The History Of Poker

The History Of Poker




UK Casino Times > Casino Articles

11 October 2006

The History Of PokerHistory Of Poker

Poker is unquestionably the most popular casino card game in the history of the gaming world. Its rich history has contributed to this immense popularity.

Poker is the hottest casino game at present and was voted as the most popular casino game in 2005. Due to the increased popularity of televised poker tournaments, the World Series of Poker contest and the ever-growing Online Casino industry, poker has never been more in demand. There are currently hundreds of variations of poker offered at land casinos and in the remote gambling scene, all which stem from the same game.

Poker is believed to have originated from a number of vying card games in the late Middle Ages. Pochen was a game which was played in Germany in the 15th century with a unique staking board. This game has three stages: payment for being dealt the best card, vying who had the best combination and then playing the cards out. This game first used 20 cards and later 32. As-nas, a Persian five card vying game, was played in the 1700s and was brought to France with Persian sailors. Brag, an English form of the game, was popular in the 18th century and was documented by Edward Hoyle when he wrote a treatise on it in 1751. Primero, which is the closest ancestor to poker, dates back to 1526 and originates in Spain and Italy. This game spread to the rest of Europe and ultimately England and was one of the first games that used a deck of 52 cards.

Poker, in the form of Brag, reached the American shores in the late colonial period with British officers and emigrants. It was played in the plantation colonies of the South and also in New England. Poker was one of the most popular games played on the Mississippi river boats and thus spread around the country, and was known as the 'cheating game'.

The Wild West of America is where poker finally matured and branched out. Several additions and changes were introduced to the game leading to poker splitting into various sub-versions. Forms of poker mentioned during this period are Stud, Draw and Jackpot. The concept of a Straight was also instituted as well as the immensely popular Wild Card. The 1900s saw the development of a concept known as community card poker and two popular versions of this type of poker were introduced in the 1920s – Texas Hold'em and Omaha Hold'em.

The dawn of professional poker and the subsequent development of poker tournaments sky-rocketed the popularity of the game. The World Series of Poker tournament was launched in 1970 and fast became the most prestigious poker contest in the world. Winners of the WSOP became poker legends and were highly coveted by other poker players. Towards the end of the 20th and beginning of this century, televised poker tournaments became the hit, making poker into a spectator's game. Poker tournaments were aired on sports channels around the world and suddenly poker players became stars. Poker was becoming an immensely globalised sport, resulting in sponsorship deals and the creation of poker celebrities.

Since the birth of the online casino industry, poker has never looked back. Virtual casinos have further globalised poker and in as little as ten years, poker has undoubtedly become the most popular casino games. Hundreds of sites are dedicated to poker alone, with several variations of the game being offered at almost every online casino. If you are yet to try out the excitement of Online Poker, now is the time to play the most popular card game in the world.

Play Online Poker

Party Poker

Party Poker is the most popular of all online poker rooms. They launched back in 2001 and rapidly became a market leader. The place is always busy with loads of tables available and players to take on. Simply grab a seat at the table you like the look of and you're in. Utterly safe and loads of fun, Party Poker is a great choice both for poker experts and newcomers. They have easy deposit options and process very fast cash outs. In the event of any queries or problems, they have at hand a five star customer care team to assist you, 24 hours, 7 days a week.
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