Trivia

Do you call poker your favorite game? If yes, do you know the poker history or other interesting facts about the game? All of us can get so busy while playing this game that we might forget that we must go beyond just playing in order to fully ace it. We must also learn other aspects of poker, including the theoretical ones. There are so much information and details about this game and now they are also so easily available on the internet. However, they are not discussed because many people consider the game all about action, and not about theory or understanding. Thus, if you ask about the theory of poker from someone, you might feel befuddled because you think you have not found the right place to explore the world of poker trivia. However, your search ends now. Let us discuss a few important and interesting things about your favorite game. These fascinating facts might make you fall more and more in love with this game. Are you ready? Let us discuss.

• The roots of poker

There are a lot of theories about the history and origin of poker, thus, it is extremely difficult to track the exact beginning of the game. However, a lot of people believe that poker’s oldest ancestors were from Europe, China, and the Middle East. The poker that we now know as a game took this shape in America in the 1800s. ‘Poque’ was one of the ancient forms of the game and it was played in the gambling hideouts in New Orleans. Apart from this, there is still a lot to dig into the history of card games, now that these games have become more popular than ever.

• Poker Hand in the name of a famous Tennis player

If you play Texas Hold’em Poker, you will know that A-K (Ace-King) or Big Slick is a really important starting poker hand. It can help you emerge as a winner if you use it wisely or from the face value, it looks quite promising. However, did you know that this famous poker hand is named after a former tennis player from Russia, Anna Kournikova? It is because according to the WSOP commentator Vince Van Patten, Ace-King Hand was just like the tennis player who “looks great but never wins”. This is in reference to the poker hand, which looks better than its actual outcome in the game. This is one of the most interesting poker facts, we bet you agree!

• The story behind the ‘Dead-Man’s Hand’

The 2-pair poker hand that includes black aces and black eights is described as the dead man’s hand. You might be confused by this unusual name but there is definitely a story behind it! This poker hand is named after an American Old West Folk Hero, Wild Bill Hickok, who was murdered or shot in the back of his head while he was holding this particular hand in a game.

• Longest poker money game

Do you know the duration of the longest poker money game? Any guesses? Well, it is crazy but it is indeed true! The longest poker game lasted for 8 years, 5 months, and 3 days. This legendary poker game was conducted in the basement of Bird Cage Theatre, located in Arizona. The game started in the year 1881 and ended in 1889 when the building was flooded by groundwater.  Out of many poker theories, this is one of the most interesting, unbelievable, and fascinating ones.

• How many cards the game of poker was played with?

Now poker is played with the deck of 52 cards and it seems so unusual to even think that it can be played with a lesser or more number of cards. However, back in those times when poker had just originated, the game was played with 20 cards and among four players. Moreover, in today’s time, the game seems too complex, however, in those times, it was much easier. Every player was given or dealt with 5 hands and those four players would keep betting on who had the best hand. Poker was started being associated with a deck of 52 cards from the year 1834.

• When was the first poker tournament broadcasted?

The first broadcast of a poker tournament happened in the year 1973. It was the World Series of Poker that was conducted in Las Vegas. Now that you think of it, in today’s time, it is not that unusual to experience poker card games getting broadcasted.

• The origin of the concept of poker chips

Did you know that, earlier, poker players used to play poker with gold coins, gold nuggets, and gold dust? However, there was no standard unit. Thus, it became really complicated for the players after a while. Moreover, there were many people who were not quite strong financially to own gold chips. This led to the origin or formation of poker chips by the gaming houses. These chips were formed using clay, wood, ivory, bone, etc. Their value was dependent on their designs. These poker chips used to be switched for real money at the gaming houses.

Summing up

Poker is a game of skills and mind. However, it is so much more than that! There is so much history behind this game that is going to surprise you! This article was all about these surprising facts related to poker. How many of these facts did you know before? Moreover, how does it feel after learning so much about your favorite game? Now that you know the theory of poker as well as its facts, believe it or not, you will be able to even play better than you already do. Do you know why? Because now you know the game more than you used to! Doesn’t it feel amazing to know where it came from? Imagine a world where poker does not exist! Can you? Don’t worry! In this world, poker very much exists, and fortunately, it is only growing with each passing day!