Throughout all of history, playing games has been a way to enjoy one’s leisure time and socialise with friends and acquaintances. One game in particular has risen to fame over the past few centuries and is now enjoyed online and offline by millions of people across the world.
This game is of course poker. How is poker played, what are the common poker hands and variants and how has the game changed over time? We take a look at what poker is and how it began as a humble game which has now evolved to become a global sensation.
What is poker? A brief introduction:
Whether or not you have played the game, you will likely have heard of poker and seen it in action in films or television shows. Poker is a five-card game of the vying variety, which means that players must bet on who holds the best combination of cards from a typical 52 card deck.
The stakes are raised progressively until either the best hand wins the pot of money or all but one player drops out of the game (or ‘folds’) and the last person to raise wins the pot. You do not even actually need the best hand to win the game, by bluffing you can convince the other players you are in a better position than you are in reality.
You can play the game at home with friends or visit a casino venue or poker room. It is also possible to play the game online, a popular option in the digital era with a wide array of casino sites available with great promotional offers and welcome incentives.
Alongside slots, blackjack and roulette, poker is now one of the most played casino games around the world. While most play for enjoyment, some of the best players have developed lucrative careers from competing in poker tournaments such as the World Series of Poker (WSOP) and the World Poker Tour (WPT).
What are the origins of the game?
The origins of the game poker are often disputed, as a game that has been around for centuries and played globally, it is unsurprising that it is difficult to pinpoint an exact starting point. Here are some of the most popular theories about the game’s inception:
One often discussed idea is that poker could have roots that are over 1000 years old and could have been based on a 10th century game played by a Chinese Emperor. However, there is very little evidence to back this theory up and the game doesn’t share many similarities with the poker we know and love today.
Alternatively, the 16th century Persian game As Nas has been linked to poker by many historians. While As Nas is almost extinct today, the game made its way across the European continent as explorers shared it with the country’s natives during their travels.
The game eventually found its way to France, Spain and Germany and grew in popularity. It was in these regions that new versions of the game were invented, known as poque, pochen, and primero. These games shared key similarities with the modern game of poker.
It is generally agreed that poker made its way to the United States through French settlers in New Orleans. The game enjoyed in this region was a stripped back version of modern poker, it was placed with a 20 deck of cards and four players would bet on who had the strongest five card hand.
Poker soon found its way across the states where it is still widely enjoyed today. The city of Las Vegas (or Sin City) in Nevada is now the place to go to experience poker in some of the world’s most grand and luxurious casinos.
Texas Hold’em
Texas Hold’em is by far the most popular variant of poker, its origins can be traced back to early 20th century Texas where it was written into Texan legislation at the time. The launch of the World Series of Poker, where this variant was played, in 1971 helped bring global attention to Texas Hold’em and introduced it to a much wider audience.
Other popular poker variants
Omaha Hi is another popular version of poker, unlike Hold’em four hole cards rather than two are dealt to each player. There is also stud poker, such as seven stud poker, in this game the player has their own individual cards instead of there being hole or community cards.
Other variants to try out include razz, horse, badugi, omaha low and chinese poker – to name just a few.
Poker in the digital era
Since the roll out of the world wide web in the 1990s, online poker has skyrocketed in popularity. You can now play poker anytime from a computer or smartphone. Some sites now even offer live poker, which is live streamed from a physical location to replicate the thrill of in-person casino gaming but with the convenience of being able to play from home