The Bernard Lee Poker Show 12-20: Martin Harris talks Poker & Pop Culture

Bernard Lee Contributor

Sep 19, 2019 Last updated Nov 04, 2022

Guests:

Martin Harris @hardboiledpoker

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In this episode of The Bernard Lee Poker Show on the PokerNews Podcast Network, Bernard Lee interviews Pokernews editor and author Martin Harris. During the interview, Martin discusses how he entered the world of poker, about teaching a course about poker in college, and how the idea for his recent book came about.

Then, Martin discusses his new book, Poker & Pop Culture, which looks at poker through American pop culture over the past couple of centuries.

Show Time Stamps

0:00	Welcome to The Bernard Lee Poker Show as this week’s guest is PokerNews editor and author of Poker & Pop Culture, Martin Harris.
0:52	Paul Richardson captured the WSOP Circuit at Thunder Valley, just outside of Sacramento, California, over a field of 414 entrants and took home $130,667.
1:38	Cary Katz took home the largest pay day of his career, winning the Super High Roller London over a field of 12 entrants and earning over $2.6 million.
2:26	The British Poker Open Overall Trophy went to Sam Soverel, who cashed in five event, winning two, finishing runner-up in two and ended up third in another.
4:02	RunGood Gear Ad
4:45	Advertisement
5:15	Bernard welcomes author of Poker & Pop Culture, Martin Harris.
5:56	Martin joins the show.
6:34	Martin discusses how he found the time to devote to writing his recent book, while teaching at UNC Charlotte part-time and working full-time with PokerNews and Pokerstars Blog.
7:45	Martin recalls how he started the concept for writing this book. “I started a blog back in 2006…Probably about 5 or 6 years ago, I ended up getting in touch with an agent and he had a publishing house that wanted to do a history of poker. And that’s where it really started…The process took about a year and half or two years…And it (the deal) actually fell through but that got me going…It was about two years ago D& B Poker got in touch with me…and they agreed to do it.”
9:50	Martin discusses teaching part-time at UNC-Charlotte including a class entitled Poker in American Film and Culture.
11:56	Bernard outlines the journey of poker over the past couple of centuries which Martin writes about in his book.
14:32	Martin explains the origins of his pokerblog hardboiledpoker.com and his nickname “Shamus.”
19:07	Martin discusses the book in more detail and how it is organized. “Basically it’s a chronological presentation of the history of poker…The early part of book definitely focuses on the 19th century and early poker history. The latter part of the book is definitely about more rect, kind of contemporary stuff.”
19:44	Martin discusses the early part of the book where poker starts out in the 19th century including the origination of steamboats and the Civil War with poker.
22:26	Martin discusses the book showing poker in different specific media such as movies, television, radio and music. Also, he discusses how poker has influenced everyday jargon.
27:33	Las Vegas Laundry Services Ad
28:33	Bernard continues his interview with Martin Harris.
32:30	Martin continues his discussion about his book including poker in casinos, which wasn’t always the case in the past.
35:40	Martin recalls the history about the famous painting series called Dogs Playing Poker by Cassius Coolidge. “That’s one of the more fun sections to write in the book.”
39:51	Martin discusses poker’s significant role in movies especially Rounders (1998).
44:14	Martin discusses the last few chapters in his book including internet poker, UIGEA, Black Friday and the growth of live poker.
48:16	Martin discusses where to go online to purchase the book. Bernard will give away an audio version of the book via a promotion on Twitter. Follow Bernard @BernardLeePoker to have a chance to win.

Let us know what you think of the show - tweet about the podcast using #BernardLeePokerShow, and be sure to follow @BernardLeePoker on Twitter or Instagram.

You can follow Martin Harris, aka Short Stacked Shamus, on Twitter @hardboiledpoker.

The Bernard Lee Poker Show is now available on iTunes.

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