Online Poker – How It All Began, Offline

Although online poker is a relatively new concept, the game itself has a long history, dating back to the early 19th Century. So when you’re enjoying a game in an Internet casino you’re actually taking part in a pursuit that first made its debut in New Orleans many years ago. Popular in the gambling salons of the day, the earliest versions of poker were four player games played with a deck of just 20 cards comprising A, K, Q, J, 10. There was no draw and the bets were made on a more limited range of combinations than is commonplace today. In contrast to classic poker, this game’s top hand, made up of four Aces, or four Kings and a single Ace, was unassailable. Whereas, of course, classic poker features a top hand, or royal flush that can be stitched to another suit.

This 20-card version of the game of poker was soon replaced by the 52 card game that we know today and by the 1830s it was this updated and more adaptable game that was most popular. One advantage was that more players could take part, and also the greater number of cards gave more weight to the ‘flush’. Still there was no draw in the newer game of poker; that was to come later. In 1845 there was mention of this in a publication called Hoyle’s Games. The author, a Henry F Anners, made reference to the games of Poker and Bluff. The 20 card game of poker was still being played in the mid 1800s although, amusingly, it was thought to be a rather daring and perilous game! Today the game of poker is not demonised in this manner and many people enjoy it as an online leisure pursuit.