The History of Poker

There have been many claims as to the origin of Poker. There are so many variations of the game around today that it is entirely possible that some or all of the stories are true. Poker as it is played today is likely the amalgamation of various games with many of the variations introduced almost by accident. Some believe that the game of Poker traces back to the Chinese dominoes (around 900 A.D.). The Emperor Mu-tsung and his wife were seen playing “domino cards” on New Year‘s Eve in 969.

However, there are also some that say Poker evolved from the Persian game “as nas”. Though only traced back to the 17th century, “as nas”, is a five player game, played with a special deck of twenty-five cards having five suits.

Another premise believes that the game stems from the French game “poque”. When the French landed in New Orleans (around 1480), they were said to have played a card game that included bluffing and betting. At this time, the different suits of the cards, such as hearts, clubs, diamonds and spades where said to have been “discovered”.

It also seems that pieces of the cards may be dated back to the 12th or 13th century in Egypt. And then again, there are those that say the modern cards came from “Gajifa”, an Indian card game.

There are also references to pochspiel, which is a German game. In pochspiel, there is an element of bluffing, where players would indicate whether they wanted to pass or open by rapping on the table and saying, "Ich Poche!" Some say it may even have derived come the Hindu word, pukka.

Regardless of which poker origin story you like the best few dispute that Poker as we know it today really ‘took off’ in the United States. Johnathan H. Green makes one of the earliest written references to poker in 1834. In his writing, Green mentions rules to what he called the “cheating game,” which was then being played on Mississippi river boats.

In the United States poker seems to have spread from the New Orleans area and traveled across the country by wagon and train. During the Civil War alternative Poker games were introduced such as “stud poker.” In 1875 Europeans introduced the concept of a wild card when they introduced the “joker” to the game. In 1910 Nevada decided that the “betting” game was a crime. The Attorney General of California didn‘t agree and was said to have acknowledged the game of “draw poker” as a skillful game. However, “stud poker” was illegal because it centered around sheer chance. In 1931, Nevada repealed its decision and legalized casino gambling.

The game of poker has evolved through the years, through many backroom games to the present day casinos around the world. Its history is rich with famous places and characters. For example, during the Wild West period of United States history, a saloon with a poker table could be found in just about every town from coast to coast.

Today, poker is carefully regulated by gambling laws, and saloons have given way to casinos and card rooms, but poker is played more than any other card game in the world. It has grown into a sporting event, with competitions and tournaments all around the world. No limit Texas Holdem is often described as the Cadillac of Poker and it is this game which decides the world champion of poker each year. Since the early 1970s poker players from all over the world have traveled to Binion’s Horseshoe Casino in Las Vegas to test their skills against the best in the world. In 1991 the grand prize hit $1,000,000 for the first time. Last year the prize was $2,500,000 awarded to an amateur Online Tournament player called Chris Moneymaker. His rags-to-riches story has only created more interest in the game.

The online poker revolution has introduced the game to the masses and given thousands of players across the world the opportunity to enjoy the game 24/7 from the privacy of their own homes. Web sites now offer the opportunity to win thousands of dollars and wonderful prizes without even leaving the computer!

Poker is easier to learn than Chess, but like Chess takes a life time to master. Whether you want to beat your friends in your weekly dealer’s choice game or have your picture on the wall at Binion’s as a world champion, there is do denying the excitement and enjoyment of the game.

Although we may never know exactly where the game came from or exactly how it evolved, it looks like poker is here to stay. In fact, it seems poker is set to capture the hearts and minds of people all over the world at a rate never before seen in its long and colorful history.