6 Fascinating Facts About Poker That Will Blow Your Mind

Can you guess how long the longest poker game lasted? How much do you think the biggest poker pot was worth?

If you’re a poker fanatic, then learning about poker history is a must! Keep reading to learn all the ins and outs of the popular card game.

1. Largest Poker Pot Ever: $12 Million

Poker isn’t always played for monetary gain, but it’s well-known for it. From high stakes to low stakes, there’s a lot of money that goes into gaming each year.

Experts estimate that the average poker player can earn $10,000 a year off the game. More advanced players can earn anywhere from $100,000-$250,000 each year.

Back in 2006, Jamie Gold won the biggest poker pot ever — a whopping $12 million.

2. The Evolution of the Game

Texas Hold ‘Em is a popular poker game. The name itself would lead one to believe it originated in Texas. But, the original form of poker actually started in New Orleans.

In its earliest form, there were four players and only 20 cards. Each player got 5 cards, and they placed bets on who had the best hand.

Poker began spreading like a wildfire once the US bought the Louisiana Territory.

3. Poker: The Most Lucrative Sport Around the Globe

We mentioned above how much money poker players make on average. These stats are pretty amazing, but they don’t include high stakes poker players.

These international superstars can make upwards of $5 million a year. That makes poker the most lucrative sport around the globe.

Are you looking to sharpen your poker skills? Join the millions of internet users who enjoy online poker to get started. Who knows; you could be the next Jamie Gold!

4. Longest Poker Game in History: Eight Years

If you’ve ever played poker before, then you know some games can last a while. The longest poker game ever, though, lasted for over eight years.

The Bird Cage Theater claims they held a continuous 24-hours, 7-days-a-week game from 1881 to 1889.

5. The Dead Man’s Hand

Have you ever heard of the Dead Man’s Hand? If you’re a poker fanatic, then you likely have. Here’s the infamous Dead Man’s Hand:

• Ace of spades
• Ace of clubs
• 8 of spades
• 8 of clubs

The hand got its name from poker player Wild Bill Hickok. He got shot in the back while playing poker, and this was his final hand.

6. Former President Nixon Used Poker to Run for Congress

History hasn’t been too kind to former President Nixon for many reasons. But, many don’t know how this former politician got his start.

According to historical records, Nixon was a self-proclaimed poker expert. While it’s unproven, many believe he used his own poker winnings to finance his first run for Congress!

A Brief Look at Poker History 

You’ve likely heard of poker before, but we bet you never knew the facts laid out in this article. Who knew learning about poker history could be so entertaining?

What started as a simple game to pass the time has become a worldwide phenomenon.

Are you interested in reading even more hard-hitting and mind-bending facts? If so, then head over to our interesting facts section to see our latest content.

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