History of Poker
There are differences of opinion on the origin of Poker. Moreover, there seems to be no clear or direct early ancestor of the game. It is more likely that Poker derived its present day form from elements of many different games. The consensus is that its birth is a very old one. The history of Poker is thought to have evolved over more than ten centuries from various games, all involving the basic principals of ranked card or domino combinations and the use of ‘bluffing’ to deceive opponents. One popular belief is a game like poker was first invented by the Chinese sometime before 969 A.D, when The Emperor Mu-tsung is reported to have played "domino cards" with his wife.
Egyptians in the 12th & 13th centuries are known to have used a form of playing cards. In 16th century Persia, the Persians played “As Nas” which utilized 25 cards, rounds of betting and hierarchical hand rankings. A French game named “Poque” and a German game named “Pochen” became very popular in the 17 & 18th centuries. Both the French and the German game developed from the 16th century Spanish game called “Primero” which involved three cards being dealt to each player. Bluffing, or betting high stakes whilst holding poor cards to deceive opponents, was an integral part of the game. Primero dates back to 1526 and is often referred to as “poker’s mother” as it is the first confirmed version of a game directly related to modern day poker.
Most of the dictionaries and game historians say the word “Poker” came from the eighteenth-century French game, poque, while the German game pochspiel is also a possibility. Still others believe the word poker man have derived from the hindu word, pukka.
While the historical beginnings of poker may be in question, it is unanimously believed the French colonials imported card games to the new world when they arrived in Canada. Their beloved poque was the national card game of France and from the beginning of the 18th century, when a hardy group of French-Canadian settlers founded New Orleans, it spread from the state of Louisiana up the Mississippi river and then throughout the whole country.
Jonathan 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 riverboats. He soon realized that his was the first such reference to the game, and because it remained unnamed, he chose to call the game Poker. 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. By the time Green wrote about it, poker had become the number one game on Mississippi boats.
As card games were originally played extensively on riverboats, playing card companies used the common property trade name "Steamboat Playing Cards." In 1835 the game was still played with 20 cards.
By 1837 the game was adapted to the full pack of 52 cards. The draw feature was introduced widely during the Civil War. General Nathan Bedford Forrest, Confederate Cavalry leader, was reportedly bankrupt, until with ten dollars he won several hundred in a Draw Poker game. His wife was a very religious woman. When he brought home his winnings, he figured that she had been praying for his good luck. Immediately after the Civil War, Stud was introduced, probably around Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. Jackpots date from 1870 in Toledo, Ohio.
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. Poker is currently played more than any other card game in the world and is carefully regulated by gambling laws.
While it may not be relevant to the humble beginnings of poker, the reemergence of the game is a historical leap in popularity and requires some explanation. There are two primary reasons for the recent increase in players and interest: One, televised poker competitions and tournaments have made the best players as recognizable as many television stars; and two, the inception of online poker rooms and casinos.
If you compare the prizes of major sporting events around the world, you will find that the monetary outcome of any given event in Poker would (pardon the pun) stack up. Poker competitions today are one of the fastest growing television events. The pinnacle of the poker world, 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. Viewers have found the real life drama of the player victories and defeats, and the huge monies on the line, excellent television.
The story of online poker rooms and casinos started in 1994, when the Government of Antigua Bermuda passed the free trade and Processing Zone Act. This opened the door for many online casinos and sports books to operate under licenses granted to this legislation. Antigua Bermuda remains the online gambling industries most popular licensing jurisdiction to this very day. In a multi-billion dollar industry, it is widely estimated that Americans account for up to 60% of all online gaming revenue. Americans love convenience and online casinos are extremely assessable at any time and any place with an Internet connection. It has provided a forum for players that would otherwise have difficulty competing.
I think it is fair to say that we are not exactly sure where poker came from, but we sure know where it is going. | 