Poker is a popular card game, which people have been in love with for years. It was invented in the 19th-century in New Orleans, USA, and was acclaimed as the best within a few days of its launch. It is played in real casinos or on online platforms for money, cryptocurrency, or leisure, during big public gatherings, and in small private companies. This article brings to you six fun facts about poker which you are unaware of.
1. Dead Man’s Hand
It is a mix and match of a pair of black aces and a couple of black eights, under the name proposed by Wild Bill Hickock. Wild Bill was a gunfighter and a folk hero of the Old West. James Butler Hickock (1837-1876) was also famous under “Wild Bill” Hickock. He was a legend in himself as he was a master of all the poker plans like a gunfighter, spy, gambler, actor, and drover. His career started with an inclination towards the crime world; being a stagecoach, at the age of eighteen, he flew away from the west to a new place so that he could escape the truth & the decided justice. He was attacked by a bear (deadly experience) and worked as a General during the civil war (Nation’s service). He also was a part of the Indian Wars. He was a legend. He was killed while playing the game in 1976 on the 2nd of August at Nuttal & Mann’s Saloon. The card he was holding during the time of his death was later called “Dead Man’s Hand.”
2. Gambler Husband Who Lost Everything!
A story of a man who used his wife instead of cash while playing the game. Pathetic! Andrei Karpov wanted to move ahead in a game that he didn’t even think about, to put his wife Tatjana at stake to win as he had no money. Sergei Brodov, who was Karpov’s opponent, another pathetic man, agreed to go ahead with the deal. Sergei won the game and visited Karpov’s house to claim his win. Karpov was humiliated after humiliating his wife publicly when she agreed to go with Sergei and divorce him. Fantastic! She said, “Sergey was a very handsome, charming man, and I am thrilled with him, even if he did ‘win’ me in a poker game.”
3. Angola Prison Rodeo | A special event
A deadly shot! All the players sit together, and they make sure the last man sitting wins the game. The twist is, while you all are playing the game, a bull will be released. I amen this is not fun at all.
Angola Prison Rodeo is one of the USA’s longest-running prison rodeos, which began in 1964. It came into being under the supervision and initiative of Jack Favor one of the rodeo performers who was under the charge of two murders, which was proved as wrong allegations. It took him to sue the State of Louisiana for a wrong decision. Angola Rodeo is still one of the famous gaming events during July & October. It has a lot to offer, such as fantastic art and craft where products made by prisoners are sold, and there are many dangerous games such as the Bareback Riding competition, the Wild Horse Race, and Barrel Racing. The money collected is used for religious purposes and other beneficiaries by the imprisoned members.
- One of the biggest and longest-running games of poker took place at the Bird Cage Theatre, Tombstone, Arizona, under the basement. This game was played for 24 hours without a break for eight freaking years and five months and three days. It was for approx. $10,000,000 changed hands, out of which 10% went within the community.
The Birdcage was used as a theatre, a saloon, a gambling parlor, and a brothel; up until 1889 and started in 1881. It was a hub for entertainment with dancers around. Alma Hayes performed a “Female Hercules” act under the name Mademoiselle De Granville. There were various other performances such as masquerade balls, acrobats, songs by comic singers, and sometimes opera singers performing.
- Have you ever thought of an underwater poker game? Yes, it took place in 1951 at Weeki Wachee Springs, Florida. All the players involved in this non-traditional & usual game were Bud, Patsie Boyett, Dick and Shirley Woolery, and Thelma Halabuck. This group of about five players stayed underwater without any external help! Is that possible?
This idea came alive after so many years in 2017 when they held an Annual Lady Luck Underwater Poker Tournament. This event was played under professional supervision. It took place near Pompano Beach, Florida. The cards used were made of clay. This game amuses me.
- Richard Nixon, 37th president of the US, was so brilliant that he used his winning and earning (ideally) to make his election campaign gain popularity. Belonging to the family of Quakers, these games were considered a vice, and there were no restrictions or foundations. While serving in the navy, he asked his fellow mate to teach him rules to be a player at this game. Nixon stated in one of his interviews that “he found playing poker instructive as well as entertaining and profitable.
He learned it quickly and became a killer player, and made good money. According to one of the Lieutenants, James Udall confirmed that “he played a quiet game, but was not afraid of taking chances.”
