Poker is one of the most popular card games in the world, played all over the globe. It can be a casual game with friends, or a high stakes tournament such as the Irish Poker Open.
Poker has become one of the most well-known games, but how has it reached such prominence?
This blog looks at the origins and history of poker.
The inception of poker
When looking at poker history, you must first go back to where it all started. It’s believed that poker was first played in the United States in the 18th century, drawing the name ‘poker’ from earlier card game versions originating from Europe. Some also argue that poker’s origins can be traced back as far as to 10th-century China and a domino-card game played by a Chinese emperor or to a 16th century Persian card game called ‘As Nas’.
After its birth in the United States, poker began gaining popularity within the United Kingdom and it was adopted by British card players, where the rules were slightly altered, nearing something more like those we see in present-day poker.
It’s always been a community game at heart, dating back to times where the games were usually played between friends in local pubs or taverns.
Introduction of gambling in poker
Since it gained popularity, poker has always been a game where money was wagered, however this was often amongst friends in a casual way.
The introduction of the Betting Houses Act of 1853 changed the course of poker history and changed the way in which the game is played and viewed.
The game became more regulated and formal, moving to social clubs and member-only organisations dedicated to poker competition. This change is considered a large part of how poker has now become seen as a game of skill, emotion and strategy.
The longest poker game in history took place because of the increased money wagering opportunities in 1910, when the rich and famous arrived at the Dun Glen Hotel in West Virginia. The hotel was known for its high stakes games, giving those who were successful or fancied their chances at poker the opportunity to make a good living from it. The owner started a game at the hotel which lasted a staggering 14 years! It was reportedly cut short after the players reached an agreement due to the game becoming unprofitable. It’s hard to see that record ever being beaten…
The presence of a more regulated environment helped to contribute to the inception of competition poker, a turning point in the history of poker.
The rise of Texas Hold ‘Em poker
Texas Hold ‘Em poker has become one of the most popular forms of poker worldwide, becoming the game played in the World Series of Poker, as well as the Irish Poker Open. It’s also one of the oldest forms of poker and there is a rich history of Texas Hold ‘Em poker.
Texas, unsurprisingly, is where the game originated in the early 1900s. It quickly spread through the state due to its competitive nature before being introduced at the ‘Golden Nugget’ casino in Las Vegas, where it initially wasn’t a popular game and was often played out in backrooms at the casino.
Texas Hold ‘Em poker history was changed forever when the game became popular amongst professional poker players in the late 1960s. Fast forward to the present day and it has become the most widely played form of poker worldwide and across the biggest events annually, such as the World Series of Poker, the Triton Million, the Big One for One Drop and the Irish Poker Open.
The biggest winners in poker history
The game of professional poker has become a challenge of strategy, luck and emotion between the world’s elite poker players who compete for the highest stakes.
The battle for the biggest poker win in history has become one of notable intrigue over the years. Antonio Esfandiari, an infamous name on the professional circuit, scooped the $18,346,673 prize for finishing first in the 2012 World Series of Poker Big One for One Drop. The WSOP Big One for One Drop has become one of the most anticipated events on the calendar since it first took place in 2012 when Esfandiari landed the biggest poker winning prize in history. An exclusive event requiring a staggering $1 million buy-in, 48 players put the money up raising the $48 million strong pot, the biggest poker pot in history.
Esfandiari’s victory propelled him into poker immortality. His victory, however, wasn’t enough to topple Bryn Kenney from the top of the list of the highest all-time poker earners in history. One of the best poker players in history, Kenney has amassed over $65 million in his poker career with his performance in the 2019 Triton Million for Charity event perhaps the most notable, with Kenney taking home a record $20,563,324 despite finishing second in the competition!
Interesting poker history trivia
Poker has now become a well-documented and televised event with fans worldwide tuning in to watch the world’s best players compete, but it wasn’t until 1973 that the game of poker was introduced to a new television audience. The game has been prominent since the 18th century and was a regular pastime for many in the 19th and 20th centuries. The reason for it being brought to our screens is largely due to the inception of the World Series of Poker in 1970 where the competitive game became entertainment for many. The first game of poker broadcast was on CBS Sports in 1973, where the World Series of Poker was covered. Poker is now a fixture on TV and is widely viewed globally.
Another interesting poker history fact is the prominence that the game has gained in films and on TV. Often documented as a dramatic game due to the nature of the high stakes involved, its depiction in film, TV and music has only increased its global appeal. The 1998 film ‘Rounders’ starring Matt Damon and Edward Norton is credited with sowing the seeds of what became known as the poker boom in the early 2000s. ‘Casino Royale’, a 2006 film within the James Bond series, features a particular scene widely remembered where James Bond and villain Le Chiffre are playing poker, with the tension between them borne out through the bluffing and features of the game. Poker has featured in countless other films and series as its history continues to evolve.
