The explosion of poker back in the early 2000s was thanks, in part, to the game’s exposure on TV. Iconic poker shows such as Late Night Poker, The World Poker Tour (WPT) and the World Series of Poker made the game accessible to millions. Moreover, it created household names out of some of the best poker pros in the world as fans sat fascinated by poker games they watched.
The first show to really glamorise the game in true American style was the WPT. Million dollar prizes, high production costs and entertaining characters made it an instant hit with audiences across the globe.
In the early days of the WPT it was people like Phil Laak, Phil Ivey and Doyle Brunson who were taking down pots and winning the affections of the poker community. Indeed, the use of hole card cameras – small cameras inserted into the table to allow a player’s cards to be seen by the audience – was revolutionary and formed the basis of modern poker strategy.
Alongside the WPT, the WSOP began to up its production budget and soon moved from a series of highlight shows to a full length spectacle. The rise of internet poker and the publicity generated by TV caused an explosion at the WSOP with the number of Main Event runners leaping from a few hundred to over 6,000.
Poker’s popularity has a lot to do with its place in the media spotlight. Poker pros such as Phil Hellmuth and Antonio Esfandiari have turned the game into an industry. Indeed, much of poker’s resonance comes from its ability to appeal to many different people. Money, drama and entertainment make it a perfect fit for TV and the reason why poker is now one of the most popular games in the world.
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