Independent Reviews

 Gordon's new book of playing tips, "Poker: The Real Deal," hits bookstores in October,
just as another season of "Celebrity Poker Showdown" begins on Bravo.

There's also an explosion in televised poker series such as "The World Series of Poker"
on ESPN, "Poker Superstars Tour" on Fox Sports Network and "World Poker Tour" on the
Travel Channel.

Gordon said young winners like Moneymaker, who started playing poker four years ago,
are an inspiration to others.

The amateur with the ironic name parlayed a $40 Internet tournament into a seat at
the World Series of Poker, and became a celebrity alongside legends such as Doyle
Brunson, "Amarillo Slim" Preston and Johnny Chan.

Derby Lane's 45 poker tables fill up every day.

Tampa's Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino also is cashing in on the game's renewed
popularity. At times, there's a two-hour or longer wait for a seat in the casino's 32-table
poker room.

Officials with the Ocean Jewel casino ship say they're getting calls every day about
the vessel's poker room, which will host high-stakes games. The 450-foot, eight-deck ship
is expected to begin operations this fall out of St. Petersburg.

Seats at the poker tables on the Majesty Casino Cruise out of Johns Pass are booked
days in advance.

Local bars are even getting in on the action. Barnacles in Brandon, for example, is
adding a Texas Hold 'Em night on Wednesdays (no gambling for money, just for fun and prizes).

"This is happening all over the country," said Moneymaker. "Every casino that I've
been in has been packed with people waiting to play."

Poker expert Phil Gordon, who provides commentary on Bravo's "Celebrity Poker Showdown,
" said interest in poker has been steadily growing over the past few years, but advances
in TV coverage have made televised games more exciting.

Tiny cameras installed in the poker table allow viewers to see a player's "hole cards"
(those facedown). This makes it possible to appreciate bluffing or foolhardy betting.
Meanwhile, several cameras placed around the table reveal players' facial expressions,
adding to the amusement of armchair gamblers at home.

"Now poker is all the rage," Gordon said. "Television helped demystify it and bring a
lot of new players to the game. They see how it's done on TV and envision themselves playing."
 

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