Recent events in the poker industry have undoubtedly changed the landscape of online poker. Black Friday removed an entire segment of the online player base, whilst subsequent revelations not only brought about the demise of former titan Full Tilt Poker, but also revealed the increasing need for the game to be both regulated and governed in order to create a more secure foundation.
With so much drama shrouding the game, it's easy to forget the effect online poker had on the industry upon its introduction over a decade ago and the emphatic way in which it altered the landscape of an game previously confined to Spielers and poorly-populated cardrooms.
When Chris Moneymaker's top pair held against Sammy Farha in the final hand of the 2003 WSOP Main Event, little did we know that his celebratory roar would mark the beginning of a revolution in the game. Within 12 months, the WSOP had become a juggernaut, with numbers tripling in size and thousands of poker players from all backgrounds battling it out for the poker's most coveted prize.
In an exclusive series of interviews with Jay Jay Shipley, some of the UK's top pros discuss that turning point, the industry before the 'Moneymaker effect', and how the game has changed in the new era.
The veterans in the hot seat are John Shipley, Mickey Wernick and Dave Colclough, boasting a near 100 years of poker experience between them. To add balance, we also hear the views of Dan Carter, an online heads-up specialist who became a product of the Poker Boom.
To hear the backstories of each player, their thoughts on the new generation of players, and where they think poker is heading, then check out the video below:
Produced: Jay Jay Shipley
Director: Tom Wilkinson
Camera Operator: Alastair Adams
Sound: James Wilson
Editor: Joe Gaffney
Ed Note: Interviews were conducted prior to Black Friday.