View Full Version : Why is 4 of a kind called a poker?
cianosheehan
04-11-2005, 06:37 AM
Was there one stage where it was believed that was the best hand possible, then someone realised the Straight flush possibility?
Chairman Wood
04-11-2005, 06:50 AM
I've never heard it called that before.
miajag81
04-11-2005, 08:48 AM
I've never heard of this either. Maybe it's just an Irish thing?
stigmata
04-11-2005, 09:33 AM
I never heard of this either, but if you search google, then this definition certainly exists:
3. Four of a kind (http://poker.viewlondon.co.uk/handrankings.html)
"Four cards of the same rank - such as four queens. The fifth card can be anything. This combination is sometimes known as "quads", and in some parts of Europe it is called a "poker", though this term for it is unknown in English."
I can't find a reason for 4-of-a-kind being called "a poker", but I think the fact that it is only used in continental europe (where the game originated) would suggest that your theory may be correct.
nicky g
04-11-2005, 09:44 AM
I think it used to be the best hand before straights and flushes (and sfs) were added to the game. But maybe not.
stigmata
04-11-2005, 09:56 AM
From wikipedia:
"Soon after this spread [across the US], the full 52-card English deck was used, and the flush was introduced. During the American Civil War, many additions were made, including draw poker, stud poker (the five-card variant), and the straight."
Also the persian game "As Nas" (from which poker originated) does not feature straight/flushes.
It would seem that it was called "A Poker" in europe, before the game reached the US, and straights/flushes were then added, and the term "Poker" was dropped for 4-of-a-kind.
cianosheehan
04-11-2005, 10:35 AM
Strange that some people had never heard of the term "poker" before in describing quads! I just took it as common knowledge. Yeah, after reading replies I would definately say it was called that before straight flush was determined to be the hardest hand to get.
jdl22
04-11-2005, 10:45 AM
Not sure why but in Spanish they say poker to describe four of a kind.
jakethebake
04-11-2005, 10:52 AM
[ QUOTE ]
Was there one stage where it was believed that was the best hand possible, then someone realised the Straight flush possibility?
[/ QUOTE ]
Never heard it called that, but yes, four of a kind was originally the best hand. Straights, flushes, and straight flushes didn't come around until later (according to Holden in Big Deal).
the only place i've heard it called this is in ireland. why do you guys call a 25 euro chip a pony?
Inthacup
04-12-2005, 01:00 PM
http://www.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/383556/2/Pitchfork.jpg
Ray Zee
04-12-2005, 08:57 PM
playing around the world i have heard lots of players call it that.
where as in the u.s. they just shrug their shoulders and say two pair.
cianosheehan
04-14-2005, 08:12 AM
[ QUOTE ]
playing around the world i have heard lots of players call it that.
where as in the u.s. they just shrug their shoulders and say two pair.
[/ QUOTE ]
ha ha.
We also use the word "poker" in describing the yoke you poke the fire with.
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