It’s interesting to think about how poker has changed throughout history. Playing online poker is pretty different from sitting in a smoke-filled saloon. That’s certainly how one would imagine playing poker in the Wild West, given its depictions in countless American movies, series, and books.
If you’d like to learn more about this era, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, you’ll learn plenty of fun facts about playing poker on the frontier.
Origins of Poker
It’s tempting to think that poker might have originated in the Wild West, but that’s not the case. While the history of poker is a little blurry, it’s widely accepted that it originated in late 18th-century France. It most likely evolved as a natural successor to the Persian game of As-Nas.
By 1800, the various poker variants had spread throughout the Mississippi River region. There were the common poker games that you know today, as well as very special variations, including poker for two players with 20-card decks. In time, things expanded to the Wild West, where the game became very popular.
Why Was Poker Popular in the Wild West?
Nowadays, poker is popular everywhere, with poker tournaments held around the globe. However, that wasn’t always the case. In the latter part of the 19th century, the game was most commonly played in the Wild West. But why?
To understand this, you must realize what kind of people were deciding to move out west and their motivations for doing so.
In the mid-1800s, there were gold rushes to California and Colorado. Millions of people uprooted their lives in search of riches and a better future. It was certainly a risky decision to leave behind everything they knew. However, if they struck gold, their lives would change forever.
These people clearly liked to take risks in the hope of hitting big rewards. As you can imagine, that’s similar to the profile of a typical poker player. Thus, it shouldn’t be a big surprise that poker was incredibly popular in the Wild West, which was full of risk-takers.
Iconic Poker Players in the Wild West
There were plenty of iconic gambling personalities in the Wild West. In many cases, it’s become hard to separate the truth from the legend. Nevertheless, here are a few examples of actual historical figures from the Wild West who were considered to be excellent poker players.
Wild Bill Hickok
Perhaps the most famous example of all is Wild Bill, who was a gunman, lawman, and professional gambler in the mid-19th century. He was a successful participant in many duels and shootouts, but Hickok met his end at the poker table when one of his defeated opponents shot him in the back. He was only 39 years old.
At that time, Wild Bill was playing five-card stud and was supposedly holding two pairs: aces and 8s. As a result, that particular hand is now referred to as the “dead man’s hand.”
Poker Alice
Alice Ivers, also known as “Poker Alice,” was born in England but moved to the United States and the Wild West. She earned her nickname at the poker table thanks to her skills and wit.
If she were alive today, she could likely share a lot about the history of seven-card stud, as well as Texas hold’em. After all, she was an extremely capable player of both games.
While the aforementioned Wild Bill was a lawman, Alice, on the other hand, encountered multiple problems with the law. That was largely due to the fact that she operated illegal gambling establishments.
Nevertheless, she was one of the few women who achieved fame in the male-dominated gambling world of the Wild West. She also reached the age of 79, which was quite an achievement, considering all the dangers of the frontier.
Wyatt Earp
Wyatt was similar to Wild Bill, as he was both a gunman and a lawman. He was friends with Doc Holiday, Poker Alice’s partner. They were both involved in the infamous gunfight at the O.K. Corral, where their company fought against outlaw cowboys. While it lasted only around half a minute, it left multiple men dead and injured.
Later in his life, Earp ran poker games in his saloon. Thanks to his image as a respectable lawman, these games were known for fair play. Cheating was prevalent in that age, but less so at Earp’s tables.
Wild West Poker in the Media
It’s interesting how much representation poker in the Wild West has received in various forms of media — especially considering that the Wild West era only lasted for around 30 years, between 1865 and 1895. Nevertheless, various gambling stories from history were reimagined with varying degrees of accuracy.
If you wish to explore such entertainment options, there’s certainly no shortage. A great movie, albeit a little different from the classic Westerns, is “Maverick” (1994). That’s not the “Top Gun” version, but an American Western comedy from 1994 featuring Mel Gibson as Bret Maverick. It’s lighthearted and humorous, with a cast of colorful characters. But you’ll encounter plenty of on-screen gambling.
A more traditional movie is “The Gambler” (1980). The main character, Brady Hawkes, is played by Kenny Rogers. Even if you don’t know the movie, you’ve almost certainly heard the song that premiered with it. It features the iconic line, “You’ve got to know when to hold ’em, know when to fold ’em” — wise words that many poker players try to live up to.
The history of gambling in the Wild West can also be found in various books. If you were to read only one, “Lonesome Dove” by Larry McMurtry is heavily recommended. It features realistic characters with stories that will touch you deeply. While the card-playing is not described in much detail, it’s certainly present.
Discover New Poker Frontiers
So, that’s a short overview of some interesting facts about poker in the Wild West. It was, of course, much harder to find a poker game back then. Today, you can simply sit down at your computer and play poker online.
If that’s something you’d enjoy, register at Borgata Online and start playing online poker for real money. You’ll quickly realize why this is one of the best online poker sites in the U.S. Discover a wide selection of the most popular poker variants, as well as numerous other casino games.