How to Play Video Poker
| Updated: Your Playing Decisions Matter in Video Poker
Video poker is a popular fixed-odds game that borrows its rules from five-card draw, a straightforward form of poker in which players are dealt five cards and may discard some of them in an attempt to form one of the winning hands listed in the paytable. The game is widely available across online and land-based casinos and slightly resembles slots. Unlike slots, however, the playing decisions you make in video poker have a direct impact on your long-term odds of winning.
Because of this, the gameplay in video poker is not restricted solely to hitting a button and passively waiting for the outcome. The game has many different variations, each with a unique paytable and a distinctive strategy to follow to reduce the house edge. This article introduces you to the gameplay and basic rules of video poker. Also included is information about four of the most popular variations you will encounter online, along with their hand rankings and paytables.
Video Poker Machine
Video poker machines share some similarities with slots as both have the same features — a drop bucket, a coin hopper, and a bill or coin acceptor. Despite these similarities, there are major differences between the two in terms of mechanism and gameplay. When playing video poker, players are provided with far more information on the screen than they are when spinning the reels of a slot machine.
The level of decision-making is another major difference between the two. With slots, all you must do is select your desired bet amount, hit the spin button, and hope for the best. This is not the case in video poker where your strategy and playing decisions can greatly influence your long-term winning odds. The paytable of a video poker machine is another important aspect to consider before playing. It lists the payouts for all winning hands. Any reductions in these payouts result in higher house edges and poorer winning chances for the player.
Basic Rules of Video Poker
Video poker follows the same basic rules and fundamental principles as five-card draw poker. The possible hand combinations and their ranking also overlap between the two. Players initially receive five cards, dealt in the same manner as in classic poker. After they examine the cards, they can keep or discard any of them. The machine then replaces the selected discards, deals new cards in their places, and pays according to the paytable, provided that a qualifying poker hand has been formed.
In general, standard video poker games use a single deck of 52 cards. However, you can also find variants such as Deuces Wild and Joker Poker where additional wild cards are in play. Even though there are many similarities between classic poker and video poker, one of the major differences is that video poker offers a somewhat solitary experience as you face a machine instead of a table full of fellow gamblers. This improves your concentration and enables you to enjoy the gameplay without unnecessary distractions.
How to Play Video Poker
Video poker appeals to many players as it gives them the chance to put their skills and strategy knowledge to the test. Some variations also offer progressive jackpots, making it possible to win big while enjoying your favorite card game. Because the outcome of the game can be influenced by your decisions, it is possible to make a profit in the long term. The only casino games that offer such an opportunity are those that require strategy, and thus players should know how to make the most of every situation while playing video poker.
To start a round, players should simply insert the number of coins they want to bet. Most video poker machines accept one to five coins, but the number can differ depending on the particular variation. Some machines accept three or four coins, whereas others accept up to 100 coins. After players have inserted their desired number of coins, they are automatically dealt their first five cards. Most machines immediately notify players if they form a winning combination by beeping and displaying the type of hand.
At this point, players should decide which cards to keep and which ones to discard. After they make up their mind, they can select the relevant cards by pressing the Hold button. There is one Hold button for each card on the screen, conveniently located below it. If players change their mind and want to deselect a card, they can simply press the same Hold button again. In general, players should swap the cards they were dealt in an attempt to obtain better ones that might result in a winning hand.
The cards are then compared to the winning combinations listed in the paytable. If the hand does not qualify for a payout, players lose their bet. Conversely, if they have managed to form a winning hand, they get paid depending on its strength and ranking in the paytable. It is worth mentioning that when players have a winning hand, many video poker machines offer a playoff (gamble) round in which they have the opportunity to double their profits. Players can collect their payout if they are reluctant to participate in this additional round.
Variations of Video Poker
Video poker is one of the most popular games and, as such, it has many enticing variations that yield different house edges and winning odds. Some versions feature wild cards that improve your chances of forming a winning poker hand, whereas other variants offer special bonus payouts for certain hand combinations. Every variation has a distinctive paytable you should familiarize yourself with. Jacks or Better, Tens or Better, Deuces Wild, and Bonus Poker are particularly popular among video poker fans.
Jacks or Better
This is the most common variation of video poker you will come across at online casinos. Your objective is to obtain the highest-ranking hand, the Royal Flush. The lowest-ranking hand that pays out is a pair of Jacks, Queens, Kings, or Aces.
Winning Combinations:
- Jacks or Better – Whenever players obtain a pair of Jacks, Queens, Kings, or Aces.
- Two Pair – This hand consists of two different pairs of cards of the same rank.
- Three of a Kind – This hand consists of three cards of the same value.
- Straight – This hand consists of five consecutive cards of different suits.
- Flush – This hand consists of five cards of the same suit that are not consecutive.
- Full House – This hand consists of three cards of the same rank and a pair.
- Five of a Kind – This hand consists of five cards of the same rank.
- Straight Flush – This hand consists of five consecutive cards of the same suit.
- Royal Flush – This is the strongest hand in poker. It consists of the five highest-value cards (Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and Ten) 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 |
| Three of a Kind | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 |
| Two Pair | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
| Jacks or Better | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Deuces Wild
This is another very popular variant of video poker that attracts players with its interesting rules. As the name of the game suggests, the deuces play a crucial role since they can substitute any other card similarly to jokers. Deuces Wild resembles classic poker, which makes it suitable for more traditional players.
Winning Combinations:
- Three of a Kind – This is the lowest winning hand and consists of three cards of the same rank.
- Straight – The hand consists of five consecutive unsuited cards.
- Flush – The hand consists of five cards of the same suit that are not consecutive.
- Full House – This hand consists of three cards of the same rank and a pair.
- Five of a Kind – This hand consists of five cards of the same rank.
- Straight Flush – This hand consists of five consecutive cards of the same suit.
- Royal Flush without Deuces – This is the strongest natural hand in poker and consists of a suited Ten, Jack, Queen, King, and Ace.
- Wild Royal Flush – This is a Royal Flush completed with the help of a wild card (deuce).
- Four Deuces – This hand consists of four deuces and any other card.
| Deuces Wild Pay Table | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coins | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Natural Royal Flush | 250 | 500 | 750 | 1000 | 4000 |
| 4 Deuces | 200 | 400 | 600 | 800 | 1000 |
| Deuces Royal Flush | 25 | 50 | 75 | 100 | 125 |
| Five of a Kind | 16 | 32 | 48 | 64 | 80 |
| Straight Flush | 13 | 26 | 39 | 52 | 65 |
| Four of a Kind | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 |
| 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 |
Tens or Better
Tens or Better is a famous variation of video poker that gets its name from the fact that the lowest paying hand is a pair of Tens, instead of a pair of Jacks. It is especially suitable for beginners because the chances of getting a winning hand are higher. In this video poker variation, there are no wild cards and the payouts for a Full House and a Flush are lower.
Winning Combinations:
- Tens or Better – One pair pays out only if it is composed of Tens or any higher-ranking cards.
- Two Pair – This hand consists of two different pairs of cards.
- Three of a Kind – This hand consists of three cards of the same rank; the other two cards are irrelevant.
- Straight – This hand consists of five consecutive cards of different suits.
- Flush – This hand consists of five cards of the same suit that are not consecutive.
- Full House – This hand consists of three cards of the same rank and a pair.
- Four of a Kind – This hand consists of four cards of the same rank.
- Straight Flush – This hand consists of five consecutive cards of the same suit.
- Royal Flush – This is the strongest hand in poker and consists of a suited Ten, Jack, Queen, King, and Ace.
| Tens or Better Pay Table | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coins | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Royal Flush | 500 | 1000 | 2000 | 3000 | 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 |
| Three of a Kind | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 |
| Two Pair | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
| Tens or Better | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Bonus Poker
This video poker variation is based on the popular Jacks or Better but offers higher “bonus” payouts for Four of a Kind. The lowest-ranking hand is a pair of Jacks and the most valuable hand is the Royal Flush. Bonus Poker has numerous variations depending on the different bonus payouts based on the exact composition of the Four of a Kind. The table below provides a payout schedule for Double Bonus Poker.
Winning Combinations:
- Jacks or Better – One pair pays out only if it is composed of Jacks, Queens, Kings, or Aces.
- Two Pair – This hand consists of two different pairs of cards of the same rank.
- Three of a Kind – This hand consists of three cards of the same rank.
- Straight – This hand consists of five consecutive cards of different suits.
- Flush – This hand consists of five cards of the same suit that are not consecutive.
- Full House – This hand consists of three cards of the same rank and a pair.
- Four of a Kind- 5’s-King – This hand consists of four cards of the same rank. The value of the cards should be at least 5 (any card from 5 through King is acceptable).
- Four of a Kind2’s, 3’s or 4’s – This hand consists of four cards of the same rank, valued 2, 3, or 4.
- Straight Flush – This hand consists of five consecutive cards of the same suit.
- Royal Flush – This hand consists of the five highest cards of the same suit.
| Bonus Poker Pay 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’s, 3’s or 4’s | 80 | 160 | 240 | 320 | 400 |
| Four 5’s through Kings | 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 |