Gone are the days when poker was played in back rooms by a handful of regular players. Now it appears as if you can not 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 such as Bravo, ESPN as well as the Travel Channel. The Travel Channel reports that their World Series of Poker shows are among the highest rated in their lineup.

You’ll find World Championship games, tournaments and also 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 within their own right.

One thing that is appealing to television viewers is the fact that poker is comparatively easy to learn. A lot of the televisions shows have a primer in the beginning, explaining the different hands and betting procedures. As such, in essence, a novice could sit down at a table and begin to play. Which is not to say they are going to do very 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 is the ‘hole camera’. The hole camera is a camera lens at every player’s seat which permits the viewer at home to determine what cards each player is holding. This way you are able to see the action unfold and also can learn from watching what players do. You might even find yourself rooting for someone to take a specific action, forgetting that they cannot see what you may! The hosts of the show will often explain what they expect the players to do, determined by what they are seeing from how another player bets, or reacts to the action. So you can actually pick up quite a number of playing online gambling agency 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 lots of books on poker, whereas five years ago their might have been a handful. The sale of poker chips, home poker tables as well as poker home decor has taken off.

The web has also taken a slice out of the poker pie. The rise in the range of online casinos has skyrocketed in the last number of years, with larger businesses for example Party Poker or Ultimate Bet actually sponsoring players within the live televised tournaments. Many online casinos give a free version, the place you can play poker without actually investing any money.

With the surge in popularity of poker, it is important to remember that it’s gambling as well as can lead to addiction or perhaps bankruptcy! There seems to be no slow down within the ratings for shows, so poker will be here for some time to come.