What Is Video Poker? How It Works and How to Play

• What is video poker and how does it work?

• Electronic casino game combines poker skill and slot luck

• Find out everything you need to know in this simple guide

What is Video Poker?

Video poker is a casino card game based on Five Card Draw but played in a digital format similar to online slots. As in any poker variant, the goal is to create a winning poker hand. However, unlike most other versions of this card game, there is no opponent. This means that if you create a qualifying hand rank, you're guaranteed to win.

Unlike slot games, where luck is the sole factor, video poker adds an element of strategy. After your first set of five cards has been dealt, you can decide which to keep or discard for a chance to improve your hand.

Introduced in the 1970s, video poker quickly became a favourite amongst land-based casino players. Its simpler gameplay offers a less daunting gaming experience since players do not need to beat opponents or the house to win a payout.

How Do Video Poker Machines Work?

You might be wondering, how does video poker work? At first glance, it resembles slot machines. However, there's more to the game than spinning reels and hoping for the best. Here's how these popular casino machines operate:

• Random Number Generators (RNGs) - Like slot machines, video poker uses RNGs to shuffle and deal cards randomly. This ensures fairness, as every deal is entirely independent of previous hands and unbiased.
• Graphic Interface - Once you place your bet, you are dealt five cards on the screen. You must then select which cards to hold and which to get rid of. The machine replaces discarded cards with new ones from the same deck.
• Winning Hands - After your final hand is shown on-screen, the machine determines whether your hand matches one of the winning combinations. If it does, you'll win the corresponding payout and a new round can begin.

Winning video poker combinations are based on standard poker hands, such as a Pair, Three-of-a-kind, Straight, and Royal Flush. Some variants have fewer or different winning hands, but for each game, you can view the paytable before or while you play.

How Does Video Poker Work and What Are the Game Mechanics?

Now that we've covered the basics of what is video poker, let's delve into how the game works in more detail. A typical video poker game played at Betfair Casino consists of the following stages:

1. Placing Your Bet - To start, you'll need to place a bet. In most games, your stake will be converted into credits and you can wager between one and five credits per hand. Moreover, certain games offer higher payout potential when five credits are wagered.
2. Dealing the Cards - Once your wager is set, the machine deals five cards from a virtual deck. Most games use a classic 52-card deck, but in addition, certain variants feature one or more jokers or wild cards.
3. Making a Decision - Review your hand to determine which cards to keep and which to replace. Like in regular poker, you can use casino betting guides to help you pick and discard cards according to probability.
4. Viewing the Result - Any discarded cards are replaced and the machine automatically assesses your final hand. If you have a winning combination, such as a Pair of Js or better, you'll win a prize according to the paytable.

Types of Video Poker Games

There are numerous video poker variants available online. While gameplay is identical across all games, paytables vary and wild cards may sometimes be available.

• Jacks or Better - The most common type of video poker, where the lowest qualifying hand is two Js.
• Deuces Wild - This variant transforms all 2s, or deuces, into wilds. This means they can substitute for any card, increasing the chances of forming a winning hand.
• Bonus Poker - A variant which offers higher payouts for certain hands, particularly hands with Four-of-a-Kind.
• Double Double Bonus Poker - Similar to Bonus Poker but with even more bonus prizes for specific hands with a Four-of-a-Kind, like As with a kicker.

Based on optimum gameplay, most video poker games feature a payout percentage above 99%.

Basic Video Poker Strategy

You can use a basic strategy to improve your overall gaming performance. Knowing which cards to hold and which to discard can dramatically impact the outcome of the game and increase payout potential higher than on the best RTP slots.

1. Always Hold a Winning Hand - If you're dealt a Pair or better, it's wise to hold onto those cards to secure a payout.
2. Go for the Royal Flush When Possible - If you're just one card away from a Royal Flush, it might be worth discarding one card to try for the highest payout.
3. Watch the Paytable - Different video poker machines offer different payouts, so it's important to choose a machine with higher RTPs.
4. Gamble Responsibly - The outcome of every video poker game is partly due to chance, so you should only wager money that you can afford to lose.

Key Takeaways

• Understanding video poker involves learning the stages of the game and how paytables differ across variants.
• Video poker is an electronic poker game suitable for novice and seasoned players. To start playing, all you need is a basic understanding of poker hand rankings.
• A basic video poker strategy can improve your odds of winning and increase RTPs to over 99%.
• Payouts in most video poker variants increase substantially if you wager the maximum credits allowed.
• Practise safer gambling whilst playing video poker online by setting a budget and stopping as soon as you've spent it. Don't chase losses or play if you are feeling tired or frustrated.