HOW TO PLAY VIDEO POKER

Video poker games are some of the few timeless classics that have endured through decades of casino innovation. These simple games made their first appearance in land-based casinos, offering straightforward gameplay based on the already popular game of poker. Unlike the early slot machines (and most modern slots, too),this game allows players to control the gameplay to an extent, which means that the house edge can be reduced through optimal actions.

These games combine the best elements of slots and poker and are relatively easy to pick up. Let’s take a closer look at video poker.

WHAT IS A VIDEO POKER MACHINE?

Before we get into the juicy details on how to play video poker, we’re first going to break down what it actually is.

When newbie video poker players fire up a video poker machine for the first time, they’ll quickly notice that this casino game bears some resemblance not only to poker but also to slot machines. This game bares such a resemblance to slot games, in fact, that many players also refer to poker tables as poker slots.

Video poker is based on five-card draw poker, but it is also a game with fixed odds; sound familiar?It also features a random number generator that shuffles the cards and is played completely solo — no live dealers in sight!

On top of sporting some iconic slot elements, video poker machines also rock a few unique features of their own. Unlike slots, players are given the ability to make their own choices when playing video poker. This implies that players may be able to shift the odds in their favour and ultimately have some control over the outcome of their poker hand, which is also backed by the game’s low house edge.

To put the cherry on top, this game is one of the only casino games that is actually potentially beatable — with a proper strategy, that is. This would also depend on several factors, though, but we’ll get into that later.

HOW TO PLAY VIDEO POKER AND WIN — A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE

The process of playing video poker is straightforward — if you know how to play slots, then you know how to play video poker. What matters most is your familiarity with different poker hand rankings, but you’ll be at ease even if you’re a new player; video poker machines almost always feature an in-game panel where rankings are prominently displayed.

Without further ado, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to play video poker:

• Step 1: Select your bet size

The first step is to choose how much you want to bet before you start playing online video poker. The game uses coins, which may also be called credits. Most video poker tables accept up to five coins or credits. Usually, you will be able to select the value of your coins, but keep in mind that individual games may have varying minimum and maximum bets.

In most poker games, the displayed payout table will adjust the payouts according to your selected wager, so you’ll be able to see exactly how much you stand to win.

• Step 2: First cards down

Once you have chosen the bet size, you need to hit the ‘Deal’ button to receive your first five cards. Sometimes, your cards will be dealt one by one, face down, before all five cards turn over simultaneously. Other games may deal them face up.

• Step 3: Hold your cards

The next step is to select which cards you want to hold, meaning that you get to keep them for the following spin (which, in most cases, is free). The way you indicate which cards you wish to hold may differ from game to game; usually, you can simply click on the cards or press the ‘Hold’ button. Cards that were not selected will be discarded and replaced with new, randomly drawn cards — you will always have a hand built of five cards.

Holding is precisely what gives video poker a very low house advantage compared to all other online games. You must know how to recognise a hand’s potential and which cards should be kept or discarded. Make the right call, and you might be in with the chance of significantly improving your hand and winning.

• Step 4: Second Cards Drawn

After you have finished choosing which cards to hold, you can hit the ‘Draw’ button to get new cards. These five cards are your final hand — you will not be able to hold and discard cards after this draw.

• Step 5: Outcome and payout

Your payout will depend on the strength of your final hand. Fortunately, all possible hands and payouts are promptly displayed on the game’s payout table. Keep in mind that the payouts may differ or offer bonus wins for hands with the joker (and yes, there are video poker games that use jokers), so make sure to check the game’s rules before you play.

VIDEO POKER RULES

Video poker is a pretty basic game, so the rules are quite easy to follow. That said, when you go to play online video poker, you’ll be able to access the rules at any time. So, even if you don’t remember the rules, you’ll have no problem giving your brain a quick refresher. Bear in mind that, since there are a few different video poker variants available online, the rules may vary — although not by much. Check out a few common ones:

• Each game uses standard table poker hands.
• Players are dealt five cards.
• Players can choose to hold or discard all five cards.
• Any cards that have been discarded will be replaced in a single random draw.
• Payout percentages vary with bet value/ number of coins played.

TYPES OF VIDEO POKER GAMES

There are many different video poker variants, so you might find it difficult to choose which one you’d like to play. Overall, you’ll find that all video poker variants are relatively similar to one another, so your experience won’t differ significantly.

Because of this, you can use a pretty basic strategy when playing poker. Get to know the odds of landing each hand and optimise your gameplay decisions accordingly. There’s no use holding on to a single king in hopes of the elusive royal flush, but holding a pair of 10s can put you in the running for a three-of-a-kind. Don’t forget that you can also practise using fake money, as some video poker tables offer a free demo mode.

Take a look at some of our absolute favourites:

JACKS OR BETTER VIDEO POKER

Jacks or Better is a super exciting game and is also one of the most common online poker tables found at online casinos. Jacks or Better video poker actually gets its name from a rule that has been embedded in the game for ages. Players giving Jacks or Better a spin can only earn a pair of jacks or better as the minimum winning hand.

DEUCES WILD

Deuces Wild is often regarded as a more exciting video poker game than Jacks or Better, as it takes your gaming to a whole new level. In this variation of video poker, twos all act as Wild cards, which can substitute for any other card in your hand AND can appear in any hand. If you’re looking to give the classic game a fun twist, Deuces Wild is your proverbial guy, as it not only ups the ante but also gives players the chance to create extra valuable winning hands!

BONUS POKER

If Deuces Wild is a little too hot but you still want to try something new, Bonus Poker offers a happy middle. This game is similar to Jacks or Better, but it sprinkles on a special bonus that’ll make your gaming extra tasty — any time you earn a four-of-a-kind, you’ll be awarded a bonus payout!

DOUBLE BONUS POKER

Double Bonus Poker is also pretty similar to Jacks or Better, but you might want to keep an eye out for ace cards. In this game, you will be awarded a jaw-dropping win upon earning all four aces!

VIDEO POKER PAYTABLE

Here’s a quick breakdown of the possible payouts you may earn on a typical table:

Coins/Hands	1 coin	2 coins	3 coins	4 coins	5 coins
Royal flush	250	500	750	1000	4000*
Straight flush	50	100	150	200	250
Four-of-a-kind	25	50	75	100	125
Full house	9	18	27	36	45
Flush	6	12	18	24	30
Straight	4	8	12	16	20
Three-of-a-kind	3	6	9	12	15
2 pairs	2	4	6	8	10
Jacks or better	1	2	3	4	5

VIDEO POKER HANDS

Different hands pay differently, and the sum varies from one game to another. The paytable in the best video poker machines will give you that information, often displayed directly on the game’s main interface.

Here are all hands you can build:

• Royal Flush — A, K, Q, J, and 10 of the same suit.
• Straight Flush — Five cards in sequence and of the same suit.
• Four of a kind — Four cards of the same value.
• Full house — A three of a kind and a pair.
• Flush — Five cards of the same suit.
• Straight — Any five cards in a sequence.
• Three of a kind — Three cards of the same rank and two unrelated cards.
• Two pair — Two pairs and a kicker.
• Jacks or better — This hand is unique to select tables, offering a payout for hands with a pair of jacks, queens, kings or aces.

VIDEO POKER STRATEGY

One of video poker’s main selling points is that, with the right strategy, you can actually win. There are a few different things you can do to develop a proper strategy, and it all depends on the hand that is drawn at the time, but here are a few things to keep in mind when developing a video poker strategy:

• Hold four cards that form high-ranking combinations.
• Discard the remaining two cards in a three-of-a-kind to make room for higher-ranking hands.
• If you earn two pairs, discard the fifth card to make room for a full house.
• Only discard a flush or straight when you have four cards that might build a royal flush.
• Always break a jacks or better hand to potentially form a straight flush.
• Keep a low pair instead of a single high card.

BEST TIPS ON HOW TO WIN AT VIDEO POKER

Aside from building a good strategy, there are a few other tips you can add to your toolkit that just might help you land a win.

BECOME ACCUSTOMED TO THE PAYTABLE

It is highly recommended that you check out the paytable before you begin betting. You don’t need to memorise how each poker hand pays out, but the paytable will give you an idea of which hands to aim for if you’re looking to win the biggest payout possible. Of course, your payout will depend on the state of your hand, but it’s good to know which hands to work for — the royal flush, straight flush, four-of-a-kind, and full house are top-paying hands.

BOOST WIN POTENTIAL BY ADJUSTING YOUR MAX BET

Many online tips will tell you to use all five coins when betting. This is because, by using the maximum number of coins, you’ll be able to win the maximum value for a royal flush, which typically awards a payout of 800:1 as opposed to 250:1 for lower wagers. However, it is important that you keep a few strategy charts handy and have a sound bankroll management system in place.

USE STRATEGY CHARTS

Strategy charts act as a kind of guide to help you make better decisions on keeping or discarding cards. They compile a list of every single outcome in a game. Making more informed decisions will ultimately boost your chances of winning instead of going in blind and treating poker as a guessing game. Even if you’re a little more informed than most other players, it’s still good to keep these charts handy in case there comes a time when you get stuck.

PLAY TABLES WITH BETTER ODDS

No matter what online game you play, the house will always have some sort of advantage. But, there are tables that offer better odds of winning than others. Before you sit down and insert your coins, take a quick look at the odds to see if your chosen poker table offers a good chance of winning. Playing at tables with better odds is also a brilliant move for beginners who have not come to grips with the gameplay and have not built up their bankroll.

PRACTISE IN THE DEMO MODE

The beauty of playing at online casinos is that most online poker tables come with a demo mode. The demo is basically a free-play version of the game that offers the exact same gaming experience you would expect to find when playing for real. The only difference is that, in the demo mode, you play using fake money rather than your actual bankroll. So, you’ll be able to get the full experience without leaving a dent in your cache! The only bummer is that you won’t be able to collect any of the winnings you earn, but you can always switch to the full-pay version once you’ve fully milked the demo for all it’s worth.