 |
History of Poker |
|
There seems to be no clear or direct early ancestor of the poker game.
Some say that poker derived from elements of many other games, involving the basic principles of ranked card or domino combinations and, of course, the use of famous bluffing to deceive opponents. In general, bluffing means betting high stakes whilst holding poor cards to deceive opponents, and was an integral part of the poker game from the beginning. |
|
There is one most popular belief that a game of chance similar to poker was invented by the Chinese in ancient times. Some historians says that, then The Emperor Mu-tsung was reported to have played so-called domino cards on new years eve.
In other parts of world, Egyptians are known to have used a form of playing cards around the 12th & 13th centuries, and Treasure Cards were used for a variety of betting games in Persia, probably in 16th century.
In other parts of world, Egyptians are known to have used a form of playing cards around the 12th & 13th centuries, and Treasure Cards were used for a variety of betting games in Persia, probably in 16th century.
 |
On the left picture: Coins from ancient China.
Spanish game called Primero dates back to 1526 and is usually called poker’s mother. Europeans used to call the game "poque" which is a French term which in turn evolved from the German term "pochen". |
French colonials imported the Poque game to the new world when they arrived in Canada, and then group of French-Canadians established New Orleans and former French territory, which became part of the United States by the Louisiana Purchase of 1803.
Then famous gambling saloons can be seen on the Mississippi riverboats, which began to play casino games from about 1811.
Then famous gambling saloons can be seen on the Mississippi riverboats, which began to play casino games from about 1811.
|
Ship casinos helped poker game to spread from the state of Louisiana, northwards along up the Mississippi river, then westwards with the expanding frontier, and then throughout the whole country. Including the Wild West period of the United States history, where a so famous saloons with a poker tables could be found in just about every town from west coast to east coast. |
 |
Although then called as a "cheating game" but in fact, poker was then born. The very first American casino was opened in New Orleans with poker among the offered casino games, in 1822.
Adoption of 52 cards in poker
In 1847 Jonathan Green mentions a game of 20-card Poker played on a Mississippi steamboats. The game he described was played with 20 cards, using only the aces, kings, queens, jacks and tens. Two to four people could play, and each was dealt five cards.
There is evidence that the 20-card game was being challenged by the 52-card (not counting the two Jokers) game in the mid-1830s.
Between about 1830 and 1845 Poker was increasingly played with all 52 cards, enabling more than four players to participate and giving rise to the flush as an additional combination.
Adoption of 52 cards version increased the excitement of the poker game by adding a second betting interval and enabling poor hands to be significantly improved, especially the worthless, but potentially promising four-flush.
US government unsuccessfully attempted to ban poker in the United States in 1920s.
There is evidence that the 20-card game was being challenged by the 52-card (not counting the two Jokers) game in the mid-1830s.
Between about 1830 and 1845 Poker was increasingly played with all 52 cards, enabling more than four players to participate and giving rise to the flush as an additional combination.
Adoption of 52 cards version increased the excitement of the poker game by adding a second betting interval and enabling poor hands to be significantly improved, especially the worthless, but potentially promising four-flush.
US government unsuccessfully attempted to ban poker in the United States in 1920s.
Variations of poker game
The popularity of this widely played game has grown and poker evolved into numerous variations and sub-variations.
There have been three games that have dominated the modern poker scene:
There have been three games that have dominated the modern poker scene:
- 5 Card Draw rose from relative obscurity during the American Civil War to the most popular game for almost a century.
- 7 Card Stud was very popular shortly before WWII and maintained its position for about next 40 years with the help of the new and thriving Las Vegas casino industry. Nevada state legalized casino gambling in 1931.
- Texas Hold'em otherwise called Cadillac of poker, rose to power in the 1970s when it was featured as the title game in the World Series of Poker. Today, Texas Hold'em is the most frequently played and most popular poker game in the world, played in casinos and on home game tables, around the world.
No Limit Texas Hold'em poker version era
 |
Developments in the 1970s led to poker becoming far more popular game than it was before. Modern tournament play became very popular in American casinos after the World Series of Poker began. The very first World Series of Poker was organized by Jack Binnion in Binnion's Horseshoe Casino, Las Vegas in 1970.
In the 1990s, poker and casino gambling spread across the United States, most notably to Atlantic City and Las Vegas. In 1998, Planet Poker dealt the first real money online poker game. In 1999, Late Night Poker debuted on British television, introducing poker for the first time to many Europeans. Poker today is one of the fastest growing sporting events. |
The World Series of Poker, attracts players from all over the world every year to compete for money and titles as the world's top Poker players. No Limit Texas Hold'em version of poker played at The World Series of Poker and the World Poker Tour, grew into popularity among television viewers, in the United States.
There are special events available to watch in American television in prime time, like the World Series of Poker Tournament of Champions and the National Heads Up Poker Championship.
The 2003 and 2004 World Series of Poker champions, was the main event by winning online satellites audience. In 2003, Mr. Chris Moneymaker wins World Series of Poker Main Event and takes prize of $2.5 Million. It's amazing, but he qualified through $40 at PokerStars and starts internet poker revolution.
There are special events available to watch in American television in prime time, like the World Series of Poker Tournament of Champions and the National Heads Up Poker Championship.
The 2003 and 2004 World Series of Poker champions, was the main event by winning online satellites audience. In 2003, Mr. Chris Moneymaker wins World Series of Poker Main Event and takes prize of $2.5 Million. It's amazing, but he qualified through $40 at PokerStars and starts internet poker revolution.
Growing popularity of online poker
|
With the growing popularity of online games and wide access to internet worldwide, online casinos from around the world offer range of various casino and non-casino games online and could attract now international players from all corners of our world. There is growing online poker community players in the United Kingdom, too. It's interesting to see that only Norway prohibit live poker playing, when comes to European countries (as for 2012). |
|
On the right picture: Monte Carlo Casino Table is equipped with games such as Blackjack, Craps, Roulette and Poker.
However, if you want to play poker game, you do not need to visit Las Vegas or Atlantic City anymore.
Join the world's poker fever and play online poker now.
However, if you want to play poker game, you do not need to visit Las Vegas or Atlantic City anymore.
Join the world's poker fever and play online poker now.