Poker is one of the oldest card games in history and has been played since at least the 18th century. It was originally played with a deck of 20 cards but has evolved into what we know today as Texas Hold Em. Today Pennsylvania online poker is quite a popular and well-known game, maybe a person has never played it, but they know a few facts about this game and its’ history. There are many interesting facts about poker history that most people don’t know about, so here’s a quick rundown:
Some of the Earliest Poker Games Were Played With a Deck of 20 Cards
Poker has a long history, dating back to the 17th century when it was introduced to China through Persia. It was played with a deck of 20 cards, which included four suits of 10 numbered cards each. The Persian version of this game was called “as nas” and became extremely popular among the royal court of Iran.
The game spread from there throughout Asia and to Europe after its Portuguese introduction. It wasn’t until around 1850 that another variant emerged: stud poker. This version was played exclusively with five cards per hand, four face-ups on the table, with one hidden card in your hand known as your “hole card” or “pocket pair.”
The Game Has Been Around for Over 300 Years
You might be surprised to learn that poker has been around for over 300 years. It’s believed to have originated in China and was introduced to the United States by French settlers in New Orleans as early as the 1820s. It was first mentioned in print in 1834, but it wasn’t until a decade later that experts began to discuss its rules, terms and strategy as we know them today.
It Was Illegal in Most States Until the Mid-1960s
It is well-known that poker was illegal until it was made legal in many states in the mid-1960s. This may come as a surprise to many people but not to those who have been playing for years or have read up on the game’s history.
Poker has been around for centuries and has been played all over the world. The game was banned because it had been labelled as gambling and a game of chance, which is why they tried to ban it. However, some states did not agree with this view and made it legal again after realizing how much money could be earned from hosting tournaments instead of having them banned completely.
The First Real-Money Online Poker Game was Played on January 1, 1998
The very first real-money online poker game was played on January 1, 1998. Although this may seem like a relatively recent event, the game in question occurred over 20 years ago and was actually played as a form of IRC poker. It was part of a test to see if it would be possible for people to play this game online for money. It was played at Planet Poker, the first online poker card room.
Globally, There Are More Than 100 Million Poker Players
In terms of general numbers, the World Poker Tour (WPT) estimates that, just from online poker, there are 100 million online poker players worldwide, with 60 million in the United States alone. The average online player is male, 35 years old and has played for six years.
It’s also worth noting that many people play both online and offline games simultaneously—so if you consider both of those, then the number becomes even higher!
Poker Chips Were Originally Made From Ivory, Clay, Wood and Bone
The earliest versions of poker chips came into play around 1835 and were used in a game called Faro. They were originally made from:
- Wood
- Ivory
- Bone
- Clay
The word “chip” is derived from the Latin word cippus, meaning “post” or “stake,” and was used to describe the wooden markers that gamblers would bet on during games of dice. In time, these markers became known as chips – so named because they could be easily discarded or “chipped away” when they weren’t needed anymore.
The First World Champion of Poker
The first World Champion of Poker was a 27-year-old accountant named Johnny Moss, who famously took down legendary player Nick “The Greek” Dandolos.
Moss won the tournament in 1970 and became known because he earned so much money from raking (the practice of taking a percentage of each pot). This gave him the money to travel worldwide playing cards, making him one of the most famous names in history.
Conclusion
Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, there’s something for everyone in poker history. We can still find quite a few surprising facts in the history of such a popular game that may surprise both beginners and experienced players alike. It’s been around for over 300 years and has evolved from an illegal activity to one of America’s favourite pastimes. It draws new players each year, so don’t be surprised if the number of people playing poker increases significantly in the next decade or two!