games of cards date back centuries, and Versions of poker have been around since the 10th century - yet, it was not until the 15th century and the Spanish 3 card game of 'Primero' that any true link can be established - The game was very popular in Spain in the 17th and 18th centuries and was imported by the French into Canada.

With the migration of the French Canadians, and the founding of the city of New Orleans, poque, as it was then called, worked its way up the Mississippi River, where gambling was a favorite activity and followed the gold rush west.

five-Card Draw would continue to be the most popular form of poker until just before WWII when seven-Card Stud took over with the help of the landmark event to boost the acceptance of gambling - the founding and growth of Las Vegas and legalized gambling.