Video Poker is a derivative of both slot machines and the game of poker. A history of poker is far from being documented. To this day there is still not agreement if the name is derived from the French 'poque,' or the German 'Pochspiel' or even the Hindu 'pukka'. Erlst known mention of the game goes back to 1834 when Jonathan Green observed the progresses and development of the game on the Mississippi River riverboats.

The use of the coin operated gaming mechanisms goes back to the East Coast of the United States and dates back to the late 1800s. These devices became popular in cigar stores and saloons in San Francisco. The early machines were called drop card machines and they used fifty cards on five drums. The Jack of Hearts and Ten of Spades were the two cards that were generally eliminated from the deck. It does not some fair you might think. And you're right. But some players got back through the use of counterfeit coins.

There were quaint customs in the early history of poker machines that were quite colorful. It was common for a Royal Flush for instance, to pay 100 cigars or drinks. Charles Fey was known throughout the industry for his three-reel Liberty Bell slot machine of 1899. It was a sign of things to come. He also produced in his Market Street factory the 6-Way Paying Teller. It had 5 rows of drop cards. In the fire and earthquake of 1906 all but one of his "bell" machines were lost. Fey managed to rescue that one himself. It can be seen today at his grandson’s Reno Nevada Liberty Belle Saloon and Restaurant.

After that time, mechanical poker machines went in and out of fashion. The electronics age began in 1964. At that time Nevada Electronics produced its solid state "21" machine. By the mid-70's other companies had joined into the action producing roulette, horse racing and poker machines, all solid state. When Dale Electronic came out with their Poker-Matic it met with terrific success in Vegas.

In 1975, the Fortune Coin Company built a video bell slot machine. A sluggish acceptance by the casinos ended up in its conversion into a draw poker machine. The draw poker machine was an outstanding success. William "Si" Redd became a major leader in the new industry. His company acquired Nutting Enterprises, which manufactured BlackJack and Draw Poker video consoles. Eventually he changed his company’s name to International Game Technology, which today is a major leader in the field. It was the invention of the video chip in the mid-70's that brought about the development of video poker machines. They have now spread and are a main element in many casinos today.