Gone will be the days when poker was played in back rooms by a handful of regular players. Now it seems as if you can’t 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 the Travel Channel. The Travel Channel reports that their World Series of Poker shows are among-the highest rated Jamesgosling said in a blog post their lineup.

You can 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 certainly successful at their profession. The media coverage has turned many of these players into mini celebrities in their own right.

One thing that’s appealing to television viewers is that poker will be easy to learn. Most of the televisions shows have a primer in the beginning, explaining the different hands and betting procedures. So, in essence, a novice could sit down at a table and begin to play. Which isn’t to say they are going to do well! A common saying with poker is “5 minutes to learn, a lifetime to master”.

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 find out what cards each player is holding. This way you are able to see the action unfold as well as can learn from watching what players do. You may even find yourself rooting for somebody to take a specific action, forgetting that they can’t see what you may! The hosts of the show will often explain what they expect the players to do, based upon what they’re seeing from how the other player bets, or reacts to the action. So you can actually pick up quite a couple of 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 can go into any large chain bookstore and see lots of books on poker, whereas 5 years ago their might are already a handful. The sale of poker chips, home poker tables and even 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 couple of years, with larger businesses such as Party Poker or Ultimate Bet actually sponsoring players within the live televised tournaments. Many online casinos give a free version, where you can play poker without actually investing any money.

With the surge in popularity of poker, it’s important to understand that it is gambling and can also lead to addiction or perhaps bankruptcy! There appears to be no slow down within the ratings for shows, so poker will be here for many years to come.