A smoke-filled room. The clink of chips breaking the silence of furious concentration. The occasional muttering of "check", "raise", and "fold", as players wager staggering amounts of money on a simple hand of five cards.
Poker was born in the 19th Century in the gambling saloons of New Orleans. From there it travelled north on Mississippi steamboats, west to the gold fields, and on to the rest of the world. With its combined elements of skill, chance, and courage, and its democratic disregard for anything but a player's ability to ante-up, poker was destined to become the card game of choice in casinos and back rooms everywhere.
Acclaimed writer and poker insider A Alvarez narrates the history of the pastime that millions of people enjoy, relating its most amazing stories, unforgettable players, and incredible hands. From the first great Las Vegas marathon, in which Nick the Greek played Johnny Moss for five months straight, to the recent World Series of Poker, he captures a subculture rich with legend.
A witty text and lavish array of poker-inspired art, advertisements, movie stills, photos, and decorated laying cards, chips, and markers illustrate the colourful evolution of the game that's taught generations how outsmart their opponents bluff their way to riches, and never give a sucker an even break.
