Quote Originally Posted by Dan Druff View Post
Probably 2004, actually. It all happened very quickly after the Moneymaker/WPT boom of 2003.

Limit holdem, then the dominant game, stayed strong for several more years before fading in most places. I believe there's only a live limit holdem scene at middle-upper stakes in LA, San Jose, Atlantic City, Minnesota, and Las Vegas at this point.
You might be right. Before 2003 there were quite a few NLH tournaments and a moderate demand for cash games, but California card rooms resisted spreading them, because the best players got the money too quickly, causing the games to break. 90% of the players back then were terrible! Hence capped buyins and the predominance of 1-3 games.