Poker took America by storm this past year. From gambling movies to an ESPN program and tournaments in Tunica, people everywhere are jumping on the wagon to Texas, and Memphis has joined the stampede.
Texas Hold 'Em poker tournaments surfaced at several bars around The University of Memphis campus in the month of January. Newby's, on South Highland, began a Texas Hold 'Em tournament to be held every Sunday night.
"People can come in, relax, drink a few beers and just have a good time," said Shawna Mullins, Newby's manager.
Poker is a trend that has gained popularity in recent years much like handheld computers. Once left to the pros, both are now available to the masses.
Television has played a key role in making poker more popular, according to James Whelan, associate professor of psychology and co-director of The Institute for Gambling Education Research (TIGER).TIGER is a U of M institute that studies the assessment and treatment of gambling problems and ways to treat them.
"TV figured out a way to broadcast games and make them interesting," he said.
Whelan said that when something becomes socially acceptable it becomes popular and "Poker is acceptable again."
University of Memphis students have also gained interest in the game.
"With gambling, you think it's a lot of luck, but poker is a skill game," said Mike Gronostaj, senior communications major. "You have a better chance of winning if you know the game."
Gronostaj attended the Newby's tournament last Sunday and his brother won the pot for that night. At Newby's, however, the prize was not money.
The Poker Lounge, a company that travels to different bars to host poker nights, provided prizes and the materials for the poker nights at Newby's.
"We run it like you would a casino except it is free so it is perfectly legal," said David Kaplan, owner of the Poker Lounge. With the exception of the lottery, gambling is still illegal in Tennessee.
Whelan said that gambling being available close to The University campus will probably not cause a problem.
"It results in an initial increase, but predominantly people just gamble differently," he said. "People who were gambling in a different venue will take their money over there instead."
Whelan said that some studies from a Minnesota professor showed that there is a casino within 200 miles of every college campus. This close temptation has not grabbed all the students, though. Aaron Mittlemire, senior linguistics major, said he only goes to the casinos on special occasions such as birthdays.
"If anything, I play poker mainly with friends," he said.Although some students stay away from it, poker games managed to catch the eye of mainstream America.
"Poker games have become sexy again," Whelan said. "Gambling has become glamorized."
