On-Line Poker Boom

Crock65 and I were talking last night as we played at Poker Stars. Think about what I'm about to say really carefully. Go back to Chris Moneymaker's WSOP win. Let's say Johnny Chan or one of the other pros had won instead. Then Stars doesn't get as popular as quick and on-line poker just doesn't have that major boom. Millions of people heard the story of the buy in that got Chris the fame. This launched what will always be (The any dreamer can win a million from on-line poker, Boom)
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think even this forum came about shortly after the boom. So did hundreds of other forums. Chris and Poker Stars have totally revolutionized the poker world. ESPN played a nice little part also. If anyone can think of it, do you remember how many sites you played on or knew about pre-Moneymaker? Then think about the after Moneymaker? It's funny but before all of this I played in a live game maybe once a month, hell once a year and even then we only played stud, draw, and Jacks or better. After all the hype literally everyone I know wanted to play NLHE and if they couldn't it was because they were playing on-line. I think we all owe a little bit of credit to these three superstars: Poker Stars for getting someone there. Chris Moneymaker for following his dream. And good old ESPN for cramming the WSOP down our throats with all the replays and advertising. Hell, I didn't even have a computer till after the fact, but poker was one of the first things I did and some of the reason I got the damn thing. Anyone else share my view. I think all the younger players will agree, but how about you seasoned veterans. Is this true?

oops, is there anyone out there?

not hit so hard over here

though late night poker on channel 4 kicked things off way before the WPT etc came about

I remember most the big sites starting up, even learnt how to play on pokerroom before they started doing money tables, same with fulltilt and some others

Wow I never realized that it didn't hit so hard over seas. Never gave that a bit of thought, but it makes since.

its hit, just not to the extent as it has in america

certainly noticed the increase

I'm still looking for an American perspective.

I've realized this a lot. It used to be poker was only for Casinos and home games. Now a days I can turn on TV and normally see a poker game at night. I know a few people who play online.

It's definetly been a big boom here in the states.

I flicked through all the satellite channels one night a month ago and saw SIX different poker programmes on at the same time. Never actually watched one though - boring as hell.

There are a load of poker shows over here and your right alot of them are boring. We got Celebrity, Pro, Amature, Ladies, Mens, and dog poker. Boom Boom Boom.

brianna c-think you've made a good point,I'm an "oldie" but last night I watched ESPN's tourney from Monte Carlo and Fulltilt had helped sponsor it. The commercials their where plugging away for site,withsome of the top players of "NLHE". Gus Hansens on PokerChamps another one. Fulltilt has Chris Ferguson,Howard Leaderman and several other top players that pop in and out. Yes I think it does give the average player a chance to win and maybe go on to the top,if it's in the cards for you to do so. I'm like brianna c main reason got computer was to correspond with Son in Iraq and play poker to keep me from going over the edge. I'd like to see more tourneys on Jacks or better,5-7 card,draw and different tourneys than NLHE, or Omaha maybe mods can get some of these going or at least try. You make a good point!

people play online poker because they get addicted

well...newbies play online then get addicted...veterans know there are tons of newbies givin money away...

Yes Moneymaker(was there ever a more perfect name at a more perfect time) winning the main event at the WSOP was the watershed moment fpr online poker. I was playing online several months before then. You think it is big now in the states wait till OR if the US gov legalises it and regulates it! Talk about exploding!

Shelynn said:
Didn't you see Devilfish adverising his site when he went out having it taped to his back i laughed out loud (really) when he stood up - a nice cheap advertisement

IanT

Yea that was priceless. Sell out suckers.

Hmmm when was the WPT 1st Aruba tourney? That is when I downloaded Ultimatebet. Wasn't that before Chris Moneymakers win. I had already been watching the Travel Channel's coverage the year before when Carlos Mortenson won it. I was already hooked before I even played. So the other stuff just REALLY hooked me LOL

Ironically when I joined on to AOL years ago once in awhile they would advertise software you could pay through your checking account like your AOL account I got ahold of the Binions Horseshoe Casino program and they had slots, craps, blackjack and the WSOP on it. LOL I had no idea what I had till it was way into the start of the poker boom. Now with all the computer upgrades I have had done it won't work on my PC :PPPPP

Yes "Devilfish's" advertisement was priceless,think it caught them all off guard! Didn't cost him much to advertise his site! LOL

Oh, is that his personal site?

I just started playing 10 months ago. Is that about the time your talking about? I doubt it though eh, internet poker must have been around allot longer than an year right?

Mandy