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Video Poker Rules and Strategies

Video poker

Video poker burst into the industry back in the seventies and quickly began to gain popularity in different countries. Today, this game can safely be called one of the most popular forms of gambling both in Australia and abroad. Its rules are simple, there are different varieties to choose from with their own unique features, the process is exciting and fast.

Video poker has collected the best of the usual poker and online pokies, and the result is a cocktail that deserves attention. Here, the punter has a direct impact on the process and the result, there is a low house edge and the opportunity to get a good win in a couple of minutes. The combination of strategy and luck makes this game so attractive, and here we will tell you about it in more detail.

What is Video Poker and How to Play It

What immediately comes to mind when talking about poker? Cards, combinations, opponents, bluff, complex strategies... But there is another game that is not inferior in popularity and at the same time can boast simpler rules and exciting gameplay – and this is video poker. This is a unique mix of slot machines and a traditional card game, which as a result created a fast dynamic format with its own strategies and features.

As soon as the first pokie games began to appear in offline casinos in the late 1970s, video poker began its journey immediately. And with the development of technology, the game migrated online, significantly expanding its audience around the world.

Basic Rules and Gameplay

One of the key differences between video poker online or offline and a traditional card game is that there are no opponents. Punter plays exclusively against the machine, and he has his own clear goal – to collect the strongest possible hand and get paid according to the specified paytable.

There is no concept of bluff, no betting rounds, no need to analyze the actions of opponents and think about tells. Everything is much simpler – to play video poker, you need to know the combinations and try to collect the strongest ones. This is what makes this game so popular among gamblers, like craps and sic bo.

Video poker rules

Here's how the gameplay works:

  • The player places a bet. This happens before the cards are dealt, that is, when there is no additional information about the strength of the hand. The punter must choose how many coins or credits he wants to bet in this round.
  • The cards are dealt. The machine automatically gives the player five cards. This happens on a random basis.
  • Card selection process. This is the most important moment in video poker games for the gambler, since this is where he makes a decision that affects the final result. You need to choose the cards to keep and those you would like to change.
  • Final draw. The selected cards are automatically replaced with new ones. The player now has a final combination of five cards.
  • Payout and end of the round. According to the rules of video poker, the strength of the collected combination is analyzed. Based on the paytable, the winnings are paid if the hand meets the requirements.

Each hand is unique and independent so it can be perceived as a small separate game within a larger process. The rules are really simple – the same as in keno or bingo – and usually in just a couple of minutes even a complete beginner can figure them out.

All Possible Video Poker Combinations

As you can see, the rules and gameplay are quite simple and clear. The main and basically the only goal is to collect the strongest combination of all possible from the cards that you receive in this round. The video poker game uses the format of traditional five-card draw poker: that is, the punter receives five cards, decides which of them he wants to keep and changes the rest.

If you manage to collect a hand that qualifies for a payout – the mission is accomplished. And here, of course, it is important to understand what combos there can be and what you need to strive to collect.

For convenience, we have collected all video poker combinations in a table. These are hands from one pair to a royal flush – everything is like in a traditional game with opponents at the tables.

HandExplanationExample
One pairtwo cards of the same rankJ-J-2-3-4
Two pairtwo sets of two cards of the same rankJ-J-K-K-2
Three of a kindthree cards of the same rankJ-J-J-2-3
Straightfive consecutive cards of any suit9-10-J-Q-K
Flushfive cards of the same suitfive diamonds
Full housethree of a kind plus a pairJ-J-J-2-2
Four of a kindfour cards of the same rankJ-J-J-J-2
Straight flushfive consecutive cards of the same suit6-7-8-9-10 of diamonds
Royal flusha straight flush from ten to Ace10-J-Q-K-A of diamonds

The first video poker machine was Draw Poker from SIRCOMA, which later became known worldwide as the IGT (International Game Technology) brand. It was released in 1979, and it was a revolutionary step for gambling. Today, games of this format can easily be found in the best online casinos in Australia and other countries, as well as in offline establishments.

Main Video Poker Types and Their Differences

There are different variations of this popular game, and each of them has its own unique rules, payout structures, and therefore strategies. We have collected some of the most common varieties of videopoker with descriptions of the main differences:

Jacks or Better

If you need to name the most popular and basic type of the game, then this is it. The name explains the main requirement: you need to collect at least a pair of Jacks to qualify for a prize payout.

Deuces Wild

In this version, all deuces are wilds, which means that they have the function of becoming a substitute for any other card to form the necessary combination. Thus, it is easier to get the desired payout. However, these payouts will be smaller.

Joker Poker (Joker’s Wild)

In this type of video poker, a joker is added to the deck, which acts as a wildcard. Therefore, this variety resembles the previous one, with deuces. An option to collect a unique five-of-a-kind hand appears.

Bonus Poker

This type is similar to the very first one, but there are bonus payouts for four-of-a-kind hands. Of course, the prize depends on the rank of the collected hand – for example, aces will bring much more than threes.

Tens or Better

A fairly rare type of video poker, and again everything is clear from the name – you need to collect at least a couple of tens to qualify for a prize. Suitable for those who like frequent wins.

Each of the described versions has its own attractive features, and we recommend that you try them all over time and choose your favorite.

Interesting!
Interesting!

Today, there are many titles from the best casino software providers to play video poker online. Sometimes they have cool features for punters. For example, in Lucky Video Poker from KA Gaming there is an opportunity to use a hint – that is, the cards that are recommended to leave will be highlighted to speed up the decision-making. And in the title from Evoplay there is an opportunity to play up to five hands at the same time, which increases both the dynamics and the chances of getting a profit.

Video poker games

How to Play Video Poker and Win

Although this game depends on luck, however, not everything is as clear-cut as in roulette. In this format, the punter directly influences the process and makes important decisions. Therefore, using the right video poker strategy and following the recommendations of experienced experts can improve the chances of a successful game.

Here are some useful tips to remember:

  • Play max coins. To have a chance to get the biggest payouts (for example, for a royal flush), the best solution is to make the highest possible bets.
  • Choose the right video poker variant. For beginners, we recommend starting with something easy, that is, with Jacks or Better due to its simplicity and balanced payout structure. And only over time should you try more risky and dynamic options such as Deuces Wild.
  • Keep cards with high potential. You should always focus on those cards that can become part of a strong combination. For example, if you have four cards of the same suit, they should definitely not be thrown away.
  • Don't focus on small pairs. Remember that in some video poker formats, a pair like sixes or sevens will not bring you anything. Therefore, it is better to try to collect something like a straight or a flush.
  • Practice in demo versions. Very often, you can try the video poker free version before starting to play for real money. This will allow you to calmly get acquainted with the paytable and all the features of the gameplay and gain confidence.

Another important point is paytable. This is the key to maximizing your profit in the video poker game. There is such a thing as full-pay machines: here players can win the largest amounts for their combinations. Such a version offers 99.54% RTP, which means it is the most profitable for punters. Before starting the game, we recommend paying attention to potential payouts (especially the one that can be received for a royal flush), so that you have a picture in your head of what you can strive for. And don't forget that some casinos have video poker bonus deals – they may extend your sessions and boost wins.  

Where to Play Video Poker in Online Casinos

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FAQ

🎯 Which version of video poker is best suited for a beginner?

For inexperienced punters, the first variation of this game to try is often the one called Jacks or Better. Its rules are very simple and clear, and the paytable is easy to understand. Also important is a low house edge.

💸 Is there a winning strategy for online video poker?

Although the basic rule is that there is no single correct approach to this game that can guarantee profit, there are still certain tactics and recommendations that can help. The most important is to use mathematical probabilities in how to build your hand – that is, which cards to keep and which to get rid of. It is also important to consider the chosen variety of the game.

🎲 Which RTP is considered average for video poker games for today?

The Return to Player indicator, also known as RTP, can vary quite a lot depending on two factors: the version of the game the user has chosen and the paytable it uses. The average indicator is from 96 to 99 percent. It is very important to clarify this point in the rules before starting the game in order to understand what you can count on.

💎 Can you call a video poker casino game fair and safe?

Yes, such games are generally considered honest and secure for users. They can not be called rigged since their foundation is RNG, that is, everything happens randomly and is impossible to count in advance. However, there is a prerequisite for this to be true: you need to choose the proven online sites with authoritative licenses. If these are new online casinos, then it is important to study the comments of real players and read expert reviews.

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