A short history of video poker

As you might know, poker in its original form has been existing since the 19th century and thus regular poker is a direct ancestor of video poker.

The first predecessor of the video poker machine is probably the poker machine that was invented in 1891 by Sittman and Pitt in New York City. This machine was of course not an electronic machine as we know it today but this machine was probably still a predecessor of the video poker machine.
The machine was set up in public places but it was meant to be more of as fun thing for players to enjoy. There were no large payouts with this type of machine.

In the Seventies, more inventions were made in the field of computer technology and machines became more and more sophisticated.
In 1979, SIRCOMA (now known as IGT) invented the first poker machine that was used in Las Vegas and Atlantic City Casinos. Immediately, this machine enjoyed a lot of success.
Since the 70ies all sorts of electronic casino games have become more and more popular because of Las Vegas and other cities becoming hot spots for gaming.

New technologies bring sensational graphics and sound effects to video poker machines and playing gets more exciting with every new invention. If you want to play poker in a more relaxed atmosphere and in a more simple form than the original game, video poker may just be the right game for you to enjoy!

The rules of video poker

Video poker is not too different from the classic poker game as both games are actually quite similar. The different is that video poker is a digital version to the classic poker game. Video poker however is a more relaxed version of the classic poker game. When playing video poker you are not playing against other players or the bank but rather against a machine that acts as the bank.
At the beginning of each video poker game you place your bet and then you will be dealt 5 cards. You can change your hand at video poker anytime by switching the cards. However if you are happy with one or two cards, you can press hold and then keep those cards. When you press hold, all the other cards will change while you keep the ones you liked.
Card values in video poker
The card values with video poker look like this (from highest to lowest): Ace (high card), King, Queen, Jack, 10. 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3 and 2 (Deuce)
A poker hand can look as follows from the highest to the lowest combination possible:

Royal Flush: 10, Jack, Queen, King and Ace (same suit)

Straight Flush: 5 cards in the same suit

Full House: three same values that are not in the same suit and two other similar values that are not in the same suit

Flush: five cards in the same suit and any order

Straight: five cards that are in the same suit and a different order

Three of a Kind: Three different cards of different values but in the same suit

Two Pair: two pairs in different suits

One Pair: 2 cards with the same value but different suits

High Card: a rare combination of cards you won’t find at every casino. Only the highest card combination will be taken into consideration here