History of poker
Poker was first played in 1829 in New Orleans. Only 20 cards were played at the initial stage and the players were allowed to bet on the hand with the highest value. It was not long before it gained increasing prominence in the United States and was eventually introduced in the United Kingdom. Poker was played by the English with 52 playing cards and the Flush also made its appearance.
19th century-beginning
Whether the poker is based on a certain other game is not known, but we know for sure that poker starts as a gambling game around the Mississippi. The casino boats that sail up and down this river begin to offer poker. During the American Civil War, many young men in the army are introduced to poker.
1970-the first WSOP
Poker remains popular, but is best known as a party game. Stereotypical people who play the game are men at a smoky kitchen table, staff who pass the time and soldiers. In 1970, poker gets a huge boost when nine men are invited to a reunion in Las Vegas: the World Series of Poker. Johnny Moss is (without having to win) named the world's best poker player by the other eight.
1987-legalization of gambling and poker
In 1987, California legalized organized flop games. With this, 'hold'em' games become a lot more popular and poker becomes one of the standard games in casinos, which are also legalized in the US around the same period.
1999-first online poker game for money
Although online poker has been played since the introduction of the internet, it is Planet Poker that organizes a poker game for money for the first time in 1999. The technology is now so advanced that people can log into online poker rooms.
1999-use hole cam
In the same year, the ‘hole cam’ is used for the first time. This allows television viewers to see which cards players have, which suddenly turns poker into a sport that can be broadcast. Partly because poker tournaments can be broadcast quite cheaply, poker can suddenly be found a lot on television. The combination of these broadcasts and the rise of online poker makes poker suddenly very popular.
2007-start World Series of Poker dollarpe
Although dollarpese players already competed at the WSOP in Las Vegas, the organization behind the tournament also started an exclusive dollarpese tournament. This World Series of Poker dollar poker is held every year in different countries. Annette Obrestad won this first edition and immediately became the youngest player ever to win a WSOP tournament (18 years and 364 days).