Column 1, Introduction It seems everywhere we look these days we are surrounded by the nation’s newest obsession. Poker. The game is popping up everywhere. Whether it is on the Internet, on T.V., or at your buddy’s house on a Wednesday night, more and more people are crossing over and becoming hooked. It has become a chain reaction of sort. The more accessible it becomes, the more people are dying to get in on the action. It has become the topic of conversation everywhere — in bars, magazines, talk shows, even family dinners. What really caused this explosion of poker? While the World Series of Poker (WSOP) has been on T.V. for many years, only recently has ESPN started airing it as much as 20 to 30 hours a week. (Including ESPN 2) This is greatly due to the World Poker Tour (WPT) ratings on the Travel Channel. It has become the Travel Channel’s highest rated show. This past year the WPT averaged up 5 million viewers per episode, a 150% increase from its inception on March 30, 2003. Its counterpart, the WSOP, averaged 1.5 million viewers in 2004 with more than three times as many for the main event. The World Series of Poker made its official debut in the spring of 1970. It was a collection of Texas road gamblers brought in to Las Vegas to cause a publicity stir. The event was so successful that Benny Binion, owner of Binions Horseshoe Casino and founder of the WSOP, decided to do it again the following year. In 1971, there were six players in the main event. Johnny Moss won it that year and would eventually become one of only two players to win the event three times. Only one year in the history of the tournament has the field failed to grow. In 1980 there was 73 entries, in 2000 there was 512, and last year’s event had a staggering 2,576. First place prize last year was $5 million, and that number is figured to double this year. It will be the biggest prize pool in sports history.

Arguably, the biggest cause for the poker boom, is the Internet. The winner of the 2003 WSOP, Chris Moneymaker, won his $10,000 seat by winning an Internet tournament for 40 dollars. By turning $40 into $2.5 million, he turned an already big business into a huge business. Today there are more than 80 Internet poker sites with millions of people playing poker for real money in the comfort of their own homes. Gone are the times where you actually had to have the cash to sit in a big tournament with the pros. Now all you have to do is turn your computer on, pay a couple bucks, and bam, you’re right there in the action. It’s estimated that over 50 million Americans play poker, and that number is increasing every day. People of all backgrounds, ethnicities, and tax brackets are rushing to play some No Limit Texas Hold ‘Em — the game that takes a minute to learn and a lifetime to master. And it hasn’t hurt that celebrities have collectively adopted the game as their newest hobby. As we all know, when Hollywood finds a new addiction, the American Public isn’t too far behind. Well that about sums up the poker explosion. We can only guess how big the game can actually get. Some people say that in a couple years the WSOP will have 10,000 entrants. Imagine a $100 million prize pool. Hard to believe isn’t it. In future columns, I will be discussing certain strategies and problems involved in all aspects of the games. Feel free to email me any questions or stories at xrokpoker@yahoo.com. Until then, take care, and good luck By Chris Stuart