Origins of Video Poker 

The History of Video poker started as an evolution of the popular classic poker. What lesser people know about the history of video poker also have links to another popular machine casino game, the slots. 

In 1891, knowing the popularity of the classic poker, the Sittman and Pitt Company created a poker machine based on the slots machine. The machine has got 5 drums, each of them illustrating 10 different poker cards. Players play them like slots machines except that the drums simulate a poker hand and pays accordingly. The 10 of Spades and the Jack of Hearts were secretly left out, thus increasing the house edge by limiting the possibility of a Royal Flush to only 2 suits. Payouts are usually in the form of cigars or drinks. 

In 1898, Charles Fey, the inventor of the slot machine, added a new improvement to the original poker machine. Charles added a function that can automatically dispense the winnings, up to twenty coins for a Royal Flush. He then promoted the machine under the name of "Card Bell". 

In 1901, Charles Fey added another feature to his poker machine - the ability to "hold" cards. The player first spins all five drums, analyze the hand he currently has, and then try to get a better hand by selecting which drums he would like to spin again. By doing this, Charles introduced the element of strategy into what is originally a game of luck. He them promoted the machine under the name of "Skill Draw". 

In 1970, Dale Electronics developed the first real video poker machine, albeit without the Hold and Draw capabilities. The machine, known as Poker-Matic, was a hit in casinos everywhere. This marks the start of the history of Video Poker. Then SIRCOMA (now known as IGT) created Draw Poker in 1979, a video poker machine WITH the Hold and Draw capabilities, Draw Poker quickly phased out Poker-Matic in casinos. 

When the internet becomes popular, a company known as Microgaming develops the first online video poker software in the 1990s. These online variations are widely popular among online casino patrons, spurring more innovations and variations for the game. Among the many ideas, one of the more significant ones is the linking up of many virtual poker machines, thus opening up the possibilities of a cumulative Jackpot similar to online slots. 

In overall, video poker is one of the most significant examples of how technological advances have successfully ported brick-and-mortar casinos into the virtual world. From paper cards, to slot-machine-look-a-likes, and to the window on the monitor screen, (video) poker remains one of the most popular card games to date.