History of Poker

The origins of poker history are open to debate. Some believe that the history of poker originated 10 centuries ago in China, while others feel that poker either began in Persia (As Nas) in the 16th Century, France (Poque) in the 17th Century, or in Germany (Pochen), also in the 17th Century. The game quickly flourished in the United States during the 1800’s. By the end of the Civil War, poker had become America’s favorite card game. Saloons throughout the country, especially in the Wild West, were filled with poker playing clientele. In Europe, poker also gained popularity. Monte Carlo became a mecca for "high society" poker players with the opening of the famous Monte Carlo Casino in 1863.

By the early 1900’s, community card poker games became popular. Today, poker has become intertwined with language. Phrases such as call one’s bluff, poker face, high roller, and when the chips are down, are often used in everyday conversation. The movie industry has also been influenced with the power of poker, with such films being produced as "The Sting," "Rounders," and “Ocean’s Eleven." In fact, the first James Bond novel, "Casino Royale," set in the French Riviera, featured 007 in a heads-up Hold'em match against the book's archvillain.

With the advent of poker tournaments, poker has spread like wildfire across the globe – with over 100 million players worldwide. And World Poker Tour®, established in 2002, has been at the cutting edge of this unstoppable phenomenon. Through its revolutionized, weekly-televised World Poker Tour tournaments, shown in over 150 territories worldwide, World Poker Tour has brought Texas Hold’em, the Cadillac of poker, to the forefront of poker play. World Poker Tour introduced the "World Poker Tour Cam", which allowed others to view the players’ hole cards. The “World Poker Tour Cam” turned poker into a spectator sport, rivaling other televised sports such as soccer and basketball. World Poker Tour winners such as Gus Hansen, Antonio Esfandiari, and Erick Lindgren, each winning over a million dollars, have become household names. World Poker Tour has certainly earned its spot in poker history.

Online poker has also spurred the growth of the poker industry and has thus become part of poker history itself. Online poker rooms, like World Poker Tour's online poker room, offer online satellite poker tournaments where the prize is an entry into a World Poker Tour tournament event. Players can also practice their favorite poker game, whether it's Texas Hold'em, Omaha Hi-Lo, or 7 Card Stud, and improve their skills in the comfort of their own home. Both multi-table poker tournaments and sit-and-go tournaments are available around the clock.

World Poker Tour will continue to ignite the passion for poker in the 21st Century with more players, more tournaments, more money, and more visibility. With current top prize winnings of over 2.5 million dollars, World Poker Tour has made its mark on poker history and will continue to support and promote the ever-expanding poker community.