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Since the invention of playing cards, it’s hard to remember a time when poker and other card games haven’t been popular. Certainly, different games go through increasing times of popularity, such as the increased popularity of Texas Hold’em in the last several years, but by and large playing cards has always been a popular form of entertainment. In recent years, however, the increase in media accessibility combined with continued and increasing popularity, the game has seen explosive growth in the area of sports network coverage such as ESPN and others.
The increased popularity in this form of entertainment is due in large part to the custom poker tables, complete with mini cameras that show the player’s hands and allow the viewer to truly have a bird’s eye view of the entire table. Knowing the stakes, and other cards in play, both increases the excitement, and anxiety, in the observer. It can also be a lesson in odds, when to bet, how much and how to play smart.
To a large degree, these broadcast games also make the games more accessible to the general public. For example, Joe Public might watch James Bond put a million down on a hand but has little exposure to the details of the game and can be intimidated by the the luxury of the surroundings, the pressure of the high stakes and inaccessibility of information. However, through the technology of the mini-cams, the game can seem much more approachable. Ultimately Las Vegas casinos are sure to benefit from these televised network events for two reasons. First, people love the idea of attending televised events and this applies to poker tournaments as well. Second, increasing numbers of the general public are going to be anxious to try out their own skills at the tables in hopes of winning it big.
