The precise origins of the game poker are a bit of a mystery as the game has evolved over the centuries and across different cultures and communities. Over time the game has adapted to new trends, technological innovations and player preferences, with poker games now readily available to play online.
Let’s follow the journey of poker from the saloons of frontier towns and mining camps in 19th century America’s Wild West to the modern televised and the online poker games of today. We take a look at the stages of the game’s development and interesting facts about poker’s history:
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The early origins of poker
Card games seem to have existed all throughout history. In China, around 969 A.D. Emperor Mu-tsung was known to play a domino type game with cards.
The Egyptians were all known to play card games from the 12th century and from the 16th century the Persians used cards in a betting type game. This game, As Nas, could share some similarities with the modern game of poker as it utilised hand rankings and rounds of betting.
Another influence could have been the French and German card game Poque or Pochen, played between the 17th and 18th centuries. This game was based on the 1500s Spanish game Primero which involved dealing cards, bluffing and high stakes betting.
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Having evolved from these various card games from Asia and Europe, poker made its way to the United States during the 19th century. It first gained significant popularity as a part of the strong gambling culture on Mississippi’s riverboats. Traders, travellers and settlers would play the game together.
One of the earliest references to the game was made by Jonathan H. Green in 1834 in his journal, where he describes a ‘cheating game’ being played on board the riverboats in America.
Poker in the saloons of America’s west
It was around the time of the California Gold Rush and the American Civil War that poker really began to boom. During this period a poker table could be found at every saloon and gambling hall across the country. Soldiers on both sides of the Civil War placed their bets.
As people began to migrate West as the rail network expanded, saloons became bustling social hubs for miners, cowboys, travellers and gamblers. They were a centerpoint for drinking and entertainment.
Saloon poker games could become tense with epic showdowns and serious high stakes, disputes could emerge when the outcomes of a game or its rules were not agreed on.
Some of the best known saloons frequented by poker players included the Oriental Saloon in Tombstone, Arizona, and The Old Style Saloon No. 10 in Deadwood, South Dakota. The Old Style Saloon became famous when a man known as Wild Bill Hickok was killed by Jack McCall while playing poker in 1876.
During this era, it was draw poker that was popular. This was by far the dominant variant at the time as players would draw and exchange cards in order to improve their hand.
Casino poker and the rise of Las Vegas
A change to the poker scene came about in the 20th century with the legalisation of gambling in certain parts of the United States. As Nevada legalised gambling in the early part of the century, poker found a new home in the burgeoning city of Las Vegas.
El Rancho Vegas was opened in 1941 and was the first legal casino in the city. Its location later formed part of the Strip. The Strip is still famous today as one of the world’s premier places to enjoy casino gambling and poker, with millions visitors from the states and around the globe visiting each year.
It was around this time that Texas Hold’em emerged as the all new most popular variant of poker. It was in the South where it was first developed (hence the name) but travellers quickly introduced it to other states.
Poker in the late 20th and early 21st century
Tournament poker took off in the 1970s with the founding of the World Series of Poker in Nevada. Games later became televised and interest in poker grew around the world.
By the late 1990s and early 2000s, the online poker revolution had begun and players could now enjoy games and tournaments from the convenience of the internet. As player numbers flourished the game has achieved more mainstream appeal.
Celebrities and high net worth individuals participating in televised tournaments have helped to bring more attention to poker in recent years and as technology has advanced, poker is in easy reach via smartphone apps.
Today, millions of people enjoy participating in both online and casino in-person games of poker. Tournaments bring in millions of dollars of prize money and are broadcast on major channels. Poker continues to be a top game, captivating players around the world.