Poker is definitely the most popular card game, which was earlier played in land-based casinos. But of late, people love to play poker on virtual online casinos. The popularity of online poker in India is also on the rise. People find it easy as the learning curve isn’t steep. It appeals to most as it is not based on sheer luck, but there is a skill element involved in it. Though the game of poker has been in existence since the past 200 years, here are some interesting things about poker that you probably didn’t know before.
Poker Originated in the USA
Though the word poker has German roots and is derived from the word ‘Pochen’, it actually originated in New Orleans, USA. The German word ‘Pochen’ means to bluff and hence the game. It is meant to keep a poker face and bluff others of what cards you have in hand. In fact, Richard Nixon, the former US president was so good at it that he funded his first presidential campaign with his poker winnings. This stresses on the fact that you can win good amounts of money if you achieve the right skill-set required to play it.
Poker Has Huge Potential in India
The Indian gaming industry is booming today. There are 300-400 million mobile internet users in the country, but still, a big percentage of these mobile users have not yet started playing online games. So far, it’s only 4 million people who are accessing online Poker in India and other gaming websites, which is just a fraction of the potential that Indian markets have. Data suggests that the Indian Poker market is more than 1045 Crore rupees in worth.
Early Versions of Poker WereSimple to Play
Before 1834, the poker game was played with only four players and 20 cards. The four players used to take 5 cards each and play. It was only 1834 onwards that the full deck of 52 cards was integrated into the game.
Longest Poker Game Ever
Poker games often last for eight to ten hours. This is why the pros give tips that you should be ready to put in long hours if you really want to play the game and win. Do you know that the longest poker game ever lasted for nearly eight and a half years? It happened in Bird Cage Theatre Arizona where the game started in 1881 and continued for eight years, five months and three days. If you think that playing for 8-10 hours is an ordeal, think of those who played a single game with the commitment for eight and a half years?
Poker Holds the Distinction of Being the Most Lucrative Sport in the World
If you ask anyone which is the most lucrative sport in the world, you will often end up getting football as the answer. This arises from the fact that often the footballers are signed for hefty amounts. The astonishing fact is that if you look at the top five biggest prizes that are awarded in Super High Roller tournaments, it comes out to an unbelievable amount of INR 303Crores. This makes poker the most lucrative game leaving behind others by a handsome margin.
These are few of the many interesting facts about poker, which not many are aware of.
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