History of 5-Card Draw Poker Machines

From 1890s “poker slots” in saloons to late-1970s video draw poker on casino floors—here’s the quick tour.

1890s: Poker “slot” machines

Five spinning drums with card faces paid out bar comps via the bartender. Operators often removed key cards to tighten odds.

Late 1960s–1970s: Electronics to video

Solid-state units began supporting hold/draw. Early video-style machines like Poker-Matic showed the format’s potential.

1979+: Casino breakout

Si Redd’s SIRCOMA (soon IGT) launched Draw Poker, and casinos embraced fast, transparent paytable play. Variants like Jacks or Better and Bonus Poker followed.

1990s–today

Progressives, multi-hand, and bar-tops arrived—same core loop: hold, draw, make the best 5-card hand.