Five great things to come out of the poker boom

Ah, memories. It was just a few short years ago, when you couldn’t step outside without running into two guys who had qualified for the WSOP. The internet was flush with players, poker movies were being green-lit in Hollywood, and it seemed like the sky was the limit. Then, the roof caved in. Online poker became a no-no in the U.S. and the TV ratings began to plummet. Poker, for better or worse returned to those who loved it in the first place.

But it wasn’t all bittersweet memories. Here are five awesome things that the poker boom left behind (and why we’re grateful it did!):

1. More fish in the sea.
After poker became a mainstream sensation, there were more guppies in the tank that at all the Pet Smart stores in the world combined. And experienced players came right in and took their money – especially online where the games were plentiful and there was always a credit card handy to replenish chip supply. Many of these fish still remain, in a never-ending, never-successful attempt to improve their game.

2. More poker on TV.
Although the number of shows has tapered off a bit, there’s still lots of great poker on TV to choose from. The poker fan no longer must wait until annual snippets from the 1999 WSOP appear magically on ESPN2 at 3:30 AM.

3. A rebirth of great poker writing.
The New Yorker, Esquire, The New York Times and countless great fiction and memoir writers all turned their attention to our grand game. And although the huddled masses are no longer around, the literature remains for our reading pleasure.

4. More tournaments.
Stop by any poker room these days and you’ll find a couple of quick sit and go options mixed in with the week’s big tournaments. The popularity of poker has proven to casinos that there’s money to be made in the rake from these added events than adding a couple of extra blackjack tables on any given night.

5. Nice poker rooms.
In the 12 – 18 months following the height of the poker boom, casinos in Las Vegas and around the world sank millions into refurbishing their poker rooms. What had once been the nastiest, most neglected spot in the joint, now looked like the high-stakes baccarat room in a James Bond movie. The rooms are still there…now with even more table openings!

Go where poker is ALWAYS in fashion. Visit www.pokerchest.com for an incredible selection of chips, tables, cards and other must-have poker accessories.

Coming later this week: The top 5 WORST things to come out of the poker boom.
Don’t you dare miss it!