Poker History 68

Poker History 68

The history of poker is thought to have evolved over ten centuries ago from a variety of different games all that involved rank card combinations and the element of bluffing, used to deceive or trick your opponent.

A popular belief is that a game similar to poker was invented by the Chinese, when The Emperor Mu-tsung, was said to enjoy playing games with “domino cards”.

The Egyptians in the 12^th and 13^th century are known to have used playing cards and in Persia “Treasure Cards” were used for a variety of betting games.

The French, used to play a game called “Poque” and a German game name “Pochen” became very popular in the 17 and 18^th centuries. Both developed from Spain, from a game called “Primero” which involved three cards being dealt to each player. Bluffing, or betting high stakes whilst holding poor cards to deceive opponents, was an integral part of the game

The French were said to have imported the game to the new world when they arrived in Canada.

That is just a simple history of where poker has evolved from. It has always been in human nature to compete, and take risks. As humans, taking a risk makes us know we are alive. Taking a risk gives us an adrenaline rush. This day and age money is like our lifeline. So when people risk that lifeline, and bet it against there opponents and win, it creates an incredible thrill. To experience an online poker thrill, stop by www.mansionpoker.com. Online poker rooms are a great way to experience the heart pounding excitement of online poker.

In 1834, Jonathan H. Green made one of the earliest written references to poker when in his writing he mentions rules to the "cheating game," being played on Mississippi riverboats. The Cheating Game" quickly began to supplant the popular cardsharp game of 3-card monte on the gambling circuit. Gamers embraced the new game as it was perceived as a more challenging and 'honest' gamble than the notoriously rigged 3-card game. Green took more than a passing interest in the new game and took it upon himself to formally name and document the 'Cheating Game' in his book 'An Exposure of the Arts and Miseries of Gambling': Poker was born.

During the Wild West period of United States history, a saloon with a Poker table could be found in just about every town from coast to coast. It was extremely popular during the Civil War when the soldiers of both armies played. European influence of poker ended when the joker was introduced as a wild card in 1875.

In just over two centuries, poker has never looked back. Since its humble beginning on the banks of the Mississippi, the popularity of this widely played game has grown in leaps and bounds to evolve numerous variations and sub-variations.

There have been three games that have, in turn, dominated the modern poker scene:

·         5 Card Draw rose from relative obscurity during the American Civil War to the most popular game for almost a century.

Nevada made it a felony to run a betting game. However the Attorney General of California declared that draw poker was based upon skill and therefore the anti-gambling laws could not stop it. But stud poker was still deemed illegal as it was based solely on chance. With this decision, draw poker games developed and grew. This caused Nevada to reverse itself in 1931 and legalize casino gambling.

·        7 Card Stud then took over the throne shortly before WWII and maintained its position for about 40 years with the help of the new and thriving Las Vegas casino industry.

·         Texas Hold’em, christened the ‘cadillac of poker’ rose to promienence in the 1970's when it was featured as the title game in the World Series of Poker. Today, Texas Hold’em is indisputably the most frequently played and most popular poker game in the world, played in casinos and on home game tables the world over.

Other variations such as Omaha, Stud Poker, Manila, Draw Poker and Razz are also popular, but nothing can compete with the thrill of No Limit Texas Hold’em.