Skip to main content

Why is Texas hold 'em so popular? - James McManus

1,011,126 Views

602 Questions Answered

TEDEd Animation

Let’s Begin…

From its earliest incarnations, poker has always been a contest of guile, guts, and gambling. The game first emerged around 1800 in the melting pot of New Orleans, and soon spread up the Mississippi, Ohio, and Missouri rivers. So, how did this simple game of the American South skyrocket in popularity? James McManus shares how the card game became an international affair.

What scientist used poker logic to develop the branch of mathematics known as Game Theory?

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator James McManus
  • Director Chintis Lundgren
  • Narrator Addison Anderson
  • Music Salil Bhayani, cAMP Studio
  • Sound Designer Amanda P.H. Bennett, Chengqing Zhu, cAMP Studio
  • Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
  • Produced by Sazia Afrin
  • Editorial Director Alex Rosenthal
  • Editorial Producer Dan Kwartler
  • Script Editor Molly Bryson
  • Fact-Checker Paige Downie

More from The World's People and Places