History of Video Poker

The popularity of poker since the turn of the millennium is largely due to television coverage of poker events and the upsurge in online video poker. The game has evolved in such a way that anybody with a computer and a credit card can pit their wits against this entertaining and fast-paced game.

The market has finally been made accessible to almost everyone and the addictive nature of video poker ensures that the industry rakes in billions of dollars every year.

Who would have thought when the Fortune Coin Company built the first video poker slot machine in 1975 that the basic concept of video poker would spread in such a mainstream and successful manner?

Initially, gamblers were distrustful of the video poker machine and believed it would be rigged to steal their money and who could fault them. Four years later, though, Si Redd’s Coin Machines came up with Draw Poker. This was the first video poker machine with hold and draw options. Trust was returned and it became enormously popular.

Casinos began to understand the infinite possibilities for these new hi-tech video poker machines and proceeded to fill their premises with rows of the game. Video poker really came of age during the 1980s, and its popularity in casinos was physically obvious.

Playing alone at a machine, players felt less pressure than when they were at a table. Playing could be done relatively privately. Taking just coins, the games were cheap and didn’t require huge stakes. Naturally, this depended on how many coins the player had.

The new video machines soon found a commercial market at bars, shops and malls. These versions only paid credit in the form of additional games. In effect, this was the first type of bonus.

Video poker had found a legion of new fans. As its popularity kept increasing, continual improvements were made.

The computer age kept providing new technologies. This included updated processing units, reduced size, enhanced graphics and animations.

Microgaming is credited with developing the first video poker machines for online use in the 1990s. As a software developer it sold the games to casinos and gambling houses. Computers had progressed to a level where players could interact and even win at the game of bluff.

Following the first online bet taken in Austria, Antigua was the first government to allow online betting in 1996.
In turn, the gambling houses realized they could capture a new market on the internet. This was the player who didn’t want to go to the casino and stayed at home.

With enhanced graphics, lucrative sites attracted the curious and signed up aficionados. Online video poker could be played anytime.

An array of variations is now available. Online video poker has all the options and sites offer some huge jackpots. Choice is never-ending for the player. The right site and sensible gambling will result in the best returns.

It now commands a place as one of the most popular non-table games on the internet.