Poker History

A Brief History of Poker

Raise your hands if you enjoyed studying history in High School? OK, hands down all members of the American Historical Association. So why the history lesson now? Will it help me to become a more skilled poker player?

I admire an inquisitive mind. It's definitely an asset when trying to master any skill. Any edge you can acquire, no matter how infinitesimal will benefit you in the long run and establish you as an engaging after dinner speaker in the short run.

Aces and Eights

What do aces and eights have to do with the history of poker? As some of you may know, it was the hand that James Butler "Wild Bill Hickock" was holding when he was shot in the back of the head in Deadwood, Dakota Territory, on August 2, 1876. It's now become know as the "dead man's hand". Every time I have it dealt to me during a game, I can't resist the temptation to turn my head to see if there is anybody behind me with a loaded revolver. To my relief, the only thing I've ever found that was loaded in a casino was some drunken greengrocer from Trenton.

History is contentious at best. Ask any Poker buff about the origin of poker and you're likely to receive as varied an array of answers as you would from a politician vying for re-election.

The following are the most widely accepted theories:

From the memoirs of Joseph Cromwell (not to be confused with James Cromwell, farmer Hogget from the movie Babe) we learn that he played a game in New Orleans in 1829 in which a player would receive five cards, place bets, and then the player with the highest hand would win all the bets.

The French Connection - Some contend the game originated from the popular French game of Poque (1803). Understandable, given the name. There are a few who back the theory that poker was derived from the German game of Pochen. Very interesting. Then there are even others who believe it came from the English game of Bragg. I'm sure they all exerted their influence in one way or another on the modern game of poker, but to get to the truth we must go back even further in history.

The Persian Principle - We don't know a lot about the ancient Persian game of As Nas, other than it's believed Persian sailors taught it to the French settlers in New Orleans. Scholars are in general agreement that it was the earliest form of the game that we've all grown to know and love over the ages.

Poker spread to the river towns along the Mississippi and Ohio rivers via the riverboats. The light rapid transit system of the day. From the river towns the railroad spread the game to the east while the wagon trains introduced the game to the west.

To help put everything into perspective I've created the following chronological timeline.

1833 to 1837 - the modern 52-card deck replaced the twenty-card deck.

1861 to 1865 - The Civil War saw the introduction of open cards, which led to stud poker. The straight and the draw also became popular.

1875 - The wild card was introduced. Also in the same year the requirement of an ante and a pair of jacks to open was beginning to gather a loyal following.

1900 to 1903 - At the turn of the century in America low ball and split pot poker was started.

1909 - Bills were introduced to control and license poker players.

1911 - It was ruled in California that draw poker was a skill and therefore was beyond the current anti gambling laws. Stud poker didn't fair as well however and was therefore deemed to be illegal.

1914 to 1919 and 1939 to 1945 - During the war years poker was very popular, and during that time went through many changes.

1950's and 1960's - Innovations such as extra draws and minimum hands required to win were developed.

1972 - The book "The Advanced Concepts of Poker" had become the best selling poker book in the world.

1993 - Pokerman goes on a long losing streak at the tables and doesn't recover until early 1994.

2000 and Beyond - Online poker has just begun to take hold in the hearts and minds of the intrepid souls who enjoy wagering a few dollars on a friendly game of poker.

What does the future hold in store? I'm not sure. But I do know one thing… I'm willing to bet that the history of poker will continue to be written long after we fold our final hand.

Editors Note: What's the origin of the word poker? Some say that it came from the French game, Poque. Others contend its origins stem from the German game of pochspiel. There are those that say it derived from the Hindu word, pukka (not the Hawaiian necklace). How about the explanation that its an underworld term for pickpockets, poke. My favorite explanation but probably the least likely is that it came from "hocus-pocus", the phrase uttered by magicians. Regardless of the explanation you subscribe to, poker remains one of the most popular card games on this planet. Maybe you've heard another origin of the word poker. Email us and let us know.