Beginnings of Poker

In the early 17th century when the French colonials descended in Canada , they brought with them their “poque” card game. In the 18th century, “poque” became widespread in New Orleans courtesy of the French-Canadian settlers. During the Civil War, “poque” became a favorite pastime of the soldiers. Different variants such as the stud and draw emerged. The proper game of poker was first introduced during this turbulent period.

In 1834, Jonathan Green, a professional card player, in his writing made references to poker. He mentioned rules to what he called the “cheating game” played in the Mississippi riverboats. Back then, the Mississippi River was the busiest gambling region. This “cheating game” was a twenty card game of aces, kings, queens, jacks and tens. Two to four players were each dealt five cards. The game became an instant hit largely because it was more challenging and a legitimate game as opposed to the dubious Three-Card Monte played by the cardsharps or pickpockets. Green soon realized that there was no mention of this new game in the American Hoyle Book of Games series. He chose to call this “cheating game”, poker, as documented in his book “An Exposure of the Arts and Miseries of Gambling: Poker”.

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