The history and origins of contemporary poker are obscure. All we can do, looking back through time, is to speculate how this vying card game evolved. Delving into the various possible origins of poker, there are many theories. However, there seems to be no clear evidence of a specific predecessor of the game. Furthermore, it is more likely that the modern elements of poker derived from many different historical card games. There is little definitive documentation. Nevertheless, there seems general agreement among the different theories, which is a basic; the origins of poker are old.

A popular belief is that poker originally derived from China around 900 A.D.; even though cards, as we know them, had not emerged yet. The Chinese had the game dominoes. The similarity of “Chinese dominoes” to poker is that the domino tiles, being longer and more narrow than Western dominoes, were held like playing cards. However, playing cards, per se, were only first codified in 13th century China.

Another theory is that, though the nature of the Egyptian card games remain buried, fragments of cards have been unearthed and have been dated as far back as the 12th or 13th century. In addition, the remaining cards pieces can be linked to cards used for "Ganjifa" ("Treasure-cards") in the early 16th century.

Some propose that modern cards originated from the Indian card game of Ganjifa. The Ganjifa card deck consisted of 96 elaborately painted, round cards, often made of thin slabs of ivory or wood, which were used in a variety of betting, “trick-taking” games. The highly stylized cards may have paved the way to the Persian game of "As Nas". As Nas is a game that consists of five players which requires a special 25-card deck with five (5) different suits. This game has a measured deal, betting rounds, and hierarchical hand rankings. This game most resembles the modern game of 5-card stud with similar poker hand rankings, such as 3-of-a-kind. However, As Nas only dates back to the 16th or 17th century, with no account of the actual game that was played. In addition, it’s been questioned whether “As Nas” is of Persian origin; or, derives from the French for “ace”.

The origin of the word “poker” is, also, a well-debated topic. There are as many theories regarding the possible origins of “poker” as there are of the game itself.

The most popular etymological root for “poker” comes from the French game "poque”. Poque was a card game that involved bluffing and betting. In addition, it is stated to be the first card game that used a deck of cards which had Spades, Hearts, Clubs and Diamonds, ranked from 10, Jack, Queen, King to Ace. Furthermore, the French were one of the most avid card players during the early 15th century. It’s generally believed by some that the word “poker” is an eventual mispronunciation of the word “poque” (pronounced “poke”).

Another possible explanation for the word “poker” is that it could have been perverted from the slang word "poke” - a term used by pickpockets. Cardsharps (experts in cheating at cards) used a deck of 20 cards and played a game which was based on cheating players ("suckers’) to relieve them from their "poke” or "wager”. The cardsharps may have added the “r” to make it "poker” and used that word hoping their victims wouldn’t pick up on the change in the slang word.

Still another theory is that it may have basis in the 14th century British Isles definition of “poke” - a sock or bag for carrying purchases or valuables. With so many claims to the name, the chance of narrowing down the precise origins of the work “poker” are dubious and, often, colorful.

--- Note : Article To be Continued in Part 2

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