| The history of poker has been debated heavily over | | | | was introduced. Draw poker, stud poker, and the |
| the years. Today, it is a wildly popular game, but its | | | | straight were all introduced to poker during the Civil |
| origins are not known by many. It is likely that the name | | | | War. The wild card was developed around 1875 in |
| "poker" came from the French word "poque," which | | | | America. Lowball and split-pot poker followed suit in |
| evolved out of the German word "pochen" (which | | | | about 1900. The U.S. military spread poker to many |
| means "to knock"). However, some historians doubt | | | | countries, including Asian countries. |
| that the origins of poker are the same as those | | | | Poker tournaments became popular after the World |
| games bearing similar names. The Persian game "as | | | | Series of Poker began in Las Vegas in 1970. American |
| nas" is very similar to poker. The Persian game may | | | | casinos have had poker tournaments and tables ever |
| have been taught to the French settlers in New | | | | since. During the seventies, strategy books first |
| Orleans by Persian sailors. Additionally, poker has been | | | | became available. The first two of these types of |
| connected with the game "primero" which was popular | | | | books were "Super System" by Doyle Brunson and |
| in the Renaissance. Bluffing was incorporated in the | | | | "The Book of Tells" by Mike Caro. |
| English game "brag." | | | | In recent years, poker has gained massive popularity |
| An English actor by the name of Joseph Corwell said | | | | for two reasons. The first reason is the introduction of |
| that the game was played in the city of New Orleans | | | | online poker. There are many online poker sites today, |
| in 1829 with a deck that had 20 cards. The game | | | | and millions of people from around the world log on |
| spread to the rest of the United States by way of the | | | | every day to play poker. The second reason that |
| Mississippi riverboats that traveled up and down the | | | | poker has become vastly popular is because of the |
| Mississippi frequently. Gambling was very popular | | | | introduction of the hole-card camera. This camera has |
| during riverboat trips. | | | | turned the game into a spectator sport. The World |
| After poker spread, the game started to incorporate a | | | | Series of Poker is frequently on ESPN and has had a |
| 52-card English deck. After the deck change, the flush | | | | rapid increase in registrants in recent years. |