|
|
|
|
|
The origin of this casino-favorite is subject to debate to this very day. There are several ideas as to where it might originate from, but it seems like the truth – as usual – is somewhere in between all the different approaches. The most generic theory that includes all the others and thus seems the most reasonable is that the name "poker" comes from the French word "poque" which in turn originates from the German " pochspiel" a game that involved some elements of bluffing, and in which the players were supposed to knock on the table to indicate different actions they would take during the course of the game.
The game itself however seems to have little in common with these two European ancestors and it looks a lot more like it's drawn it's basic structure from the Persian game of As Nas. The theory is that Persian seafarers taught the game to the French in New Orleans from where it spread all over America via the Mississippi riverboats.
It might seem like a far-fetched idea, but so far this is the most likely scenario researchers could come up with in regards to the origins of poker.
Today there are hundreds of variations to poker, all of which can be found in different online or regular casinos.
At first Poker was played with a 20 card deck, but soon after it spread westward with the pioneers the flush and the full 52 card Deck were introduced
The Draw poker which is the poker genre most popular with electronic devices ( Video Poker Machines) first surfaced during America's Wild West era, giving the player the possibility to radically improve a hand.
Texas Hold'em is a community card variant of poker and it's the most popular as such. Legend has it, it was first played in Texas in 1900, hence its name. Texas Hold'em is played at the World Series of Poker, thus one might say it's an authority genre.
Each player is dealt 2 cards face down to begin with, called hole cards, these cards will only be overturned at the showdown. This is followed by a round of "blind" or "pre-flop" betting. After a " burn" card the dealer places 3 cards in the middle of the table face up called community cards. This is the "flop" and it's followed by another round of betting. Betting starts with the player to the left of the dealer and continues clockwise.
After the flop the dealer " burns" another card and then he deals a 4 th community card face up. This is followed by another round of betting, another burn card and yet another community card called the "river". The players then get a chance for a final betting round followed by the showdown.
Another widely spread variant is the Omaha-High. It is generally played with the high-low split, also being known as the game of the "nuts".
These two variants are the most commonly played ones in casinos and internet-based Online Poker Rooms, however the list of poker variants and different poker-related card games can be rather long. The Badugi, the Manilla, Pai-Gow poker, Stud poker, Napalm Wall Street are all poker variants, only to name a few.
In recent years poker has gone from a backroom swindling phenomenon to a multi-million dollar industry. The WSOP is thought to be turning around cash on a level that only leading professional sports like the NFL or NBA can rival. On the internet poker seems to have found a prolific breeding ground and it's future looks brighter than it ever did during its long history.
|
|
| |
| William Hill Poker |
William Hill Poker, Play Online and claim a Stack of Free Chips Every Month - Claim up to £50 This Month with Will Hill. |
| http://www.thegamehunter.co.uk/poker-rooms/willhill-poker.html |
|
|
| Poker Forum |
Largest Roulette community in German-speaking area and Poker Forum. |
| http://www.roulette-forum.de |
|
|
| Planet Poker |
Planet Poker is the first and most-trusted cardroom on the
Internet, with the most poker games and multi-table tournaments. Play
real poker against real people for free or for real money, 24 hours a day.
|
| http://www.planetpoker.com |
|
|
| Bonus Source |
Source for current poker bonus information, as well as on-line cardroom reviews, poker book reviews, and general Hold 'Em advice. Updates from website also provided by e-mail via opt-in newsletter. |
| http://www.bonussource.com/ |
|
|
| Texas Holdem Academy |
Your Official Online Source for Texas Holdem education. Learn the Official Texas Holdem Rules, Holdem Strategies, Terms and Lingo, Calculating Poker Odds, and Reviews on Books and Movies |
| http://www.texasholdem-academy.com |
|
|
|
| Poker Tournament |
Looking for a great online poker tournament? The resources in Wunderdog's poker pages will direct you towards the best online poker rooms and tournamen information. |
| http://www.freeunderdog.com/poker-tournaments.html |
|
|
|
| Betting Systems by Great Gambling Systems |
Gambling Systems, Sports Betting & Horse Racing Specialists. Free 'pro' betting systems for gambling, handicapping and wagering plus new on-line 'Casino' feature! |
| http://www.greatgamblingsystems.com |
|
|
| Play Online Poker for Free! |
Free poker chips for simply posting in our forum. All the poker resources and info to play and win Texas Holdem Poker. Daily freeroll tournaments schedule |
| http://www.freepokerroll.com |
|
|
| How to Play Video Poker |
When learning how to play video poker, pay attention to the pay schedule. Unlike reel slots, a video poker game pay table reveals the machine's payout percentage. |
| http://www.video-poker-coach.com/how-to-play-video-poker.html |
|
|
| Big Texas Holdem Guide |
Helpful Texas Holdem guide to all players - both novices and skilled gamblers. |
| http://www.big-texas-holdem.com |
|
|
| Poker Shirts Poker Apparel Poker Clothing Poker Wear |
"make hands, not war" - televictim.com - Weird poker, Jesus, and cultural statements on shirts, hats, mugs, baby clothes, dog clothes, clocks, buttons, badges, aprons, teddy bears, and other apparel. They may be strange, but they're weird.
|
| http://www.televictim.com |
|
|
| Online poker tournaments |
Free poker news and online poker room reviews. |
| http://www.freeunderdog.com/poker-tournaments.html |
|
|
| Poker T-Shirts and Apparel |
Bad Boys of the Table bring you a unique and bold, quality line of Poker T Shirts, Poker Apparel, Hats, and accessories. Wearing BotWear expresses your feelings about poker without saying a word. |
| http://www.botwear.com |
|
|
| Poker Strategy |
ThePokerSource.com is a great source for beginner to advanced poker strategy, online poker reviews, poker odds and tournament listings.
|
| http://www.thepokersource.com |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
