Though his books did not include modern day poker rules, Hoyle's name has become synonymous with gaming standards.
He is known as the first person to record the rules of these games in his books Short Treatise on the Game of Whist in 1742 and Hoyle's Games in 1746. If you have played poker in a serious setting, such as a tournament or high stakes game, then you have most likely heard the phrase 'poker rules according to Hoyle.' However, few poker players really know the truth about Hoyle-who was he and what does he have to do with the rules of poker?Įdmond Hoyle was a 17th century gaming expert and authority on popular games including whist, backgammon and chess.
