From the River boats to virtual poker rooms

virtual poker rooms

In todays world most poker is played online

It is always difficult to pinpoint the origins of a classic card game, because often its creators do not know that it will gain popularity in future and hence maintain no records. Usually the game evolves with the efforts of a group of players at a particular place. The gaming ideas go back and forth with variations being passed around without anybody being sure who thought up the idea first. With Poker too, it has been a similar story; there is no particular creator of poker, rather the game is a blend of several different games from many cultures which developed as people mingled throughout the world.

The first beginnings of the game can be attributed to the Chinese in 900 AD, where the Emperor Mu Tsung played “domino cards” with his wife. The Egyptians created playing cards somewhere in the 12^th or 13^th centuries. During the 16^th century the game Ganjifa, which used 96 intricate cards of Ivory or wood, originated. The Persians also played a card game they called ‘As Nas’ during the same period. As Nas might have been the very first game to use ranked cards and consist of a number of betting rounds. Of all card games played in ancient times, As Nas probably has the greatest similarity to Poker.

In the 17^th and the 18^th centuries, the French game “Poque” and the German game “Pochen” both originating from the Spanish game of “Primero” became popular. In Primero, each player got 3 cards and bluffing while holding poor cards to mislead opponents was a vital part of the game. Due to this relation to the modern-day Poker, the 16^th century Spanish card game of Primero is said to be the origin of Poker. Poque was the French national card game, which was carried over to Canada by the French colonials. When some French-Canadian settlers established the state of New Orleans, the game travelled up the Mississippi on to the whole of the United States.

One of the initial references to poker is found in Jonathan H. Green’s writings of 1834. He mentioned the rules to what he called “The Cheating Game” being played on the Mississippi river boats. Gamblers found this game more challenging and an ‘honest’ gamble than the cardsharp game 3-card Mont. Green was the first to document this game and formally refer to it as Poker. The late 18^th century saw poker rise to such levels of popularity that a poker table could be easily found at each and every tavern and saloon across the Wild West as prospectors went gold hunting.

The term “Poker” is said to have derived from either the French word Poque or the German word Pochen. Some historians believe that it came from the word “poke” used to describe stealing by the pickpockets. The word “hocus-pocus” is also said to be the root of the word poker – possibly, to insinuate that skilled card players are like magicians who use tricks to win their games.

The present 52-card deck also evolved in the late 1800′s during the game’s journey in America’s Wild West history. The concept of “flush” was also introduced in the game during this time. The American Civil war also played a big role in adding variations like Stud Poker and Draw Poker as well as the “straight” hand. Wild cards, low ball poker and split-pot were also added during this period. Community card games like Texas Hold’em began in 1925 but it was only in 1970 that it became popular with The World Series of Poker highlighting this variation as “the Cadillac of Poker”.

The game of Poker has not looked back since its modest beginnings at the Mississippi river boats. Several variations and sub-variations have evolved over the years, taking the game’s acceptance to newer heights of popularity. A few variations of Poker have dominated the gaming scene over the centuries and these are 5 Card Draw, 7 Card Stud and Texas Hold’em. Others like Omaha, Manila, Stud Poker, Razz and Draw Poker are also being played, but none of them can beat the thrill of Texas Hold’em. In the modern era however, Poker is regulated by gambling laws with saloons and taverns giving way to card rooms and casinos. Yet, Poker is the most played card game anywhere in the world.

Internet Poker or online Poker is a very recent development. The Online Gambling trend started in 1990 but only in 1998, it became viable. The first online poker room, Planet Poker was launched in 1998. Players could play against live players and bet real money. Paradise Poker launched in 1999 while Party Poker and Poker Stars followed in 2001. Online Poker became a big business when Party Poker began a huge advertising campaign on television in 2003 by spending millions. Television coverage of Poker tournaments by sports channels like ESPN and other TV networks have greatly increased the revenues of the gaming industry.

In 2004, the winner of an online tournament won a seat in the World Series of Poker tournament and then went on to win the $2.5 million prize. This event boosted the popularity of online poker and brought it into the focus of the mainstream media. Interest in online poker grew and thousands of Poker enthusiasts all over the world began trying their hand at the online poker rooms which, by now had grown to an unprecedented number.

Today, the Poker variation Texas Hold’em is ahead of the pack in terms of popularity because it is one of the most widely played games, both online as well as in land-based casinos. Other variations like Omaha, Draw Poker and Stud Poker have found a foothold on the gambling scene as well. There is a wealth of information regarding Poker available online. Logging onto an online gaming portal at any time of the day to play with poker enthusiasts around the world is extremely easy and convenient. Use bonus codes when you sign up to get free money, like the true poker bonus code. These are only some of the reasons why Poker is the Number One Card Game and from the look of its widespread and growing acceptance, it is definitely here to stay.

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