History of Poker

There are as many opinions on the origins of poker as there are combinations of hands. Card games from Persia ("As Nas"), India ("Ganjifa"), France ("Poque"), and Germany ("Pochen") are all believed to be forerunners of the modern game. Decks of ards with "face cards" are believed to have been developed in France, and then later brought to America.

Modern poker was born on the Mississippi and carried up the Mississippi and Ohio rivers by steamboat, quickly spreading into the interior by wagon and train, then heading west with the California gold rush. By the late 1850s, the game was fast evolving into its modern day form. The Civil War caused a dramatic explosion in the popularity of poker, when tens of thousands of soldiers played the game in barracks across the North and South. The Civil War also brought about significant modifications, such as 'stud poker,' 'the draw,' and 'the straight.' By the war's end, poker had become America's favorite card game, played pretty much anywhere two or more men and a deck of cards could be found. By the early 20th century, the skill-based game of draw poker, in which all the cards are dealt face down, rose to prominence.

Today, poker plays an important role in popular American culture. The game is famously featured in many Hollywood films, from past classics like "The Cincinnati Kid" and "The Sting" to modern day hits like "Rounders" and "Ocean's Eleven." And like films, poker has become a thriving American export, claiming over 100 million players across the globe. Every week, a major poker tournament is held somewhere in the world, giving rise to international champion players of legendary nerve and skill.

In 2003, World Poker Tour revolutionized televised poker and brought Texas Hold'em "the Cadillac of Poker" to the forefront of international excitement. WPT introduced the world to the "WPT Cam" – a new, lipstick-sized camera that enables the TV audience to see the players' hole cards. This tiny camera plays a crucial role in revealing the drama of the poker players' high-stake bets and bluffs. WPT's expert commentary and educational content enables viewers to improve their own poker playing. When hosts Mike Sexton and Vince Van Patten use poker lingo, pop-up boxes appear on the screen with more information about the terminology. Such phrases, including the "flop," "turn," and "river," help familiarize new enthusiasts with the game. WPT's lovely host Shana Hiatt introduces viewers to the glamorous casinos and exotic locales in which the WPT tournaments are held.

World Poker Tour has turned poker into a sporting event that draws the young and old, men and women and people of all nationalities into the game – it has reshaped the face of poker and has raised the competitive bar to a new level. World Poker Tour established the WPT Walk of Fame at Commerce Casino to honor top poker players – starting with Doyle "Texas Dolly" Brunson, Gus Hansen, and James Garner. The WPT Championship's total prize pool in 2004 was over 8 million dollars, and the top prize winner took home over 2.7 million – setting a sporting record for top prize winnings: more than any other poker event or sporting event in North America.

The rest is history.