The Surprising Link Between Poker and the Economic Boom of the American Northwest

The story begins in the early 19th century in the Northwest of the USA, where the region was sparsely populated and economically deprived. The region was inhabited by various groups, including Native Americans, French-speaking Indians from Canada, and American exiles. The region was one of the poorest on Earth, with constant warfare and limited economic resources.

Despite its challenges, the Northwest region became a hotbed for economic activity. 90 out of the 100 wealthiest Americans in history lived in the Northwest region between 1850 and 1880. This period saw the rise of influential figures such as [Густавус Франклин] Свифт, [Уильям Рэндольф] Хёрст, and [Филип Дэнфорт] Армор, among others.

The game of poker originated in the Northwest region and was associated with large sums of money changing hands. Poker was designed based on rational thinking and advanced mathematics for the time. The game's rules and strategies were carefully constructed, making it a unique and significant part of the region's economic development.