us presidents who played poker
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Without a doubt, politics just like gambling involve a lot of strategies as well as risk and no one knows this best than the US presidents who played poker.

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US Presidents Who Played Poker: Introduction 

All throughout history, some of America’s biggest politicians have tried their hand at casino games for various reasons. For instance, gambling for some US presidents was a popular way to pass time and socialize with colleagues or friends. Whilst most political figures played casino games as a means to network. 

However, there’s no denying how much of an impact poker has had on some of the most notable US presidents. For that reason, we’ve rounded up some of the US presidents who played poker to inspire your next visit to the best site to play poker

US Presidents Who Played Poker: Abraham Lincoln (1861-1865)

Let’s kick things off with the 16th president of the US Abraham Lincoln, one of the most notable US presidents who played poker. First, Abraham Lincoln first encounter poker when he was a riverboat pilot on the Mississippi. 

Overall, Lincoln instantly fell in love with the game and often played for the lowest stakes indulging in penny-ante games. Unsurprisingly, he would, later on, become the face of the US$ 1 cent copper coins. 

US Presidents Who Played Poker: Richard Nixon (1969-1974)

Furthermore, Richard Nixon is another of the prominent US presidents who played poker. Without a doubt, poker was an important part of the 37th US president’s rise to power and political fame. 

Most importantly, he was a pretty good poker player to and we can probably learn a thing or two about poker from Nixon. Before his time in office, Nixon was already a proficient poker player whilst serving in the Navy winning almost $10,000. 

What’s more, Nixon enjoyed playing stud poker and gained the title of the luckiest gambler in the Navy. All in all, he put his earnings to good use by using them to fund his earliest political campaigns

us presidents who played poker
Nix-On

Once in office, Richard Nixon continued his love for the game and often hosted poker tournaments in the White House. 

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US Presidents Who Played Poker: Warren Harding (1921-1923)

Unfortunately, Warren Harding, the 29th US president is infamous for being one of the lowest ranking US presidents in history. Nevertheless, Harding wrote his name in the history books as one of the notable US presidents who played poker. 

Previously, no other US president displayed the same passion that Harding had for Poker. Subsequently, he brought his passion for poker into the White House. Harding hosted several poker tournaments between members of his administration nicknamed “poker cabinet.” 

However, the tournaments in the White House much like his policies got out of hand. As a result, Harding lost one of the White House’s expensive porcelain in a tournament. 

US Presidents Who Played Poker: Barack Obama (2009-2017)

Lastly, there’s no better way to end the list of US presidents who played poker with none other than Barack Obama. As mentioned previously, some US presidents used poker as a means of networking. This the case for the 44th US president, Barack Obama. 

Previously in his early political career, Obama engaged in weekly poker games with fellow senators in Illinois before moving a national stage. All in all, Barack Obama describes himself as a pretty decent poker player.

us presidents who played poker
What a poker-face – Image source: Flickr

Whilst other poker fanatics have described Obama as a very cautious canny card player. 

Picture this, if you had the chance to play against any of these US presidents who played poker, who would you choose? Our bet would be on Warren Harding. Similar to his political policies, his poker strategies were most likely pretty weak. 

Nevertheless, don’t miss out on the chance to try your hand on casino poker games on the best jackpot sites.

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