Poker has myriad legends and folklore attached to it. Here are some interesting poker facts and trivia:

* The game of poker as played today began in the USA, most probably in New Orleans, from where it spread north and westward. Today, it is estimated that 65 million Americans play poker regularly.

* In 1937, a fifth suit was added to the deck but failed to gain popularity because people were reluctant to buy new decks of cards.

* The “Dead Man’s” hand is two Aces and Eights and named after Wild Bill Hickok, an American gunslinger who was shot to death while holding this hand.

* A pocket hand of 10-2 is known as the Doyle Brunson since it is the hand with which he won back-to-back World Series tournaments.

* It is estimated that in the 1800s, as many as 2,500 gamblers worked on American river boats, and of those numbers, only a very few were honest.

* When poker first originated in the early 1800s, a straight beat a flush.

* The different deck suits are of French origin. Spades represent royalty, diamonds stand for merchants, clubs are for peasants, and the hearts represent clergy.

* The first known game of Texas Hold ‘Em was played in Robstown, Texas in the early 1900s. Texas gamblers, such as Doyle “Texas Dolly” Brunson, Crandell Addington, and Amarillo Slim introduced the game to Las Vegas casinos.