Video Poker vs Video Lottery Terminals
| Updated: Key Differences Between Video Poker and VLTs
When it comes to fixed-odds gaming machines, there is more variety than you might expect. This market has expanded rapidly and is projected to grow further in the coming years. However, many players still struggle to distinguish between certain types of gaming equipment and often confuse video poker cabinets with video lottery terminals (VLTs). These two types of machines share some similarities at first glance, but their differences are far more significant.
Payouts are awarded according to different principles, and some video lottery terminals do not use random number generators (RNGs), which are standard in video poker machines. Payback percentages also differ, with VLTs offering invariably poorer odds of winning than video poker. Chance determines the outcome of video lottery terminal games, whereas video poker players can influence the odds through strategy and informed decision-making. So, which is better? Continue reading to find out.
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Video Poker Overview
The popularity of video poker can be attributed, at least in part, to the type of machine used to play it. Standard video poker machines use random number generators (RNGs) to ensure the cards are always dealt randomly. The RNG reshuffles the cards after every round so that each card has an equal chance of being dealt next. It follows no predictable pattern, ensuring that the results remain unpredictable.
Once players receive the five cards that make up their starting hand, they can replace some of them in an attempt to form a winning combination. These discards are removed from play, and the replacement cards are dealt from the remaining deck. The round then ends, and the RNG reshuffles the cards again. This decision-making element makes video poker a strategy game, as players can make informed choices based on their starting hand and the cards remaining in the deck. Licensed and regulated casinos use RNGs to ensure fair play. The RNG is essential to video poker’s random card dealing.
Video Lottery Terminals Overview
Some video lottery terminals offer multiple games, including video poker, video slots, and keno. These machines generally fall into the Class II category of games and require a different type of authorization and license. They are also regulated differently. What sets them apart from conventional video poker machines is that VLTs are usually interconnected. They share a common computer system, allowing the relevant gaming regulator to supervise their operation more easily. The number of winning outcomes is often predetermined, as in sweepstakes, meaning that VLTs are programmed to pay out according to a preset pattern.
Some terminals use RNGs, but many do not. Instead, their outcomes come from a fixed pool. As their name suggests, most VLTs function similarly to standard lottery draws and sweepstakes. When you start playing, the machine selects a winning or losing outcome from a preset pool. This pool contains a set number of wins and losses and is reset after a specified period.
Differences Between Video Poker and Video Lottery Terminals
To determine which type of machine is more beneficial, it is best to compare the two. The most noticeable difference between video poker machines and video lottery terminals is that VLTs do not allow you to influence the outcome through strategy. Instead, you rely solely on luck, as winners are selected randomly regardless of skill or knowledge.
All dealt hands are programmed in advance to either win or lose, and your playing decisions have no influence on the outcome. As you might expect, this deters many video poker enthusiasts because it removes the challenge of trying to improve one’s hand. Video lottery terminals are similar to slot machines in this respect. Unlike standalone slots, however, they operate through a central computer system.
Another significant difference is that video lottery terminals are often linked, whereas video poker machines operate independently of one another. When you play a standard video poker machine, you might hit a winning combination such as the Royal Flush several times, or you might not get it at all, regardless of how much time you spend on that machine. This is because the RNG follows no pattern and always deals the cards randomly.
The RNG is another aspect that distinguishes these two types of machines. Many video lottery terminals do not rely on random number generation to determine their outcomes. Instead, they allow for a fixed number of winners selected in advance. There will always be a winner, but it is impossible to know who will win or when. It all depends on whether you are lucky enough to “draw the winning ticket.” Bear in mind that your odds of winning are extremely low with VLTs and do not change.
Further Thoughts
Based on the information above, we can conclude that video lottery terminals are not as advantageous as standard video poker machines. Therefore, it may be best to avoid them because skill and strategy will not affect the outcome. Distinguishing between the two types of machines can be difficult because they look similar. One way to tell them apart is to check the gambling regulations governing VLTs in your jurisdiction.
It should be noted that VLTs are not legal in every country. If they are prohibited where you live, you do not need to worry about encountering them. Otherwise, you should look for several indicators that can help you identify them. For example, if the machine has a button labeled “Automatic Hold,” it is most likely a video lottery terminal. If you cannot replace cards from your starting hand, this is also a sign that you are playing a VLT.
Conclusion
Video lottery terminals usually offer games with predetermined outcome pools, so it may be best to avoid them if you want strategy to affect play. Understanding the main differences between video lottery terminals and video poker machines is important. One of video poker’s main advantages is that you can play strategically and improve your odds. Playing a video poker-style game on a VLT deprives you of this opportunity.