Why Poker Might Be The World’s Greatest Game
We’re not saying that poker is the world’s greatest game. We’re saying that it might be. Chess is a contender for the title, as is Go. And you could argue that the complexity of bridge means that that is surely the greatest game.
And yet poker somehow manages to combine all of the best parts of these other games — the history, the strategy, the social factor — into one neat package, and that’s got to count for a lot. If you’re still not convinced, then maybe the following reasons will do the trick.
It Has History
Poker often feels like a new game, but it actually has centuries' worth of history on its side. Though its precise origins aren’t fully known, it’s believed that the game originated in New Orleans during the first part of the 19th century. From there, the game spread across the United States before heading internationally.
What’s fascinating about poker is that it’s nearly always on an upward trajectory. You wouldn’t have said the game was wildly popular in the 19th century, but that’s only because people didn’t know about it. As soon as a new society is introduced to poker, the game flourishes.
It’s Popular
It’s not just us who think poker might be the greatest game on the planet — if the data is to be believed, then the world thinks so, too. Poker has surged in popularity in recent years, with an estimated 100 million players playing online poker on a regular basis. That’s already helped to make it one of the world’s most widely played card games, and with more people learning how to play the game than ever before, there’s every chance that poker will continue to go from strength to strength over the next decade.
It’s Constantly Evolving
Poker doesn’t stand still. Trace its history, and you’ll find that the game underwent a number of significant developments over the years — in fact, the game has evolved so much that if you were somehow transported back to 1815 New Orleans, you might not even recognize that poker was being played even if the game took place right in front of you.
But when we said the game doesn’t stand still, we meant it. The poker strategies that would have been successful five years ago would be ineffective today. It’s a game that’ll keep you on your toes and never let you become too comfortable.
It’s Accessible Yet Challenging
Some games are too accessible. Others aren’t accessible enough. A game thrives when it’s simple enough that anyone, with a little bit of time, can learn how to play, but also challenging enough that it keeps things interesting.
Poker falls perfectly on the edge of the accessible/challenging line. You can learn how to play in a matter of hours, but mastering the game? That’s going to take some time — perhaps an entire lifetime. People who take up poker usually find that they’re playing for the rest of their lives, and that’s because there’s always a way that you can play better.
It’s a Great Teacher
A game can’t be proclaimed the greatest if it doesn’t also teach you a thing or two about life. Poker isn’t just about what happens with the cards in your hands; it’s about the lessons it teaches you that you can apply in other aspects of your life, too. Poker will teach how that life is a series of ups and downs, and that you should never get too attached to either. If you keep up showing up and doing your best, then that’s all that matters — while poker can seem like a results-focused game, it, like life, is really all about the journey.