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History of Texas Hold Em

Published by admin on December 11, 2011

Around the world poker is one of the most popular and the most well know of card games. One of the most played variations of poker is Texas Hold Em poker. This is now played at casinos all over the globe as well as online such as at www.pokerstars.co.uk. Texas Hold Em Poker is also played in tournaments such as the World Poker Tour and the World series of Poker.

It’s not totally understood how and where Texas Hold Em came about, but is generally thought to have been invented and started off in the good old Texas state in the USA, perhaps from Dallas. There is a story that goes around that the game was first played in the first part of the 19^th century. Some say that the name Poker came from a German word ‘pochen’ meaning ‘to knock’. Others think that the name Poker came from Chinese, English, Danish, Egyptian, Indian, French or Persian! The Danish origin of poker was believed to have been derived from meaning ‘Devil’! The French ‘Pogue’, was a card name of that name and the Persian name ‘Ganjifa’ meaning the ‘treasure cards’. All this just somehow adds to pokers intrigue and prestige. Its origins are basically shrouded in mystery.

The American civil war helped keep the interest in poker alive as the soldiers not only battled it out on the battle field but off duty as well. Many variations were started during those dark times which have lasted down the centuries. Casinos in the US helped also to establish its popularity and many people travel from all over the globe to play in places such as Las Vegas. However, millions of people just go online to play.

Early players of the Texas Hold Em game included Crandell Addington and Doyle Brunson; really distinguished names indeed! They popularised the game further and Crandell wrote a book about poker which also helped to make it more well-known and understood. Poker’s popularity just continued to grow and grow over the years.

There are many variations of the game such as straight poker; this became three card brag in the UK and is particularly popular in the U.K. Stud poker, Community Poker and Red Dog Poker. There are a wide variety of pokers games and variations across the board. That’s what adds to the fun and challenges of the game. Even different states, counties or towns have different rules or variations of the game. Texas Hold Em poker can now be played online, on television, watched on mobile phones and on social networking channels.

From its early days of being played by men and mostly watched by only a few people it has grown to include now a much wider and more varied audience. Many women play, such as the celebrity Cameron Diaz, housewives all over the world play it online too. Groups of people get together who are complete strangers and go online to play for fun or money. There are tournaments of all kinds to suit beginners, advanced and professional players.

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