Poker is a game that is played all around the world and has become a high-grossing industry.  Historically in the U.S., poker was a game that was played by outlaws and cheats.  It has evolved into a gentlemen’s game and has become a respected sport of sorts.  The exact origin of poker is unknown.

Historians speculate that modern-day poker was grandfathered by a card game played in 16th century Persia.  The game, known as As Nas, was played with 25 cards with five different suits.  Europe soon caught on to the game and helped it spread.  Many feel that the original game may have evolved out of Persia and Europe, but modern-day poker truly developed and was perfected in the U.S.

New Orleans was the first site of wide-spread poker in the U.S.  Pre-Civil War, the early 1800’s saw the spread of poker from New Orleans to the Western frontier.  Comprised of people who did not feel the standards of the East were important, gambling caught on quickly and with it, poker.

Poker was originally played with a draw of five face-down cards and one round of betting.  The game was altered in the 1850’s so professional gamblers could see more of a profit from the game.  At this time, wild cards, bluffing and drawing new cards was added.  Gambling made the jump to riverboats and there are still several riverboat casinos in use today.

Poker is now enjoyed by millions of American and no longer considered a game of outlaws.  The majority of U.S. adults have played poker at one time, although not all for money.  Poker continues to grow in popularity in other countries as well and has brought large profit to many Middle Eastern countries.  Macau now surpasses Las Vegas in the highest amount of money made off of poker and gambling each year.