Where did Texas Hold'em come from?
Texas Hold’em is now the world’s most popular poker game, but its beginnings are surprisingly unclear. Here’s what is known.
Robstown, Texas
Section titled “Robstown, Texas”Little is known about who invented Hold’em. The Texas Legislature recognises Robstown, Texas (near Corpus Christi) as the game’s birthplace, dating it to the early 20th century. A House resolution from 2007 honours this history.
Arrival in Las Vegas
Section titled “Arrival in Las Vegas”Texas players brought the game to Nevada. Hold’em was introduced in Las Vegas in 1963 at the California Club. For several years it was a niche game compared with draw and stud.
The WSOP makes it famous
Section titled “The WSOP makes it famous”In 1970 the Binion family launched the World Series of Poker at Binion’s Horseshoe. Soon after, no-limit Texas Hold’em became the main event — and the game’s prestige grew with every year. See what is the WSOP.
The 2000s boom
Section titled “The 2000s boom”In the 2000s Hold’em exploded thanks to:
- Online poker sites,
- TV coverage, especially hole-card cameras that showed players’ cards,
- Advertising for online cardrooms,
- Chris Moneymaker, an online qualifier who won the WSOP Main Event in 2003.
Why Hold’em won
Section titled “Why Hold’em won”- Easy to learn: two cards each, five shared cards. See poker rules.
- Deep to master: positions, bet sizing, ranges. See Texas Hold’em strategy.
- Great to watch: shared cards make the drama easy to follow.
See also a short history of poker.
Where was Texas Hold’em invented?
Section titled “Where was Texas Hold’em invented?”The Texas Legislature recognises Robstown, Texas, as its birthplace, dating it to the early 20th century.
When did Texas Hold’em come to Las Vegas?
Section titled “When did Texas Hold’em come to Las Vegas?”It was introduced in Las Vegas in 1963 at the California Club.
When did Hold’em become the WSOP main event?
Section titled “When did Hold’em become the WSOP main event?”Soon after the WSOP began in 1970, no-limit Hold’em became its main event.
Why is Texas Hold’em so popular?
Section titled “Why is Texas Hold’em so popular?”It is easy to learn, deep to master and exciting to watch, and the 2000s online and TV boom made it global.