Poker History

Poker is an old game with varying claims to history because there is no direct origin to where the game came from.

There are significant events and people behind the known history of poker. In 1834, Jonathan H. Green wrote one of the earliest references to poker. Green called some rules as the cheating game, popularized by folks on the Mississippi river boats. Green's reference was the first during that time and was not mentioned in the American Hoyle so he chose the name Poker.

Green described that the game was played with twenty cards using only the picture cards and tens. Up to four players can play the game and each player is dealt with five cards.

There is also much discussion on the origins of the name of Poker. Many dictionaries say that the name poker came from an eighteenth century game called poque. There are also some references stating that poker is a descendant of the German game, pochspiel. The game pochspiel has an element of bluffing were the players would tap the table and say "Ich Poche". Others believed that the word poker came from the Hindu word pukka.

Another version for the origin of the word poker is that it came from a slang word, "poke", a term commonly used by pickpockets during that time. Card cheaters used the term "poker", poke with an "r", among themselves when playing a twenty card cheating game. They use this term like a code amongst each other to win against other players.

Poker may have been derived from so many names and originated from many other ancient games, but the game itself brought entertainment and enjoyment to its players through out the course of history. Poker is very famous and it led the way to the establishment of saloons in the Wild West in the United States during this era.

Nowadays, gambling is being regulated by law. The Wild West saloons gave way to the establishment of casinos and card rooms. Poker is one of the world's most played card game and currently there are tournaments and competitions around the world that's why it is gradually being considered as a sport.

During the early days of poker, players would shell out change from their pockets, whereas today, the prizes for major tournaments come as high as millions of dollars for the winner. Poker is fast rising, very popular and it attracts many players from around the world. It may not be a major sporting event yet, but somehow, someday poker will be a major sport and will make a much bigger mark on the history of sports.