2008 Woodie Awards
What happens in Vegas....becomes reality television?
Patrick Donley
Issue date: 9/30/04 Section: Opinion
The only way you could not notice the explosion of poker programs on the various cable networks in the past year, well, is probably not having cable. And for that I feel sorry for you and whoever you actually get to come over to your house.
Poker on TV has provided me many hours of entertainment and education in the past year. Since Chris Moneymaker won an astonishing $2.5 million in the World Series of Poker in 2004, I have played in countless poker games that are always interesting and exciting.
The entertainment value of poker is up there with any other sporting event that is televised. I can't imagine that sitting in the casino for 12 hours at a time to watch every hand of the main table or any of the outside tables would be as fulfilling as catching a game at Kinnick but what is shown on TV is exciting enough for me to watch every episode back to back.
The key is that viewers get to know the key players on somewhat of a personal level. They do small bios' on the players and you get to see and hear all of their reactions first hand. There are players I wanted to win and some that I wanted to lose. It has become, to me, like having my own favorite teams like I do in other sports.
Another plus is the education of the game that a viewer can obtain in every second of the program. Chances are, if you watch the game, you will want to play the game. The game is as testing to a person as any sport and has a lot of intangibles that other games do not. So, if you want to play poker, who is better to learn from than the professionals?
On the other side I am sure there are certain types of people who are opposed to poker, a gambling game, being so accessible. Well that is why people have a freedom to choose. It is relevant to say that gambling is an addiction that can be harmful to people, families and even communities but everything used too much is harmful and is classified as an addiction. Therefore, just as other "harmful" amenities of our society, if taken in moderation, it can be a good thing.
Poker on TV has provided me many hours of entertainment and education in the past year. Since Chris Moneymaker won an astonishing $2.5 million in the World Series of Poker in 2004, I have played in countless poker games that are always interesting and exciting.
The entertainment value of poker is up there with any other sporting event that is televised. I can't imagine that sitting in the casino for 12 hours at a time to watch every hand of the main table or any of the outside tables would be as fulfilling as catching a game at Kinnick but what is shown on TV is exciting enough for me to watch every episode back to back.
The key is that viewers get to know the key players on somewhat of a personal level. They do small bios' on the players and you get to see and hear all of their reactions first hand. There are players I wanted to win and some that I wanted to lose. It has become, to me, like having my own favorite teams like I do in other sports.
Another plus is the education of the game that a viewer can obtain in every second of the program. Chances are, if you watch the game, you will want to play the game. The game is as testing to a person as any sport and has a lot of intangibles that other games do not. So, if you want to play poker, who is better to learn from than the professionals?
On the other side I am sure there are certain types of people who are opposed to poker, a gambling game, being so accessible. Well that is why people have a freedom to choose. It is relevant to say that gambling is an addiction that can be harmful to people, families and even communities but everything used too much is harmful and is classified as an addiction. Therefore, just as other "harmful" amenities of our society, if taken in moderation, it can be a good thing.