"the number of people who play high-stakes poker is increasing as a result of a number of cable television shows featuring professional poker players vying for $100,000 pots. in terms of reinforcement theory, what kind of a reinforcement schedule motivates the behavior of these card players"?

The answer is Variable Ratio

Explanation:

There are four types of partial reinforcement schedules which are; fixed ratio, variable ratio, fixed interval and variable interval schedules.

Variable-ratio schedule is that in which response is reinforced after an unpredictable number of responses. The reinforcer is delivered after an average number of correct responses have occurred. Examples include Gambling and Lottery which are examples of a reward based on a variable ratio schedule. IT can lead to maintenance if done in a manner that the reinforcer is not predictable. It creates a steady, high rate of responding as seen in the viewers of the cable television shows that feature professional poker players.