Critical popcorn

Hardcore fans of sci-fi movies and cult TV shows are no strangers to congregating at conventions dressed as their favorite characters. In fact, it’s almost a rite of passage if you’re a Trekkie or a Ringer (a Lord of the Rings fan). As much as people still enjoy attending cosplay conventions, there’s a new craze sweeping the world of super-fans: themed poker nights. Yes, you heard us right: people are taking their home games to the next level by basing them on episodes of their favorite shows.

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Before we get into the how, let’s talk about the why. Poker has been around for decades, but its popularity soared in the early noughties when an accountant from Tennessee won the sport’s biggest tournament in 2003. The WSOP Main Event is the pinnacle for poker players. It costs $10,000 to enter, and the winner gets a bracelet that signifies they’re world champion. Chris Moneymaker won his way into the tournament via a feeder event costing $40. Against the odds, he played his way through a field of 838 players, the majority of whom were professionals.

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The Moneymaker Effect Makes Poker Mainstream

Moneymaker beat poker pro Sammy Farha heads-up and the top prize of $1.5 million. His performance made the mainstream news and captured the imagination of millions. The so-called “Moneymaker Effect,” in conjunction with the rise of online poker sites, saw the game become the latest craze. More than 20 years later, poker in all of its forms remains popular. Indeed, anyone can go online now and play Hold’em against someone on the other side of the world.

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Alternatively, they can take on dealers in live poker rooms. These games, such as Casino Stud Poker, are one-on-one showdowns similar to blackjack and baccarat. However, they require the same principles of timing and logic that helped Moneymaker make winning hands in the WSOP Main Event. The combination of luck and skill is why poker has captivated millions of people and is one of the reasons it’s now the latest craze among TV and movie fans. 

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Friendly Competition in Costumes

You might get the odd person hiding under a hoodie, but most home games are laid-back affairs. This makes them an ideal way for like-minded people to have fun. Then you’ve got the fact that poker has played its way into the scripts of many hit TV shows and movies over the years. From the famous poker game in Friends (see video below) to the iconic movie Rounders, the game has become a staple of small and big screens. Fans have taken this as their cue to get involved. That’s led to the latest craze of themed poker nights.

Players ante up dressed as their favorite Big Bang Theory characters or play in Riverdale-themed living rooms. There is, of course, scope to spice things up by hosting the games online. Each player can log into an online poker room via their mobile and play. This removes the need for poker chips, cards, and a table. Whichever way the games play out, the key ingredients are poker and props.

The more costumes and memorabilia, the better. So, if you’re a super fan, and you want a new way to connect with fellow enthusiasts outside of the next convention, consider joining the home game trend!