A brief history of poker

Poker’s history includes changes to card rules, the growth of tournaments and the move to online tables. Accounts of its early origins differ, so it is useful to distinguish documented milestones from a single origin story.

Early card games

Bicycle’s history and rules overview describes a German bluffing game called Pochen, its development into the French Poque, and its arrival in New Orleans. Drawing and stud forms developed as the game changed.

Tournament poker

The WSOP’s history describes the first World Series of Poker in 1970. In 2003, Chris Moneymaker won the Main Event and its $2.5 million first prize after qualifying online.

Online poker

Online tables added another way to play and follow poker. They also brought disputes over access and payments. The US Department of Justice records the April 15, 2011 indictments associated with what players call Black Friday.

The future

New formats and technology can change where and how people play. That is different from predicting easy profits or assuming a change in gambling law. Study the actual game and the rules that apply to it.