Poker is a game whose origins are highly debated. This is a game which is basically a card game where the cards are dealt amongst players evenly and the game starts when one of the players places a forced betting. He declares his hand as the highest ranked and then the game progresses clockwise around the table. Each player has to match the bet with the first player or fold his hand if he cannot match the bet; in this way the game goes one round where each player either matches the first bet or raises it or declares fold. It goes on till one player is left or several players who match the bet. They then reveal their hands to determine who wins the pot.

This game, which is a simple game of cards but stresses more on the betting techniques, has several theories regarding its origin. The earliest betting game which incorporated bluffing and hand rankings can be traced back to the German game called Pochspiel which originated in the 15th century. However, many gaming historians are of the opinion that the game originated from a Persian game called As Nas. Since the earlier American games of poker consisted of 20 cards being dealt amongst five players, many gaming historians concluded that it has originated from the Persian game As Nas since that was also played similarly. Again, many argue that the game originated from the French game poque which originated in the similar region wherefrom poker originated. The name “poker” has definitely been derived from the Irish game Poca or the French game poque but as to whether the game rules have been derived from the same, is debatable.

Others say that the game originated much later, around the 18th century, along the Mississippi region. Their theory is based on the fact that the game of pokerstar consists of a trivial card game which could have been derived from any card play principle. The emphasis is on betting which resembles the betting games which were played as common pastimes around the Mississippi region. From there on, it spread to other regions of America.

Since 1970, the game became a tournament sport since the World Series of Poker tournament was introduced in the American casinos. At the same time, various poker strategy books were written since the game became hugely popular and much in demand. In the 1980s the game of poker became part of the American culture and a commonplace recreational activity. In 1998, the first online real money poker game was launched while in 1999 on PokerStar.com, the poker game debuted in British television and introduced the game to European audiences.

Since the 21st century, the game of poker has seen unprecedented rise in its popularity due to its online presence as well as television shows which has changed it into a major spectator sport. The poker pros have now become celebrities while poker fans across the world come forward to participate in the tournaments which involve prize money of staggering amounts. Thus, the game of poker has come a long way and has become a part of American culture in more ways than one.