In the worldwide poker industry, we observed an incredible increase in active players recently. Entrepreneurs are cashing in on the growth in poker action this boom has created. Let's take a look at the ways creative business people have made big bucks during this poker boom.

Before we look at that, let's look at why poker has taken off. We can identify 3 separate events that caused the expansion in action at the poker tables. Alright, listed in order, these are the things that occurred that created the increase in poker activity.

The first event was in 1994 when polish poker player, inventor, Henry Orenstein conceived, and patented, the technology for the "hole card cam". With this invention the audience gets to know the pocket cards that the players have while the hands are being played out. The beginning for "pocket cam" took place in 1997 on the british show late night poker.

Poker had been on TV since the 70's, but had a very small viewing audience. This was because not seeing the hole cards the players were holding, you couldn't follow what the players thinking. The pocket camera made poker on TV incredibly entertaining.

The next thing that was integral in leading us to the rapid expansion of poker was the onset of the online poker rooms. The first web based poker room was opened in 1998. People are now able to play in the relaxed surroundings of their own homes. Internet poker will see a growing player base as poker players became comfortable with this new poker format.

This sets the stage for the final thing that produced the poker boom. So, when Chris Moneymaker wins the 2003 WSOP Main Event, poker takes off. Qualifying for the tournament thru a $40 online poker room satellite, then winning pokers biggest prize, sets off this unique boom.

The combination of the pocket cam drastically adding to the number of people seeing poker on TV, and the surge of web based poker rooms broadening the player base, prepared us for the "Moneymaker" effect. Everyone seeing an internet, amateur rookie player, succeed against some of the best players in the world, poker boomed.

This dynamic event opens up many opportunities for aggressive entrepreneurs. There are a lot of ways to get rich in the booming world of poker. Most of these businesses are internet based. Let's list a few of the businesses you could start in this growing industry.

Some poker amateurs are now trying to be poker pros. Entrepreneurs have gotten very wealthy by acting as an affiliate for the online poker rooms. Books on poker strategy seem to be solid, profitable items.

Businesses are selling software systems that help online players in increasing the knowledge about their play by using the hand histories in their computer files. People are starting their own online poker rooms. We have seen poker leagues happening at pubs and bars all over the country.

This are a few, but not all, of the different types of businesses that business people are using to cash in on the poker boom. Being in a poker business with an online presence seems to be the most promising. The future for poker still looks bright, and the opportunities are there for those ambitious enough to go for it.