For centuries, bridge has been a favorite game among royalty because of its intricate gameplay & complicated bidding system, which make it difficult for even the most smanisha rani birthdayeasoned players to win. With its origins in 19th-century America, poker has gained popularity among royal circles as well. Members of the British royal family have been known to occasionally play a friendly game of poker. In the 18th & 19th centuries, European royalty also enjoyed playing whist, a game that was a forerunner to bridge.