Poker has a remarkable history, many interesting people involved, and is closely linked to the American West culture. The game resonates with risks, significant monetary benefits, patience, and more. It’s a social game that gets people together. Also, some enthralling facts about the poker game will make you think about it in new ways, whether you’re a pro or newly interested. Fun88, thus, brings you the top 12 poker facts and figures you should know about the poker game.
Explore the Top 12 Interesting Facts and Numbers About Poker
There are numerous poker facts and figures you haven’t heard before. The following is an alluring list of unknown facts about poker:
- Poker is 1000 Years Old
Historians think poker might have started either in the 10th century in China or from an old Persian game called As-Nas in the 16th century. Originating from an unspecified location, a variant gained popularity in France and then spread to Canada and the United States, where it was widely embraced. It is commonly played in several formats around the globe and has immense popularity in the United Kingdom.
- Poker Was Played with 20 Cards
In the past, poker games did not use the typical 52-card deck that is often used today. Instead, it was in the mid-1800s that a 52-card deck came out, especially to let more players join. As per many literature writers from the mid-19th century, those engaging in the poker game first used a deck consisting of 20 cards.
- The First Poker Game Worth $1 Million Took Place in 2012
Most of us play poker with bets that are not very big or significant in amount. However, Guy Laliberte, a Canadian businessman from Cirque Du Soleil, became brave in 2012 with a plan for a big-money contest worth $1 million. At first, it seemed like a bad idea, but 48 people took part in this exciting contest at the Rio Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. The winner, “Magician” Antonio Esfandiari, won a big prize of $18 million. It paved the way for upscale poker games in the future.
- Interesting Dates in the History of Poker Game
Have a look at the poker game’s exciting history throughout the years:
- 1845
In 1845, Hoyle’s Games, the bible of card games, discussed poker. But the book didn’t say many good things about the game. In his book Cowboys Full: The History of Poker, Hoyle said in 1864, “Success in the game of Poker depends on luck and vitality rather than skill.” It’s a game of chance, and cheating or playing with fake cards is easier than in any other card game.
- August 2, 1876
The tragic shooting of Wild Bill Hickok at Nuttal & Mann’s Saloon in Deadwood happened on this date. The region in question was once in the Dakota Territory, even though it is now in South Dakota. His last known possession was A♠ A♠8♠8♣, which will always be known as “Dead Man’s Hand” in poker.
- 1973
Even though many people used to play poker before the 1970s, they couldn’t see it on TV just like that. But everything changed when the World Series of Poker began in 1970, and more folks became interested. CBS Sports showed the exciting battle in 1973, making it the first poker game shown on national TV. It was the first of many shows, and poker on TV is a big hit on ESPN these days.
- January 1, 1998
On this date, the first hand for internet or online poker was dealt for real money. Some of the first games had bugs, but they helped start a business worth billions.
- March 30, 2003
The World Poker Tour started on the Travel Channel, the first American TV station to show hole cards. It enhanced the appeal of the poker game. It was worth $556,460 for Gus Hansen to win the Five Diamond World Poker Classic at the Bellagio. As the show became more popular, it increased the popularity of poker.
- May 23, 2003
This year, Chris Moneymaker won the poker tournament known as the World Series of Poker. He joined by participating in an online $39 qualifier. However, he took the gold ring and 2.5 million dollars when he won. With his win in the poker game, it was believed by many individuals that everybody could win, which resulted in more people trying the game.
- Gold Was Used In Poker
Earlier, people played poker for gold pieces, dust, and coins when it first started in South America. It was saloons that came up with chips as a common measure. It further led to a standard format in the game.
- The Longest Poker Game Was 8 Years Long
Poker games of extended duration are often seen; however, eight years was too excessive. The game occurred at The Bird Cage Theatre in Tombstone, Arizona. People liked the place because it was a gentlemen’s club. Nevertheless, the 24×7 poker game took place in the venue’s basement.
According to many accounts, the game lasted 8 years, 5 months, and 3 days. Prospective players were required to make a payment of around $1,000. The theatre, however vibrant, was forced to shut down in 1889 due to the inundation of subsurface waters that submerged a significant portion of the city, including its basement.
- Longest Poker Game Played by an Individual
Phil Laak played poker at the Bellagio for 115 hours straight in 2010, the longest a single player has ever played in a row.
- Maximum Number of People Played in Poker
With 253,692 people, the biggest poker game in history took place online. An Austrian man played 470 hands and got it all. It is considered one of the most interesting and discussed poker facts.
- Intriguing Facts About Poker Numbers
- 4- This is the number of times Johnny Moss, Doyle Brunson, Stu Ungar, and Johnny Chan have won the WSOP Main Event back-to-back.
- 2- Two individuals, Johnny Moss and Stu Ungar, have taken home the trophy of WSOP Main Event at least thrice each. It was almost three in a row for Johnny Chan after he won in 1987 and 1988. That plan failed in 1989 when he lost a heads-up to Phil Hellmuth.
- 6- The chance of getting a pocket pair in a game of Texas Hold ’em.
- 15- The most WSOP rings that Phil “The Poker Brat” Hellmuth has ever won. The last one he won was a $5,000 No Limit Hold’em game in 2018 worth $485,082.
- 0- The amount of WPT titles Phil Hellmuth has won, even though he has won almost $1.6 million on the tour and made it to five final tables. Two third-place results and one second-place finish make up that number.
- 7- The number of people who played in the 1970 first WSOP. The game system wasn’t implemented until a year later, so Johnny Moss was chosen as the winner. His gift was a silver cup. The gold title band didn’t come along until 1976.
- 21- This is how old Phil Ivey was when he started going to Atlantic City poker rooms with his real name instead of a fake one. He won 10 WSOP titles and 1 WPT title.
- 20- This was the number of cards used when the game had only four players in its early versions. A 52-card deck was used, which was invented in the early 1800s.
- Poker Facts Related to Money
Explore some poker facts and figures concerned with money:
- $12 million
In the history of poker’s big contest, WSOP, Jamie Gold won the most money ever in the 2006 main event. There were 8,773 people in the event.
- $8.5 million
This is how much the movie Rounders, about underground Poker, made in its first weekend of release in September 1998. They spent twelve million dollars to make the movie, and Matt Damon and Ed Norton played the main parts. It was one of the first movies to show how poker is on tables and in New York’s dark card game world. In the end, it made money, bringing in $22.9 million. The movie got a nice cult following after coming out on DVD and cable TV.
- $4,000
This is the amount that author James McManus, who liked to play poker, got in 2000 as a deposit to cover the murder trial of Ted Binion for Harper’s magazine. With the money, McManus participated in the main event of the World Series of Poker and won $247,760 for placing fifth. At its publication in 2003, his book Positively Fifth Street: Murderers, Cheetahs, and Binion’s World Series of Poker received great positive feedback from readers.
- $120 million
There has been a small boom in poker in the last few years, and this number may show that. In 2018, Nevada made $120 million from poker. Despite the number of poker rooms closing, it was the most in five years.
- $2 million
This is the amount Johnny Moss reportedly won against Nick “The Greek” Dandalos in a 1949 one-on-one poker game. The Texan fought Dandalos for five months, and the cost may have been more than $4 million. There have been questions about the game recently, but Jack Binion said it happened at the Flamingo.
- Groucho Marx’s Name Comes from Poker
Art Fisher gave the four Marx brothers nicknames that finished with “o” in 1915. Fisher, the monologist, first coined the name Groucho during a poker game. But if not for that poker game, Groucho would be known by his real name, Julius Henry.
- Richard Nixon: A Poker Master
When he was in the Navy, the former president is said to have made around $150 monthly. That was a lot of money back in the 1940s. He is likely the top leader or president at poker. His winnings of $5,000 were reportedly used to pay for his first run for Congress in California in 1946.
Poker has witnessed significant evolution since the mid-18th century. One of the most widely played multiplayer games globally today, Poker, can be accessed seamlessly online. However, individuals need to be aware of poker facts, given that online poker is gaining popularity. Equipped with the above information, you are not only engaging in a card game but also immersing yourself in a world rich with historical significance, intricate tactics, and a hint of uncertainty.
Whether you are an experienced poker player or a beginner, still learning the difference between a flush and a straight, bring excitement to the game. Therefore, when you find yourself at the poker table in the future, remember these little but significant pieces of information and see how the game becomes even more captivating and mysterious. Fun88 is the best platform to play online poker, where you can play various poker games and get a chance to win big!
Also Read: How to Play Roulette Poker Game
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