The Positive Influence of Film and Television on Texas Holdem
Although entertainment and gaming are two entirely different entities, they are in some way intertwined by certain circumstances, such as the case of Texas Holdem poker. In recent years, who would have thought that the wide exposure of the once obscure casino card game on television and in motion pictures would somehow catapult it to the top of the gambling industry? As of the present moment, no other casino game can match the popularity and fame that Texas Holdem has greatly achieved throughout the times.
Before Texas Holdem became a worldwide hit as a televised event, the fun and entertaining aspects of the game were clearly depicted and introduced by the motion picture entitled "Rounders." Featuring matinee idols Edward Norton and Matt Damon, the movie showed the benefits and advantages of living a poker career, particularly the Texas Holdem variation of the game. Furthermore, a part of this classic poker film featured one of the memorable scenes taken from the World Series of Poker, highlighting the epic battle between poker standouts Erik Seidel and Johnny Chan.
On television, Texas Holdem was featured in a very positive way, specifically in the British television program "Late Night Poker," where innovative camera technology was introduced to capture the fun and excitement where they happen and as they happen on top of the poker table. While this advancement in the television coverage of the game happened at United Kingdom and neighboring areas in 1999, it was not until 2003 that such technology was used in advanced countries like Canada and the U.S.
In 2003, the world witnessed on television the Cinderella story of online poker qualifier Chris Moneymaker, who defied the odds by qualifying for a World Series of Poker major event, and within the process capturing the prestigious world championship bracelet over his more popular and experienced opponents. Aside from impressing the entire poker world, it also inspired and got other online poker players interested to try their luck playing online Texas Holdem.
In 2004, another major victory came for online poker players as Greg Raymer moved his way out of obscurity to defy the odds and follow the footsteps of Moneymaker as an online poker player turned world poker champion. In addition to the excellent showings and performances of major poker players at the World Series of Poker, the launch of the World Poker Tour also helped the game reach newer heights. After these major developments on the television coverage of the game, there seems to be no turning back for Texas Holdem poker as the most popular and most played casino card game in recent years. All of these evidences point out to only a single truth, supporting the very fact that film and television really did have a positive influence on Texas Holdem.