Video Poker

Video Poker is basically Draw Poker – or classic 5-Card Stud – in slot machine form.

Players choose whether to hold or discard from 5 cards showing and receive a second deal, or stand with a pat hand, that is, a hand which doesn’t need any more cards. Among casino players in the US, Video Poker has become the most popular game of chance. Nearly 80% of people responding to a recent Las Vegas survey claim they play video poker.

Ever since video poker’s introduction in the early 80s, the game has grown into one of the most popular games played at online casinos . In contrast to conventional poker, where players compete against others at a poker table, video poker is played solo on a machine that utilizes video technology to build a poker hand.

Video poker challenges the player to build the best possible 5-card hand. The player is dealt five cards and may opt to discard any or all of them. New cards are dealt to players for any cards they throw out.

Payoffs are scale-based, paying players for hands as low as a pair of 10s or jacks and all the way up to a mighty royal flush. And similar to slot machines, video poker bets can be made with a comfortable choice of denominations. Twenty-five cent and $1 machines are the most popular. Many online casinos also offer progressive payoffs or bonuses for royal flushes or other strong hands. Another reason for video poker’s popularity is its variety of games including 'Jacks or Better,’ 'Deuces Wild' and 'Jokers Wild.'

When playing Video Poker and Table Poker, it’s important to remember the following differences:

1. In video poker the House is actually a machine, not a dealer, and the video machine does not try to beat you.

2. Unlike when playing against other players, with video poker, you needn’t try and figure out what the other guy's hand might be.

3. Bluffing is completely non-existent.

4. You do not risk being beaten by another player. If you've got a strong hand, you win. With table poker, you could have a strong hand, say 3-of-a-kind, and still lose to another player who’s got a better hand.

5. An intelligent decision in video poker could prove to be a poor one vis à vis table poker. For example, a hand which may be advantageous to hold in video poker may prove otherwise in table poker and vice versa.

Video poker hand rankings, beginning with the highest, are as follows:

1. Five-of-a-Kind
2. Royal Flush
3. Straight Flush
4. Four-of-a-Kind
5. Full House
6. Flush
7. Straight
8. Three-of-a-Kind
9. Two Pair
10. One Pair

The highest possible hand in video poker is five-of-a-kind. It is only possible, of course, when using a joker or wild card.

Enjoy playing Video Poker. And best of luck!

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