When the poker boom was in full force in the late 2000s, there was an abundance of television shows dedicated to the card game. These were hugely popular in the USA, with a few great options in the UK as well. Recently, though, there has been a notable drop in poker-related television series.

This could be set to change soon, as Game of Gold is a fresh offering that brings something new to the table. It could even lead to a new era of poker-themed titles on streaming services.

Poker Still One of the Most Popular Pastimes

When poker was spreading across the world like wildfire in the 2000s, many people in the UK took up the pastime and learnt the fundamentals of Texas Hold’em. They often did this through playing online. Others picked up advice from the professionals on the various television shows that aired in the UK at the time, such as Late Night Poker and Celebrity Poker Club.

Poker may not be as talked about in the mainstream as it was back then, but its popularity hasn’t dwindled. Indeed, the World Series of Poker almost always registers an increase in entrants from the previous year, with the 2023 event topping 10,000 participants for the first time ever.

There are countless websites to choose from for people who play poker UK, underlining the game’s enduring appeal. These include heavyweights like PokerStars UK and 888poker, which are ranked highly thanks to their solid reputations and generous welcome packages.

Game of Gold Combines Reality Television With Poker

At the height of poker’s popularity on the small screen, there wasn’t much difference between the various shows. They would usually feature several professional poker players sitting around a table, either playing a cash game or a tournament. This was great for helping people learn the intricacies of the game, and it appealed to all the players who were discovering it for the first time during the poker boom.

Now, it’s clear that audiences are looking for something different, and Game of Gold aims to address that. The new offering combines elements of reality television with poker, offering a sort of Big Brother experience with hands of Hold’em thrown in. This means that viewers can enjoy the drama both at the felt and away from it.

Lack of Poker Content on Streaming Services

There’s a chance that Game of Gold could now inspire other poker shows of a similar nature on streaming platforms. The war between the various subscription services is heating up, and each provider is trying to get the edge over the others.

There’s a surprising lack of poker content on these platforms, and that’s something that one of them may try to address. There could be another poker boom when the internet spreads fully across Africa and India, and that could lead to a heightened interest in poker television shows.

After a lull in poker content on television, the card game could be back with a bang thanks to Game of Gold. This new reality format may inspire other series, with streaming services potentially set to create their own poker offerings.