HISTORY OF POKER

The origin of Poker is widely disputed. There are as many possible birthplaces as there are variations of the game. The most popular belief is that it was invented by the Chinese around 900 A.D. Others state that poker originates from the Persian game "as nas". While yet another theory connects it to the French game "poque".

In 1480, the French settled in New Orleans and introduced "poque", a card game involving bluffing and betting. Many believe this was the first use of a deck, consisting of spades, diamonds, clubs, and hearts. Poker traveled from New Orleans by steamboat up the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers. The game then spread rapidly via wagon and train. Modifications such as stud poker, the draw, and the straight became popular during the Civil War. In 1875, the European influence of poker ended when the joker was introduced as a wild card.

Through all the varied theories on the origin of poker, one thing is certain – It is a game which has stood the test of time and is more interesting with each passing generation.