Poker, a game that has captivated the minds of countless players across the globe, wasn’t always the cultural phenomenon it is today. While the game traces its roots to ancient card games in Persia and Europe, it truly found its footing in the United States during the 19th century. However, it wasn’t until the late 20th and early 21st centuries that poker evolved from a backroom gambling pastime into a cult classic. This transformation was driven by a mix of historical allure, media influence, and the digital age.
Modern State of Things
Currently, most of the world’s poker is being played online, with numerous platforms allowing players from all around the world to try their luck and skills at this amazing game. If based in the UK, for example, you can browse Pokerscout UK for the best online casinos for both beginners and those who are a bit more seasoned.
But before we reached the modern poker landscape that is mostly based online, the game’s landscape was quite different, so let’s time travel to the past to check out what the beginnings looked like.
The Early Days of Poker
Poker’s origins can be traced back to various card games that existed in different parts of the world. The game, as we know it today, likely took shape in the early 19th century, particularly in the gambling saloons along the Mississippi River. These riverboats were hotbeds of gambling, and poker thrived as one of the most popular games played in these spaces. The version that would evolve into modern poker—five-card stud—began to spread across the U.S. as it moved westward with the Gold Rush and the expansion of railroads. Cowboys, soldiers, and miners played the game, which became an intrinsic part of the American frontier culture.
Though poker was deeply embedded in the social fabric of America, it was still considered by many as a lowly pastime, associated with cheating, deception, and moral decay. Its association with saloons and gambling dens, often seen as disreputable, kept the game on the fringes of mainstream entertainment for decades.
Poker on the Big Screen
The first major step in poker’s journey toward cultural respectability came through cinema. Hollywood, starting in the mid-20th century, romanticized the game in a way that brought a new dimension to its appeal. Iconic movies such as The Cincinnati Kid (1965), which starred Steve McQueen, portrayed poker as a battle of wits, where not just luck but skill and psychology determined the victor.
This shift in portrayal started to create a mystique around the game. The grit and tension displayed on screen gave poker an air of sophistication, drawing a new type of audience. No longer just a game of chance played by outlaws, poker was a metaphor for human drama—of high stakes, risk, reward, and the ability to read one’s opponents. This cinematic representation helped change public perception, transforming poker from a vice to a high-stakes competition of skill.
The World Series of Poker and the Rise of Professional Play
Another pivotal moment in poker’s rise to cult classic status came with the creation of the World Series of Poker (WSOP) in 1970. Founded by Benny Binion, the WSOP quickly became a marquee event in Las Vegas, drawing the best players from around the world to compete for the title of world champion.
Television played an enormous role in popularizing the WSOP. In the early 2000s, as networks began broadcasting these tournaments, audiences became enthralled by the real-life drama that unfolded at the tables. One of the most significant turning points in this regard was the 2003 WSOP, when amateur player Chris Moneymaker, having qualified online through a $39 satellite tournament, won the Main Event and the $2.5 million prize. The “Moneymaker effect” gave rise to the notion that anyone, even a non-professional, could rise to the top and win big. This democratization of the game injected new life into the poker scene and drove millions of new players to start playing, both in casinos and online.
The Internet Poker Boom
Arguably, the most transformative moment in poker’s history was the advent of online poker in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The ability to play poker from the comfort of one’s home made the game accessible to a global audience. Platforms like PartyPoker, PokerStars, and Full Tilt Poker became cultural touchstones, each amassing millions of players from around the world.
Online poker also introduced innovations such as multi-tabling and the ability to play micro-stakes games. Players could improve their skills at a low cost, and some even began making a living from the game. The online poker boom helped solidify poker’s position in pop culture, with tournaments becoming a form of digital entertainment.
Television also embraced online poker, with shows such as High Stakes Poker and Poker After Dark airing celebrity matches and high-stakes cash games that fascinated viewers. These shows further fed the cult of poker, giving fans a glimpse into the world of big money and poker celebrities. The game wasn’t just for the old-school pros anymore—it was a global obsession.