10 Facts About Poker
Many people adore playing online casino games. Poker is one of the most popular card games of all time. Though a player’s success in this game is heavily reliant upon luck, skill and strategy will also play a major role.
If you adore poker, here are ten terrific facts that may surprise you:
1. It Used To Be Played With Just 20 Cards
Famously, poker is played with a 52-card deck. However, when the game was first devised, it was played with just 20 cards. It was not until the early 1800s that the game incorporated the entire 52-card deck.
To play this game, 5 cards would be given to 4 different players. As a result, the winner would be the player with the best hand of cards.
2. The Exact Origins Of Poker Are Not Known
It is not entirely known when and where poker originates from. Many people believe that our modern understanding of poker comes from the United States. It is believed to have been started during the early stages of the 19th century.
Many historians believe that the game may have come from China during the 10th century. It may have been inspired by a game during this period that combined dominoes with a card game.
Alternatively, it may have derived from “As-Nas”. As-Nas is a card game that comes from Persia. It is believed to have started during the 16th or 17th century.
The truth is that it is simply impossible to firmly state the origins of poker.
3. The Royal Flush Is The Best Hand
The royal flush is inarguably the best poker hand. This game-winning hand is formed of a Ten, Jack, Queen, King, and Ace of the same suit.
The odds of getting a royal flush are 649,739-to-1. The probability of getting this hand is 0.000154%. Consequently, it is the rarest hand in the game.
4. The World Series of Poker Was First Televised In 1973
The World Series of Poker (WSOP) is a tournament that has been around since 1970. After the emergence of this tournament, the desire to watch poker tournaments on television increased.
Therefore, the first WSOP tournament to be televised occurred in 1973. This tournament was broadcasted by CBS Sports. Today, these tournaments are regularly televised.
5. Johnny Chan Had A Good Luck Orange
Johnny Chan is a professional poker player, who has won several World Series of Poker competitions.
One of the quirky facts about this player is that Chan would always bring an orange with him for extra luck. This orange would be placed next to his load of chips.
Originally, the orange served a practical purpose, but it has since become a good luck charm. It was originally used to cover up the smell of his cigarettes.
6. Online Poker Started In 1998
Nowadays, online poker is a popular game. The online version of this game has now been around for a relatively long time.
The first ever game of online poker was first played on the 1st of January 1998. This game was hosted by Planet Poker. This game quickly took off and became increasingly popular.
7. Players Often Give Away Their Hand Through Body Language
When playing this high-stakes game, people are told to maintain a “poker face”. Essentially, this means that they should attempt to conceal their emotions so that the other players are unable to tell what cards they have.
As humans, we unconsciously and consciously communicate with our bodies. Most people will have a visible tell, which is a signal or gesture that indicates the quality of their hand.
In particular, you should pay attention to the microexpressions in the face to tell what your opponents are thinking when they look at the cards.
8. The Longest Poker Game Lasted For 8 Years
Did you know that the longest game of poker lasted for a massive 8 years? This game continued from 1881 to 1889. This game of poker was played constantly, lasting 24 hours per day and 7 days a week.
This infamous game occurred at the iconic Bird Cage Theatre. The game featured several noteworthy poker players, such as Doc Holiday, George Hearst, and Diamond Jim Brady.
Roughly $10 million was exchanged through this grueling game of poker.
9. There Was Once A Fifth Suit
Alongside the four traditional suits of hearts, diamonds, aces, and spades, it was once proposed that another suit be introduced to the game. This card deck would be made with green eagles.
This suggestion was made during the 1930s. Though the majority of card manufacturers still use the four traditional sets, it is possible to find five-set packs.
10. Justin Bonomo Is One Of The Best Players Of All Time
Many poker players have experienced massive success in the game. Justin Bonomo is one of the most successful poker players of all time. Dubbed ZeeJustin, Bonomo is known for his participation in live tournaments. Through these tournaments, he has made an impressive $57,283,047.
Final Thoughts
You might think that you know everything about poker. But, as this list demonstrates, there are plenty of fascinating facts related to the world of poker that few people know. Hopefully, this lust has taught you something new.
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