The origin of Poker is widely disputed. There are as many possible birthplaces as there are variations of the game. The most popular belief is that it was invented by the Chinese around 900 A.D., possibly derived from the Chinese dominoes. On New Year's Eve, 969, the Emperor Mu-tsung is reported to have played "domino cards" with his wife.

Others state that Poker originates from the Persian game "as nas". This is a 5-player Persian game, which requires a special deck of 25 cards with 5 suits. However, this is only recorded back to the 17th century. Another theory calls on the French "poque". The French who settled New Orleans around 1480 played Poque, a card game involving bluffing and betting. This was stated to be the first use of a deck consisting of spades, diamonds, clubs, and hearts.

Fragments of cards have been tentatively dated to 12th or 13th century in Egypt. Some propose that modern cards originated from the Indian card game of Ganjifa. We can see that narrowing down the exact origin becomes as difficult as pulling a royal straight flush.

The history of poker in the United States has a bit more consistency. Poker traveled from New Orleans by steamboat up the Mississippi and Ohio rivers. The game then spread via wagon and train. Modifications such as stud poker, the draw, and the straight became popular, during the Civil War. European influence of poker ended when the joker was introduced as a wild card in 1875.

In 1910, Nevada made it a felony to run a betting game. The Attorney General of California declared that draw poker was based upon skill and therefore the antigambling laws could not stop it. But stud poker was illegal, as it was based solely on chance. With this decision, draw poker games developed and grew. This caused Nevada to reverse itself in 1931 and legalize casino gambling.

Through all the varied theories on the origin of Poker, one thing comes shining through. This is a game which has stood the test of time and becomes more rich and full with each generation. Each person who makes their own variation adds another piece to the vast and fascinating history of poker.

Poker Champs Chris Moneymaker and Greg Raymer Beaten by British Novice John Gale

April 29, 2005

on 17 January, 2005 - John Gale of Bushey, Hertfordshire, won $865,000 - nearly half a million pounds - at the PokerStars World Poker Tour (WPT) event in the Bahamas late on Tuesday evening.

The 51-year-old father of four became WPT champion after taking on 416 of the world's top poker professionals from the USA and Europe.

Gale, a management consultant who plays online poker at home for fun, won his seat in the Caribbean event on PokerStars.com. With an investment of just $127 (67 pounds) he won a $10,000 (5,400 pounds) flight and hotel package to enter the prestigious WPT tournament in the luxury resort of Atlantis in the Bahamas.

Expecting to be knocked out early so he could enjoy a sunshine break with his wife Shirley, Gale instead found himself making surprising progress through the four day tournament, reaching the televised final table with the largest stack of chips.

Among those who finished in the Briton's wake were 2004 World Champion Greg Raymer and 2003 World Champion Chris Moneymaker.

This was a remarkable performance from a player taking part in only his second ever live poker tournament, the first being a casual game in Belfast, Northern Ireland - and that didn't go particularly well.

"That didn't really count because I only played for about ten minutes," Gale said.

In front of the TV cameras and knowing full tilt poker that each turn of the card could win or lose him hundreds of thousands of pounds, Gale kept his cool. His relaxed demeanour and powers of concentration finally enabled him to clinch the top prize when he knocked out professional gambler Alex Balandin of New York with a pair of jacks.

After winning the final hand, Gale described himself as "completely overwhelmed, actually flabbergasted. I feel very, very humbled, actually."

The WPT tournament, a made-for-TV event, attracts millions of viewers in the United States, and Gale's victory will be broadcast in the UK later this year.

"We are absolutely delighted that a real English gentleman has won this prestigious Casino event," said PokerStars marketing manager Conrad Brunner. "John surprised a lot of US professionals with his outstanding play, and he made plenty of friends out in the Bahamas with his fun attitude and sense of humour.

"John's achievement is a bit like Chris Moneymaker winning the World Series in 2003, a guy who bought in on PokerStars for $40 and won $2.5m. It's poker's version of the Cinderella story."

As well as his $865,000 (462,000 pounds) winnings, Gale wins a $25,000 seat to compete in the elite WPT Final event in Las Vegas this summer.

Gale is only the third British player to win a WPT event, after Dave 'Devilfish' Ulliott of Hull (2003) and Wolverhampton's Surindar Sunar (2004).