The game of Texas Hold Em Poker has exploded since the World Series of Poker began being shown on ESPN.

The idea of showing TV viewers the players’ hole cards has added a new level of excitement to the game and allowed Texas Hold Em Poker TV shows to become extremely popular around the world.

There are now several opportunities to catch poker on TV ensuring that poker fans get their fill of the game.

Here is our list of the best Texas Hold Em Poker TV shows out there:

World Series of Poker (WSOP) on ESPN

The World Series of Poker (WSOP) is the best known, most exciting poker event of the year and is the most watch series of poker tournaments on TV.

The WSOP dates back to the 1970s and is the longest running poker tournament worldwide.

The Texas Hold Em Poker Main Event awards the winner the richest prize in poker available as well as the coveted gold bracelet.

The various events that make up the World Series run from May to July each year, with the final table of the Main Event being halted until November when it is broadcast live.

Famous Main Event winners include Doyle Brunson, Johnny Moss, Johnny Chan, Phil Hellmuth, Stu Ungar, Chris “Jesus” Ferguson, Chris Moneymaker, Greg Raymer, Jamie Gold and Joe Cada.

World Poker Tour on FSN & GSN

The World Poker Tour (WPT) features a series of Texas Hold Em poker final tables from the tour that are shown on TV.  This is broadcasted on Fox Sports Net and the Game Show Network.

The World Poker Tour can be credited along with the WSOP for the poker explosion that has taken the world by storm.  The tour takes place at various locations around the world and features some of the highest buy-in tournaments out there.

The final tables of the WPT are often filled with well-known pros such as Gus Hansen, Phil Ivey and Daniel Negreanu.  The Tour also features the most famous commentators in the poker world – Mike Sexton and Vince Van Patten.

High Stakes Poker on GSN

High Stakes Poker features No Limit Texas Hold Em Poker in a cash game format.  This is unique in that most of the other Texas Hold Em Poker TV shows tend to be tournaments.

High Stakes Poker features some of the biggest names in the poker world going head-to-head at some of the highest stakes played anywhere.

At various times the minimum buy-in has ranged from $100,000 to $500,000 and some players have even bought in for one million dollars.  This is easily the biggest cash game around with several pots falling just short of a million dollars!

This High Stakes Poker TV game also features the biggest names in the business such as Doyle Brunson, Daniel Negreanu, Barry Greenstein, as well as the biggest names in online poker Tom “durrrr” Dwan and Patrik Antonius.

National Heads-Up Poker Championship on NBC

The National Heads-Up Poker Championship pits the best players in the world one-on-one against each other.

This is an invitation only heads-up tournament where the biggest names come to fight for poker supremacy.  With a $20,000 buy-in and 64 players, the winner receives a $500,000 prize.

Past winners include Phil Hellmuth, Chris “Jesus” Ferguson, Huck Seed and Ted Forrest.  Chris “Jesus” Ferguson has done especially well in this event winning it once and finishing as the runner-up twice!

Poker After Dark on NBC

Poker After Dark gives poker fans an intimate look at the game.  Featuring some of the biggest personalities and best known players in the game, this winner-take-all tournament format features some of the most intense moments on late night poker TV.

Fans also get to know more about the players with a lot of the table talk that takes place between the players being aired.

With a the winner walking away with $120,000 in cash and the runner-up getting nothing at all, this show keeps the fans on the edge of their seats!

Texas Hold Em Poker TV has now become very popular and offers the poker fan many opportunities to see the heroes of the game in action.  With the number of popular poker shows on TV, it is easy to catch up with your favourite poker pros.

The innovation of the card camera that shows the players’ hole cards during the hand is a major reason for the popularity of poker on TV.  Seeing the hole cards gives the viewers a unique perspective and a chance to see how the best in business play their hands.

Watching poker on TV is a great way to learn about the game and watch the biggest names in the business match both skill and wit.  Texas Hold Em Poker on TV is a great way to get inside the pros’ heads and check out big lay downs and heart stopping all in bluffs!