How to Play Video Poker
The Fundamentals of Video Poker
Video poker is also known as draw poker. The dealer uses the same 52card deck (or 53 cards with the joker) as table poker, and most video poker games deal the cards pretty much like the (almost extinct) table game of five-card draw. Also, the hand ranks and the card combinations that make up those hands are generally the same, but the similarity ends there.
Video poker shares some of the characteristics of a slot machine. The gambling gear itself is housed in a similar cabinet, and most have a coin slot and a payout hopper. Many have a slotclub card reader and/or a bill acceptor.
The important difference is that on a reel slot you just pull the handle and hope for the best, but video poker involves an element of skill. To the novice player, the main attraction of video poker is the prospect of pitting wits against the machine in fast action with a chance at a big jackpot. To the skilled player, however, the appeal is that some games offer an opportunity for a long-term profit. Just as in a live poker game, you can expect a considerable amount of risk and luck involved in the short term, but a player's skill can make the difference between a winner and a loser in the long run.
To begin a hand, insert the numbers of coins you want to play. Although most machines accept from one to five coins, some accept only three or four some accept eight or ten, and a few accept up to 100 coins.
After inserting the coins or pressing the Max Bet button, the machine deals you first five cards. Most machines immediately tell you if you have a dealt paying hand by beeping and displaying the type of hand. Select the carts that you want by pressing the Holds buttons. There is one Hold button for every card on the screen. On most machines you can press the same Hold against to deselect a card. You can sometimes break up a playing hand that is been dealt. For example you can choose to. When you are satisfied with your selection, press the Deal/ Draw button to replace the discards in an attempt to make a winning hand.
Your cards are then compared to the table of winning combinations. If the value of your hand is lower than the minimum winning combination, you lose your bet. If the value of your hand is higher, you win. When you produce a winning hand many Video Poker machines offer playoff round in which you are given the opportunity to "Double" your winnings. If you do not wish to participate in the playoff round you can collect your win.
There are many variations of video poker and each game features its own special attraction. Some games utilize wild cards that significantly increase your odds of drawing a winning poker hand and other video poker games offer special bonus payouts for certain combinations. The most popular are: Jacks or Better; Tens or Better; Deuce Wild; Bonus Poker.
Variations of Video Poker
"Jacks or Better"
This is the most common variation of video poker available. The aim of this game is to attain the most valuable poker hand (Royal Flush).The lowest ranking hand that pays is out is a pair of face valued cards (Jacks, Queens, Kings or Aces).
Winning Combinations:
Jacks or Better: One Pair pays out only if the cards in the pair are Jacks, Queens, Kings, or Aces.
Two Pair: The hand is consisted of two different pairs of cards of the same rank.
Three of a Kind: The hand is consisted of three cards of the same rank. The other two cards are irrelevant.
Straight: The hand is consisted of five consecutive cards of different suits.
Flush: The hand is consisted of five cards of the same suit but not consecutive.
Full House: The hand is consisted of three cards of the same rank and two of another one.
Five of a Kind: The hand is consisted of four cards of the same rank.
Straight Flush: The hand is consisted of five consecutive cards of the same suit.
Royal Flush: This is the strongest hand in Poker consisted of the five highest cards of the same suit.
"Jacks or Better" Pay Table
| Coins | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Royal Flush | 250 | 500 | 750 | 1000 | 4000 |
| Straight Flush | 50 | 100 | 150 | 200 | 250 |
| Four of a Kind | 25 | 50 | 75 | 100 | 125 |
| Full House | 9 | 18 | 27 | 36 | 45 |
| Flush | 6 | 12 | 18 | 24 | 30 |
| Straight | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 |
| Here Three of a Kind | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 |
| Two Pairs | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
| Jacks or Better | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Tens or Better
The name refers to the fact that the minimum paying hand is a pair of Tens, instead of a pair of Jacks. "Tens or Better" is very suitable for beginners, because gives more chance of receiving a hand that pay outs. One of the disadvantages of this video poker variation is the decreased payout for a Full House and for a Flush. There no wild cards in this kind of video poker.
Winning Combinations:
Tens or BetterOne Pair pays out only if the cards in the pair are Tens or higher ranking.
Two PairThe hand is consisted of two different pairs of cards of the same rank.
Three of a Kind:The hand is consisted of three cards of the same rank. The other two cards are irrelevant.
Straight: The hand is consisted of five consecutive cards of different suits.
Flush: The hand is consisted of five cards of the same suit but not consecutive.
Full House: The hand is consisted of three cards of the same rank and two of another one.
Five of a Kind:The hand is consisted of four cards of the same rank.
Straight Flush:The hand is consisted of five consecutive cards of the same suit.
Royal Flush:This is the strongest hand in Poker consisted of the five highest cards of the same suit.
''Tens or Better" Pay Table
| Coins | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Royal Flush | 500 | 1000 | 750 | 2000 | 4000 |
| Straight Flush | 50 | 100 | 150 | 200 | 250 |
| Four of a Kind | 25 | 50 | 75 | 100 | 125 |
| Full House | 6 | 12 | 18 | 24 | 30 |
| Flush | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 |
| Straight | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 |
| Here Three of a Kind | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 |
| Two Pairs | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
| Tens or Better | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Deuce Wild
This is one of the most popular video poker games. The name refers to the fact that the deuces (two) can serve as a substitution for any card in a manner similar to Jokers. Many players avoid Deuce Wild because it does not pay for a high pair or even for two pair.
Winning Combinations:>
Three of a Kind:The hand is consisted of three cards of the same rank. The other two cards are irrelevant.
Straight: The hand is consisted of five consecutive cards of different suits.
Flush:The hand is consisted of five cards of the same suit but not consecutive.
Full House:The hand is consisted of three cards of the same rank and two of another one.
Five of a Kind: The hand is consisted of four cards of the same rank.
Straight Flush:The hand is consisted of five consecutive cards of the same suit.
Royal Flush:This is the strongest hand in Poker consisted of the five highest cards of the same suit.
"Deuce Wild" Payout Table
| Credits | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Royal Flush | 300 | 600 | 900 | 1200 | 4000 |
| Four Deuces | 200 | 400 | 600 | 800 | 1000 |
| Wild Royal Flush | 25 | 50 | 75 | 100 | 125 |
| Five of a Kind | 15 | 30 | 45 | 60 | 75 |
| Straight Flush | 9 | 18 | 27 | 36 | 45 |
| Four of a Kind | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 |
| Full House | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 |
| Flush | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
| Straight | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
| Three of a Kind | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Bonus Poker
This video poker game is based on Jacks or Better, but it pays off much bigger percentage for four of a Kind. The lowest ranking hand is a pair of Jacks and the most valuable hand is a Royal Flush. The Bonus Poker has numerous variations depending on the different bonus payouts based on the ranking of the four of a kind. The table below provides payout schedule for Double Bonus.
Jacks or BetterOne Pair pays out only if the cards in the pair are Jacks, Queens, Kings, or Aces.
Two PairThe hand is consisted of two different pairs of cards of the same rank.
Three of a Kind:The hand is consisted of three cards of the same rank. The other two cards are irrelevant.
Straight:The hand is consisted of five consecutive cards of different suits.
Flush: The hand is consisted of five cards of the same suit but not consecutive.
Full House: The hand is consisted of three cards of the same rank and two of another one.
Four 5-K: The hand is consisted of four cards of the same rank. The value of the cards should be from 5 to K (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Jacks, Queen, and King.
Four 2, 3 or 4: The hand is consisted of four cards of the same rank. The value of the cards should be from 2 to 4 (2, 3 or 4).
Straight Flush:The hand is consisted of five consecutive cards of the same suit.
Royal Flush: This is the strongest hand in Poker consisted of the five highest cards of the same suit.
''Bonus Poker'' Payout Table
| Coins | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Royal Flush | 250 | 500 | 750 | 1000 | 4000 |
| Straight Flush | 50 | 100 | 150 | 200 | 250 |
| Four Aces | 160 | 320 | 480 | 640 | 800 |
| Four 2, 3, or 4 | 80 | 160 | 240 | 320 | 400 |
| Four 5-K | 50 | 100 | 150 | 200 | 250 |
| Full House | 10 | 20 | 30 | 40 | 50 |
| Flush | 7 | 14 | 21 | 28 | 35 |
| Straight | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 |
| Three of a Kind | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 |
| Two Pair | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Jacks or Better | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
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