Poker is something that has grown over the past five years to a phenomenon that nobody could have expected.  Many people have many different theories as to why this is, some say it is because Moneymaker’s mythical participation in major poker tournaments while others believe it is because of the diversity of the players who play.  Someone who is 83 (barring they are mentally stable) can play with someone who is 23.  This gives everyone equal opportunity.  In most "sports" leagues, women can not compete with men, older players get washed up, and the young guns control everything.  This is not the case in poker.

I, however, do not believe either of these reasons are the cause of the growth in the poker world, at least not anymore.  After Moneymaker won the main event, this is more or less 6 years ago, most people jumped on the poker bandwagon.  People, whether you believe it or not, do not talk about Chris Moneymaker anymore.  He is a name that will be remembered forever by people that were in the poker world already, or jumped into it in the immediate years following his victory.  From a certain point on however, in my opinion, new players are beginning to forget about him.  So what is the new cause of the growing industry?

The gambling aspect of poker is what keeps bringing new faces to the poker table.  Think about it.  If there was no luck involved who the hell would even think about sitting at a table with the sharks.  Nobody that is sane.  However, there is obviously luck involved with poker.  When I play in home games I am, not modestly, one of the best players.  Do I win every time?  Well, obviously not, but at every home game we have new players.  Some lose when they play.  These players get discouraged and 9 out of 10 times do not come back.  However, occasionally one of the newbies wins.  This one win, even if it is only for a small amount of money, is what gives poker its appeal.

It is the sick nature inside all of human beings to crave winning after we get a taste for it.  A fish will keep coming back for more and more if they even win one time!  Because if they win once, they can win again.  Never mind the precious cash going down the toilet.  This is why it is actually a good thing there is a luck factor in poker.  Without it, a donkey fish would simply not exist!