Poker has evolved to become one of the most unlikely spectator sports in the world. We associate its origins as a solitary game, of interest only to those taking part, but poker now has a much wider reach.
While viewers love to take in a tournament via a choice of mediums, the interest has undoubtedly occurred due to an increase in those who are playing the game. Watching an event has become a natural progression for them, but why is it so engaging to attend a poker competition in person?
Poker’s Rise
When the first digital casinos first came online in the mid-1990s, the poker experience was a relatively basic one. Those operators used elementary automated software and variations of the game were restricted.
This changed over time as the online casino industry gradually evolved. Different poker versions were added to the main options of Texas Hold’Em and Omaha. Online poker popularity has spiked in the US and Canada too as more states and provinces legalize online casino gameplay. Now residents can access online casinos in Ontario and other regions across Canada and the US.
The biggest driver came with the advent of live casino rooms. Poker games were now run by human dealers in real time, and the high-quality sound and graphics enhanced the overall experience. Players were sold on this classic game, and suddenly couldn’t get enough.
Stepping Stone
As online casinos evolved, a number of poker players took their game beyond the confines of a digital platform. A small percentage became so good that they wanted to test themselves against the best.
Offline poker tournaments predate the internet and are among the oldest card-based competitions around. As a great example, the World Series of Poker was first held way back in 1970 in Las Vegas. Since then, a host of other major tournaments have arrived in the ensuing fifty years.
Vegas was an obvious choice for hosting the WSOP. It’s an iconic location for players with some of the biggest and best casinos on earth. Over time, other major venues stepped in and world class poker tournaments have been held in Atlantic City, Monte Carlo, London, and many other luxurious locations.
Games on the WSOP circuit have also extended over the border and into Canada. Calgary is a regular destination for top players, but there are events all over the country. Casinos in Edmonton, Surrey, Niagara Falls and Toronto also host major poker competitions.
It’s a global phenomenon and there are many ways in which you can watch those players in action.
Tuning In
With so many digital TV channels available, it’s inevitable that some of the top broadcasters will pick up the major poker tournaments. Many still consider the game to be niche, but viewing figures are respectable for all standards of events.
TV listings guides will point the way towards the weekly schedule, or you could search for the term ‘poker’ on your Smart TV. Once you’re familiar with the set up, you’ll know which stations showcase the game on a regular basis.
Away from TV broadcasts, there are other ways in which you can tune in to the action. Live streaming of poker events offers another way to access tournaments, and there are a number of different outlets.
Top video sharing channels, including YouTube, are becoming popular sources of live action across many different traditional sports. Poker now forms part of the overall platform, and this is a good place to start if you’re looking for live streamed events.
Other platforms may need a paid subscription to access the footage, but there is plenty of choice. Of course, while these options for watching remotely are in place, you could always consider traveling to the event itself.
Why Attend in Person?
There are many ways in which you can watch the action from the comfort of your own home, but if you are able to attend in person, the experience will undoubtedly be enhanced. Like any sporting event, live poker produces thrills and drama which are multiplied when you’re in the room with the competitors.
Seats next to the main table attract premium prices and may be reserved for celebrities and top athletes, but large screen TVs mean that you don’t have to miss out on the plays. Any seat in the house provides a view of the tense encounters being played out between opponents.
The tension on the table starts to drift through the room, and you can begin to live every hand through the players’ eyes. It’s a great way to soak up the atmosphere, and the action forms part of a great overall poker experience.
It’s all about entertainment, so you can expect to enjoy high quality dining and bars on site. Most tournaments are held in casinos, so you could also play a few hands of poker yourself.
The choice is yours, and you can happily watch on TV or via live streams, but there are many reasons why a night at a poker tournament is truly special.