Facts About Poker And Its History You Should Know

There are few games that engender such passion and loyalty among their players as poker. Whether you’re playing online, in a home game with friends, or at a casino, the thrill of this strategic card game never seems to diminish. 

Poker is a fun activity and a unique way to pass the time. Although you could have found out in the past that you wanted to play poker but were not situated close enough to a casino to just hop in your car and go over to the poker table.

If you’re also passionate about poker (or want to become one), read on for more information about this intriguing pastime. The article below covers an array of topics regarding poker, including some facts that you may not have known.

1. Poker is over 1,000 years old

Poker, despite its modern-day reputation as a card game played by thrill-seeking risk-takers, actually has a long and storied history that dates back to the 10th century. 

While games similar to poker have been played in China during the Song Dynasty, the first clear-cut reference to a game like poker is found in a Persian book called the “Book of the Royal Game of Ur”, which was written around the year 1000 by a man named Abu al-Fazl. 

While the rules and strategies of these early poker-like games differed from modern poker, the game’s basic premise and structure were largely the same as they are today.

2. Poker variations

Poker is a card game played with a standard 52-card deck, in which players place bets on their ability to create specific hand combinations. In its most basic form, there are two variations of poker online games. 

In this game Five Card Stud, each player is dealt five cards and must choose which cards to keep and which to discard, after which they are dealt replacements. The player with the best combination wins the hand. 

3. Poker superstitions

Poker players are a superstitious bunch. From always wearing the same outfit to placing a chip on their forehead to help them concentrate, many poker players are very particular about their pre-game rituals. 

It’s not uncommon for a poker table to be littered with strange objects, with players often wearing lucky charms, amulets, or even t-shirts with lucky sayings printed on them. 

One of the most popular poker superstitions is the idea that “bad” people should never win in poker. This comes from the idea that “bad” people are lucky and that their luck will bring the other players bad luck.

4. Poker was played with a deck of just 20 cards

The 52-card deck most commonly used in poker today wasn’t introduced until around 1910. Before that, many different decks were used, with the 19th-century “Grigl-McGee” deck being the most popular. 

In this deck, jacks were called “griggs”, queens were “crones”, kings were “quiggs”, and 10s were “macs”. Interestingly, this deck was actually smaller than a modern deck of playing cards—with just 20 cards in the deck, it didn’t contain any face cards at all.

5. Poker is a strategic game

Despite its reputation as a game of chance, poker actually requires a great deal of strategy. Since each player’s cards are hidden, it’s incredibly difficult to know exactly what your opponent has. 

As such, the best players will try to psychoanalyze their opponents; they’ll watch their opponents’ betting patterns, observe their mannerisms, and generally try to get a feel for their opponent’s playing style. 

This strategic element of poker is at the core of the game’s popularity, particularly with younger players who may want to play for money but don’t want to walk into a casino and risk their money on the roll of a dice or the spin of a roulette wheel.

6. Famous players and celebrities who love poker

Many notable celebrities enjoy playing poker, including singers Justin Bieber and Cee-Lo Green, actors Hugh Jackman and Brad Pitt, and athletes like New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and former New York Knicks forward Charles Oakley. 

Professional poker players also make their living playing poker, including poker icon Phil Ivey and poker champions Antonio Esfandiar and Daniel Negreanu. Additionally, many famous people have claimed to love playing poker, including actors such as Johnny Depp, Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio, musician Paul McCartney, and comedian Robin Williams.

Final Words

Poker is a game that can be played by anyone, at any age, in any setting. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just a beginner, you can enjoy the thrill of this strategic card game. 

Online poker games are an option. Poker online is becoming more and more popular as people prefer the ease and safety of playing from home. The range of poker games available to players on online poker sites is the same as that available to players in casinos, which frequently provide a large number of poker games. 

One of the top online poker rooms and a trustworthy, licensed website where you can play for actual money is Parimatch. Explore a huge selection of money games and tournaments and enjoy playing with bonuses. To learn more about poker, visit Parimatch.