The Scandalous History of Poker That Rocked the World
Poker has long been a game of strategy, skill, and high-stakes drama, but its history is riddled with scandal, deception, and controversy. From infamous cheating schemes to underground games infiltrated by law enforcement, the world of poker has seen its fair share of jaw-dropping moments. At The Next Right, we celebrate everything about poker—from its strategic depths to its most shocking historical moments. Wanna know the history of Poker that shaped the game we know today?
Origins of Poker: The First Signs of Deception
Poker’s roots trace back to the early 19th century, evolving from European card games like Poque (France) and Brag (England). As the game made its way to America via riverboat gambling, cheating quickly became an art form. Marked cards, false shuffles, and collusion were rampant, leading to violent disputes in an era where many settled differences with duels rather than words.
The Wild West: Where Poker and Gunfights Collided
The Wild West made poker legendary, with saloons hosting games that attracted outlaws, lawmen, and professional gamblers. One of the most legendary stories in poker history took place on August 2, 1876, in Deadwood, Dakota Territory. James Butler “Wild Bill” Hickok, a famous gunslinger and lawman, sat down for a game of Five-Card Draw at Nuttal & Mann’s Saloon. As he played, he broke one of the most basic survival rules in the West—he sat with his back to the door. As the game unfolded, a drifter named Jack McCall walked into the saloon and shot Hickok in the back of the head at point-blank range. The hand Hickok was holding when he was killed—two black aces and two black eights, with an unknown fifth card—became known as the “Dead Man’s Hand.” The murder was said to be revenge for Hickok embarrassing McCall in a poker game the day before.
Many poker games of this era were rife with cheating, leading to deadly encounters. Some players hid extra cards in their boots, while others employed “mechanics” who could deal winning hands on demand. In an era without strict regulations, poker was a lawless battlefield where only the toughest survived.
The lawless, high-stakes world of Wild West poker left a lasting mark on the game, shaping many of the customs, superstitions, and strategies still seen in poker today. The Dead Man’s Hand, the art of bluffing, and the fierce competitive nature of poker all trace their roots to this era of risk and deception. Today, poker is played in regulated casinos and online platforms where the risk of cheating and violence is far lower. However, the spirit of bold bluffs, high-stakes wagers, and legendary rivalries remains very much alive.
The 20th Century: Organized Crime and Underground Poker
As poker grew in popularity, so did its connection to organized crime. From the 1930s through the 1960s, mobsters controlled high-stakes poker games in New York, Las Vegas, and Chicago. In the 1940s, Nick Dandolos, a well-known gambler and high-roller, arrived in Las Vegas, eager for high-stakes action. Casino bosses, looking to boost poker’s reputation and attract wealthy players, reportedly arranged a marathon poker session between Dandolos and Johnny Moss, a Texas road gambler and one of the best players of his time. According to legend, the game stretched over five months, with Moss and Dandolos playing nearly every variant of poker imaginable. Millions of dollars changed hands, and the grueling battle became a media sensation, cementing poker’s image as a game for the fearless and the elite. Dandolos, after suffering heavy losses, allegedly stood up from the table, looked at Moss, and uttered the now-famous words: “Mr. Moss, I have to let you go.”
The truth of the story remains debated—some claim it was exaggerated or entirely fabricated by casino bosses eager to market Las Vegas as a gambler’s paradise. However, what remains clear is that poker had firmly established itself as a game of high risks and even higher rewards.
While poker was flourishing in casinos, underground poker rooms were thriving under the control of organized crime syndicates. These mob-backed operations ensured that every aspect of the game—from the dealers to the security—worked in the house’s favor. In cities like Chicago and New York, mobsters ran illegal poker games that catered to wealthy businessmen, politicians, and celebrities. These games featured sky-high stakes, often in the tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars per session. The mob took a cut of every pot, ensuring a steady stream of cash into their criminal enterprises.
Many of these underground games were rigged. Some were staffed with mob-affiliated dealers who could manipulate the deck or subtly influence the game. In other cases, professional cheaters were planted at the tables, ensuring that the biggest pots went to players who worked for the house. Even in cases where games were fair, the house still won—if not by controlling the cards, then by controlling what happened after the game.
Unlike a casino, where winners could cash out and walk away, underground poker rooms operated by the mob had different rules. Players who won too much were sometimes given a “friendly warning”—or, in more extreme cases, they were simply robbed or “escorted out” in brutal fashion. Some poker legends from the era recalled stories of players disappearing after big wins, only to resurface later, broke—or worse. The message was clear: winning too much against the wrong people could cost you your life.
The 21st Century: Online Poker Scandals That Shook the Industry
With the internet boom came the rise of online poker, but it wasn’t without its fair share of controversy. Some of the biggest scandals in poker history happened in digital form, exposing vulnerabilities in the game like never before.
The Absolute Poker & Ultimate Bet “Superuser” Scandals
At the heart of the fraud were special “superuser” accounts that granted complete visibility into all hole cards at the table. This gave the cheaters perfect information, allowing them to play flawlessly—never bluffing when they were beaten, always making the right calls, and knowing exactly how much to bet to maximize profits. These accounts were allegedly controlled by high-ranking insiders at both Absolute Poker and Ultimate Bet.
While it remains unclear exactly how many people were involved, investigations revealed that executives and employees with access to the platform’s backend software were directly implicated. With no oversight and no regulatory safeguards, the cheating continued for years before players finally uncovered the truth.
The scandal was uncovered when a suspicious player requested a detailed hand history, revealing impossible plays and near-perfect reads. Investigations eventually confirmed that high-ranking employees had been involved, leading to the sites being shut down and fines being issued.
Black Friday: The U.S. Government Shuts Down Online Poker
On April 15, 2011, known as Black Friday, the U.S. Department of Justice seized the domains of PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker, and Absolute Poker, charging them with fraud and money laundering. Full Tilt Poker was exposed for operating a Ponzi scheme, where player deposits were used to pay executive salaries instead of being kept in separate accounts.
Thousands of players lost their bankrolls overnight, shaking the poker world to its core. It took years for affected players to receive refunds, and the scandal led to increased regulation in the online gambling industry.
Poker’s Modern-Day Scandals: The Game Evolves, But So Do the Cheats
Despite poker’s transition into a mainstream, regulated industry, scandals continue to emerge.
The Mike Postle Controversy (2019)
In one of the most talked-about poker scandals of recent years, Mike Postle, a regular at Stones Gambling Hall, was accused of cheating in live-streamed poker games. Viewers noticed that he made statistically improbable decisions and won at an impossible rate.
Investigations suggested that he may have had access to real-time hole card information through a compromised system. Though legal action followed, the case was eventually dismissed due to lack of definitive proof. However, the controversy damaged the reputation of live-streamed poker, leading to stricter security measures.
Why Poker Remains One of the Most Captivating Games in the World
Despite its turbulent past, poker has not only survived but thrived, cementing itself as one of the most captivating and intellectually demanding games in the world. Over the decades, poker has evolved from backroom games and high-stakes underground battles to a globally recognized, highly regulated sport with professional tours, massive prize pools, and millions of dedicated players. With the advancements in technology, security, and regulation, today’s poker landscape is safer, fairer, and more competitive than ever before. Online platforms now use rigorous anti-cheating measures, AI-driven fraud detection, and blockchain-based transparency, ensuring that players can enjoy the game with integrity and confidence.
At The Next Right, we delve into the highs and lows of poker, covering legendary wins, shocking scandals, and the strategies that separate the best from the rest. Whether you’re an experienced player looking to refine your edge or a newcomer eager to master the fundamentals, our expert insights, strategy guides, and latest industry news will keep you informed and ahead of the game. Want to experience the thrill of poker without the pitfalls? Stay sharp, play smart, and keep learning with The Next Right!
