The origin of Poker—like that of so many
other good things—is obscure. Some say that it is
a direct descendant of Poque, an old French game in which
bluffing seems to have played a considerable part; others
that it had its birth in the American backwoods of early
days, whence, undoubtedly, its many refinements and variations
have sprung. This may or may not be the case— but
although Poker is to-day almost as popular in England
as in the United States, it is still in the unhappy position
of having no official Code of Laws, and it seems a pity
that some recognized authority—the Portland Club
or the Whist Club of New York, for instance— does
not take it under its wing and for all time silence argument
by drawing up and promulgating a set of Rules and Regulations.
In the absence of such, however, we will attempt here
to describe and codify the game as it is usually played
in the leading clubs.
*******
Two outstanding features combine to make Poker a popular
and social game. First, almost any number of players from
two to eight can take part in it, and while play is in
progress conversation can proceed at will; and, second,
each player stands on his own—he has no partner
to consider. If he loses he has only himself to blame—or
pity. To say that Poker is a gambling game pure and simple
is unjustifiable. Speculation predominates, certainly,
but, while play does not bring on brain-fag, as may a
long spell at Contract or Chess, the mind is constantly
at work studying possibilities and the mannerisms of one's
opponents. To be successful one must be a student of psychology
and must at times refrain from betting, even when one
has a good hand. Quick thinking is essential; and, above
all, one who wishes to excel at the game should cultivate
the " poker " face, by which we mean, obtain
such control over the feelings and the excitement of the
moment that no change of expression, involuntary movement,
or gesture, will ever betray what is going on in one's
mind and, possibly, reflect the nature of the hand.
