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History of Texas Hold'Em
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Texas Hold ‘em has become the most popular form of poker player in the world today. No limit Texas Hold ‘em in particular is popular in casinos around the world, online, in bars and in homes everywhere.
But it wasn’t always that way. The popularity of the game has exploded in the last 20 years.
Poker itself can be traced back centuries, but its popularity truly emerged in the United States in the 1800s with primarily five-card draw. It became a popular casino and saloon game.
Seven-card stud was the dominant game for most of the 20th century, especially in casinos. Texas Hold ‘em gained popularity in the 70s and 80s, but truly became a phenomenon in the late 1990s, thanks in part to the popularity of the World Series of Poker and the variety of televised poker events, in addition to the movie Rounders.
Texas Hold ‘Em’s exact origins are unknown. It is believed to have started in Robstown, Texas, in the early 1900s, and the Texas State legislature recognizes that as the birthplace of the game.
By the mid-1920s, it was a regular staple in Dallas.
Some of the legends of poker brought the game to Las Vegas – most notably Amarillo Slim, Doyle Brunson and Crandall Arrington -- in 1967. At the time, the Golden Nugget was the only casino to offer hold ‘em.
In 1969, it moved to the Strip, when the Dunes started hosting Hold ‘em games.
The World Series of Poker was born in 1970, and in 1971, no-limit Texas Hold ‘Em became its main game. This far-sighted decision would change the course of poker history. The event was held in Binion’s Horseshoe Casino.
In 1972, the event had eight people enter. But 2006, there would be over 8,000.
The game spread from Vegas in the 1980s to Europe, where it was introduced by Terry Rogers and Liam Flood. California had made the game illegal until the late 1990s.
The Hold ‘Em explosion started with the 1998 Matt Damon movie Rounders, and televised poker tournaments, which in many ways were early reality TV shows. The clever acting, bluffing and personality of players made it a perfect made-for-TV event.
In 2003, the real revolution started. Chris Moneymaker won a spot in the World Series of Poker’s Main Event online for $39. He parlayed that into a $2.5 million first prize. This would change the game forever, giving the illusion that anyone could win. The popularity of Internet poker exploded, and Internet qualifiers became the backbone of the World Series. Online players like Greg Raymer added to the phenomenon.
Now, the little game from Robstown, Texas is played in every casino around the world and millions play online every day. There are thousands of detailed strategic books, videos and DVDs. Athletes, Hollywood stars and famous people from around the world are fans and students of the game.
Ironically, in Texas, there are no legal casinos where people can play Texas Hold’Em for money.
Texas Hold ‘Em’s popularity has frustrated some pros, because the new wave of Internet players has changed some aspects of the game. The World Series of Poker now has a $50,000 buy-in event called the HORSE championship, which features five different poker games (including Hold ‘Em), and many pros consider this their favorite event now.
But the rest of the world is in love with Texas Hold ‘Em, and the game’s popularity continues to grow. Despite legal challenges to online play – especially in the United States – the game itself is more popular than ever.
Poker’s future is certain to evolve, but it is likely that Texas Hold ‘Em will always be a big part of wherever it goes.
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