For hundreds of years, people have been intrigued by card games. Playing cards initially gained popularity in the royal courts of pre-revolutionary France, before the nobles started losing their heads over other distractions.
While some of those earliest games, such as vingt-et-un, are still around in one form or another, nothing has quite captured the imagination like the game of poker. This has certainly been helped by the big screen representation, with the game being played in wild west saloons and sophisticated casinos, when the stakes often run higher than the money on the table.
A modern day renaissance
There are plenty of traditional leisure activities that have gone out of fashion in the internet age, but poker is one that has seen a surge in interest thanks to online gaming. Yet there is still nothing quite like sitting in a top casino with some physical cards in your hand and looking your opponents in the eye.
Perhaps this is why the concept of a poker tour is becoming so popular. Even beginners can develop their skills online at sites like https://www.onlinecasinobluebook.com/ and then venture out to some of the world’s most famous casinos for a road trip like no other in order to try them out.
The Heartland Poker Tour
The Heartland Poker Tour (HPT) is a televised tournament that has been running since 2005. Unlike many of the televised tournaments, it is not just for professional hustlers and celebrity players. It really is the poker tour that anyone can take part in. The tagline of Real People, Unreal Money says it all, and to take part, all you have to do is attend any one of the tournament venues and register.
As well as getting to play poker in some amazing locations, you will have a chance to win some serious money. You will also get the opportunity to appear on TV, as every tournament is televised.
Venues
The HPT tours the casino hotspots of the USA across states that include Nevada, Colorado, Minnesota, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan and Oklahoma. The most recent event took place at the Ameristar Casino Hotel in Chicago over the first two weeks of January, and the next one is scheduled to take place between 07 and 19 February at the Golden Gates Casino in Denver, Colorado.
Over the coming months, there will also be tournaments in Pittsburgh, St Louis and, of course, Las Vegas.
Create your own poker tour
There is no rule that says you have to involve yourself with a TV series in order to get out there and take a poker tour, however. In fact, the Heartland tour can provide the inspiration for creating your own tour, and incorporating some stopping points at casinos where you can always get a game of poker in, on terms that suit you.
Whichever you choose, make sure you take advantage of the online tools at your disposal to develop your skills, so that your poker tour is not just enjoyable, but also profitable!