How did Poker Develop Through the Decades?
Poker - The Early Days
Poker closely resembles the Persian game of as nas, and there is a high likelihood it was taught to French settlers in New Orleans by Persian sailors. It is well known that the French moved to the USA in their droves so some people still believe that poker originated from the old western saloons in the days of the cowboys and indians. But poker is commonly regarded as sharing its ancestry with the Renaissance game of primero and the French brelan.
The English game brag, still played in local bars and workplaces in the UK clearly descended from Brelan and is characterized by bluffing. The likelihood is that modern day poker was influenced by all of these ancient games. Texas Holdem is the game of choice for most poker players these days but poker is wide and varied with many subtle differences to each different game so many rules from poker derive from many different ancient games, and not as some believe,
"was was just invented as poker"
It is known that English actor Joseph Crowell reported that the game was played in New Orleans in 1829, with a deck of only 20 cards, four players betting on who's player's hand would prove to be the most valuable.
Jonathan H. Green's book, An Exposure of the Arts and Miseries of Gambling (G. B. Zieber, Philadelphia, 1843), pointed out that the spread of the game from New Orleans to mainstream America was directly due to the riverboats that sailed the Mississippi, where card games an gambling where an extremely popular passtime. During the era of the goldrush, poker became a game of choice in many bars and saloons. It soon became mainstream and the game has gradually developed and evolved to the game we know today.
By the time of the American Civil War the full 52-card deck was being used, and the flush was introduced to the rule book. Draw poker and five card stud was introduced, and the straight added another great twist to the game we enjoy today. The USA has many influences on our modern game. Wild card poker was introduced around 1875, lowball and split-pot poker was brought in at the turn of the 20th century.
Community card poker games were introduced probably in 1925. Without that introduction we would have the popular game of Texas Holdem so many of us enjoy today. The Worldwide acceptance of poker was probably down to the US millitary who educated many in the game of poker during their travels across the globe.
The game and terminology of poker have become mainstream and widely accepted in western culture. Poker has brought in so many common phrases and cliches such as, ace in the hole, keeping you ace up your sleeve, beats me, blue chip, call my bluff, cash in, he's a high roller, you always pass the buck, you have such a poker face (showing no emotion), stack up, are you ready to up the ante?, when the chips are down, wild card, and others are used in everyday conversation, even by many unaware of their origins at the poker table.
Modern tournament play was to become popular in American casinos after the World Series of Poker began, in 1970. Many charismatic champions such as Johnny Moss, Amarillo Slim, and Doyle Brunson ensured the ever increasing popularity of the game. Doyle Brunson was credited as developing the fist serious poker strategy booky. Any serious poker player in todays game knows of doyle's book Super System. Two other notable literary efforts where The Book of Tells by Mike Caro and later The Theory of Poker by David Sklansky. Many serious poker players in today's game swear by these books.
Poker's popularity experienced an amazing rise in popularity in the late 20th century an the poker boom is still showing little sign of letting up. This is directly attributed to the introduction of online poker and the interactive opportunities it presents to players of all levels. People can now just log-in from their bedroom and can instantly find a game against players from around the world. The poker graphics are improving by the day. On TV, with the introduction of the hole-card camera, which turned the game into a popular spectator sport. Viewers can now follow the action and drama of the game gaining an insight into how the top players deal with a given hand. Now with live broadcasts of poker tournaments such as the World Series of Poker (WSOP) and the World Poker Tour (WPT) this has brought in a whole new breed of armchair poker fanatics and massive audiences for cable and satellite TV. Because of the increasing coverage of poker events, poker pros are becoming more and more like modern day superstars and celebrities, with internet and bricks & mortar poker fans from all over the world entering into expensive tournaments desperate to play their poker idols at the tables. This increased camera exposure also brings a new edge to an already edgy game for the to the poker professional, realizing that if they screw up or play a great hand it will be broadcasted all over of the world to see.
Major poker tournament fields have grown drastically because of the growing popularity of online satellite-qualifier tournaments where the prize is an entry into a major tournament. The 2003 and 2004 WSOP champions, Chris Moneymaker and Greg Raymer both won their seats to the main event by winning online satellite. At the WSOP 2006 there where over 8000 players the percentage of whom qualified through qualifiers including freerolls.
USE the FULLTILT POKER BONUS CODE - PPABONUS (Site Accepts USA Players)
I am Ready to Learn with a Little Real Money - Take Me to Fulltilt Poker Now!!!
|
