The 1980’s were a time of neon fashion, frizzy hair, synth music, and consumerism that exploded off the scale. Somewhere within this whirlwind, video poker became one of the most innovative formats and chapters in the entire history of the casino gaming market.
Although the bulk of video poker machines were designed in the 1970s, it was not until IGT rolled them out en masse that the true popularity of these gaming terminals was realized.
It is something we take for granted now. Playing video poker online is much simpler than it was when this technology first emerged. It’s the flexibility of video poker that has acted as a springboard, keeping it relevant and at the cutting edge of the latest designs.
It doesn’t matter if you are somebody who plays online video poker, crypto video poker, or you play on your mobile phone – it all started with the first video poker machine all the way back in the late 1970s.
Defining The Times
Any industry that can adapt to the latest trends stands a fantastic chance of being able to create long-term success, and although there were plenty of people within the poker world who disputed whether online poker could have the same impact on the market as the conventional game, they needn’t look further than the rise of video poker.
During the 80’s, technology started to permeate music. We saw the rise of famous science-fiction classics like The Terminator, another definitive product of the 80’s that has stood the test of time and remained relevant, as you can see in the link below.
Näytä tämä julkaisu Instagramissa
The goal of video poker was to bring a virtual element to a game that was so heavily reliant on the conventional aspects of bluffing, psychology, and being able to read what your opponent was going to do.
Some incorrectly assumed that the goal was for video poker to replace conventional poker, and this was not the purpose. It was a route for people who preferred solitude and strategy, rather than the bombastic, boisterous nature of a poker game, which can often be more suited to an extrovert than an introvert.
Ultimately, though, they became so successful that they were rolled out across the market rapidly in the 1980s, and the innovative but grainy graphics, combined with the classic font, still have a place in the market today, despite all the innovations that have happened since. For many casino gamers, these video poker terminals are synonymous with the 1980s.
Adjusting To An Online Market
Poker has sustained its popularity on multiple fronts. However, the rise of the internet proved to be a significant challenge for some of the more conventional areas of the market. Those looking for a strategy can easily find it online, and for free. It didn’t matter whether you were looking for information about poker downswings or more in-depth ideas that covered the broad range of individual strategies that both professionals and fellow players use.
Some platforms approached this from a more positive stance. They knew how popular video poker machines were in a conventional setting, and if they could bottle this up and project it into a potential online market of millions of people, then the return could be enormous.
The last decade has seen a rise in streaming across the entertainment industry. The way we watch TV and listen to music has changed beyond recognition over this time. The streaming wars that have since followed are a testament to how the dynamic of digital media is shifting entirely online.
Video poker game designs have moved seamlessly with this tech. In the earliest days of online casinos, video poker machines were among the most reliable tech. As the market drifted toward mobile games, blockchain, and cryptocurrency, there have been plenty of providers offering ways to play for those who prefer the solitude of video poker to the cantankerous, tense games that can unfold at a land-based poker game.
Where Does Video Poker Go After 2026
There’s always going to be a market for video poker, and while it will experience peaks and troughs, just like all other sectors of the igaming market, there’s a strong enough audience for it to move forward with a positive outlook.
Now, how this looks is anyone’s guess. We could see growing demand for cryptocurrency video poker, pushing more conventional payment options to the fringes of the market.
We could also see immersive ideas like VR become a driving force behind the new look of the sector, although VR gaming has had a generally lukewarm response over the last few years, and it’s not showing any signs of picking up, not from a casino gaming perspective, at least.
Some believe video poker machines could fuse themes and ideas, becoming an experimental springboard for vivid audiovisual designs, but until we see how this market shapes over the next decade or so, we’re just going to have to watch this space.
