Poker History: How Poker Came to Be
Poker history is rather nebulous in terms of where and when did it exactly originate. The principles of the game may be rooted in the ancient times, but the earliest form is attributed either to a 10th century Asian betting game or the Persian as nas.
The game may have spread to New Orleans through the Persian sailors who have reached the country.
Poker history also shows how modern poker bears resemblances to 16th and 17th century card game known as primero. Primero was popular in Europe during those centuries. It also closely resembles the French game brelan.
Where the term "poker" originated, poker history would show various probable sources. One is the Irish game called Poca. Another is the French game poque, which means "bag" or "pocket." The German game pochen, which means "to bluff."
Poker history also traces the possible beginning of poker to the French game known as brelan. Brelan would give rise to brag, an English game, which introduced the principle of bluffing into the game.
Poque would reach North America in the 18th century through French merchants.
The next chapter in poker history is 19th century Western America. In the 19th century, poker would be popularly played in bars of the Western frontier and on steamboats in the Mississippi river. Poker became a very popular past time during the gold rush.
It was also during the Mississippi and Western frontier days that poker as it is played today was finally established. The 52-deck card was standardized; rules were set. The game soon grew and diverged into many variants.
From Mississippi, poker history would soon locate poker being played in Asian countries as well. The 20th century agents of spread are the American military.
In the 21st century, communications technology would play a large part in the worldwide spread and global popularity of poker. The internet would soon introduce online poker. Television coverage of poker tournaments like WSOP or World Series of Poker gained a large viewing public.
The Persians may have birthed poker. Perhaps not. Perhaps the Spanish did. Or the French did. Perhaps, poker, in its earliest form, was already a pastime of many Asians in, perhaps, the 10th century. Perhaps is a more recent invention, and existed only in 17th century Europe. Wherever and whenever it began, is not quite yet settled.
Despite the unclear beginnings of poker history, however, it is clear just where poker is going. From Persia to Mississippi riverboats to land casinos, now poker has conquered the four corners of the globe. It can be played from home, either as home poker or as online poker. Games and tournaments can be watched live inside casinos or on your television screens.