The clear origins of poker, the predecessor of video poker, are unclear. The first actual reference to the game appears in Mississippi during the 1830's. While poker's roots are mysterious, the origin of video poker is not such a mystery. Despite popular thought, poker machines brought on the creation of slot machine games, not the other way around.
Poker machines began appearing during the late 1800's. The machines - called drop card machines - were coin operated and a smash hit across the United States. Sittman and Pitt of Brooklyn manufactured these early machines and they began popping up in liquor and cigar stores across the country.
The machines operated like the early slot machines, a player placed a coin in the machine and pulled a lever. Five drums - with playing cards attached - would spin while the player waited in suspense for them to stop. Winning hands didn't pay in cash, however, they paid out in liquor and cigars. These machines remained virtually unchanged until the emergence of computers in the 1970's. These new video poker machines saw the resurgence of video poker's popularity.
Online video poker games hit the scene
Today, video poker and online video poker games are some of the most popular gambling games in the world. Less intimidating than the poker tables games, video poker online gives poker-lovers even more anonymity to test their skills solo. Hundreds of video poker games are available today and can be found across the globe.
