The Origins of Poker

Although the game of poker probably originated in the 16th century with a Persian card game called As Nas, it was further developed in Europe where it was often called "poque" by the French or "pochen" by the Germans. However, poker, more or less as we know it today, really took off in the U.S. in New Orleans in the 1800's. From New Orleans poker spread throughout the Western frontier. It especially appealed to speculators and gold rush diggers and soon there were professional gamblers who considered poker their occupation.

Poker in Casinos Today

Of course, today poker is highly regulated in casinos, and the "cheating" methods used by the professional gamblers in the 1800's are out and taboo. However, poker remains the most popular of all gambling games. It is a game demanding psychology, memory and, of course, luck.  With the increasing popularity of tournament poker games, television poker and online casino poker are becoming more and more common.

The Development of Three Card Poker - from Legend to Casinos

Three card poker, on the other hand, is not such an old game. It probably derived from the British card game, 3 Card Brag, but there is a big difference in the method of betting between the American and the British game.

Legend has it that the name of 3 Card Poker was taken from that old con card game, the 3 Card Monte, or Find the Lady. However, 3 Card Monte is not really a serious gambling game. Rather, it is a con game to diddle naïve players out of their money, and it is illegal. But the name carries with it a certain reputation that enhances the name 3 Card Poker.

Since poker was initially considered a man's game, 3 Card Poker was invented to satisfy the "ladies" who wanted to play dangerously, but not too dangerously. With 3 Card Poker, there is no continuous betting. The players bet once against the dealer and then the money is paid out. This allowed the "ladies" to play poker without going into very high stakes.

We have no record of who first thought up the 3 card poker game, nor do we know exactly when the game was initiated. We do know that it has recently gained in popularity in American casinos. By recent, we mean probably in the last ten years. Since 3 Card Poker does not entail bluffing, it is a far more relaxing game than any of the other poker games played in casinos.