How to Play Video Poker - Tips for Mastering the Game

Introduction

The appeal of video Poker lies in that, unlike traditional slot games, it gives players opportunities to influence the outcome of the game with their skills.

In this blog, we will explain the essentials of video poker, from its basics to advanced tips for mastering the game.

What is a Video Poker?

Video Poker is a casino game based on five-card draw poker. It is played on a computerized console, similar to a slot machine. The player is dealt five cards and can keep or discard any number of them in exchange for new ones.

Objective

The goal is to create the best possible poker hand according to the game's paytable, which determines the payout based on the strength of the final hand. Unlike traditional poker, video poker is played against the machine rather than other players.

How to Play Video Poker

1. Select Your Machine and Game Version: Choose a video poker machine with different game variations. Each game has its own paytable and set of rules.

2. Place Your Bet: Insert money or credits into the machine. You can usually bet from 1 to 5 coins per hand. 

3. Receive Your Hand: Once you have placed your bet, press the ‘Deal’ button. You will be dealt five cards.

4. Choose Cards to Hold or Discard: Based on your initial hand, decide which cards to keep and which to discard.

• To hold a card, press the corresponding ‘Hold’ button under that card.
• Cards you don’t hold will be discarded and replaced.

5. Draw New Cards: After making your selection, press the ‘Draw’ or ‘Deal’ button. The machine will replace the discarded cards with new ones, completing your final hand.

6. Check for a Winning Hand: After the draw, the machine will evaluate your final hand against the game’s paytable. If you have a winning hand (for example - a pair of Jacks or better, a flush, a straight), you will be paid according to the payout structure.

7. Payout or Continue: If you win, the amount will be added to your credits. You can either cash out your winnings or continue playing by repeating the steps above.

Variations of Video Poker

Below are some of the most well-known variations of the game:

1. Jacks or Better

Jacks or Better is a popular version of Video Poker where players must have at least a pair of jacks to secure a win. A hand with pairs lower than jacks, like tens or below, results in no payout. The objective is to form the best possible five-card hand, with higher-ranked hands offering greater rewards.

Key Features:

• Minimum winning hand: Pair of Jacks.
• Standard paytable with 9:1 for a Full House and 6:1 for a Flush (9/6 Jacks or Better).
• Lower volatility compared to other versions.

2. Deuces Wild

In Deuces Wild, all 2s (deuces) are wild cards, which means they can substitute for any other card to complete a winning hand. This makes hitting stronger hands like four-of-a-kind, straight flushes, or even a royal flush easier. However, the game compensates for this by raising the minimum winning hand to three of a kind, making scoring harder on smaller hands.

Key Features:

• Deuces act as wild cards.
• Minimum winning hand: Three of a Kind.
• Increased chance of hitting premium hands like five-of-a-kind or straight flushes.
• Payouts for lower hands are reduced compared to Jacks or Better.

3. Bonus Poker

Bonus Poker is a variation similar to Jacks or Better but offers higher payouts for specific four-of-a-kind hands. For example, four aces often pay out significantly more than four-of-a-kind hands consisting of other cards. This makes the game more exciting for players hoping to hit these premium hands.

Key Features:

• Higher payouts for certain four-of-a-kind hands.
• A variation of Jacks or Better with the same minimum winning hand (pair of Jacks).
• Lower payouts for hands, like full houses and flushes, are better than Jacks', or better to balance the increased payouts for quads.

4. Double Bonus Poker

An extension of Bonus Poker, Double Bonus Poker takes things up a notch by offering even higher payouts for specific four-of-a-kind hands, especially for aces. While this makes the game more rewarding for players who land quads, the paytable compensates by reducing the payout for other hands, making it a higher-variance game.

Key Features:

• Even bigger payouts for four aces and other quads.
• Reduced payouts for lower-ranked hands.
• High variance and greater volatility compared to other versions.

5. Double Double Bonus Poker

A further enhancement of Double Bonus Poker, Double Double Bonus Poker offers additional bonuses for certain four-of-a-kind hands when they are paired with specific kicker cards (e.g., four aces with a 2, 3, or 4).

Key Features:

• Extra bonuses for four-of-a-kind hands with certain kickers.
• Very high payouts for premium hands, like four aces with a kicker.
• It is one of the highest-variance video poker games due to the big payouts.

Tips to Master Video Poker

Here are essential tips to help you excel at video Poker:

1. Choose the Right Game Variant

There are numerous video Poker variants, each with different rules and payouts. Mastering one variant at a time is key, as the strategy differs. For beginners, Jack or Better is a great starting point due to its simple rules and low house edge.

2. Learn the Paytables

The paytable determines the payouts for each hand, and different machines offer different payables. Always choose full-pay machines which offer the best payouts, such as the 9/6 payout in Jacks or Better (9x for a full house and 6x for a flush). Identifying machines with favourable payables increases your long-term profit potential.

3. Memorize Optimal Strategy

Video poker is unique because your decisions directly affect your odds of winning. Learning the best strategy for the variant you are playing is essential. Strategy charts are available online for different video poker variants and help you understand which cards to hold or discard to maximize your expected return. 

4. Play Max Coins

To unlock the maximum potential of video Poker, always bet the maximum number of coins (typically 5). Most machines offer a bonus payout for a royal flush when betting max coins, which can dramatically increase your return. If you cannot afford max coins at higher stakes, opt for a lower-denomination machine to bet max coins without overspending.

5. Manage Your Bankroll

Proper bankroll management is essential for prolonging your time in the game. Establish a budget before you start playing and adhere to it strictly. Avoid chasing losses by raising your bets or spending beyond what you initially intended. Beginning with smaller wagers also enables you to play more hands, enhancing your opportunities for big winnings.

6. Understand the House Edge

Understanding the house edge for the particular variant you're playing enables you to set realistic expectations. For example, full-pay Jacks or Better has a house edge as low as 0.46% when using optimal strategy. Conversely, Deuces Wild may have either a lower or higher house edge, depending on its paytable. A smaller house edge indicates more favourable odds over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is video Poker different from regular Poker?
Video Poker is based on a five-card draw Poker, but it is played on a machine. Unlike live Poker, there are no other players or bluffing involved. The game is purely between you and the machine, and your goal is to make the best hand possible using the cards dealt. It lacks the competitive, psychological elements of live Poker.

What is a ‘full-pay’ video Poker machine?
A ‘full-pay’ video Poker machine offers the best possible payout based on its paytable. For example, a full-pay Jacks or Better machine gives a 9/6 payout (9x your bet for a full house and 6x for a flush). These machines offer a lower house edge, making them more favourable for players.

Can I play video Poker online?
Yes, video Poker is widely available online through various casino websites and apps. Online versions offer the same gameplay as physical machines, with the added convenience of playing from home. Many online casinos also provide free video Poker games, allowing you to practice without risking real money. Play at a reputable online casino to ensure fair play and secure transactions.

Conclusion

Video Poker offers something for every type of player, whether looking for low variance, frequent wins, high variance, or high-reward action. What matters most is understanding the key differences between these games and modifying your strategy accordingly to maximize your enjoyment and achieve success.