The History Of Poker
Poker is a card game with many theories about its history and
many debates about its origins. Poker may have been around for
more than ten centuries in the form of other card games. It is
believed that the word 'poker' was derived from an underworld
slang word 'poke' - this was a term used for pickpockets. When
card-sharks cheated somebody out of their money they boasted
about having 'poked' that person. An 'r' was added to the term
'poke' so that the sharks could refer to what they were doing in
front of their victims, who would be none the wiser!
While there seems to be no clear ancestor to the game, for the
United States at least, Poker has a definite history. Poker
began in New Orleans when the French settlers introduced poque
in the 18th century. This was a card game which involved betting
and bluffing and there are many game historians who believe that
this is where poker originates. There have been many
modifications to the game, including 'stud poker', the 'draw'
and the 'straight' which became popular during the Civil War.
Slowly 'poker', as the game became known, spread to other states
via steamboats, wagons and trains.
Poker initially began with a deck of 20 cards, and eventually
evolved into a deck of 32 cards. During the 1830s a 52 card deck
became the norm. In 1875 the joker was introduced as a wild
card. At the end of the Civil War poker reached the towns of the
Old West. It wasn't long before they realized that easy money
could be made from playing (or perhaps cheating at) poker.
Legends were created involving the potent mixture of saloons,
poker and guns. Brave gamblers in the old west towns of Dodge
City and Deadwood could be found taking their chances with their
backs to the walls and their guns at the ready.
By the end of the 19th century, gambling and poker had spread
throughout both the United States and the world. American states
and cities began to see an opportunity for raising money. They
taxed the gambling dens to raise money for their communities.
Nowadays casinos have taken over from the saloons and the game
is strictly regulated by gambling laws. It is played more than
any other card game in the world and has even become a sporting
event, offering very rich pickings for the serious player.
Finally, there is no doubt that poker has a rich and interesting
history.