There are many different variants of poker, some of which are more popular in different regions and for different players. The most popular variant worldwide, however, is Texas Hold ‘em. This variant achieved its current status largely due to being the chosen format for the World Series of Poker at a time when the game started to get exposure on TV and online.
The history of poker
There are many different card games that could be seen as forerunners of the different types of poker we know today. The closest game from which modern poker originated, however, appears to be Poque, which was popular in 17th century France. It was brought to the United States by French colonists and spread from the New Orleans area, primarily by riverboat crews working the Mississippi. In 1871, the American version of the game was taken back to Europe after Queen Victoria heard the USA’s minister to Great Britain telling members of her court about the game and asked him for the rules. Over time several variant sets of rules had sprung up and that continues to be the case today.
Texas Hold ‘em and other variants
Whether you play online via the best NJ Online Casino or attend a casino in-person, you might get the opportunity to play different versions of poker.
The three broad categories of all these variants are stud, draw, and community card games. With stud games, players are dealt several cards from which they must make their best hand while in draw games, they can trade in some of these cards.
Texas Hold ‘em falls into the community card category as it uses community cards that all players can use. Many players and fans believe that this adds a layer of strategy that many other variants lack. Essentially, each player receives ‘hole’ cards that are dealt face-down and that only they see. They combine these with the five community cards, which are revealed in stages, to make the best five-card hand they can. Betting takes place as these community cards are revealed.
The World Series and growing popularity
The exact origins of Texas Hold ‘em are somewhat shrouded in mystery and an area of debate amongst card game aficionados. What we do know is that the game appeared to come from Texas to Las Vegas in the early 60s. A no-limit format of Texas Hold ‘em was chosen for the second-ever World Series of Poker event but, at that time, seven-card stud was still the most popular version played in casinos. It was only when poker crossed over into mainstream entertainment via televised tournaments, representation in film and TV, and, finally, the internet, that Texas Hold ‘em assumed its dominant position.
While many people continue to enjoy other variants and types of poker today, Texas Hold ‘em remains the most popular and is the standard version at most in-person and online casinos.