There is much history behind the casino game that we know and love today, however, it’s difficult to pinpoint the game’s exact origins due to a lack of written records from back then. Theories abound but no one can say for sure how this wildly popular casino game came to be.
Some claim that the game of poker as we know it today originated from As-Nas, a card game played in Persia as early as the 17th century. Using 25 cards in 5 suits, As-Nas is played much like poker, except without flushes and straights. Hands include complete threes and pairs of the same kind And the game involves a betting round based on the 5 cards each player is dealt. They are allowed to bet or blind after seeing their cards, then call a raise or fold. And bluff while doing it! The only problem with this theory is the lack of historical evidence to support it.
It is unclear how the game of As-Nas spread to the rest of the world.
Poker’s true origins have been debated by historians for centuries, with some believing that the 16th century Spanish game Primero is the ancestor of the popular card game. Primero was later translated into French Poque and German Pochen 100 years after its inception. The game features three cards dealt to each player with betting and bluffing being key components. French colonists later brought Poque to North America in 1829 where it was recorded as being played in New Orleans. The game was played with 20 cards between four players who would bet on whose hand was most valuable. From there, it was shipped west via the Mississippi River and could be found inWild West-era bars and saloons across the United States.
Poker has continued to evolve over the years, with the introduction of 5-Card Stud and Texas Hold’em, the first variations to use community cards. The World Series of Poker (WSOP) was launched in 1970, and it all started with Benny Binion, a notorious Las Vegas gambler. The casino owner invited several high-profile poker players to a tournament at the Horseshoe Casino. Today, the WSOP is the largest and longest-running gaming event in the world.
Online poker is a popular game that can be played outside of traditional casinos. Thanks to the internet, online poker began offering free games in the mid-1990s. The first online poker room, Planet Poker, appeared in 1998. However, this pioneer was quickly overtaken by other providers. In September 2009, Poker Spot became the first online poker room to offer tournaments. Although Poker Spot experienced some difficulties collecting player deposits from its payment processing company, this did not stop other providers from offering contests.
Neteller has solved the problem of payment by allowing players to deposit without a credit card and receive their winnings much faster. This makes the world of online poker much more exciting and convenient for everyone involved!


