Technology never ceases to amaze me.
Every year the advancements in technology prove to be a huge challenge for me to keep up with. The majority of individuals in my age group rely on online banking, automatic bill pay, ATMs, IPODS, MP3 players and vehicle navigation systems. These kinds of activities are part of the average American’s everyday activities, but have never existed in my world.
My family didn’t own a cordless telephone until 1999 when I was 17 years old. I didn’t purchase a cell phone until a few weeks before I graduated from college in 2004.
Even poker, which is one of my favorite sports, isn’t immune to the advances in modern day technology.
The continuous advancement in technology was apparent before I took off for my three-day weekend vacation from June 14 through 16 to Reno, which is dubbed the “Biggest Little City in the World.” My fellow Herald colleague, Chris Albert and I made our way to Wayne’s Inn in Puyallup to grab a brewski and some burgers. Much to my surprise, Chris informed me that our favorite watering hole currently offered video virtual poker on one of its machines. At first I was hesitant to even try the computerized game because I’m a huge fan good olé fashioned poker with actual poker chips on the table.
While waiting for our food to arrive, I decided to give in to temptation trying out the computerized version of poker. Before I knew it, I was hooked on the game, playing three hands against Chris. My competitive juices took over as I won two out of three hands against my colleague. Playing on the poker machine in Puyallup, I actually felt like I was playing at the final table of the World Series of Poker at Binions Horseshoe in downtown Las Vegas, except it was digital.
Just one decade ago, poker wasn’t even on the map. Now one of my favorite sports is part of mainstream society. ESPN broadcasts poker tournaments throughout the entire year.
Players like Phil Ivey, Chris Moneymaker, Phil Hellmuth Jr. and Johnny Chan have become household names and a few of them have even landed endorsements deals on the tube.
The sport has came a long way. It’s amazing seeing the sport transform from obscurity into a full blown media phenomena. To me, it will always be the sport I saw my family members playing every Thanksgiving night, Christmas night and Memorial Day weekend. Growing up, I never thought poker would be broadcasted live on ESPN or let alone become a sport where everyone knew the professional players names when they saw their faces.
Change is a constant in modern day society in all facets of life. This however is a change I’m embracing wholeheartedly.
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