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The History Of Poker
By William Berg, Tue Jan 10th
The origin of the game that we today call Poker is uncertain anddebated. Most researchers agree that the name Poker is derivedfrom the French word poque, which in turn originates from theGerman word pochen - to knock. It is however unsure whetherPoker is actually related to the card games where players mustknock the table to mark certain situations. Poker bears a keenerresemblance to an old Persian game called As Nas. Someresearchers therefore suggest that As Nas was taught to Frenchimmigrants in New Orleans by Persian seafarers, and laterdeveloped into Poker in America. Poker also resembles aRenaissance game called Primero and a French game known asBrelan. In England, Brelan eventually developed into a gamenamed Brag or Bragg, a card game where the possibility ofbluffing is an important part of the game, just as in Poker. One of the earlier mentions of Poker is from 1829, when anEnglish actor named Joseph Crowell encountered a type of cardgame in New Orleans where a deck of 20 cards were used by fourplayers. The players made bets and tried to guess which playerhad the best hand. In 1843, Jonathan H. Green published a booknamed "An Exposure of the Arts and Miseries of Gambling" wherehe described how this game spread from New Orleans via theriverboats on Mississippi. Playing games was a very popularpastime on the Mississippi riverboats. As the game spread, therules were changed and a full deck containing 52 cards began tobe used. One of the major rule changes was the introduction ofthe so called flush.
A lot of the more modern poker versions were invented during theAmerican Civil War, including Draw Poker and five card StudPoker. The straight was also introduced during this era. Around1875 the use of wild cards was added. Lowball developed aroundthe same time, and the split-pot poker was invented around theturn of the century.
The first poker games involving communitycards arose around 1925. Some researches claim the U.S. militaryare responsible for spreading the game to Asia during wars,where it is today very popular and a natural part of thetraditional Asian games.
Poker is a noticeable part of the American history and the pokerjargon has even made it into standard American English. Most ofus use poker jargon in our every day language even if we neverhave played a single game of poker in our entire life. Have youever called someone's bluff? Had an ace up your sleeve?Described an unknown or unpredictable factor as a "wildcard"?Beats me, ace in the hole, blue chip, cash in, stack up, passthe buck, high roller, poker face and when the chips are down,are other examples of poker expressions that have made it intonormal language. During the 1970's, the first World Series of Poker were playedwhich popularised Poker tournaments at the American casinos.This is also the time when the first serious Poker books werepublished. Three of the most famous ones are "The Theory ofPoker" written by David Sklansky, "The Book of Tells" by MikeCaro and "Super System" by Doyle Brunson. Today, poker is played all over the world. Poker has grownincreasingly popular during the latest decade, chiefly due tothe invention of online poker and the hole-card camera that madethe Poker tournaments much more interesting to watch fornon-players. Poker is today considered a spectator sport andseveral TV-shows are devoted to the game. The World Series ofPoker and the World Poker Tour are two major Poker tournamentsthat are broadcasted via cable and satellite. About the author:Find more information about poker and poker history Article courtesy of william Berg
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