A major factor in the game's rise to popularity in the early 2000s was the introduction of televised poker tournaments. In addition to showcasing the thrill of competitive play, shows like "World Series of Poker" and "High Stakes Poker" also higslots meta real moneyhlighted the personalities behind the cards. This publicity encouraged many people to start playing poker and helped demystify the game for casual viewers. Another factor that increased interest in the game was the emergence of online poker platforms, which made it possible for players from all over the world to compete against one another at any time. Poker has influenced everything from literature & film to fashion & language, influencing many facets of society on a cultural level.