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What evidence exists about the origins of Texas hold’em in Texas?

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Five playing cards showing a flush in clubs: king, ten, eight, seven, and five of clubs. — poker A poker hand containing five cards of the same suit but not in sequence is called a flush.

The origins of Texas hold’em are characterized by significant debate and a lack of definitive historical evidence. While tradition often cites the town of Robstown, Texas, as the site of the first game in the early 1900s—a claim formalized by the Texas state legislature in 2007—this assertion is supported by very little concrete evidence.1

Other theories regarding its inception include:
* T. Blondie Forbes: Some sources attribute the game's creation to this American gambler during the 1920s.1
* Anecdotal accounts: Professional players offer conflicting timelines. Johnny Moss recalled encountering the game in Dallas in 1926, while Doyle Brunson reported hearing of it in the late 1950s, noting it was played in cities like Corpus Christi and Waco under names such as "Hold Me Darling".1

Confusion was further fueled by a 1968 Life magazine article that listed multiple names for the game, including "Tennessee Hold Me," which suggested a potential origin in Tennessee.1