Poker - Popularity Explosion

Gone are the days when poker was played in back rooms by a handful of regular players. Now it seems as if you can't turn on the television without seeing coverage of a poker tournament or instructional show. The media has jumped on the poker band wagon, fueling its popularity.Poker, particularly Texas Hold-'em style, is broadcast on major networks such as Bravo, ESPN and The Travel Channel. The Travel Channel reports that their World Series of Poker shows are among the highest rated in their lineup.There are World Championship games, tournaments and even a show where all the players are celebrities (regardless of their poker skills). The shows are hosted by current poker players, many of whom are very successful at their profession. The media coverage has turned many of these players into mini celebrities in their own right.

One thing that is appealing to television viewers is that poker is relatively easy to learn. Most of the televisions shows have a primer at the beginning, explaining the different hands and betting procedures. So, in essence, a novice could sit down at a table and begin to play. Which is not to say they will do very well! A common saying with poker is "5 minutes to learn, a lifetime to master".

Casino Games of Skill and Chance

In any casino, there are games that are purely random, where each event is completely independent of any other events, much like the tossing of a coin. These are called games of chance and include games like roulette, craps, slots, keno, and bingo. The probability of the outcome of these events will always remain constant, no matter how many times the event might occur. For instance, the toss of the dice or the pull of a slot arm cannot be influenced by anything that has happened before, and neither does it affect anything that will come after. The probability of each of these events is exactly the same every single time the event happens.

There are always going to be anomalies that will show up in any game, and that is when those "streaks" will surface. Please don't try to look for any patterns in these streaks, since they are still just random outcomes with odds that don't change. It is pure luck that the number 7 is rolled 5 times in a row, or that the color red shows up 10 consecutive times on the roulette wheel. There is no "sure-fire" system that con beat a game of chance, no matter how logical it may look at the time. Remember, the only logic in a game of chance is that the probability of any particular outcome in an event will never alter!

Unlike a game of chance, your knowledge and proficiency will greatly improve your odds of winning in a game of skill. Games like blackjack, poker, video poker, or sports betting can all be considered games of skill. You will find that as you gain knowledge and experience in these games, then you will become a more proficient player and your chances to win increase in the long run. For example, in the game of blackjack, understanding and following basic strategy rules will give you a better chance of winning. Likewise, you will win more at the poker table once you have gained some experience and wisdom in betting and strategy.