Poker is America's best known and most popular card game, played both at home and in the casino. While its origins are unknown, it is likely that poker is a direct descendant from the Persian game of Âs Nas. The first direct reference to the game of poker shows its origins in New Orleans around 1830.

It became exceedingly popular in America in the mid 1830's, spreading from the Mississippi and Ohio rivers to the east via the railroad.

Unlike other casino card games, poker is a game in which players play against each other and not against the house. Poker has many variations, although the rules of play and strategy differ, the hierarchy of winning hands remains the same. When playing poker in a casino, the games, the limits and the amount of rake (house commission) should be clearly posted in the poker area.