Casino players looking for a straightforward game where strategy can still play a part, find Video Poker to be the perfect solution. Video Poker combines slot machines and poker elements, offering a blend of luck and strategy.
Unlike Slots, players can influence what happens, and unlike blackjack, you play alone and nothing affects what you need to do to maximise your chances of winning.
This game is popular in both land-based and online casinos because it allows the expected return to be calculated mathematically, helping players make informed decisions. It’s also the electronic casino game with the lowest house edge.
In this article, we’ll simplify and cover the absolute essentials to help you learn how to play Video Poker.
How to Play Video Poker: Step-by-Step
- Select Game and Denomination: Select the value of each betting unit (usually $0.01, $0.05, $0.25, etc.) and the type of game. On multi-game machines, you can press “More Games” for additional options.
- Bet and Play: To ensure you have the chance to win the highest possible amount, you’ll need to wager the maximum number of credits per Video Poker hand. You’ll be dealt five initial cards and can choose which ones to hold or discard by pressing the “Hold/Cancel” button next to each card. Once the cards are selected, press the “Deal/Draw” button to keep the selected cards and replace the others with new ones.
- Double or Cash Out: In some versions, you can choose to try doubling your winnings after a win. To cash out, simply press the “Cash Out” button and exchange your voucher for cash.
Note: Most video poker machines now have touch screens, so you can choose to play using either the screen or physical buttons. Physical buttons tend to offer greater accuracy and speed of play.
Online Video Poker follows the same process, except for the obvious lack of physical buttons and voucher cashouts.
Video Poker Hand Rankings
Hand rankings are the foundation of every Video Poker game. Here’s a quick breakdown of each one:
| Hand | Description |
|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 10, J, Q, K, A of the same suit |
| Straight Flush | Five consecutive cards of the same suit (eg.: 5♥6♥7♥8♥9♥) |
| Four of a Kind | Four cards of the same value (eg.: four Kings) |
| Full House | Three cards of the same value plus two cards of the same value (eg.: QQQ55) |
| Flush | Five cards of the same suit, but not in order (eg.: 5♠9♠2♠A♠K♠) |
| Straight | Five sequential cards, different suits (eg.: 3♥4♥5♣6♦7♠) |
| Three of a Kind | Three cards of the same value (eg.: three Sevens) |
| Two Pair | Two pairs of cards of the same value (eg.: 9♠9♣5♥5♦A♦) |
| One Pair | A pair of cards of the same value (eg.: 2♦2♥A♥K♦7♣) |
| Jacks or Better | A pair of Jacks or higher (eg: two Jacks, two Queens, two Kings or two Aces) |
Please note: Jacks or Better only applies to a game with the same name, which requires you to have at least a pair of Jacks in order to win. There are other games, where the lowest payment is for any pair or other combination of cards.
The Video Poker Pay Table
The pay table is crucial for players, as it shows the return and volatility of each game. It displays the payout for each hand and the difference when playing with maximum credits, which is especially important for the Royal Flush bonus. Focusing on hands such as the Full House and Flush helps to quickly assess the value of a game because casinos often adjust only these, while the other payouts remain unchanged. Knowing these two payouts lets players understand all others in the game.
| Hand | 1 Credit | 2 Credits | 3 Credits | 4 Credits | 5 Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 250 | 500 | 750 | 1000 | 4000 |
| Straight Flush | 50 | 100 | 150 | 200 | 250 |
| 4 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 |
| 3 of a Kind | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 |
| 2 Pair | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
| 1 Pair / Jacks or Better | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Always check the pay table, as casinos may change these values.
Video Poker Strategy - How to Bet
After learning the basics, it’s essential to establish a betting routine to maximise your return. Unlike games such as Roulette, where the return remains the same regardless of the bet or any roulette strategy you might use, the main rule in Video Poker is to play with the maximum number of credits in order to access the Royal Flush bonus and maximise your expected return. Usually, the maximum bet is five credits, but this can vary. Always check the maximum bet before you start, especially on lower denomination machines where you may need a larger bankroll. But above all, remember:
Only bet what you can afford to lose!
If your bankroll is limited, consider playing on lower denomination machines, such as 25 cents, which require a smaller bet per hand ($1.25 with the maximum bet) and allow for longer play. However, remember that 5 cents machines often offer lower returns, so a careful balance needs to be struck between extended playtime and a potentially lower return. In any case, only bring what you’re prepared to lose.
Return and House Edge on Video Poker Machines
Video Poker return percentages can vary greatly, from as low as 95% to over 100% (although these are rare). Unlike slot machines, video poker allows players to see the pay table, making it possible to calculate the return and choose games that offer better return percentages. This is one of the most important criteria for an informed player to pick the right machine.
In Video Poker, the probabilities are random and independent, meaning that there is no predictability. The probability of any given hand remains the same, regardless of how many hands you’ve played without hitting it. Randomness also means that there can be long periods without big wins, so it is important to have a robust enough bankroll to withstand these dry spells.
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And there you are, a quick and simple guide on how to play video poker! We hope to see you at the tables soon. In the meantime, don't forget to check out our slots tips!
We hope many Royal Flushes are coming your way! Good luck!
