More of the world’s oldest casino games
We’ve already had a look at the history of casino games like Blackjack, Baccarat, Roulette and more – games that have stood the test of time and evolved into the modern versions we know and love today. But we’re not done taking you on a whirlwind tour through the history of gaming yet – so sit back, relax, and let’s find out more about how far some of our other favourites have come.
1. Poker
Of course this would be on the list – it’s featured in so many Wild West movies, it has to have a long, rich history, right? Absolutely! Although while it’s widely agreed that Poker was created many centuries ago, its actual origins are still a source of debate.
Go back thousands of years, and while you won’t find the modern versions of card games that you’re familiar with today, you will find early iterations of them – and here is where Poker is thought to have begun; as a blend of multicultural card games from around the world. From the Chinese domino cards over a thousand years ago, to the Persian treasure cards, Spanish primero, German pochen, and French poque, Poker is believed to have taken elements from all these games and more, and blended them into the one thrilling card game we love so much today.
Once the French took their game of poque to Canada, its popularity spread almost instantly, and it’s from here that the game travelled to Mississippi and New Orleans, where it found its way into popular American culture, and the riverboats and saloons with which it’s often associated. Today Poker is a worldwide phenomenon, played in land-based and online casinos, in homes, and even in televised events like the WSOP. And the best part is that it’s lost none of its charm – in fact, it keeps gaining new players by the day. Which means that if history is to be believed, the future of Poker looks to be a long and bright one.
2. Keno
Want to play the lottery but not? Then you want to play Keno – a casino variation on the standard lottery game, and one that has its roots as far back as the Great Wall of China. It’s not many that can boast a legacy so impressive, but Keno is right up there with the world’s oldest casino games, and is believed to have been invented in order to fund the Great Wall – in the same way that today lotteries donate money to charity and other worthy causes.
Once Keno was brought to the west by Chinese immigrants in the 19th century, it evolved into the more sophisticated lottery-style casino game we know it as today. And whether you’re a serious Keno player, or just looking for a little fun, you’re always guaranteed a good time!
3. Dice
Yes, we know we’ve already taken you through the history of Craps, but dice themselves are a staple in both land-based and online casinos, and have been making and breaking fortunes for centuries. In fact, references to dice pop up throughout history, with evidence of them seen as far back as 6000BC. Dice were also uncovered in Egypt dating back to 2000BC, and even the great philosopher, Sophocles, attributed the invention of the dice to the Greeks, in 400BC. While we may never know who exactly created the first pair of dice so many centuries ago, what we do know is that they’ve given us endless hours of fun, both in casino games and board games too – and we look forward to many more hours of rewarding entertainment with them!
Disappointed by the glorification of poker’s ‘charm’ while neglecting its reality. Frustrating fluff!