(Mike Nolan) writes:
The reason poker is so popular is because most average players think they
can beat the pros, and if their luck is good they can. In chess, it
becomes brutally clear to fish that the top players are going to prevail
99.99% of the time. I might be able to beat Doyle Brunson in a few hours
of hold-em every now and then, I don't stand a chance against a top GM.

Ehhh, most people know they'd get crushed in an hour of one-on-one
basketball with Shaq O'Neal, but they still like watching basketball.