A short history of poker
Nobody knows exactly who invented poker. Historians agree it took shape in the United States in the early 19th century, borrowing ideas from older European and Middle Eastern betting card games. Here are the main steps from saloon tables to phone apps.
Early days
Section titled “Early days”- Poker spread through the Mississippi River region and New Orleans in the early 1800s, including on riverboats.
- Early versions used a 20-card deck, with each player getting five cards and betting on who held the best hand.
- The game soon moved to the full 52-card deck, which allowed more players, flushes and straights.
Draw and stud
Section titled “Draw and stud”During the 19th century, draw poker (players can swap cards) and stud poker (some cards dealt face up) became popular across America, including in the Wild West. See five card draw and seven card stud.
Community card games and Texas Hold’em
Section titled “Community card games and Texas Hold’em”In the 20th century, games with shared cards in the middle appeared. Texas Hold’em is traditionally traced to Robstown, Texas, in the early 1900s, and later reached Las Vegas. See origin of Texas Hold’em.
The World Series of Poker
Section titled “The World Series of Poker”In 1970 the World Series of Poker started at Binion’s Horseshoe in Las Vegas. No-limit Hold’em became its main event and the most famous poker tournament in the world. See what is the WSOP.
The boom
Section titled “The boom”In the late 1990s online poker appeared. In the 2000s, TV shows with hole-card cameras let viewers see players’ cards, and in 2003 an online qualifier, Chris Moneymaker, won the WSOP Main Event. Millions of new players joined.
Poker is played in casinos, at home, on websites and in mobile apps and clubs. Variants like PLO, short deck and OFC sit alongside the classic games.
New to the game? Start with poker rules.
Who invented poker?
Section titled “Who invented poker?”No single person; it took shape in the United States in the early 19th century from older betting card games.
Where was poker first played?
Section titled “Where was poker first played?”Around New Orleans and the Mississippi River region in the early 1800s.
When did the World Series of Poker start?
Section titled “When did the World Series of Poker start?”In 1970, at Binion’s Horseshoe in Las Vegas.
What caused the poker boom of the 2000s?
Section titled “What caused the poker boom of the 2000s?”Online poker, TV coverage with hole-card cameras and Chris Moneymaker’s 2003 WSOP win as an online qualifier.