Poker on TV


Poker on TV has been the catalyst that allows millions of people to view real poker being played by today's young guns and poker legends. A day does not go by without advertising for another Texas Hold'Em TV poker scheduled event for cable or television. It is becoming the basis for corporate investment in a growing industry and a motivation for players to enter numerous tournaments that offer millions of dollars. Software is being developed for hand held devices and cell phones to play poker. Deals are being made to broadcast live tournaments over the Internet from land based casinos.

And if that's not enough, then there are a growing number of television shows based on poker. Even charity events are bringing in money for those who need it behind the affection started by televised tournament events. Plus women are coming to the tables in droves, along with magazines on different versions of the game like Texas Hold'Em marketed especially to women. And the end is not in sight for this trend as more people learn to enjoy and watch the game of poker.

With an estimated 50,000,000 people in the United States alone who play the game, corporations began scrambling to capitalize for all the money that could be made when tournament event ratings showed reflection of the public's appetite. ESPN's poker audience went from 408,000 viewers in 2003 to 1,300,000 per broadcast in 2004. The 2005 World Series of Poker broadcasts will have over 2,000,000 people watching each televised episode when ESPN starts showing them in June. World Poker Tour episodes will be shown in 60 countries and if Steve Lipscomb has his way this will increase to 200 countries.

And others are close behind with programs like Celebrity Poker and Poker at the Plaza which are pulling in big ratings. Online poker rooms are now becoming a billion dollar industry. They provide many satellite tournaments that anyone can play in to get a chance to be a television star competing for big bucks. Even states within America such as North Dakota, Illinois and Georgia are competing to pass legislation to legalize poker over the Internet for a piece of the revenue pie, despite the direction of the federal government. Outside of the U.S., England is at the threshold of permitting its land-based casinos to take bets online from U.S. citizens.

Proponents of the game state that the effects of the televised tournaments toward society are positive. Enough to where a person can find "family nights" for playing being offered by organizations promoting the game. Many of the present day champions have stated that they learned how to play from ages as young as 5 from their parents or relatives at home. Kids and teenagers with guidance can learn how to plan strategy, manage money, solve complex problems and understand the psychology of human beings. But every coin has two sides. A concerned number of people are voicing the opinion that the creation of gambling addicts is taking place. More and more land-based and online casinos are taking this seriously by offering help for gambling addiction and the creation of new programs for assistance for those who have problem issues. Having help available for players will become increasingly important as the enthusiasm of the game goes forward.

Is there a limit to the "all in" attitude for Texas Hold'Em tournaments being watched by the public? With retail sales, record ratings for television and cable plus big business pouring millions into it, the trend is still clearly reflecting the upswing. And if state legislation moves in favor of regulation of the online gambling industry for the tax revenue, it might not go away anytime soon. Because no one sits down at a table looking to bust out early, they sit down to win.

Tom Howze is a webmaster for 9 sites that relate to 2005 World Series of Poker and World Poker Tour events, updates and resources for poker on tv .







Related News



Big Ten: Games weren't compromised by Pamon's crew - ESPN

Big Ten: Games weren't compromised by Pamon's crew
ESPN -2 hours ago
Sports, which revealed his history of bankruptcy, casino gambling, child abuse and allegations of sexual harassment. The report never alleged Pamon had bet ...

Ohio pretends Keno isn't really casino gambling: Phillip Morris - The Plain Dealer - cleveland.com

Ohio pretends Keno isn't really casino gambling: Phillip Morris
The Plain Dealer - cleveland.com, OH -Aug 7, 2008
What really steams me about Keno, Strickland's latest gambling offering, is the fact that it's about as close to casino gambling as you can get without ...
Ohio hopes to get lucky when keno starts MondayAkron Beacon Journal
Lottery players take a gamble on Ohio’s 1st day of legal KenoToledo Blade
State Lottery Keno Gambling Showing Hypocrisy Of Ohio LawmakersCasino Gambling Web
Canton Repository (subscription) - WKYC-TV
all 104 news articles

Casino gambling almost a reality for Ohio - The Daily Advocate

Casino gambling almost a reality for Ohio
The Daily Advocate, OH -Aug 6, 2008
... submitted nearly 800000 signatures to the Ohio Secretary of State to place an initiative on the Nov. 4 ballot that will allow for casino gambling in Ohio.

Analysis foresees gains well short of Patrick estimates - Boston Globe

Boston Globe

Analysis foresees gains well short of Patrick estimates
Boston Globe, United States -11 hours ago
All told, the study estimates that casino gambling would produce $1.23 billion to $1.78 billion in annual gross gaming revenues - less than the $2 billion ...
Mass. study: Casino forecasts both hit, miss markForbes
Study urges state casino pact with tribeSouth Coast Today
Report Shows Casino Projections Hit, Miss the MarkMy Fox Boston
Washington Business Journal - Boston Herald
all 43 news articles

Gambling only the beginning at Sydney's Star City Casino - Courier Mail

Gambling only the beginning at Sydney's Star City Casino
Courier Mail, Australia -4 hours ago
It was after all, my first foray into a casino gambling room in about 30 years. I have grown up believing that gambling is a self-imposed tax for the ...

800000 Signatures Delievered to Ohio Secretary of State for Casino ... - Cleveland Leader

Cleveland Leader

800000 Signatures Delievered to Ohio Secretary of State for Casino...
Cleveland Leader, OH -Aug 5, 2008
The last attempt at getting casino gambling in the state was in 2006. The "Learn & Earn" measure was an attempt to get slot machines in area establishments ...
2 issues, ample backingColumbus Dispatch
First Keno, Now Possibly A Gambling Casino For OhioCasino Gambling Web
Ohio casino backers to submit signatures TuesdayBizjournals.com
Casino City Times - Akron Beacon Journal
all 77 news articles


Casino group, state disagree over projected revenue - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Casino group, state disagree over projected revenue
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, PA -2 hours ago
After five years, gambling regulators think the casino will take in $611.6 million -- more than $100 million above what Bluhm's group predicts. ...

American Gaming Association CEO Frank Fahrenkopf on the P5s Podcast - PocketFives.com

American Gaming Association CEO Frank Fahrenkopf on the P5s Podcast
PocketFives.com -16 hours ago
The AGA was formed in the mid-1990’s in response to a threat in Washington, DC to casino gambling revenue. Fahrenkopf explains, “The idea for the AGA came ...

A cruise can mean choppy waters for gamblers - The Courier News

A cruise can mean choppy waters for gamblers
The Courier News, IL -8 hours ago
... ship to the Caribbean or some other exotic destination, you'll discover one of your entertainment options aboard the vessel will be casino gambling. ...

Casino Gambling: MGM Mirage Q2 profit falls due to economy - Online Gambling Paper

Casino Gambling: MGM Mirage Q2 profit falls due to economy
Online Gambling Paper, GA -Aug 5, 2008
MGM Mirage (NYSE: MGM), the world's second largest casino gambling operator said today the profits fell in the Q2 of 2008. According to the gambling giant, ...
The Chips Are Down in Vegas, but Steve Wynn Is Betting BigNew York Times
MGM Mirage 2Q profit falls 68.6 percentForbes
MGM Mirage gets CityCenter financingReuters
TheStreet.com - Forbes
all 124 news articles