highest rated in their lineup.
You will find World Championship games, tournaments and even a show where all the players are celebrities (in spite of their poker skills). The shows are hosted by current poker players, many of whom are very successful at their profession. The media coverage has turned many of these players into mini celebrities in their own right.
One thing that is appealing to television viewers is the fact that poker will be relatively easy to learn. Most of the televisions shows have a primer at the beginning, explaining the different hands and betting procedures. Therefore, in essence, a novice could sit down at a table and begin to play. Which just isn’t to say they’re going to do well! A common saying with poker is “5 minutes to learn, a lifetime to master”.
A part of the success in drawing interest to poker will be the ‘hole camera’. The hole camera is a camera lens at every player’s seat that enables the viewer at home to see what cards each player is holding. This way you are able to see the action unfold and may learn from watching what players do. You may even find yourself rooting for someone to take a specific action, forgetting that they can’t see what you can! The hosts of the show will often explain what they expect the players to do, according to what they are seeing from how the other player bets, or reacts to the action. So you can actually pick up quite several playing tips just by listening to the commentary.
The television popularity of poker has spilled over into other areas besides television. Many casinos who did not offer poker before now hold tournaments. And retail sales of poker related items has surged as well. You may go into any large chain bookstore and see dozens of books on poker, whereas 5 years ago their might are already a handful. The sale of poker chips, home poker tables as well as poker home decor has taken off.
The internet has also taken a slice out of the poker pie. The increase in the number of online casinos has skyrocketed within the last few years, with larger businesses such as Party Poker or Ultimate Bet actually sponsoring players in the live televised tournaments. Many quality online casino gambling agency casinos provide a free version, where you can play poker without actually investing any money.
