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Why Poker Tables Are Green

WHY are poker tables green?

This question is put to Mike Rudeen, of the Rocky Mountain News. And his answer...

"I wish I had a simple answer. James McManus, who wrote a firsthand account of big-time poker called Positively Fifth Street and is working on a history of poker, guessed that gaming tables usually are green because the color is easy on eyes that spend hours staring at the cards and the table."

That is the easy answer. Mr Rudeen should not wish away his three wishes so lightly.

But there is another answer: "Reader Eva offered an interesting theory she'd found in a book on gambling by John Scarne: Card games once were played illegally in rooms with legal pool tables. Game layouts were drawn with chalk on the green felt of the tables and could be rubbed away if the cops showed up. Out of tradition, the color was transferred when permanent gaming tables were built."

Now the clincher. Rudeen wonders: "Why are pool- table tops green? Turns out that pool evolved from a lawn game similar to croquet."

SNOOKER. It's called SNOOKER!

Looks like it's back to wishing for knowledge for our Mr Rudeen.

But we do have a question: What colour poker table looks best on screen?

Not as green as you look, eh - play online for a bonus

• Poker