10 Most Interesting Facts About Poker - But are they True?

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Everyone if they were honest would admit that they enjoyed a bit of gossip, and no doubt there is plenty to gossip about in the Poker world. How true are the rumors? Why don’t you decide and then if you discover the real truth you can say wow, I knew that….

Fact or Fiction #1:

No doubt poker has been around longer than anyone can really put a date on but that’s not the case when it comes to the first written word on the subject. In 1834 in the chronicles of Jonathan H Green one will find reference to the Mississippi riverboats that provided passage for gamblers of the “cheating game”. There it is again the game of Poker getting a bad rap.

Fact or Fiction #2:

Poker can take the credit for the sandwich. John Montague, who was an 18th century aristocrat, was so into his poker games that he wouldn’t leave them to eat. Instead he had his butler bring him a piece of meat between two pieces of bread so he could still play and eat with one hand. Could this be the 4th Earl of Sandwich we’re talking about?

Fact or Fiction #3

So what’s a Groucho bag? It used to be a bag that people would wear around their neck much like a purse. So what’s that got to do with Poker? Well actually that’s where Groucho got his name from. Guess where he used to carry all his poker winnings? Of course in his groucho bag!

Fact or Fiction #4

One in five Americans are regular poker players. Does that include online Poker players? Does anyone really know the answer? Well it equates to 40-50 million people so you can bet there is a good portion of them online.

Fact or Fiction #5

Poker winnings can change the future of a man. Past President Nixon funded his first political campaign with his $6,000 poker winnings.

Fact or Fiction #7

A “Dead mans hand means you simply lost the hand. Well actually no, it is referring to Wild Bill Hickok and the poker hand that he was holding in 1876 when he was killed. They say it was the Ace clubs, Ace of spades, an 8 of clubs and a 8 of spades. So far all black. So what was the fifth card? Some say the Jack of diamonds, while others say the queen of diamonds. So which was it?

Fact or Fiction #8

The well known picture of “Dogs Playing Poker” is what the artist C.M.”Cash” Coolidge is well known for. Is it true?

Fact or Fiction #9

There is one type of casino chip used throughout the USA Casinos that is only used in one specific card game. Do you know what it is? Well I will give you a hint its worth $2.50. Still not sure? Then would you believe it’s played in the game of blackjack.

Fact or Fiction 10

The first ever live online poker site was Planetpoker.com. The first play for real money they offered was in 1998. So they must being going strong right? You might be surprised.