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Video Poker 101: Your Comprehensive Guide

Video poker is a popular casino game that has been around for decades. It offers a unique blend of skill and luck, making it a favourite among both seasoned and novice players. With the advent of online casinos, video poker has become more accessible than ever, allowing players to enjoy this thrilling game from their homes.

In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the world of video poker and provide all the information you need to increase your chances of a great gaming experience. From the basic rules of the game to advanced strategies, we will cover everything you need to know to become a video poker pro.

Video poker is a popular casino game that has been around for decades. It offers a unique blend of skill and luck, making it a fa...

Written By: Max Dernaker Checked By: Thomas Berg Last Updated 25 January, 2024

This is Video Poker

A video poker machine was my very first encounter with online gambling

Video poker games are popular casino games that combine elements of both poker and slot machines. The objective of the game is to create the best possible poker hand using the cards you are dealt. The better your hand, the higher your payout.

In video poker, players are given five cards and must choose which cards to keep and which ones to discard. After the discarded cards are replaced with new ones, the resulting hand is compared to the pay table of the specific video poker machine being played. The machine then pays out based on the strength of the final hand.

There are many different variations of video poker, and each video poker game has its own unique set of rules and payouts. Some of the most popular video poker games include Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, and Joker Poker.

Video poker is a game that requires a combination of skill and luck, making it a favourite among both seasoned and novice players alike. Fact is, that a video poker machine was my very first encounter with online gambling!

Here are the basic steps to playing video poker

Step 01

Place your bet

Before the game begins, you must place your bet. The amount you can bet will depend on the specific video poker machine you are playing. If you haven't played before, we would advice you to start low

Step 02

Receive your cards

Once you have placed your bet, you will be dealt five cards

Step 03

Choose which cards to keep

After receiving your cards, you must choose which ones to keep and which ones to discard. The cards you choose to keep will form your final hand

Step 04

Receive new cards

Once you have chosen which cards to keep, the machine will replace the cards you discarded with new ones

Step 05

Determine your hand

Your final hand will be determined based on the cards you chose to keep and the new cards you received. If your hand is good enough, you will receive a payout based on the pay table of the machine

Video Poker Strategies

While video poker is a game of chance, there are strategies you can use to increase your chances of winning. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

Know the pay table: Each video poker machine has a different pay table, which determines the payouts for each hand. Make sure you understand the pay table before you start playing.
Play maximum coins: To maximize your payouts, always play the maximum number of coins. Many video poker machines offer a bonus payout for hitting a royal flush when playing maximum coins.
Keep the right cards: Knowing which cards to keep and which ones to discard is key to winning at video poker. As a general rule, always keep a pair or better, and never break up a winning hand.
Use a strategy chart: A video poker strategy chart can help you make the right decisions when it comes to which cards to keep and which ones to discard. These charts can be found online and are a great resource for players of all skill levels.

Play Video Poker Online Successfully

As mentioned above, video poker games are more than just luck, and therefore there are several things you can do to give yourself the best possible chances to play successfully. Here are our best advices if you want to play better video poker:

Choose a reputable online casino

Make sure you choose an online casino that is reputable and trustworthy. Check for licenses, certifications, and customer reviews before making a deposit.

Use a strategy chart

A video poker strategy chart can help you make the right decisions about which cards to keep and which ones to discard based on the specific hand you are dealt.

Manage your bankroll

Set a budget for how much you are willing to spend and stick to it. Avoid chasing losses or betting more than you can afford.

Learn Video Poker Hands

To play video poker successfully, it is important to learn the different hands and their rankings. In video poker games, a poker hand will have max five cards. Here are the hands you need to know:

Royal Flush: 10, Jack, Queen, King, and Ace of the same suit.
Straight Flush: A Straight Flush is a hand that contains any five cards of the same suit in sequence.
Four of a Kind: Four cards of the same rank.
Full House: Three cards of the same rank and two cards of another rank.
Flush: Any five cards of the same suit.
Straight: Any five cards in sequence, regardless of suit.
Three of a Kind: Three cards of the same rank.
Two Pair: Two cards of one rank and two cards of another rank.
Pair: Two cards of the same rank.
High Card: If no other hand is achieved, the highest card in your hand determines your payout.

Read Rules for Different Video Poker Variations

Before playing any video poker variation, it is important to read and understand the rules. For example, each video poker variation has a different pay table, which determines the payouts for each hand.

Make sure you understand the pay table before playing. Wild cards and betting structures are other things to pay attention to when playing online video poker games.

Play Free Video Poker Before Real Money Games

Playing free video poker games is a great way for new players to become familiar with the rules and strategies of the game without risking money, like in real money play. By using the correct strategy you can up your chances of winning. It can also be a fun way to experiment with different strategies and variations.

Make Use of Video Poker Bonuses

Many online casinos offer bonuses and promotions that can be used by video poker players. By taking advantage of these bonuses, you can increase your bankroll and enjoy more time playing video poker. Keep a special eye on casinos welcome bonus.

Video Poker Games vs. Traditional Poker

Why should you choose to play video poker games over regular poker? Well, while some players may prefer the social interaction and strategy of playing real poker games with other people, there are several advantages to playing video poker that make it a great choice for many players.

One of the most significant advantages of video poker is that it offers a high degree of privacy and control. Unlike other games, where you may be playing with strangers or in a public setting, video poker allows you to play at your own pace and in a private environment.

This can be particularly appealing for players who are new to the game variant or who prefer to avoid the pressure of playing in front of others.

Predictable and Consistent Experience

Another advantage of video poker is that it offers a more predictable and consistent gaming experience than real poker games. Since the outcome of each hand is determined by a random number generator, players can be assured that the game is fair and that the odds are consistent across all machines.

In addition to the above advantages, it is fair to mention that video poker games can be played with bonus money that can be collected as a welcome bonus or reload bonus. Selected games even offer bonus games and a progressive jackpot. These bonus features can only be found in video poker games, not regular poker games.

More Accessible

Video poker is generally more accessible and convenient than real poker games. Since video poker machines are available in many different locations, including online casinos, players can enjoy the game whenever and wherever they choose.

This makes it a great option for players who want to fit in some quick gaming sessions during their busy schedules, or who prefer to play from the comfort of their own home.

In summary, while real poker games certainly have their own appeal, video poker offers several advantages that make it an excellent choice for many players.

FAQ: Video Poker Games

Video poker is a game that requires a combination of skill and luck. While the cards you are dealt are random, the decisions you make about which cards to keep and which ones to discard can have a significant impact on your chances of winning.

Knowing which cards to keep and which ones to discard depends on the specific video poker variation you are playing. However, as a general rule, you should always keep a pair or better, and never break up a winning hand.

Yes, using a strategy chart can be helpful when playing video poker. These charts can be found online and help you make the right decisions about which cards to keep and which ones to discard based on the hand you are dealt.

Double Bonus Poker is a popular variation of video poker that is played with a standard 52-card deck. The game is based on traditional poker hands, with players aiming to form the best possible hand in order to win payouts according to the paytable.

Yes, it is possible to play free video poker games. All you need to do is to select an online casino that will allow free play. Free play means that the casino will allow you to play free video poker i demo mode. You can’t win real money money this way, but on the other hand, you won’t lose any of your own money neither, like you may in real money video poker.

Deuces Wild is another popular variation of video poker games. In Deuces Wild, all of the twos (deuces) in the deck are considered wild cards. This means that they can be used to represent any other card in the deck to form a winning hand. For example, if a player has three 7s and a deuce, the deuce can be used to represent a fourth 7, creating a four of a kind hand.

The payout for a royal flush varies depending on the specific video poker machine you are playing. However, most machines offer a bonus payout for hitting a royal flush when playing maximum coins.

Yes, it is possible to win at video poker. While the game is based on chance, using the right strategies can significantly increase your chances of winning.

The house edge is a term used to describe a casino’s statistical advantage over the player in a particular game. It represents the percentage of each bet that the casino expects to keep over the long term.

For example, if a casino has a house edge of 5% in a particular game, it means that over time, the casino expects to keep 5% of each bet that is placed in that game.

Video Poker 101: Your Comprehensive Guide

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This is Video Poker

Start Playing Video Poker at Online Casinos

How to Play Video Poker

Here are the basic steps to playing video poker

Video Poker Strategies

Top Video Poker Games

Jacks or Better

Deuces Wild

Joker Poker

Double Bonus Poker

Multi-Hand Video Poker