History of Poker

Historians trace poker's roots to a Chinese domino-card game played by an Emperor. Others point to the Persian game 'As-Nas'.

Joseph Cowell reports a game played in New Orleans with a deck of 20 cards, involving 4 players betting on whose hand was most valuable.

The game spreads up the Mississippi River. The full 52-card deck is adopted to allow more players, and the Flush is introduced.

Poker becomes a staple of camp life for soldiers North and South. Draw Poker and Stud Poker variations gain massive popularity.

Benny Binion invites 7 of the best players to the Horseshoe Casino in Las Vegas for the first World Series of Poker. Johnny Moss is voted the champion.

Amateur Chris Moneymaker wins the WSOP Main Event after qualifying online for $86. This sparks the global online poker boom.