From Zero to Hero: The Rise and Rise of Texas Hold 'em

Poker has been entertaining players for centuries, with classics like five-card draw and stud poker making their mark as far back as the American Civil War. But even before the first cannon fired, poker was already weaving its way across the country, captivating gamblers everywhere. 

Fast forward through the eras of smoky gambling dens and riverboat casinos, and you'll find today’s reigning champ: the thrilling and fast-paced Texas Hold'em, a relative newcomer that’s taken the poker world by storm.

The Start of a Global Juggernaut

It's unclear where exactly Texas Hold 'em was created, or by whom. In Texas, obviously, and there are a few different versions of the now legendary creation of the game. Arguably, the story with the most merit is the one attributing Hold 'em to a Texas road gambler named Blondie Forbes. He is listed as the first to create the specific Texas Hold 'em ruleset, and he has a spot in the Poker Hall of Fame to prove it. 

The Texas State Legislature officially recognizes Robstown, Texas, as the game's birthplace. The exact year isn't known, but it's believed to be in the early 1900s. After it was first created, Hold 'em spread across the state of Texas. However, it would initially fail to cross borders, and for many years, it was only really played in Texas and languished in relative obscurity. 

Everything started to change in 1967 when Texan gamblers and card players introduced Texas Hold 'em to Las Vegas. During the first few years, Hold 'em was only available in one casino, the Golden Nugget. It would take years for that to change. In 1969, a gambler named Tom Moore held a second Gambling Fraternity Convention event and added Texas Hold 'em to the schedule. 

Only a year later, father and son team Benny and Jack Binion bought the rights to the convention and renamed it the World Series of Poker (WSOP). They moved it to their casino, Binion's Horseshoe. Over the next few years, the profile of Texas Hold 'em grew along with the WSOP. 

Texas Hold 'em went international for the first time when Irish bookmakers Terry Rogers and Liam Flood saw the game in Las Vegas and brought it back to Europe. Later they created the Irish Poker Open. Hold 'em’s best days were still many years in the future though.  

Texas Hold'em Takes Off 

For years Texas Hold'em slowly grew in popularity but it wasn't until the early 2000s that everything aligned and the game reached never-seen-before heights. On the back of the poker boom, which took place from 2003 to 2006, Hold 'em took off into the stratosphere as more people than ever started playing. The boom and Hold 'em's success were years in the making and can be attributed to a few key events. 

Pop Culture Icon 

Texas Hold 'em was featured in TV, movies and literature for decades, but the 1998 film Rounders was a significant factor in helping kick off the boom. Featuring superstars like actors Matt Damon, Edward Norton and John Malkovich, the film romanticised Hold 'em and introduced it to a whole new audience. A new generation grew up wanting to be poker players and live out their poker fantasies. 

New Technology 

The 2000s also saw Texas Hold 'em receive exposure on TV. Poker games were televised and new tech, such as table cams, which gave a table view to audience members to watch all the action, helped plant another seed that would later grow into the poker boom. The rise of the Internet and online casinos was also a factor, as people no longer had to travel to casinos or dingy gambling dens. They could play anonymously online from the comfort of their homes.

The Moneymaker Effect  

At the 2003 World Series of Poker (WSOP), online poker player and full time accountant Chris Moneymaker changed everything. He is widely considered to be the spark that kicked off the poker boom and the rise of Texas Hold 'em. Moneymaker was an amateur who won his seat at the tournament by playing in smaller online competitions called satellites. He went on to win the Main Event, taking home $2.5 million and the title of world poker champion. 

A considerable audience saw an unknown amateur poker player winning millions of dollars thanks to the event being televised. It captured the public’s imagination; everybody wanted to learn how to play the game that paid millions in prizes to its champions. Even celebrities jumped on the bandwagon. Only a few years later in 2006, the WSOP Main Event had over 8770 entrants, a gigantic increase from the 839 who signed up in 2003. 

Other Factors

Another factor that helped contribute to the poker boom and Texas Hold’em's rise was the NHL lockout of 2004 and ‘05. Salary disputes meant there was no hockey to watch and fans looked elsewhere for entertainment. ESPN filled the slots that would usually have hockey with poker, which only served to feed the game's popularity even more. All of these events combined created the perfect storm that saw poker, and especially Texas Hold'em, become a global juggernaut.

The End of the Boom 

Of course, what goes up must come down, and the poker boom officially ended in 2006 in the wake of the 2006 Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA). As a result of the UIGEA, a series of raids took down several prominent online poker sites in an event known as Black Friday by the poker community. 

Player numbers soon dropped off as it became harder to play online. Live poker also started to take a hit as new players realized the game was much more challenging than it was portrayed on TV. The boom may have ended, however, Texas Hold 'em has remained the world's top played poker variant. There has not yet been a legitimate challenge to its rule as the most popular, but as poker continues to change and evolve, another game will inevitably rise to take the spot. 

History of Texas Hold'em Poker FAQs

1. What is the origin of Texas Hold'em poker?
Texas Hold'em originated in Texas, with Robstown officially recognized as its birthplace. The exact origins are debated, but the game likely emerged in the early 1900s.

2. Who is credited with creating Texas Hold'em?
A Texas road gambler named Blondie Forbes is often credited with creating the specific ruleset for Texas Hold'em. He is honored in the Poker Hall of Fame.

3. When did Texas Hold'em first reach Las Vegas?
Texas Hold'em was introduced to Las Vegas in 1967 by Texan gamblers and card players.

4. What role did the World Series of Poker (WSOP) play in popularizing Texas Hold'em?
The WSOP, established in 1970 by Benny and Jack Binion, played a significant role in popularizing Texas Hold'em by making it a central event in the tournament.

5. How did Texas Hold'em become popular in Europe?
Irish bookmakers Terry Rogers and Liam Flood introduced Texas Hold'em to Europe after seeing it in Las Vegas, leading to the creation of the Irish Poker Open.

6. What was the "Moneymaker Effect"?
The "Moneymaker Effect" refers to the surge in Texas Hold'em's popularity after Chris Moneymaker, an amateur player, won the 2003 WSOP Main Event, inspiring many to try their hand at poker.

7. How did television and technology influence the rise of Texas Hold'em?
Televised poker with table cams and the rise of online poker platforms in the early 2000s made Texas Hold'em more accessible and exciting, contributing significantly to its popularity.

8. What led to the end of the poker boom?
The poker boom ended in 2006 following the implementation of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA), which disrupted online poker sites and led to a decline in player numbers.

9. Why is Texas Hold'em still the most popular poker variant?
Despite the end of the poker boom, Texas Hold'em remains popular due to its strategic depth, widespread media exposure, and the lasting impact of events like the WSOP.

10. Could another poker variant replace Texas Hold'em in popularity?
While Texas Hold'em remains dominant, poker continues to evolve, and it's possible another variant could rise in popularity in the future.