HOW TO PLAY: Video Poker

Video poker is a popular and exciting casino game that combines the skill of poker with the simplicity of slot machines. Unlike slots, video poker gives you the chance to influence the outcome of each hand by using a strategy. In this article, you will learn how to play video poker, what are the best video poker games to play, and how to beat video poker machines.

The Basics of Video Poker

Video poker is played on a machine that resembles a slot machine, but instead of spinning reels, you are dealt five cards. You can choose to keep or discard any of the cards, and then draw new cards to replace the ones you don’t want. The goal is to make the best possible poker hand, according to the paytable of the game you are playing.

The paytable shows you how much each hand pays, depending on how many coins you bet. The more coins you bet, the higher the payout for a winning hand. You can bet up to five coins per hand, which is usually the maximum bet. To get the best odds, you should always bet the maximum coins.

Some video poker games also have special features, such as wild cards, bonus payouts, or progressive jackpots. These can add more excitement and variety to your gameplay, but they also affect the strategy and the return of the game. You should always check the paytable and the rules of each game before you play.

The Best Video Poker Games to Play

There are many different types of video poker games available in casinos and online. Some of the most popular ones are:

• Jacks or Better: This is the most basic and common video poker game. It pays for any pair of jacks or higher, and has a 99.54% return with optimal strategy.

• Deuces Wild: This game uses a standard 52-card deck, but all twos are wild cards. This means they can substitute for any other card to make a winning hand. It pays for any three of a kind or higher, and has a 100.76% return with optimal strategy.

• Bonus Poker: This game is based on Jacks or Better, but it offers higher payouts for four of a kind hands with different ranks. For example, four aces pay 80 coins, four twos, threes, or fours pay 40 coins, and four fives through kings pay 25 coins. It has a 99.17% return with optimal strategy.

• Double Bonus Poker: This game is similar to Bonus Poker, but it offers even higher payouts for four of a kind hands with different ranks. For example, four aces pay 160 coins, four twos, threes, or fours pay 80 coins, and four fives through kings pay 50 coins. It has a 100.17% return with optimal strategy.

• Double Double Bonus Poker: This game is a variation of Double Bonus Poker, but it offers extra payouts for certain combinations of four of a kind hands with an ace or a two through four kicker. For example, four aces with a two through four kicker pay 400 coins, four twos, threes, or fours with an ace through four kicker pay 160 coins, and four fives through kings with an ace kicker pay 160 coins. It has a 100.07% return with optimal strategy.

These are just some examples of video poker games that you can find in casinos and online. There are many more variations and sub-variations that offer different payouts and features. You should always look for games that have high returns and low house edges.

How to Beat Video Poker Machines

Video poker is one of the few casino games that not only offer some of the highest odds in casino gambling but it gives you also the chance to influence the game’s outcome by using a strategy. By practicing your favorite game for free at home, you can learn to play perfectly.

The strategy for video poker is based on the mathematically optimal way to play every possible hand. It tells you which cards to keep and which cards to discard for each situation. You can find strategy charts and tables online or in books that show you the best moves for each game and paytable.

To use a strategy chart or table, you simply look up your initial hand and follow the instructions on what to do next. For example, if you are playing Jacks or Better and your initial hand is Jh Qh Kh Ah 4c, you would look up this hand on the chart and see that the best option is to keep Jh Qh Kh Ah and discard 4c. This way, you have a chance to make a royal flush, which pays the highest.

Using a strategy chart or table can help you improve your chances of winning, but it does not guarantee that you will win every time. Video poker is still a game of chance, and you will encounter some losing streaks as well as some winning streaks. The key is to be consistent and disciplined with your strategy, and to manage your bankroll wisely.

Conclusion

Video poker is a fun and rewarding casino game that can be enjoyed by anyone who likes poker and slots. It offers high payouts, low house edges, and the opportunity to use your skills and strategy. By learning how to play video poker, choosing the best games, and following the optimal strategy, you can increase your chances of winning and have a great time.

FAQ

• Q: How do you play video poker?
• A: You play video poker by choosing a game, placing a bet, and getting dealt five cards. You can then keep or discard any of the cards, and draw new ones to replace them. You win if you make a qualifying poker hand, according to the paytable of the game.

• Q: Can video poker be beaten?
• A: Yes, video poker can be beaten if you play games that have high returns and low house edges, and use the optimal strategy for each game. However, this does not mean that you will win every time, as video poker is still a game of chance.

• Q: How do I find the right video poker machine?
• A: To find the right video poker machine, you should look for games that have good paytables, which show how much each hand pays. You should also look for games that have high returns and low house edges, which indicate how much the casino keeps from your money. You can find these information online or on the machine itself.

• Q: Is video poker a good casino game?
• A: Video poker is one of the best casino games to play, as it offers high payouts, low house edges, and the chance to use your skills and strategy. It is also easy to learn and fun to play. However, you should always gamble responsibly and only play with money that you can afford to lose.