|
|
 |
| |
| |
| |
Some Poker History
The origin of the game of poker is very vague. Some say that it may have originated in an ancient Chinese game using "domino" cards and betting. Others attribute it to 13th century Egyptians who played some form of card game which included betting. The Persians also had a game called "As Nas", played with 25 cards, hand rankings and betting rounds.
Then in the 18th century the French played a card game called "Poque" and the Germans played a similar game called "Pochen". Most likely our modern day Poker evolved from a combination of all of these games and more.
In the 19th century poker was called the "cheating game" of the Mississippi river boats, and in the U.S. Wild West where card games were played in saloons, there was always a poker game going.
Saloons gave way to casinos, and, today, poker is one of the highly regulated casino card games. It has spread to the internet with many online poker players, and vies in popularity with sports races because there are now poker tournaments being played just about every week somewhere in the world.
Poker Variations
There are many variations of the game of poker. Here is a partial listing:
-3 Card Poker
-5 Card Poker
-Stud Poker
-Draw Poker
-Texas Hold'em Poker
-Omaha Poker
-Pai Gow Poker
-Let It Ride Poker
Most of the variations retain the following standard hand rankings:
-Royal Flush - Ace, King, Queen, Jack and Ten of one suit
-Straight Flush - Any numbers in sequence of the same suit
-Four of a Kind - Four cards with the same numerical denomination
-Full House - Three cards of the same denomination plus one pair
-Flush - Five cards of the same suit
-Straight - Five cards in numerical sequence without regard to suit
-Three of a Kind - Three cards with the same denomination and any additional two cards
-Two Pairs - Two pairs plus any other card
-Tens or Better - A pair of tens or better
A Social Card Game Evening with Poker
One definite characteristic of the popularity of the game of poker over many other card games is its appeal as a social game in private gatherings. Many a group of friends will get together for a poker evening at the home of one of the group. And often they will alternate on a weekly basis from one home to the other in order to have a "poker party".
These gatherings are generally for entertainment more than really serious playing such as is found in casinos. The stakes are usually low, i.e. ten cents or a quarter, and a poker evening also includes a light late supper or other refreshments.
However played, whether online, in a casino, at a tournament, or at a social gathering, poker is definitely the "king" of card games.
| | | |
