The Final Table: Pokers Lure

It should come as no surprise that Texas Hold 'em poker is responsible for the dramatic upsurge in online gaming profits. After all, one only has to turn on the television most any weeknight, and a poker tournament will surely be showing somewhere. The exposure these days is relentless.

The draw, of course, is the thrill of the final table and the riches that come with it. From poker's roots in dusty Old West saloons, to dazzling casino rooms, to the home PC, it is everywhere today. According to the research service PokerPulse, more than 1.78 million poker players made real money wagers online in January. That number is only expected to increase as tournament prize money continues to grow. On most any given day, an online 'hold 'em' tourney will reward those "in the money" with purses of $100,000, $250,000, even $500,000.

Certainly $2,500,000 is a large sum by anyone's standards. And that's just what a young fellow by the name of Chris Moneymaker from Tennesse won in the 2003 World Series of Poker (WSOP). That princely sum was parlayed from a $39 investment in a "qualifier" at an online poker room. His overnight success story aired countless times on cable television, and suddenly, poker was hot.

Not to be outdone, Greg "Fossilman" Raymer turned a $160 "satellite" entry at the very same poker site into a seat at the 2004 WSOP. Raymer's result? Champion! And a staggering first prize of $5,000,000. Online poker had arrived.

Consider that in January 2002 the industry gross 'rake' (or fees collected) per day was around $100,000. Today, it's near $2.5 million per day. An estimated $16 billion was wagered on internet poker sites in 2004. And, as new devotees enroll in mind-boggling numbers, it's difficult to gauge an industry consensus on just where the limit lies.

Though the poker resurgence began in the U.S., it may be growing faster overseas. Britain, already a gambling-crazed country, accounts for roughly 80% of the European poker market. Germany and Austria have burgeoning poker clubs and communities, while the Scandinavian population may be the ripest emerging new market. Also, it's interesting to note that 30-40% of new European players are female.

The phenomenon of women in poker may hold the key to explaining poker's rapid ascent. In the past, poker was viewed more in the Old West sense. That is, that poker was a game for males conducted mostly illicitly and in less than pleasing surroundings. In fact, up until just a couple of years ago most Las Vegas casinos had gotten out of the poker business. A handful of poker rooms on old Fremont Street were essentially the only games in town.

The internet, however, changed all that. It offers anonymity, is safe and hassle-free, and presents the opportunity for copious rewards in exchange for relatively modest entry fees. What more could a girl want? If she (or he) has the skill, it's possible to compete alongside world-class players and actually win.

But is it extraordinary skill which will get you to the final table? Perhaps. Numerous authors have written on the subject of the perfect poker strategy. The odds, the hands, probabilities, you simply must know what you're doing they say. Just don't tell that to Chris Moneymaker though. He'd never even read a book on poker prior to winning it all.

Nick McFadden has been an avid poker player and student of the game for more than 20 years. He is a contributor to the website "Global Poker" ( http://www.global-poker.net/ ), which offers tips, strategy, and resources for poker players.

---

The Adventure for Poker Gold

From the drama TILT made by ESPN to the deal... Read More

Becoming a Consistent Winner at Online Low-Limit Texas Hold ?Em

Start with Small Stakes and Play Tight, Tight, and More... Read More

Roulette System: How you can win Roulette easily and automatically

In this article, we will discuss on "A personal interview... Read More

Roulette: The Game of Remarkable Comebacks

In casino gambling, sometimes even the most knowledgable players turn... Read More

Understanding Online Casino Bonuses

Are you puzzled by the workings of online Casino bonuses,... Read More

How to Avoid the Common Slot Machine Playing Mistakes

Understanding how slots work is important in maximizing your gains... Read More

World Series of Poker Tournament Circuit

On October 25, 2004 Harrah's announced the creation of the... Read More

Online Roulette ? A Brief History

The term "Roulette" is French and in essence it means... Read More

Five Roulette Tips to Dramatically Increase Your Profits!

Roulette is the third most popular casino game worldwide, after... Read More

2005 NFC East Football Preview

OVERVIEW: NFC EASTThe Eagles once again appear to be the... Read More

Blackjack Basics

Blackjack is one of the most popular casino games after... Read More

A Teenagers Vegas Vacation

This, a true story about a Vegas vacation involving casino... Read More

High Tech Gamblers and Cheating in Casinos, Casinos are Fighting Back

In Las Vegas many techie types are winning big, too... Read More

The Joys Of Playing Internet Poker

I started playing poker on the internet about six months... Read More

Asian Handicaps Explained

The most common way to bet on football in the... Read More

Poker Fever

Big blind with my jack-three off suit, I found myself... Read More

Why You Should Never Buy an Online Slot Machine System!

Playing online slot machines has become increasingly popular, as online... Read More

Win Every Single Time You Play Poker, Chips Or No Poker Chips, Guaranteed

Having played many, many poker games in my time and... Read More

Slot Machine Odds

It probably more appropriate to call slot machines entertainment than... Read More

The Secret of Grinding Out a Profit

Pssst...Wanna know a secret?How about the secrets of grinding out... Read More

Depositing Funds to Your Online Casino & Poker Room Account - The Best Options

Ways To DepositWhen I first wanted to start playing in... Read More

Compulsive Gambler Shares His Recovery Story About Gamblers Anonymous Now That He Stopped

A compulsive gambler who participated in Gamblers Anonymous program shared... Read More

2005 World Series of Poker -- Complete Report

Over 29,000 poker players came to Las Vegas from 40... Read More

Slot Machines - Does Location Make a Difference?

Books have been written on this subject and the debates... Read More

The Slot Machine

The very first slot machine (called 'Liberty Bell') was created... Read More

Pro Football Betting

Did you know that most recreational bettors don't make a... Read More

Casino Olympics

It's been advertised globally and has been poised to be... Read More

Freeroll Poker Tournaments - The Greatest Deal Of All!

Freeroll poker tournaments are daily events that happen on a... Read More

Video Poker - Tips to Remember

Video poker is an easy game to learn to play... Read More

Beware of So-Called Baccarat Strategy

Card Counting is one of those phony ideas published in... Read More

Online Gambling Casinos - Wear Your Thinking Cap and Prosper

I receive many emails each week from people who deposited... Read More

Playing Ace-King in Texas Holdem

Everyone who plays Texas Holdem knows that Ace-King is one... Read More

Gambling Comps 101 or The Ask Game

Gambling Comps 101 or The Ask Game I don't know... Read More