Many stories from this era have been embellished or completely fabricated over time, despite the fact that real-life characters like Wyatt Earp, Billy the Kid, and Wild Bill Hickok became legendary for rummy enjoytheir exploits. In fact, playing cards like poker & other forms of gambling were very popular in frontier towns. Gunfights, while not as frequent as portrayed in popular culture, did occur. Later literature, movies, and folklore—which frequently romanticize or exaggerate real-life historical events and characters—have greatly influenced the perception of the Wild West as a lawless and exciting region.
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