In poker, the right to deal cards is a privilege that rotates among players. A dealer button, also called a buck, indicates that the house is nominally handling the cards. The order in which the players bet, and reveal their hands, is determined by the dealer. A poker hand begins when the dealer pushes the button. Then, the remaining players in the round reveal their hands clockwise around the table. The player whose turn it is to deal cards is known as the house dealer.
As far back as 1829, Joseph Cowell reported a game of poker played between four players. This version used a deck of twenty cards. The game spread rapidly and eventually a 52-card deck was introduced. Today, there are thousands of players worldwide. All you need is a table, chairs, and a poker table! The possibilities are endless! If you enjoy a good competition, poker is definitely for you. Whether you are playing with friends or family, you will find a game that fits the mood.
The origin of the game are apocryphal, but it is believed that the game’s name came from a slang word used by pickpockets. “Poke” was a word that was used by card hustlers to deceive unsuspecting opponents. The “r” was probably added to confuse the game’s name for those who did not know the slang. The game has been played for hundreds of years and is expected to continue to grow in popularity.