Nyla Wells, 44, is a mother of four. But when her daughters are in school, she puts her motherly duties aside. From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on many days, she can be found at one of the local Indian casinos, participating in one of the fastest-growing leisure activities -- poker.

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"I do good,' said the Mira Loma resident as she sat at a table at San Manuel Indian Bingo & Casino in Highland. She learned to play poker in her grandmother's house. "I win about 85 percent of the time.'

Two centuries ago, poker was considered a game of cheats and hustlers, found only in Old West saloons or on Mississippi River paddleboats. Today, poker players are emerging from all walks of life.

"Poker is clearly shedding its back-room, rough and tough image, as more people find out how intrinsically interesting it can be,' said Steven Lipscomb, creator and co-producer of the Travel Channel's "World Poker Tour.'

Within the last two years, poker has been dealing its way into family living rooms across the nation.

Poker connoisseurs credit the game's revived popularity to the appeal of Internet gaming and a flood of poker-themed TV shows, but they agree that its fan base has always existed.

Jill Philbrook, marketing director for San Manuel Indian Bingo & Casino, said televised poker, especially shows featuring celebrities, have drawn people to the game who don't play regularly.

"It's in the last two to three years that we've seen a surge in popularity,' Philbrook said. "We're certainly seeing more customers wanting to come in to play poker and a lot of customers waiting to play.'

She said the casino, which has seen an increase in business, will be opening a new gaming facility in January with a poker room twice as big as the one they have now.

Andrew Hill Newman, one of the executive producers of Bravo's "Celebrity Poker Showdown,' said people have been playing poker "for a long time, and now people get to see how fun it is because of the massive media coverage.'

Each of that show's episodes features five celebrities competing against each other for $250,000 that is donated to a charity.

"I think, for our show, people come for the celebrities and stay for the poker,' Newman said.

The producers came up with the idea while actually participating in private games where they found themselves sitting next to celebrities, he said.

"One of the things that is extremely entertaining at our show is that you're seeing a side of these celebrities that you don't get to see anywhere else,' Newman said. "I think if you want to get to know someone, sit across a poker table and you'll see what they're really like.'

The popularity of poker isn't confined to state lines. Nevada casinos have seen an increase in players, said Keith Copher, chief of enforcement for the Nevada Gaming Control Board. Copher said looking at poker revenue is not necessarily an accurate measure of the game's popularity since that figure is combined with the take from other games, but he said there are other indicators of the game's renewed appeal.

"Several casinos have increased the size and remodeled their poker rooms,' Copher said. "It has been very beneficial.'

Philbrook said Internet gaming has also contributed to poker's popularity.

"I think the Internet is a way where people can check out poker,' Philbrook said. "It gives people an opportunity to try it before they come down to San Manuel.'

Newman said the Internet has capitalized on the trend as well as added to the popularity of the game.

"I personally prefer playing real poker with real people, but it certainly has helped keep the expansion of poker alive,' he said.

Newman said what players like about Internet poker sites is that they can log on at any time and play with people all over the world.

However, this convenience has led to another problem. The Wire Act of the U.S. Code prohibits the sort of wagering that takes place on many Internet poker sites operated out of the Caribbean.

"The Web site itself, the operators are functioning legally, but once they are crossing to the U.S. they are functioning illegally,' Copher said of the off-shore sites.

Internet sites also offer many variations on traditional casino favorites, like Texas Hold 'Em, Omaha and Stud.

Colton resident Tyler Huisken, 24, said he began playing poker two years ago after a trip to Las Vegas, and he now plays about twice a week either at home or at local casinos.

"It's just entertainment,' he said. "I'm not going expecting to win. ... I'm not hoping to win the big jackpot, but it would be nice.'

Huisken has played Five-Card Draw, Seven-Card Stud and Omaha, but he recently began playing Texas Hold 'Em after seeing it on TV.

"When you're at a table, you can tell who knows how to play and who doesn't,' he said.

Huisken said he enjoys playing because it really is a game of wits.

"There's so much involved that you have to think,' he said. "Some of the (casino) games, you don't have to think; you just throw your money out there and they play it for you.'

Ontario resident Russell Rubio, 31, said he learned to play poker from his dad when he was 15 and now has his own poker nights, which can bring crowds of up to 40 people.

"It's not just a bunch of guys sitting around,' Rubio said. "They bring their girlfriends or their wives and their friends.'

He occasionally watches poker shows like "World Series of Poker' and "World Poker Tour' to study what moves the players make.

"It's not just the chips and the cards, but how you read somebody,' Rubio said.

Gary Thompson, spokesman for Harrah's Entertainment, which owns "World Series of Poker' on ESPN, agreed.

"It's a very simple game to understand and a very complex game to play,' Thompson said. "It's easy to read the cards and know hands are out there, but it's very hard to read the player.'

Thompson said it's a very complicated and psychological game because of this human element.

"You see what a player's character is like when they're in a situation where there's a big amount of money or prestige at risk,' he said.

Thompson said one of the things that adds to the popularity of poker is that it's a game everybody can play because it's based on skill as well as luck.

"I can't beat Tiger Woods on a golf course, but I can sit at a table and play the same hand that a guy just played and win $5 million dollars,' Thompson said.

Lipscomb said poker is a psychological game based on outmaneuvering or outwitting other players.

"I think people love it and keep coming back not just for the high stakes and the money -- it's for the rush of putting all of your senses on the line in a contest against other people,' Lipscomb said.

Lipscomb said the poker industry was actually in a decline before "World Tour of Poker' was created.

"It's just increasing the number of people who are finding the great American card game and finding a way to incorporate it into their homes,' Lipscomb said.!end!

Source: U-Press Telegram