Texas Holdem Poker History
Where and when did poker history begin? It’s not exactly clear but we do know poker’s beginnings are far from the popular Texas Holdem online games of today. Some poker historians date the game back to 900 A.D. in China where it was played, not with cards, but with dominos. Poker history continues into 16th century Persia, morphing into a game more familiar to us. This game was similar to modern day five card stud, only it was played with 25 cards, with five suits. Other theories credit poker origins in India (called “Ganjifa” – 96 painted playing cards used in betting games), Germany (called “Pochspiel”), and France (called “Pogue”).
Generally, its agreed that early French colonists introduced Canada and the U.S. to the game upon their arrival, but it didn’t become widely popular until the Persian sailors brought and taught the game to the New Orleans’ settlers. The game thrived in the U.S. in the early 1800s. Its popularity increased and spread along river and rail trade and transport routes and across the southwestern frontier.
But as tolerance for gamblers began to decrease, and town ordinances against gambling were passed, the gaming moved onto riverboats that navigated up and down the Mississippi River without limits. The game continued to grow though riverboat gambling is considered by many to be a black mark in poker history due to complaints of unscrupulous playing.
By the start of the Civil War, variations on the original Holdem poker game circulated. These were played using a larger deck of 52 cards. By the mid-1800s, American soldiers were playing draw poker, stud poker, and the straight. They also inserted the wild card. By the end of the 18th century, low-ball and split-pot poker variations were added.
Community card games became increasingly popular and as the First World War escalated, American troops carried the revised and varied games back across the oceans to Europe and Asia.
Texas Holdem poker is one of the most-played community card game variations that came out of southwestern Texas frontier poker history. Texas Holdem is obviously assumed to have its roots in Texas – more specifically, in Robstown in the early 1900s. The game spread to Dallas by 1925.
Texas Holdem poker was introduced to Vegas by Texas gamblers including Doyle Brunson also known as “Texas Dolly”. Benny Binion, proprietor of the Horseshoe Hotel and Casino in Vegas, capitalized on its popularity. He sponsored the first World Series of Poker tournament, headlining the game of Texas Holdem, in 1972, with only eight players. By 2002, the tournament attracted 800 players! Binion’s strategy to draw competitors was to produce winners within a short time span by quickly increasing antes and blinds.
Poker has since evolved into a “sport” played professionally by celebrities and poker pros. Instead of watching an opponent across the poker table, Holdem online players now play with anyone in the world at any time thanks to the internet.
Holdem poker has become mainstream in the last five years, thanks to televised celebrity poker tournaments as well as through online casinos and card rooms. Although there are many sites where you can play Holdem online, only one site, DoylesRoom.com, is endorsed by 10-bracelet WSOP champion and well known Holdem player, Doyle Brunson. The easiest entry into Holdem online games is to get into the bigger online rooms such as, PokerStars, Titan Poker, or Party Poker. Some of these Holdem online “rooms” offer sign-up bonuses and VIP incentives.
Ironically, Texas Holdem gambling remains illegal in its namesake state, although steps are being taken to legalize and regulate the game. Nevertheless, nothing is slowing down the increasing popularity of the game, whether its friends around a kitchen table, player connected via the Internet, or in a casino on the Strip.