While the exact origins of the joker are debated, it's widely accepted that they were initially used for playing euchre, a popular card game at the time. However, their versatility and adaptability soon led to their adoption in poker, where they were used for a variety of purposes, including:
* Wild cards: Jokers could be used as any card in the deck, making them incredibly powerful in poker hands.
* Special hands: Some poker variations, like "Joker's Wild," use jokers as essential components for specific winning hands.
The introduction of the joker transformed poker, adding complexity and excitement to the game.