If you are fairly new to gambling, you might not be very familiar with all casino games. If you are interested in video poker but are not sure whether your knowledge of standard poker is enough, keep reading. We will introduce you to the rules of this wonderful game, which we are sure you will enjoy.
You can think of video poker as a variation of slot machines, but with a much better chance of snagging a win. If you add the winning hands of classic poker to the randomness of slots, you get a video poker game. Since it is not solely based on luck, however, this casino game is a favorite of those who are on the lookout for good payouts and great winning odds.
You do not need to stress when you hear that video poker also incorporates the winning hands of classic poker. This game is much simpler and easier to play, and you will have no issue understanding the rules of video poker. It should be noted that with the rise of virtual casinos and online video poker, there have been many variations to the game. These may include rules that differ slightly from those of traditional video poker. Despite this, the objective of the game is always the same, and even with a few gameplay adjustments, video poker is very easy to play.
In addition to its simple rules, it is also a game that allows the use of strategy. If you learn how to play the game optimally, you can achieve great outcomes and enjoy a rewarding gambling experience. Nowadays, players have numerous video poker options available online. This allows them to choose the most rewarding games and dive into lucrative, entertaining casino adventures.
General Rules of Video Poker
If you are looking for an easy explanation of the rules of video poker, look no further. To be completely honest, there is nothing complicated about this casino game, which is why many players enjoy placing bets on it.
If you have ever played Five-card draw, you will have no issue playing video poker, since it is based on this simple poker variation. In Five-card draw, players are dealt five cards and can choose to discard or keep any of them to form a winning hand. If they decide to discard any card, they must replace it with another card from the deck.
Similar to the aforementioned poker variation, video poker machines deal players 5 random cards. While this sounds a lot like classic slots, you have a better chance of winning in video poker, as the outcome of the game will be determined with the next deal of cards. Whether you are playing at a land-based casino or have decided to play video poker online, the rules of the game will be the same. After you have been dealt five random cards, you will be allowed to discard some or all of them if you do not think your current hand will bring you a good payout.
If your second hand forms a winning combination, you will receive a payout that will be determined by the rank of your hand and the size of your bet. While winning hands may differ among the various video poker variations, there are general poker hands that will bring you a win. If your second hand at video poker is Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Four of a Kind, Full House, Flush, Straight, Three of a Kind, Two Pair, or a Pair, you can expect a rewarding outcome. There are also some video poker options that incorporate wild cards, which can help players form winning hands more easily, and there is usually a different payout for those special hands.
When you play video poker online, you often have the option to play for fun. This allows you to fully grasp the rules of the particular variant and start playing for real money whenever you feel confident enough. Whichever video poker version you decide to play, you will still be able to win by sticking to the essential rules of the game.
The Video Poker Machine
Video poker began its journey in land-based casinos in Sin City. During the 1970s, it started catching the attention of slot fans, and it quickly became a favorite of many casino enthusiasts. Although many video poker variants have emerged over the years, the two most popular are still Jacks or Better and Deuces Wild.
If you are curious about the video poker machine and how it works, keep on reading. When you look at its design, you will notice that it resembles typical modern slot machines. That said, because the game of video poker requires more decisions and actions compared to slots, the video poker machine does have additional buttons. This way, the player can navigate their gameplay and either discard or keep cards.
If you look at the top of the video poker machine, you will notice a cylindrical light with two different colors. This part of the machine is often called a “candle” or “tower light” and is usually white on the top and colored on the bottom. The color on the bottom indicates the denomination of the bets you are allowed to make on the particular video poker machine. Usually, red is used for nickels, yellow indicates quarters, blue is used for dollars, and purple is typically used for higher values.
The Video Poker Machine Additional TipsMost of the time, these lights are turned off, but if you press the button that says “Service,” the white part of the candle will light up. This tells the slot host passing by that you need assistance. There might also be a time when one or both of the lights on top of the video poker machine are constantly blinking. If the white light is blinking, it simply means that the door of the machine was opened and then closed, and no one has played after that. This might be done for various reasons, including maintenance. As soon as a player sits at the machine and places a bet, the lights stop blinking. If both lights of the candle start blinking slowly, this is great news, as it indicates that the player expects a hand-pay, meaning the game has awarded a win above the threshold that is paid by the machine.
Usually, every video poker machine that offers just one type of game has its name above the screen, covered by a piece of glass. Some of the older models of video poker machines might also show the payout for the specific game. Meanwhile, you will usually not see newer video poker machines displaying a payout table above the screen, since they offer several types of games.
Of course, one of the key parts of the video poker machine is the screen, which shows the cards players are dealt, as well as other important details about the game. Typically, there are two types of video poker machines with different screen positions. The first one is known as an upright model, and its play screen is positioned at eye level, resembling a computer monitor. The other model of video poker machine is the tabletop one and, just as its name suggests, it looks like a table, since the screen is parallel to the ground and players look down to follow the gameplay.
Paytables in Video Poker
Just like in any other casino game, the payout is also very important in video poker. Even if you are simply playing for fun, you are still advised to pick a variant that promises the best payout. On older video poker machines where there is just a single type of game, the paytable can be seen on the play screen. It is possible for two games to have the same name but still have different paytables, which is why it is important to check your options before you start playing.
However, if you are visiting a casino where the video poker machines are newer models that offer several games, you will not be able to see the paytable on the play screen. In such cases, players must approach the machine, pick their denomination, which may be quarters, dollars, and so on, and select the variant they would like to play. Only then will you be able to see the paytable for the specific game you have selected. Keep in mind that different denominations might also affect the payouts of the game.
If you are playing video poker online, you will also have the chance to see the paytable before making any bet. This will help you decide whether the respective game is worth playing for real money. Knowing the paytable is crucial for players since proper payouts will ensure that they can enjoy a better outcome when they win.
Usually, the average profit that a casino enjoys on every video poker game is about 3%. Accordingly, the potential return that players can enjoy is estimated at 97%. This return to player percentage (RTP) is determined by the paytable of the specific game. A better payout for a certain hand will indicate a higher RTP, which ultimately means a better outcome for winners.
While it is important to learn and use strategy to improve your chances of winning at video poker, you should also choose a game that offers good payouts. This combination will give you the ultimate advantage and can bring you lucrative results.
Full-Pay and Short-Pay Video Poker
If you are not very familiar with the game of video poker, you might not be able to recognize whether a certain machine offers good payouts. Moreover, the paytable for some variants may be different, which can at times be confusing. As video poker became very popular at both land-based and online casinos, different variants of the game began emerging everywhere. What you will often notice about various video poker games is that they might offer payouts that differ from the standard ones.
The games that offer the highest payouts for a certain video poker variant are known as full-pay. If you are on the lookout for lucrative results, you are advised to always look for full-pay variants. This way, you can significantly improve your winning odds and even tilt the scales in your favor when using the right strategy.
Video poker options that offer lower payouts compared to the full-pay ones are known as short-pay variants. Since you will not see a casino, whether land-based or virtual, promoting its games as full-pay or short-pay, it is up to the players to determine which game will provide the best payouts. This is why it is important to learn how to recognize a full-pay video poker game.
Because there are different video poker variants, each of them has a particular full-pay version. To find a machine or an online option that will give you the most lucrative results, you should be able to recognize which variants are full-pay.
Full-Pay and Short-Pay Video Poker Additional TipsLet us take one of the most popular video poker variations, for example. If you wish to wager on full-pay Jacks or Better, you should play what is known as the 9/6 variant. Before you start betting money, take a look at the paytable, especially at the payouts for Full House and Flush. A Full House should pay 9 to 1, while a Flush should reward winners with a payout of 6 to 1. Combining the right strategy with a 9/6 Jacks or Better game will bring you very satisfying results, whether you are playing online or at a brick-and-mortar casino. If you see a paytable for the same game with a Full House paying 8 to 1 and a Flush paying 5 to 1, you have come across a short-pay variant of Jacks or Better, and you should not expect the most generous payouts. It is also possible to see 8/6, 7/5, or 6/5 versions of Jacks or Better, which obviously have even lower RTP.
Sometimes playing a lower-payout version may not change the strategy that players use. However, betting on a short-pay video poker game may require players to adjust their strategy. This is why players are advised to bet on full-pay video poker options, if possible, and make use of the correct strategy.
Although the strategy for Joker Wild is a bit trickier, once you master it you should look for a 5/7 variant of the game. In this case, a Full House must pay 7 to 1, while a Flush should pay 5 to 1.
There is also the option to play Double Bonus with an RTP of 100.2%, which can be achieved only with an optimal strategy on a 10/7 variant. This would mean that the payout for a Full House should be 10 to 1, while a Flush should pay 7 to 1.
Tips for Beginners
If you wish to enjoy a video poker game that is both rewarding and exciting, you should know a few things. If you follow the tips we are going to share with you, you will be able to quickly rise from the level of a rookie to that of a casino expert who knows how to maximize their winnings.
While standard poker might be a bit intimidating, video poker is not that intense. On top of that, it is a game that can easily bring great results to those who are willing to learn. While it is not necessary to start applying these tips from the very beginning, you can definitely improve your gameplay over time by following the advice we have for you.
When you have finally found a video poker machine or online variant that offers the highest possible payout, there is only one way to fully appreciate the best reward. If you opt for making the maximum bet, you will be able to revel in huge payouts when you hit a winning combination. While the highly coveted Royal Flush or Four Aces are difficult to achieve, when staking the maximum amount of coins, you have the best chance to land the highest payout the game offers.
As mentioned earlier, it is very important to check the paytable of the game you are about to play. Whenever you have too many options, it is best to pick the one that offers the full payout. This will drastically improve your chances of hitting huge payouts. In fact, when you use the right type of strategy and opt for a high-paying video poker variant, you have some of the best odds of winning compared with those offered by other casino games.
Additional Tips for BeginnersOne of the best tips we have for you is to do thorough research about the game you are about to play. Make sure that you are well aware of the rules of the game, the way it is played, and how to pick the best possible option. Learning video poker strategies will also repay you in your future adventures. Moreover, numerous virtual casinos allow their members to play video poker just for fun without risking any of their real money. This gives players enough time to get used to a certain game and apply what they have previously learned. Once they are confident enough, players can make real-money bets and play video poker the way it is supposed to be played.
Last but certainly not least, there is one tip that every video poker player should follow, and that is managing their bankroll. This means that you should continue playing while it is fun and stop when things start getting out of control. Setting a budget and sticking to it is very important, as it will allow you to manage your gambling and will help you avoid overspending. Even though using a strategy can definitely improve your winning chances, this does not change the fact that video poker is still a game of chance, and there is never a guaranteed outcome.
Conclusion
As you can see, there is nothing complicated about video poker, and whichever variant of the game you choose to play, you can enjoy a fruitful outcome. Whether you visit a land-based casino or open an account at a gaming website, you will be able to enjoy different variants of this exciting game. Many players find video poker entertaining because in addition to pure luck, there is the opportunity to affect the final result through your own decisions.
While video poker incorporates the winning hands of typical poker, it is definitely a much easier game to understand and play successfully. Despite Jacks or Better and Deuces Wild being two of the most commonly played variants, there are many other video poker options you can enjoy.
When choosing the video poker variation you would like to play, you should consider the payouts it offers, since they will determine the RTP. The higher the RTP, the better your chances of winning are. Combining this with a great strategy and maximum bets can lead to a very lucrative and enjoyable video poker adventure.