The History Of Poker
By William Berg, Tue Jan 10th

The origin of the game that we today call is uncertain anddebated. Most researchers agree that the name is derivedfrom the French word poque, which in turn originates from theGerman word pochen - to knock. It is however unsure whetherPoker is actually related to the card games where players mustknock the table to mark certain situations. bears a keenerresemblance to an old Persian game called As Nas. Someresearchers therefore suggest that As Nas was taught to Frenchimmigrants in New Orleans by Persian seafarers, and laterdeveloped into in America. also resembles aRenaissance game called Primero and a French game known asBrelan. In England, Brelan eventually developed into a gamenamed Brag or Bragg, a card game where the possibility ofbluffing is an important part of the game, just as in Poker.

One of the earlier mentions of is from 1829, when anEnglish actor named Joseph Crowell encountered a type of cardgame in New Orleans where a deck of 20 cards were used by fourplayers. The players made bets and tried to guess which playerhad the best hand. In 1843, Jonathan H. Green published a booknamed "An Exposure of the Arts and Miseries of Gambling" wherehe described how this game spread from New Orleans via theriverboats on Mississippi. Playing games was a very popularpastime on the Mississippi riverboats. As the game spread, therules were changed and a full deck containing 52 cards began tobe used. One of the major rule changes was the introduction ofthe so called flush.

A lot of the more modern versions were invented during theAmerican Civil War, including Draw and five card StudPoker. The straight was also introduced during this era. Around1875 the use of wild cards was added. Lowball developed aroundthe same time, and the split-pot was invented around theturn of the century. The first games involving communitycards arose around 1925. Some researches claim the U.S. militaryare responsible for spreading the game to Asia during wars,where it is today very popular and a natural part of thetraditional Asian games.

Poker is a noticeable part of the American history and the pokerjargon has even made it into standard American English. Most ofus use jargon in our every day language even if we neverhave played a single game of in our entire life. Have youever called someone's bluff? Had an ace up your sleeve?Described an unknown or unpredictable factor as a "wildcard"?Beats me, ace in the hole, blue chip, cash in, stack up, passthe buck, high roller, face and when the chips are down,are other examples of expressions that have made it intonormal language.

During the 1970's, the first World Series of were playedwhich popularised tournaments at the American casinos.This is also the time when the first serious books werepublished. Three of the most famous ones are "The Theory ofPoker" written

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by David Sklansky, "The Book of Tells" by MikeCaro and "Super System" by Doyle Brunson.

Today, is played all over the world. has grownincreasingly popular during the latest decade, chiefly due tothe invention of online and the hole-card camera that madethe tournaments much more interesting to watch fornon-players. is today considered a spectator sport andseveral TV-shows are devoted to the game. The World Series ofPoker and the World Tour are two major tournamentsthat are broadcasted via cable and satellite.

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Article courtesy of william Berg