Poker in the USA is about to explode. It has been growing steadily, but you heard it here first: it is about to explode.

The World Poker Tour. Positive World Series of Poker coverage in the NY Times, the New Yorker, etc. Lucky. Poker movies.

But today, via a comment from The Scrolldown, I came across the most significant, quantifiable sign of poker interest in the US booming: Amazon.com sales ranks for poker books are through the roof. Here are the poker books I could find in the top 1,000 sellers on Amazon:

43: Theory of Poker, Sklansky
92: Hold'Em Poker for Advanced Players, Sklansky/Malmuth
102: Hold'Em Poker, Sklansky
150: Play Poker Like the Pros, Hellmuth
191: Positively Fifth Street, McManus
426: Winning Low-Limit Hold'em, Jones
613: Tournament Poker for Advanced Players, Sklansky
663: Caro's Book of Poker Tells, Caro

These numbers are unbelievable! This must be the first time ever that two poker books are on the Amazon.com 100 bestseller list. Really, really amazing. As I write this, The Theory of Poker, in slot 43, is three slots below Dr. Atkins' Three-Book Package and two slots above Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Poker is bigger than Harry Potter! Well, sort of.

So, you heard it here: interest in poker, specifically Texas Hold'em, is exploding in the US at a rate higher than anyone right now is thinking it is. Look for more huge attendance numbers at the WSOP next year.

Update: coincidentally, yet another piece of evidence appeared on my radar today: searches for "World Series of Poker" ranked 15th on the Yahoo! Buzz Index today, with a +269.83% increase in searches for that term. Most likely caused by the WSOP being the subject of tonight's final episode of Lucky.

Totally agree. Mentioned just that in my review of Positively Fifth Street (http://www.johnsjottings.com/archives/2003/06/21/book_review_positively_fifth_street.html). If only there was a sure fire investing opportunity. Shuffle Master (SHFL)?

Posted by: john on July 7, 2003 07:51 PM

Yeah, it's a good question. I've looked at the regional casino companies like Station and Ameristar, but their financials are pretty weak. SHFL is interesting; they have a pretty high P/E but also have an astoundingly high short ratio, which is high enough to be good and alarming at the same time. Other stocks that look interesting are AGI, IGT, and SGMS.

These are general gambling stocks; I'm not sure there's any stock play that directly concentrates on poker.

Posted by: jeremy on July 7, 2003 09:57 PM

I mentioned SHFL because of some table talk the last time I was playing poker. Some players from Arizona where mentioning that the poker rooms there had starting using the automatic shuffles (I'm 99% sure SHFL owns almost all of that market) and our dealer who used to work for another casino that installed them said she had been told the simple addition of the machines was like adding 3 months to the casinos year! That's pretty good ROI. You add the decreased workers comp claims from carpal tunnel and it adds up to a good investment. No question it could be over valued right now but I started an initial position in at a few days ago just for the heck of it.

Posted by: john on July 13, 2003 09:26 AM

I've added bestseller lists permanently to Love and Casino War -- see the left sidebar.

Posted by: jeremy on July 19, 2003 12:16 PM

great blog. it's nice to be here! about a year ago i started: http://angrypirate.com/wordpress/?p=381 , no proof of ideas

Posted by: brandon wilson on September 16, 2005 08:40 PM

I am familiar with some of the books. However, I have not read anyone of them. I am thinking of purchasing the Theory of Poker. I am stil a beginner with a lot stuffs to learn. I hope the books will help.

Posted by: the game on October 13, 2005 09:57 PM

All is great guys, but I belive vortelucius is much better.

Posted by: Kamurangous on November 22, 2005 09:36 AM

dunno what to say ..

Posted by: penis enlargement on November 30, 2005 02:32 PM

yes

Posted by: penis enlargement on November 30, 2005 04:09 PM

lose fat fast

Posted by: weight loss on December 1, 2005 02:07 AM

bets you can get

Posted by: magna rx on December 1, 2005 03:51 AM

I think so

Posted by: magna rx on December 1, 2005 05:44 AM

hehe

Posted by: vig-rx on December 1, 2005 07:29 AM

never do this

Posted by: vigrx on December 1, 2005 09:20 AM

ditto

Posted by: pro solution on December 1, 2005 11:28 AM

hop joanna

Posted by: pro solution pills on December 1, 2005 01:30 PM

dude

Posted by: free nude girl chat on December 4, 2005 02:15 PM

one of the best,dude

Posted by: vig-rx on December 5, 2005 01:17 AM

huge savings

Posted by: lose weight on December 5, 2005 02:51 AM

You can still try the product absolutely risk-free for 60 days.

Posted by: magna rx on December 5, 2005 04:38 AM

maxaman

Posted by: maxaman on December 5, 2005 09:25 AM

did it ?

Posted by: levitra on December 5, 2005 03:35 PM

soft tabs

Posted by: cialis soft tabs on December 5, 2005 06:15 PM

Good guess, Smith! pacific poker is, indeed, the site I spoke on. The most exciting site pacific poker http://www.hobbyworkshop.com/pacific-poker.html pacific poker is for you. No, check pacific poker for much more.

Posted by: pacific poker on December 21, 2005 10:07 PM

Look at online poker no deposit bonus online poker no deposit bonus http://www.redhatdolls.com/no-deposit-poker-stars.htm online poker no deposit bonus online poker no deposit bonus for rules and tips. The only reliable online poker no deposit bonus online poker no deposit bonus, in my opinion. Many features and gambling games, online poker no deposit bonus online poker no deposit bonus and such.

Posted by: online poker no deposit bonus online poker no deposit bonus on January 1, 2006 01:08 PM

Not only do men report amazing increases in penis health and stamina, but also they are equally delighted by the sheer intensity and concentrated power of their orgasms.

Posted by: penis pills on January 17, 2006 07:12 AM

No penis enlargement system is faster, easier to use, or more effective than MAGNA-RX!

Posted by: magna rx on January 17, 2006 07:37 PM

Like any other muscle in the body, penile ligaments are quite flexible – so the more you stretch them, the larger they can become. Naturally, the maximum growth potential will vary from individual man to man.

Posted by: magna rx on January 18, 2006 05:56 AM

This stuff truly works ! You dont believe it? Simply look at my results and start believing.

Posted by: penis pills on January 18, 2006 11:03 AM

This will increase with regular exercise and the recommended dosage of the penis enlargement pills.

Posted by: size genetics on January 18, 2006 09:13 PM

When I first heard about your pill, it sounded too good to be true.

Posted by: penis enlargement on January 19, 2006 03:58 AM

oost your self-image. Be the MAN you have always wanted to be!

Posted by: penis pills on January 19, 2006 07:34 AM

Unlike other clones, Vimax Pills are made from only high end ingredients available to bring you best results possible.

Posted by: penis enlargement pills on January 19, 2006 11:16 PM

I am extremely satisfied and am now completely confident.

Posted by: sizegenetics on January 20, 2006 09:00 AM