Poker is one of the most recognizable and respected card games. It is strongly associated with the casino atmosphere, bluffing, intelligence, and strategy. But was it truly the case that poker is the first game in the first casinos? Or is it a myth born from the game’s popularity and long history? In this article, we explore when poker originated, which games came before it, and how it became part of casino culture.
The origins of poker
The history of poker goes far beyond the United States, where it became truly famous. Scientists and historians still argue about the exact date and place of the game’s appearance, since poker has absorbed elements of several card traditions at once. Its development is the result of cultural exchange, migration, and the evolution of card games over the centuries.
European roots: poque, primero, and other predecessors
One of the main predecessors of poker is considered to be the French game poque, popular in the 17th-18th centuries. It is from it that poker supposedly inherited its name and elements of bluffing. Poque was a card game where players made bets and could deceive opponents in order to win the pot.
Another similar prototype is the Spanish primero, known since the 16th century. It also used bets, elements of psychology and tactical moves. There are also German analogues, for example pochen, which also means “to knock” – perhaps a reference to the actions of players during the draw.
Thus, poker is not the product of one culture, but the result of the fusion of European card traditions, which later received a new form in the New World.
Evolution of poker in America
Poker as we know it today began to take shape in the United States in the early 19th century. The game quickly spread along the banks of the Mississippi, especially among river traders and traveling gamblers. A 20-card deck was used, and the rules were simple, with an emphasis on betting and bluffing. Over time, poker was modified: 52-card decks appeared, new combinations, flushes, straights, and other elements made the game more complex. By the mid-19th century, poker had already become part of the American cultural identity – a symbol of risk, excitement, and freedom.
When poker entered casinos
Despite its popularity, poker did not immediately become a “casino game”. In the classic European casinos of the 18th-19th centuries, roulette, baccarat and faro prevailed. In American casinos, poker began to gain popularity in the early 20th century, especially after gambling was legalized in Nevada in 1931.
The first poker tables began to appear in Las Vegas casinos, but for a long time the game remained semi-exchange – it did not bring profit to the establishment directly, because players played against each other, and not against the casino. Everything changed with the advent of poker rooms, tournament poker and rake – a percentage that the casino takes from each pot.
Thus, it can be said that poker was not the first casino game, but it has become one of the most important and most recognizable gambling disciplines in the world.
The first casinos in history
The word casino comes from the Italian casa, meaning “house.” Initially, it referred to small country villas where wealthy people gathered to relax, dance, and play. Over time, casinos became associated exclusively with gambling. Some might assume that poker is the first game in the first casinos, but in reality, early gambling houses featured other games like biribi, faro, and roulette. Poker entered much later, following a long and complex evolution.
The Ridotto in Venice: the world’s first legal casino
Ridotto, opened in Venice in 1638, is considered the first official legalized casino in history. It was created by decision of the city authorities in order to control gambling, which flourished during the Venetian carnival. Ridotto was located in a building next to the San Moisè palace and was available exclusively to the nobility. They played games such as bassetta, biribis and faro, and actively bet on the outcome of the games. The rules of conduct and even the dress code were strictly regulated – players came in masks, wigs and expensive suits. This establishment laid the foundation for the format of brothel gambling houses.
Was poker really the first casino game?
Whether poker was the first game to appear in a casino remains a matter of debate among players and even some researchers. Despite the persistent opinion in popular culture, the facts say otherwise. To understand this, it is worth looking at the history, sources, and reasons why this misconception has become widespread.
Historical evidence
Historical records confirm that poker as a game appeared much later than the first official casinos. For example, Ridotto in Venice was founded in 1638, while the first mentions of poker date back to the beginning of the 19th century – almost two centuries later. Moreover, in the first decades of its existence, poker was not a game that could be found in official casinos. It developed in an informal environment: on river boats, in saloons, among soldiers and merchants. Only since the 20th century, poker began to penetrate into legal gambling houses, and even then it did not immediately become the main discipline – for a long time it was positioned as a “game between players” that did not bring direct profit to the establishment.
Common misconceptions
One of the most common misconceptions is that if poker is popular in modern casinos, it has been there since the beginning. This is due to movies, popular culture, and the image of “cowboy” poker as a symbol of real gambling. In addition, poker is often associated with an intellectual and strategic approach, which gives it a special status compared to other games. This contributes to the feeling that it has always been the “main” game in the gambling industry.
Why this belief exists
There are several reasons why the myth of poker as the first casino game still persists:
- Popularization in movies and media. Poker scenes in movies show it as an integral part of the casino atmosphere.
- Tournaments and TV broadcasts. In the 2000s, the poker boom, fueled by the advent of online tournaments and broadcasts, made the game extremely popular and “visually” omnipresent.
- Lack of broad historical awareness. Few people know the history of Ridotto, Pharaoh, or Basset Hound – but everyone knows and loves poker.
So, although poker was not the first casino game, its cultural significance and modern popularity create the illusion that it has always been this way.
Poker’s rise in casino culture
Although poker was not the first casino game, it has become an integral part of their atmosphere today. The evolution of poker from a street card game to a global industry is a story of acceptance, adaptation, and huge cultural influence. Below are the key stages that made poker a symbol of modern gambling.
Introduction of poker tables in legal casinos
The first poker tables began to appear in legal US casinos in the first half of the 20th century. However, at first, casinos did not particularly welcome poker, since the game was played between the players themselves, and not against the house – that is, it did not bring direct profit. Gradually, the situation changed: rakes (commissions from banks), paid tournaments and separate poker rooms appeared, which made the game profitable for casino operators as well. Poker began to be perceived as an intellectual alternative to slots and roulette, attracting a more strategically thinking audience.
Influence of Las Vegas and the WSOP
Las Vegas played a huge role in the popularization of poker. It was here in 1970 that the first World Series of Poker (WSOP) was held – a tournament that eventually became the largest event in the world of poker. WSOP not only attracted attention to poker, but also formed an entire professional culture around it: with recognized champions, playing styles, schools and philosophy. Every year, interest in the tournament grew, and poker became more and more firmly established as the main game of the casino format.
Online poker and its modern impact
Since the early 2000s, poker has experienced a real online boom. The emergence of online platforms and others made the game available to millions of people around the world. Online poker has become a springboard for new stars, and has also expanded its audience due to its convenience, accessibility and low entry threshold. Modern online tournaments offer prize pools in the millions of dollars, and streams, training platforms and mobile applications have made poker part of the digital everyday life. Now poker exists in classic casinos and on smartphones – maintaining a balance between tradition and innovation.
While many believe that poker is the first game in the first casinos, historical evidence shows otherwise. Poker developed gradually, influenced by various European card games, and entered casinos later than other popular games like roulette or baccarat. Still, its cultural rise, televised tournaments, and global online platforms secured its place as one of the most iconic and enduring gambling games today.
