The game of poker has changed quite dramatically over the past few decades. Leaving isolated backrooms of casinos and other establishments, poker has entered the main scene, becoming one of the most popular games played around the globe, both live and online.
Naturally, this sudden shift has caused the game to change quite radically. Some of the old concerns people had about it are gone, but new ones have emerged. The face of poker today is much different than it was years ago and many agree that the game reached its peak back in the 2000s, followed by the inevitable decline. In an atmosphere such as this, for poker to rebound it is important to keep the flame of the game going. Televised poker events such as the relatively new Poker Masters are definitely one way to go about it.
Envisioned by Poker Central/PokerGO, the Poker Masters is a high-end competition gathering some of the game’s elite players to fight for the cash and, perhaps even more important, prestige. In light of everything mentioned above, here are five reasons why Poker Masters really matters.
✔️ The #PokerMasters Purple Jacket.
✔️ Short Deck’s 🇺🇸 debut.
✔️ The highest stakes week of the year.
Watch the 2018 Poker Masters on PokerGO starting September 8.
▶️ https://t.co/oqwLIZ7ZyZ pic.twitter.com/2pauZN3jsF— PokerGO (@PokerGO) September 6, 2018
1. It provides high-end poker content
In the recent years, we’ve had a bit of drought in terms of poker content shown on TV and online. The poker world needs high-end, well-produced shows to show the game in the best light, and that’s exactly what Poker Masters does.
Filmed in the stunning, state-of-the-art PokerGO studios, the broadcast comes with all the high-end features you’d expect: cards up, stack sizes, pot sizes, percentages, etc. Plus, they’ve just introduced their top-of-the-line break desk, to add more of a sports-like feel to the show. For regular viewers and hardcore poker fans alike, Poker Masters offers everything one would want from a poker show in terms of production.
2. Poker players aren’t just about making money
As mentioned, Poker Masters gathers some of the game’s best players squaring off in high buy-in tournaments. Most of these players are the ones who’ve truly made it. They represent the small percentage of those who prove that certain gambling activities, such as playing live and online poker as well as placing wagers in sports books and on sites like betting.org, actually rely on skill and knowledge rather than luck.
And yet, these professionals who make their living playing cards are willing to sit down with the best and try to outplay each other. From the money perspective, this doesn’t make much sense, because there are certainly easier games out there. But, there is more to it than just money.
High Rollers of the Year, Triple Crown winners, @PokerGO All-Stars, and more are opening the 2018 #PokerMasters.
Check out who is in the Event 1 field here!https://t.co/u8swzDyEYa— Poker Central (@PokerCentral) September 8, 2018
The whole idea of Poker Masters proves that poker players, like many others competing in different sports, also care about prestige and competition. These are characteristics of true athletes and it is definitely good for the game to show this side of things as well.
3. There is a lot to be learned from the show
Watching the Poker Masters may not be as “entertaining” as watching the old High Stakes Poker shows we all know and love, as there aren’t as many characters or as much table banter as back in the old days.
On the other hand, however, there is definitely a lot to be learned from watching the best of the best square off at the tables. Patient, calm, and calculated, these players show a different side of the game – the side that’s actually in the foundations of winning poker. These players know their math, they know where they are in the hands, and watching the caliber of their play is mesmerizing, plus it offers those wishing to improve their own poker play tremendous learning value.
Jake Schindler is out in 4th and that means @aliImsirovic is now tied for the Purple Jacket lead!
Watch the rest of the #PokerMasters $50K final table LIVE: https://t.co/5rUlItuiNK pic.twitter.com/fZ95xQUt2F— PokerGO (@PokerGO) September 13, 2018
4. Poker Masters Shows Shot Clock Works
There’s been a lot of talk over the past couple of years about whether shot clock should become a regular feature in poker tournaments. Many players complain there is too much unnecessary tanking at the tables, which takes away from the game – especially in televised games, where viewers can easily get bored with waiting.
Poker Masters has been successfully using the shot clock since the inception and it is more than clear the idea works and can be implemented. Players are given 30 seconds for each decision and they have five time extensions they can use in particularly tough spots.
So, in a way Poker Masters could help revolutionize the game. If the game’s best and most deliberate players can reach their decisions within this time, so can everyone else.
I have a dream…That one day every poker game will have a (30 second) shot clock. And I won’t rest until I’ve done everything in my power to make it so. And when that a day arrives…Byeeeee serial tankers. Welcome back fun players who rarely played because of them.
— Garrett Adelstein (@GmanPoker) August 10, 2018
5. Players are enthusiastic about the competition
Unlike with some other ideas we’ve seen in the past, players actually seem to love and enjoy the whole Poker Masters concept. This helps create a good atmosphere at the tables, which, in turn, makes it more enjoyable for fans to watch.
Giddy Up! The $100k #PokerMasters Main Event kicks off now! @PokerCentral 🤠🤠🤠 pic.twitter.com/UIUMgDbhV8
— Drew Amato (@drew_amato) September 13, 2018
The thing with televised poker is that you need something that both players and viewers can enjoy and it is hard to find the right balance. It seems the folks behind Poker Masters have hit the nail on the head with this one!
Poker Shows Back on Track
With shows like Poker Masters, it seems that televised poker is back on track once again. Hopefully, in the months and years to come, we’ll see more of the same, providing us not just with good entertainment but also spreading the word about poker to more mainstream audiences. To keep the game fresh and inviting for new players, it needs good, positive advertising, and high-end, brilliantly produced competitions like Poker Masters definitely achieve this goal.
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