Although the origins of poker and online poker are somewhat unclear, it is believed that this famous casino gambling game has been around for several centuries. There are varying opinions as to the history of poker, even though all experts appear to agree that it is a very old gambling game.
The game recognized today as poker appears to have developed from several different games over the years.
Some historians believe that the Chinese created the game of poker around the year 900 A.D. Much later, a Spanish sixteenth century game called Primero featured three cards being dealt to each player, together with an element of bluffing. This game Primero is sometimes referred to as "Poker's mother", which suggests the relationship between the two games. It is also believed that the name of the game poker was derived from the French game Poque which it in itself appears to have evolved from the German name Pochen (this means "to knock", while in Dutch, its meaning is "to brag"). There was also an English game Brag which was known to involve an element of bluffing. Some say Poker came from Persia (based on a 16th Century game called As Nas via Frnace to New Orleans. Perhaps the game that we know now as poker has evolved from a little of each of these games.
Poker Gambling
Poker is considered to be an exciting game of gambling and bluffing, the basics of which are easy to learn. In the early days, if one believes the Hollywood classics, the game of poker appeared to belong to cheats and outlaws. More recently, in all its different versions and types, poker has become a game for anyone who wishes to play, in addition to developing into the most popular game for professional gamblers. There are several phrases which began as poker terms and which have become a part of everyday conversation. Expressions such as "poker face", "pass the buck", "beats me", "call the bluff", and "when the chips are down", are used quite freely today, even by those oblivious to their ancestry.
The great attraction of poker is revealed in its drama, excitement and action. This is a game which, due to its fascination and appeal, has attained attention from several Hollywood greats and has appeared countless times in movies. A quick glance at a sample of Hollywood movies produces a range of varying films featuring poker. Some of the films merely host a poker scene, while others are movies in which the whole plot hinges on a game of poker.
Who could possibly forget "The Sting" (1973)? Robert Redford and Paul Newman star together in this classic film which, although it is not solely about poker, does contain a poker scene that is vital to the movie. The film "Kaleidoscope" (1966) features Warren Beatty as a character who makes a large amount of money through cheating at blackjack and poker. This is just the beginning of the action; the poker drama continues as the story unfolds. The lead character in "Rounders" (1988), after giving up gambling, returns to play poker with high wagers in order to help a friend. In "The Cincinnati Kid" (1965), the Kid is a professional card player and the movie includes cheating, blackmail and a great deal of poker action.
Other films with a poker theme include "A Big Hand for the Little Lady" (1966), "Maverick" (1994), and "Honeymoon in Vegas" (1992). Even the latest James Bond movie has our master spy playing Poker instead of the traditional Baccarat. This is just to mention a few names out of the many movies in which poker has certainly made a contribution, and suggests how the game of poker has earned an important and valued place of its own in history.
Today, poker is one of the major games to be found in the casino, and it exists in many variations; Three Card Poker, Pai Gow Poker, Video Poker, Progressive Cyberstud Poker and Texas Hold'em Poker, amongst others. Although it is perhaps difficult to believe that poker has lasted for such a long time, the game's success implies that it will be around for many more years to come.
