As already explained, when players decide which cards to discard after the initial deal in video poker, the second draw replaces the discarded cards with new ones that are randomly selected from the deck. Because players make decisions after the first draw and the replacement cards are dealt randomly, the outcome of the game depends on both luck and player actions.
However, in many casinos there are also games known as video lottery terminals. They do not function the same way video poker machines do, as they do not utilize an RNG. This means the winners are not selected randomly; instead, a predetermined number of winners already exists.
While both games may resemble slot machines, it is worth discussing the differences between the two casino games. Understanding these distinctions will help you decide which one to play.
How Video Lottery Terminals Work
One of the main characteristics of video lottery terminals is that they use a different system to determine the winners. If you decide to play on a machine of this type, you are simply betting on the outcome of the game. In fact, VLT machines can be considered computerized lottery tickets: you wager on the final result and hope to be right so you can claim the prize.
It should be noted that when you join the game, the number of winners has already been predetermined. Although the winners may not be announced in every round, they will appear eventually. Even though the number of winners is fixed in advance, the selection process is still random. Players should not assume that these machines are simply tricking them.
The system that determines the winners for a certain VLT machine may not always be located in the casino where you play. In fact, there is often a central system that manages several VLT machines or even a network of VLT machines across multiple casinos. This means that you are actually competing against other players when you are playing on a VLT machine.
This type of game is popular at many Native American casinos and can also be found at racinos, which combine casinos and racetracks. When playing on some VLT machines, players actually see a virtual version of a scratch card. Just as a paper scratch card is already predetermined to be a winner or a loser the moment you buy it, a VLT’s outcome is fixed in advance, but you have no way of knowing it beforehand. The same principle applies to VLT machines.
Machine Class
One of the most distinctive differences between video poker and video lottery terminal machines is their class. This has nothing to do with the quality of the gameplay. In this context, class refers to the way each type of casino machine operates. Video poker machines are Class Ⅲ, whereas VLT machines are Class Ⅱ. In 1988 the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act defined three classes for games that may or may not be offered at certain gambling facilities. Class Ⅰ covers games traditional to Native American tribes, usually offering low-value prizes.
In Class Ⅱ games, the results are generated by a predetermined winning pattern. In this type of game we estimate the odds of matching a specific pattern on a bingo card. Because your actions do not influence the final result, there is no reason to use strategy. With Class Ⅱ machines there is also no way to calculate a potential RTP from the game’s paytable.
On the other hand, video poker machines are Class Ⅲ, where the result is generated by a Random Number Generator (RNG). You can calculate the odds of a certain card appearing on the second draw. With video poker machines it is very important to use strategies because they can affect the outcome. Player decisions determine the result of the second draw.
Differences Between Video Poker and VLT Machines
Because they belong to different classes, the two types of casino games have distinctive features that can help you decide which one you prefer to play.
Deciding the Result
This is probably the biggest difference between Class Ⅲ and Class Ⅱ machines. Video poker machines use RNG software that selects cards from the deck at random. The first hand you are dealt is chosen by the RNG and cannot be predicted. While you decide which cards to keep and which to discard, the software continuously shuffles the remaining cards in the deck. After you make your choices and press “Deal,” the replacement cards are again selected randomly. Each card has the same probability of appearing in both the initial deal and the second draw. Players also know the exact probability of forming different winning hands in video poker.
If, however, you play video poker on a Class Ⅱ machine, the result is determined differently. The VLT is connected to a server that operates like an RNG in that it draws bingo balls by random selection. When the bingo game ends, a pattern is chosen that consists of numbers on a bingo card, and this pattern dictates how and when the game is won. There are predetermined time frames during which certain players will record a win. The winning pattern determines both the number of wins and the number of losses.
If you are playing on a VLT machine, the interface of the game does not matter because the winning result is always determined by a bingo game. This means that even though you may be playing video poker on a Class Ⅱ machine, you could be competing against players who are playing slots or scratch cards. In every case, the winner is determined by the software that connects all the VLT machines in the network.
Odds
As explained above, winners in Class Ⅱ games are determined by a bingo pattern generated by software. Because there can be millions of different bingo patterns, it is very difficult to calculate the odds in this type of casino game.
However, with Class Ⅲ games it is possible to calculate the exact odds of drawing the various winning hands from a 52-card deck. When you know both the payouts and the odds for each hand, you can determine the expected return, something that cannot be done with Class Ⅱ games. If you are playing Class Ⅲ video poker, you can always see the paytable for each winning hand, allowing you to make a quick estimate of the RTP.
Using Strategy
By now you have probably realized that there is no way to use strategy with VLT machines. You cannot influence the already predetermined outcome. Even if you are playing video poker on a VLT and your initial hand is not the highest-paying one, if the software has decided you are a winner, the hand on the display will change on its own, perhaps forming a Royal Flush.
Meanwhile, strategy is crucial on a Class Ⅲ video poker machine. Ask any expert and they will tell you that using the proper strategy can make or break your session. Although the RNG deals the cards at random, your decisions still affect the final result. For this reason, there are tailored strategies for every variation of the game, and players are always advised to use them to tilt the odds in their favor.
How to Differentiate Video Poker Machines from VLT Machines
Sometimes it can be difficult to tell whether a particular machine is a Class Ⅲ video poker game or a VLT. However, several factors can help you distinguish one type of casino machine from the other.
One of the first things to consider is whether the state where you are playing allows lottery games. If lotteries are not legal where you are located, the casino can offer only Class Ⅲ video poker machines on which you can view the paytable and use strategy.
Some locations almost always offer VLT-type video poker machines. You are likely to find VLTs in bars, truck stops, saloons, and similar establishments. It is far less common to see VLT machines in commercial casinos, though there are exceptions.
Although some casinos may offer both Class Ⅲ and Class Ⅱ video poker machines, certain traits can help you recognize whether you are playing a standard video poker machine or a VLT.
If you see a bingo card displayed on a video poker game, you can be sure it is a Class Ⅱ machine. In addition, if the manufacturer is listed as GTECH or Spielo, you are about to play on a VLT. The names AURA and Power Station 5 above the play screen also indicate that GTECH manufactured the machine.
Another popular manufacturer of Class Ⅱ machines is International Game Technology (IGT). You may also see the name Sodak above the play screen; it is a subsidiary of IGT. World Touch Gaming also manufactures VLTs, which can help you identify this type of casino machine.
When playing the game, you can also spot features that appear only on VLT machines. If you see a “Match Card” option, you can be sure you are playing on a Class Ⅱ machine. Another distinctive feature is “Auto Hold,” which prevents you from choosing which cards to keep and which to switch. If a genie character pops up on the screen and changes the cards in your hand, you can be certain you are playing video poker on a VLT.
If you prefer playing with strategy and want a chance to affect the final outcome, you should avoid machines that display the features mentioned above. Remember that although some casinos offer both types of machines, they rarely advertise a game as a VLT. This means it is up to players to recognize the type of video poker machine they are betting on.
Conclusion
Although they provide different forms of casino entertainment, both standard video poker machines and VLTs have their own appeal. If you want to apply a strategy you have recently mastered, you should definitely choose a standard video poker machine. If you are a lottery fan and prefer to rely solely on luck, VLTs may be the perfect choice for you.
Although VLT machines have a predetermined number of winners, these winners are still selected randomly. VLTs can be a fun way to pass the time, but standard video poker machines are generally a better option for players seeking higher potential returns. Thanks to RNG software and player decisions, the outcome of a typical video poker game cannot be predicted, but it can be influenced. Using the correct strategy will improve the odds and give players a better chance of winning, provided they are playing on a Class Ⅲ video poker machine.