Pop culture has a strong grip on the world. As we know, poker has been brought into the pop culture spotlight, becoming an iconic image symbolizing high stakes and strategy. This chapter will go in depth exploring all the ways it has become such a hit with music videos and movies.
Celebrities have embraced poker as their game of choice and musical artists have written ballads about sitting at a table covered in chips. Even esports have taken hold of this famous game. We’ll dive into all three categories to showcase how much of an impact poker has made on society.
Movies
Filmmakers love using poker in their films. It is commonly seen as glamorous casinos or high-stakes tournaments where the whole world is watching players sweat under pressure. The close-ups, eerie music, and editing techniques keep us at the edge of our seats for each scene. People that don’t even play cards are drawn in by these thrilling scenes.
Movie depictions form public perception of various cultural aspects surrounding things like etiquette and rules so it’s no doubt that poker, one of the most beloved games ever, would be shaped by its depictions on film. Recent films present a more intelligent side to card games — showcasing psychology and skill instead of just luck — which also attracts more sophisticated audiences than your average bar room saloon game.
Music
Like mentioned earlier, celebrities love this game. Musicians live for cashing out big wins while listening to some tunes but they also sing ballads about sitting around tables covered in chips. Some songs even reference poker directly through lyrics like Motorhead’s “On the Nickel.” These artists want you to take risks because taking risks could bring great returns in return.
John Storey writes that there are various definitions of pop culture; his suggested definition includes anything widely popular that does not carry negative associations – from disco music and true crime podcasts to Star Wars.
Urbanization + Industrial Revolution + New Media Growth = Pop Culture
A couple of years ago, everyone started walking around looking at their phones because that’s how we connect with each other now. It is easier than ever for people to discover and consume various influences thanks to the internet and mobile technology connecting us all. With this new way of life comes creative expression and innovation.
Books
It is astounding how quick poker flew by on its way to the top when it moved from digital card tables to mainstream pop culture. Celebrity endorsements, Hollywood glamour, musical anthems — you name it, we’ll cover it in this article. Poker has become such an integral part of our narrative that there should be no reason someone doesn’t know how to play.
Movies always make everything look appealing. They also dive into the cerebral struggle between opponents vying to outwit one another under pressure to make decisions that matter for high stakes bets while in a glittery casino full of sharp suits-wearing players – even if those things aren’t so glamorous in real life. Writers know what they’re doing when they build a character through their actions during a poker game scene. Examples like Edward Norton and Matt Damon’s film “Rounders” might not have caught much traction but it did provide great insight into the high-stakes poker world.
Television
Filmmakers saw the potential poker has to draw in viewers and quickly began working on projects. This led to an influx of movies that aimed to teach viewers the game’s history while keeping them entertained with the drama and excitement of it all.
Poker programs began airing on TVs across the world, expanding its popularity even further into popular culture. These shows were a big part of bringing poker into more households, especially those featuring celebrities playing together as this got people interested in tournaments.
Poker’s reach doesn’t stop at just movies and TV though, any fan of Pink Floyd will recognize their album cover “Wish You Were Here” as it features two businessmen shaking hands (In reference to the game’s competitive nature). By now Poker’s presence can be felt in almost every medium you can think of; it might not be obvious sometimes, but trust me when I say it’s there.