Poker's History

Poker's history is an issue of few arguments. Poker, the game's name likely to come from the French word "poque", which actually came from "pochen" a German word meaning "to knock". Apparently it is not clearly stated if poker really originated from those games and if it is based from how those games were played. Having to resemble the game that Persian's play and the possibility that Persian sailors have shared or even taught it to French Settlers established the relevance of Poker to the game of Brelan from France and the Primero which are known as historical games.

Brag or Bragg a game invented by English people based from the game called Brelan and with the added concept of having the option to bluff your opponents. Based from this historical games it shows the probability that poker have been patterned and based from the concept of these games.

According to the actor Joseph Crowell's report it was in 1829 in the city of New Orleans where the game of poker was first played. It was played with a set of 20 cards, composed of 4 individual players trying to bet on the best hand that a player could have. A book about gambling elaborates the popularity of poker spreading through out the country by boats. Where betting and gambling was a way of letting the time pass.

At its popularity increased, the number of cards used increased as well to 52 cards a deck. Then the flush draw was added. At the end of the American Civil War, a lot of poker variations were suggested and established, such as poker draw, straight and a five card variation called stud poker. Then other improvements were made by the Americans. The popularity of poker throughout the world, mainly in Asia, is usually credited to American soldiers.

In the beginning of the 21st century poker hype has been experienced throughout the world. Most of it, is the effect of the entry of poker online games and the addition of a camera showing hole cards of a poker player, where spectators were given the chance to know what is happening in the player's mind. On lookers could now relate and create vicarious feelings based from the drama shown on the poker arena and tournaments shown on TV made millions of people more knowledgeable about the game of poker.

Poker players have become celebrities in their own right with followers and fans around the globe wanting to play with them even in expensive competitions which has made the game even more exciting and interesting.