Introduction
A card game which gained immense popularity over the past hundred years, its gain in popularity literally increased a 100 times in the 20th century. The game of poker has transformed much in this period due to cultural changes, scientific developments and professional poker players.
This essay shall discuss the most significant poker developments within the 20th century with their key differences between the early and late decades of this time period.
Early 20th Century Poker
In the early 20th century, poker was a relatively casual game played in homes and saloons, and wasn’t terribly complex. Stakes were relatively low, but draw poker remained the most popular form of poker, where players could exchange some or all of their cards after the initial deal. Stud poker was another hot variant that gradually revealed cards throughout the hand.
The Rise of Professional Poker
It was in the middle of the 20th century that poker culture started to develop into something significantly more serious. More professional poker players started to come up and then a competitive advantage for the poker game. Tournaments became highly popular with large prize pools and attracted poker players from around the world. World Series of Poker (WSOP), which began in 1970, became known as the biggest poker tournament in the world.
Texas Hold’em Dominates
The game itself gradually became popular, slowly becoming the popular form of poker. It was characterized by simplicity and strategic depth, making it appealing to both casual and professional players. In the late 20th century, TV began its broadcasts of poker tournaments. This spread the popularity of Texas Hold’em and, for the most part, the derivatives to a much broader audience.
Technological Advancements
Technological advances in the late 20th century really impacted poker. The internet opened up access for the first time to competitors, thus creating online poker, and poker analysis software and databases began to be established to help players further improve their game.
Conclusion
The radical change in poker during the 20th century was transformation into a sport from what it was originally, but due to changing cultures, technological evolution, and the emergence of professional players, the game reached its boom. Although traditional rules of poker remain fixed, strategies, stakes, and access have been dramatically changed throughout the decades. Poker is a long way to be one of the best card games forever.
