VP
Vintage video poker machine from the 1970s displaying a royal flush
Since 1891

The History of Video Poker

From mechanical precursors to digital innovation—explore over a century of gaming evolution, mathematics, and the pioneers who shaped an industry.

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Deep Dives

Explore the Topics

From legal frameworks to mathematical foundations, discover the complete story of video poker's evolution.

Overview

The History of Video Poker

From the first mechanical poker machines of 1891 to the sophisticated digital terminals of today—a comprehensive journey through the evolution of one of gaming's most enduring formats.

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Legal & Regulatory

Class II vs. Class III Video Poker

The critical legal distinction created by the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act that determines whether video poker outcomes are driven by local RNG or centralized bingo patterns.

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Pioneers

Si Redd and the Founding of IGT

How one man's vision transformed a rejected patent into a gaming empire, establishing SIRCOMA and pioneering the video poker revolution that would reshape casino floors worldwide.

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Mathematics

The Mathematics of 'Jacks or Better'

Deep dive into the combinatorics of the industry's baseline game, exploring the 2.6 million possible hands, expected value calculations, and the critical role of the Royal Flush bonus.

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Technology

Implementation of the RNG

The technical evolution from primitive clock-based counters susceptible to timing attacks, to continuous shuffling algorithms that ensure truly random outcomes.

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Origins

Mechanical Precursors (1891–1960s)

The Sittman and Pitt poker machine, drum reels, and the long evolution from saloon entertainment to electronic gaming's foundation.

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Key Moments

A Century of Innovation

1891

Sittman & Pitt

The first poker machine is invented in Brooklyn, using 50 playing cards on drum reels.

1970

The Poker-Matic

Dale Electronics releases the first CRT-based video poker machine in Las Vegas.

1979

SIRCOMA Draw Poker

Si Redd's company launches the breakthrough machine that makes video poker viable.

1989

American Coin Scandal

Rigged firmware exposed, leading to Nevada Regulation 14 and fair RNG standards.

1995

Game King Era

IGT's multi-game platform revolutionizes casino floors with touchscreen interfaces.

2000s

TITO Revolution

Ticket-In, Ticket-Out technology replaces coins, transforming the gaming experience.