Poker is nowadays the most popular card game. Every year the number of online and offline players is regularly increasing: they learn the rules of poker and go to conquer poker tables in the hope of “dragging” a major tournament or become a new star in the world. However, most of them are not only unfamiliar with the history of this card game, they don’t even know how old it is or why it is named.

In this article we will talk about how poker got to our time.

A Short History of Poker in Pictures: From Cheaters to Professionals.

According to official data, poker has existed for over five centuries, however, the first 300 years of this game have survived without any changes. It was played exclusively by working class people, as well as con artists, who were not so much interested in the game itself as in the desire for profit. Over time, poker started to attract more affluent people, but about this later.


Early 1900s

At this time in the United States poker has become the most popular game in all bars and clubs. Fighting was a constant component of poker, because this card game attracted a lot of scammers, among whom really capable was quite small. It was they who later became the victims of enraged cheated players.

A Short History of Poker in Pictures: From Cheaters to Professionals.

After the military began to be fond of poker, to replace cheating comes a bluff. as a result of which the game became more honest and noble.

It is known that the U.S. Ambassador was interested in the rules of the game of poker British Queen Victoria. This was a great incentive for the spread of poker to develop and spread the game in both Europe and America, as the game began to involve the upper classes and ranks.


World War I and II poker

Hard to believe, but during the First and Second World Wars poker was also very popular among soldiers who formed their own rules of conduct during the game. For example, all players were required to be quiet and also to treat each other politely. On the one hand – the aristocracy, on the other – banal not to scare the newcomers. As you can see, even then bamhantili.

A Short History of Poker in Pictures: From Cheaters to Professionals.

The first film about poker was released in 1912. The painting “Healing a Poker Player” told the viewer about the life of an avid player, whose wife constantly tried to wean him from bad habits. Nowadays, the most popular films about poker are “Rounders” in 1998, “Cincinnati Kid” in 1965 and “Crafty Hands (Shade)” in 2002.


Poker in the ’50s: Women in Poker

A Short History of Poker in Pictures: From Cheaters to Professionals.

Until the mid 50’s, poker was exclusively a male game, but over time at the gaming tables began to appear and the weaker sex. Women brought romance and charm to poker clubs, thanks to the ability to present themselves beautifully. At this time it became very popular club poker, where instead of a dealer game was played by the players themselves. More and more attention is paid to the style and skill of beautiful bluffing. Poker has become not just a game, but a special aristocratic way to spend time.


1970s: WSOP

A Short History of Poker in Pictures: From Cheaters to Professionals.

In 1970, the first official tournament of the World Poker Series – WSOP – was held. Every year more and more people registered in its tournaments, where the victory made the player rich and famous. Nowadays WSOP is the most prestigious series of tournaments, the winners of which receive large prizes as well as unique gold bracelets.

The WSOP championship was a great advertisement for the game, because thanks to major victories, the world has learned about players such as Doyle Brunson, Brian Roberts and Johnny Moss. On their example, ordinary people realized that this card game can make anyone rich.


Our time…

Poker is currently developing rapidly thanks to the ability to play online. Anyone can read the rules of the game for free, watch a huge number of tutorial videos, read tutorial articles on poker and go to conquer the poker room with a minimum of bankroll or without it, receiving a non-deposit bonus.

Offline poker has also changed dramatically over the past century. And it’s more about the rules of the game than the game itself. Now, unlike in the twentieth century, after the game does not happen fights, and the possibility of fraud is minimized, thanks to the game in specially designated places with security and surveillance systems. A large number of poker players are of the opinion that poker should be considered an Olympic sport and it is hard to disagree with that. If that ever happens, the oldest card game will reach a new level of development.


Conclusion


Acquired a mass character relatively recently. However, it is not authentically known how this game was formed.

There are many versions where the origin of modern poker. Many believe the ancestors of poker, a game invented in China, in the tenth century. In those days, instead of cards that have not yet been invented, used dominoes.

Also, there is a whole list of countries that attribute to themselves the glory of the invention of the first variants of poker. According to various sources, it could be France and the old name “Poque”.

Next on the list:

Germany (Pochspiel), India with a game with a deck of 96 cards (Ganjifa), the UK (Brag), as well as Italy, Spain and even Persia, with a game “as nas”, in which there were the concepts of bluff.

Still, the most plausible option is the French version. The French brought the game “Poque” to Canada and the United States during the colonization, which explains the first written mention of the game in New Orleans. In 1829, in the memoirs of the actor Joe Cowell, mentioned the sailors who played the four in the game, where 20 cards were distributed to 5 each. Whoever thought he had the strongest combination was betting. Thus, if no one equalized the bet, it was possible to win, even with the worst combination. The element of bluff, is the soul of poker and what ensured his success. A little later, in 1834, instead of 20 cards, 52 cards were used, which brought the bluffs to a new level.