In general, the history of poker is obscure and difficult to trace. Most historians believe that the term poker is a derivative of the French card game 'Poque' which was in turn a variation of the German word 'pochen', which means 'to knock'. This said it is more than likely that poker is an evolution of As Nas - a Persian game played with a 5 suit deck. Britain's 3 card game Brag is also thought to have contributed the concept of bluffing to poker. In short, many countries have played an integral part in informing the rich history of this historic and exciting game.

The first documented instance of poker in the US was in New Orleans in 1829. This game was played with a 20-card deck consisting of all cards with values of 10 and higher. While records do not name the game, they do indicate that the object was to bet on whose five-card hand contained the highest cards. Enthusiastic players and con-men alike helped spread this game to various states. Mississippi riverboats in particular were popular venues, though many con-men used a 52-card deck to swindle travelers and claim their "pokes," or gambling money stashes. It also spread to the famed Wild West, where it gained even more notoriety for the motley gaggle of players it attracted like Jesse James, Billy the Kid and Wild Bill.

Today poker has become a cultural staple, being a featured in movies, plays and books as well as in homes and casinos around the globe. Events such as the World Series of Poker and the World Poker Tour and the European Poker Tour attract audiences worldwide who are enthralled by the energy and mystique surrounding this truly historic pastime.