And big business likes poker too. Bear Stearns estimated that annual revenue from poker was $4.5 billion in 2003. Another analyst group feels 2005 revenue will exceed $10 billion. PokerPulse.com stated that $200,463,154 .00 was wagered at online poker rooms in a 24 hour period on March 13, 2005.

People see excitement and money that is involved in poker tournaments by watching poker on TV, which is one reason perception of poker gambling went from being played in dark rooms to a preferred status. The seasoned professional players are excited about this as well. They are not winning as many tournaments as they have in past due to influx of many new players, but they are winning more than ever because of their levels of expertise at game.

Other advancements will also take place since purchase of World Series of Poker (WSOP) from Binion's in 2004 by Harrah's. They will need them because of sheer increase in number of players entering tournament. In 2003 when Chris Moneymaker won title and $2,500,000, there were 839 entrants. In 2004 Gregory Paul Raymer became champion after defeating 2576 players and was rewarded with $5,000,000. For 2005, WSOP will be estimated to have over 7500 players hammering each other for a top prize of $6,000,000. And most of these will come from Internet poker rooms. A significant number of online poker rooms will host online tournaments to sponsor seats to WSOP main event with buy ins that are far less than $10,000 fee.

The Internet will be instrumental in tournament poker because of 24/7 availability to play large numbers of hands that would take months in just a number of days. This will allow experience in game to be gained much more quickly than one could gain say 5 years ago. With numerous poker games that are played at annual WSOP, (in 2004 there were 32), anyone can learn and practice any game over Internet in order to compete for a WSOP bracelet and title.