I don’t think that poker is losing its mainstream appeal. The industry had a slight hiccup with the passing of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, but it continues to grow to this day. Poker is on television every evening on one channel or another, and land-based tournaments are growing every year. Even with all the interference that online poker sites have to deal with in the United States, the WSOP is growing every year.

Poker is being used as a fundraiser for charities and needy organizations more than ever before. Home games are still common among friends, and marketing of the game hasn’t slowed down in over a year. New poker books are still being published and online player numbers are still growing internationally.

The game needed only to drop the negative reputation it carried for 200 years. Poker is like rock and roll; it’s here to stay.