Back to Video Poker Gambling Homepage
Where To Play Video Poker - History - Video Poker Rules - Video Poker Betting - Video Poker Strategy - Poker Terms

How Video Poker Came About

Video Poker is a combination of a poker game and a slot machine: Winning a game of Video Poker involves a combination of player skill and luck, making it fun for players who like the mix of both. The game of poker which is thought to have originated in the early 1800’s, is recorded as having been played by French immigrants living in New Orleans.

Video Poker uses a version of the game called five-card draw poker. Meanwhile, the coin-operated card machine ( the slot ) was originally invented in the late 19th century, with poker machines appearing in San Francisco in the late 1800’s. These machines were very basic by today's standards, using real cards rather than symbols.

The machines weren’t so popular in the first half of the 20th century. Economic difficulties combined with the limited technology of the machines themselves meant that people just weren't interested in playing anymore. A very primitive electronic poker machine was released in the 60’s but achieved only moderate success. It wasn't until the mid-1970s that the Video Poker machine came about.

While casino operators searched for new high-profit games, and the combination of a slot machine with the more traditional game of five-card draw poker, this proved to be a winning combination of the old and new. The first Video Poker machine was built in 1976 by Bally Manufacturing. It was black and white only, but a color version followed just eight months later, released by the Fortune Coin Company. Over the next few years, computer chips became more inexpensive to mass produce, and more casinos introduced Video Poker machines.

A version called Draw Poker was released in 1979 by a company now called IGT, and it achieved unheralded success. IGT slots and video poker machines are played online via Wagerworks so that online gamers have the ability to play as well as land based.

Video Poker became very dominant in the 1980’s and is now one of the most popular games both online and in land based casinos, because players are able to sit comfortably in front of them and technology has made them more entertaining to play.

 


About Video Poker:

Video Poker Rules
How to play the game along with a video poker hand reference.

Betting Rules
How to bet on different types of machines, payoff charts for most common video poker types.

Casino Bonuses
A listing of casinos offering free cash bonuses to new players.

Poker Terms
Confused by the lingo? Information on video poker and traditional poker terms from A to Z.

Playing Online Video Poker?
Whether it's for real money or just for fun, we'll give you the inside scoop on what we consider the best games and online casinos around.

Casino Deposit Options
Can't deposit with your credit card?
Here are some of the other funding options.



Top Casino Reviews:

All Reviews

Video Poker Articles

Video Poker Rhythm
Proponents of online casino video poker say that a player can develop a rhythm when playing the machine.

Deuces Wild Video Poker
In Deuces Wild video poker, a 2 is considered a wild card.

Swinging for the Fences
Do you really want to win money playing online video poker? If you answer yes, then you better learn to swing for the fences.

Video Poker Origin
The first Video Poker machine was built in 1976 by Bally Manufacturing.

All Articles

Videopoker Variations

  1. Deuces Wild
  2. Double Bonus
  3. Jokers Wild
  4. Caribbean Stud Poker
  5. Aces And Faces
  6. Seven Card Stud Poker
  7. Progressive

Video Poker News


Video Poker Paradise | Play Online Video Poker | Online Video Poker | Video Poker | Site Map | More Sites

Other Online Gambling Resources

Roulette Information  Microgaming powered Casinos Best Online Casinos Online Casino Stop 
Party Poker Review Free Internet Gambling Blackjack Information Slots Information
Download Casinos Online Casino Directory Macintosh Gambling Microgaming Slots

All Rights Reserved, Video Poker Gambling - http://www.videopoker-gambling.com