Video Poker may have been around for longer than many people can remember. But in the grander scheme of things, the history of the game is not that old. Don’t forget that the game is intrinsically linked to the development of computer technology, which means that the origins of the games can be traced back to the 1970s. This may seem like a long time for some modern casino players, but when you think that games like roulette, blackjack, and poker can be traced back for hundreds of years, video poker is a mere youngster in the world of online casinos.

The arrival of computers and computer technology in the 1970s helped to bring video poker to the masses. Casinos were always looking for new ways to entice players to play and with slots going more hi-tec, it was no surprise that other gaming options would be of interest to casinos as well. Games like Pac-Man or Space Invaders may have been the more important computer breakthrough games for children and the industry as a whole, but don’t overlook the impact that video poker had on the gaming industry.

A major company in the early days of video poker was SIRCOMA, which stood for Si Redd’s Coin Machines. This firm was the one that was responsible for bringing video poker and other computer based games to the United States and beyond. It was 1979 when the first major video poker game was released with Draw Poker being an early success. The 1980s would be the first decade where video poker could be found in casinos up and down the country, but there is no doubt that the first machines in the 1970s laid the groundwork for what was to come. As the 1980s progressed, video poker machines started to take up far more room in casino halls, providing a quick and less pressurized poker opportunity for players.

Even though Las Vegas always looked towards the tourists for the big money, it seemed as though video poker was a game that the locals enjoyed. These were located in the smaller halls around the Strip, providing welcome respite from the masses of people playing the games and bringing more attractive odds to players. The fact that the games were also affordable was another great reason to enjoy the games on offer, with video poker being a huge draw in this era.

The look and quality of the games has definitely improved a lot since the early days but there is still a level of demand for these games. There are plenty of video poker veterans who prefer to play on the games that remain true to the original charm and style of these games, but there are also many online casino players who want the most up to date games they can find.