The history of Poker
The origins of Poker can be traced back to the
ancient times. It is historically known that Chinese, Persians
and Egyptians have been playing poker-like games many thousands
of years ago. In earlier times gamblers used paper thin slices
of ivory or dominoes to play their games, but later these were
played utilising paper playing cards.
In the 17th century, the real poker-like games became famous
when the games Pochen and Poque (developed from Primero, the
Spanish three card game), first became popular in Germany
and France respectively.
As the European powers settled in the continent, the game
of Poque gradually transformed into a new version spreading
into Canada and down the east coast of America. The game was
referred to its current official name in 1834 by Jonathan
Green, in his book, ‘An Exposure of the Arts and Miseries
of Gambling’.
During the American civil war, a number of variations came
about and some of the variations included the five card stud
poker which became the most popular card game and was played
in saloons, and towards the end of the century, seven card
stud poker began stretching from east to west coasts of the
continent.
In 1970’s the modern poker tournament play, through the introduction
of the World Series of Poker, became increasingly popular
in America. The seven card stud poker game was the choice
of the majority of Las Vegas casinos. In the late 1970s Texas
hold ‘em gradually started to replace seven card stud as the
most popular poker format in casinos in the United States.
Today, in Texas hold ‘em is the most popular version and is
played in the main event of the World Series of Poker. Enjoyed
by many the game has enhanced the development of online poker
rooms and the World Poker Tour, as a spectator sport, has
brought in huge audiences for cable and satellite TV distributors.
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