History of Poker

The roots of Poker can not be traced to a single game and its descent is as much unclear as debated. Games dating centuries back show similar principles to Poker, like the use of ranked cards or bluffing.

Some believe that a game of dominos that was invented in China around the 10^th century is where the development of Poker started. Another theory traces Poker’s origins to an earlier form of playing cards that is dated back to 12^th century Egypt or the Indian game “ganjifa”, which is referred to be the ancestor of card games. Similarities can be found in games such as the 17^th century Persian “as-nas” which was played from 5 players with a 25 card deck, 5 different suits, hand-ranking and betting rounds. Another competitor could be the game “bouillotte” played in 19^th century France, again bearing basic principles reminding of Poker in a few ways.

The French “poque”, played in America in the beginning of the 1800s when New Orleans was under French rule, along with the German “pochen”, are considered as the most probable ancestors of Poker. Both games derived from “primero”, a Spanish game from the 16^th century, in which bluffing was quite an essential part incorporated to the play. “Primero” is believed to have laid the foundations for the development of Poker.

The first records of Poker being played date back to 1829. As reported by the English actor Joseph Crowell, this early version of game was played around New Orleans and included a 20 card deck consisted of tens, jacks, queens, kings and aces, and up to four players. In 1834, Jonathan H. Green writes in his book “An Exposure of the Arts and Miseries of GamblingNot” a description of how Poker traveled on the steamboats along the river Mississippi. Soon after that, the game became familiar to the whole country, with every Wild West town having a saloon where Poker was an adored pastime for all gamblers. Not more than 20 years took for the game to evolve in using a 32 card deck, and a 52 as well, giving birth to what we know today as Poker and all of its different variations.

The 20^th century has brought to Poker nothing more than popularity. After becoming a favorite entertainment in the US, by the end of the century Poker has started celebrating its popularity worldwide. Online Poker, casino Poker rooms, broadcasting of tournaments and the piles of literature are only few of the reasons why this game is played and loved by millions around the world.