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. Poque was also a precursor of another pre-poker German card game, called "Pochspiel” or “Pochen,” which translates into "knock-play". This game resembles poker in a number of ways. First, the name is derived from the fact that at one stage of the game the player, in turn, declares the state of their hand by either passing or opening. Those who pass, signify it by saying, “Ich poche,” or “Ich poch,” “I bet.” This was sometimes shown by knocking on the table with one's knuckles.

Finally, this game also introduced the tactic of bluffing into the early stages of the betting world. Any one of these earlier games, or a combination of them, could have been the genesis of contemporary poker. However, with regards to poker's distinct North American heritage, it seems that the French were the most influential in the Colonial New World. In the early 17th century the French colonials arrived in Canada and they brought their poque card game with them. The game, however, did not become popular until the beginning of the early 18th century in New Orleans, when French-Canadian (Acadian) settlers began to populate that burgeoning city.

Poker spread up river on steam and river boats, being played extensively. By the 1830's, poker had adopted its' more contemporary name and spread north along the Mississippi and west along the Ohio with the expanding frontier; and, to the interior by wagon and train.

To help pass time during the Civil War, poque was played by many of the soldiers, both North and South. It was here that many variants of poker arose. Versions such as "Stud” (“stud-horse” poker) or "Draw”, which are predecessors to present day poker, emerged. In addition, “jack pots” evolved during this period. Originally, a player must have had Jacks or better - requiring both an ante and a pair of Jacks or better - to open a hand. It has been argued that the contemporary game of poker evolved from this time period in America history. However, the game did not receive its first direct reference until 1843.

The name “poker” was attributed to a gambler named Green. It's reported that Jonathan H. Green learned cards when he was a young man in a Cincinnati Penitentiary. He had been imprisoned for petty crimes. After his release, he began a career of professional gambling up and down the Mississippi River, arguably the busiest gambling region of the period. It is here Green started his career as a professional card player and where he first came into contact with the many versions of poque. In his writing he refers to the many versions of poque as "the Cheating Game."

"The Cheating Game" quickly gained popularity over a former cardsharp game called the 3-card monte, primarily because the new game was perceived by the players to be more challenging and honest. Green discovered that there was no definition in the American Hoyle Book of Games; or, in any other documentation of the time. Jonathan H. Green then took it upon himself to officially name and document the “Cheating Game” in his autobiographical book as An Exposure of the Arts and Miseries of Gambling(1843).

By the mid-1830's there is evidence that the 20-card game was being challenged by the 52-card game, enabling more than four players to participate. Ensuring there were enough cards for the draw - a relative novelty - the 52-card game was changing from a game of luck (stud) to a game of skill (draw). It was in this permutation that poker first reached the pages of American “Hoyles.” The earliest mention is in the 1845 edition of Hoyle's Game by Henry F. Anners., referring to poker or Bluff, 20-deck Poker, and 20-deck Poke.

Between 1830-1845 poker was increasingly played as a 52-card game, enabling more than four to participate. In addition to the draw, already familiar from English Brag, the flush was an additional combination. This increased the game by adding a second level of betting and enabled poor hands to be significantly improved. The first published mention of draw poker was in the 1850, American edition of Bohn's New Handbook of Games.

In 1875, the joker was introduced as a wild card, ending the European influence. The game was essentially American from then on. Curiously, in 1910, betting games were considered a felony in the United States; and, you couldn't play the game of poker in Nevada, because it was considered a betting game. However, a California law determined that draw poker (closed poker) was a skill game; therefore, outside the realm of antigambling laws. Stud poker (open poker) was luck; and, therefore illegal. Draw poker exploded in popularity. In 1931, Nevada reversed its' rulings, legalizing casino gambling.

Following draw and stud, another substantial variant of poker were the games involving one or more communal cards. Wild Widow (1919) is the earliest, with a card dealt face up immediately before each player received a fifth card. The winner was the player making the best five-card combination hand from his own and the turned up card. Deuces wild first appears at this time, too. During the 1930's and 40's, high-low poker achieved popularity. In this, the pot is divided equally between the highest and the lowest hands. Subsequently, this gave rise to lowball, when only the lowest hand wins.

During World War II, 7-card stud flourished and maintained its supremacy for almost 40 years. Nevertheless, Texas Hold'em rose to prominence in the 1970's, being featured as the title game in the World Series of Poker (WSOP) and the rise of modern tournament play. In 1998, the first online card room was established and was the only online destination for card players, with others following quickly. Poker's popularity increased, again, with the introduction of the hold (hole)-card camera, changing the game from a viewer's game to a spectator's game on cable and satellite broadcasts. Adding to poker's popularity one more time, low buy-in online satellite qualifier tournaments have grown major poker tournaments fields where the prize is an entry into a major tournament.

Just as the game of poker evolved over time; the jargon of poker has become part of the culture. For example, the phrases “ace in the hole,” “ace up your sleeve,” to “call your bluff,” “up the ante,” and “when the chips are down” have infiltrated everyday usage. Furthermore, poker entered the realm of Hollywood, being featured in such films as “The Cincinnati Kid,” “The Sting,” “Rounders,” and “Ocean's Eleven.” Like the films, poker became an American “export,” introducing global play. Major poker tournaments are held world wide from Africa to the United Kingdom, including Asia, Australia, Caribbean, Canada, Denmark and France.

Since its historic origins, poker has changed and diversified, spreading across the globe. It has been dubbed the most popular card game played in the world. There are many forms of poker that are played and the popularity of each variant has also changed. The first was the game 5-card draw or stud. This game rose from relative obscurity during the time of the American Civil War to dominate the poker scene for almost a century.

Next was the game 7-card stud. This game took over prior to World War II and prevailed for approximately forty years. Seven card stud's popularity was, however, aided by the booming Nevada gaming industry during the 50's and 60's. Presently, No Limit and Texas Hold'em poker is the pre-eminent poker game. Since 1998 the internet, cable and satellite television have thrown the doors of world wide poker wide open. Poker draws young and old, men and women, across nationalities; reshaping the face of the game and raising this competitive, vying game to new levels.

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