Poker's popularity growing

SIKESTON -- "All in" -- a small phrase that will grab the attention of anyone in the midst of an intense Texas Hold'em poker game, but most recently, the two small words have helped revive the interest in poker's most popular game nationwide and locally.

"Texas Hold'em has no limit," said poker player Ray Glastetter of Benton. "If somebody goes all in, it's either going to be a high or low for you. And if it's an enormous pot, it gets you nervous."

Glastetter said he believes televised poker is bringing the game to the next level, and people are seeing how interesting and enticing poker really is.

Gambling officials also say it's television shows like the Travel Channel's "World Poker Tour" and Bravo's "Celebrity Poker Showdown" that have revamped the poker industry by showcasing their Texas Hold'em games.

"It's like a fad now," said Chris Baker, gaming information manager for the state's Gaming Commission. "There was a decline in poker, but with the advent of the televised poker games, we're seeing a renewed interest in poker."

Lyle Randolph, director of casino operations for Casino Aztar in Caruthersville, agreed poker is hot, hot, hot right now.

"It is kind of a phenomenon. A lot of people that hadn't played poker before are becoming interested," Randolph said.

Due to the fact that networks are airing more poker playing on

TV, several gambling properties are even looking at the possibility of adding poker rooms to their casinos, said Baker, adding that the gaming commission oversees the 11 riverboat casinos in Missouri.

For example, officials at Casino Aztar are evaluating adding a true poker room which has Texas Hold'em, Omaha Stud and Seven Card Stud and could be available as early as this summer. Currently the Casino Aztar has three card poker, Caribbean Stud and Let It Ride poker, which are games played against the house.

"One of the things that people enjoy is their play against other players," Randolph pointed out. "When they come in and play against the casino, they're up against the odds. When they play against other people, they feel like they're on the same level."

Longtime poker player Matt Johnson of Sikeston said he doesn't know if anyone can really answer why people like to play the game.

"Whenever we get a game a set up, I can't wait to play," Johnson said. "I don't know why or what the big draw is, but I usually can't wait to play."

For the past eight or nine years, Johnson and a group of friends have played Texas Hold'em about three or four times a month.

"Our normal group was seven or eight players. Now we've got 30 people who want to play and it's because of TV," Johnson said.

So what's the big draw to Texas Hold'em?

"It's the most well-rounded poker. It has skill and luck, and, of course, there's the bluffing," Glastetter noted.

Texas Hold'em is unique because players get two whole cards and then the flop (when three cards are placed face up). Then players get another fourth street (fourth card) and then the river, or the fifth card, Glastetter explained.

"It's a suspenseful game, and you have four opportunities to bluff and check out your opponents," Glastetter said. "It's not only entertaining and suspenseful, but it gives you an opportunity to draw on a bad hand or an opportunity to hit on the river. And at the same token, you can lose on the river," Glastetter said.

Sure poker players have to know the rules of the game, but one of the biggest factors, if not the most important one, is deception.

For the bluff to work, players need to actually convince others they have a better hand even when they don't.

In the case of spotting a bluff, there are standard bluff procedures to abide by, Glastetter said.

"You always look at someone's eyes and their motions, and there are several other rules to follow," Glastetter advised. "For example, if someone puts their hand over their mouth or they have any nervous tendencies at all, such as a twitch or they move their hands. It's all about posture, too."

Usually Glastetter will play the game with his friends, which also has its benefits. He reasoned: "If you lose, at least you lose to friends."