Every Beginner’s Guide in Playing and Winning Video Poker

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Video poker is a fun variation of the classic five-card poker casino game. To win, simply make the best poker hand possible. Know more about the game here.

If there is a Hall of Fame exclusively for casino games, video poker might have been one of the titles on the top spot. Video poker launched into the gaming space in the 70s and is now one of the most-played online casino games. Your goal when playing video poker is to make the best five-card hand and win. While it is a single-player game, video poker offers an exciting battle of wits and luck as you drop and pick cards to win the game.

There are numerous video poker variants available online, and if you are thinking of trying your luck on one but do not know where to start, you have come to the right place. Hold your bets for a while and learn the basics of the game through this video poker guide.

Video Poker Hands

Every Beginner’s Guide in Playing and Winning Video Poker

Before digging into the nitty-gritty of video poker, you must first be familiar with your main ammo during the game—the hands.

Video poker hands consist of five cards each and use the same hand-ranking hierarchy as a standard poker game. Payouts depend on your cards’ ranking, suits, pairs, consecutive numbers, and more. Jacks or Better—a popular video poker variation—tweaks the classic game by tossing an additional hand. Below are the hand combinations you will encounter when playing Jacks or Better:

  • Royal Flush – Royal flush holds the highest possible hands you can make. It consists of a 10, Jack, Queen, King, and a 10 card – all in matching suits (e.g. 10♠-J♠-Q♠-K ♠).
  • Straight Flush – This hand consists of five cards with consecutive values and matching suits (e.g. 2♥-3♥-4♥-5♥-6♥).
  • Four of a Kind – This hand consists of four cards of the same value plus one random card (e.g. Q♠-Q♠-Q♠-4♠).
  • Full House – This hand consists of a three-of-a-kind plus a pair (e.g. 5♠-5♥-5♦-A♠-A♦)
  • Flush – This hand consists of five non-sequential cards with matching suits.
  • Straight – This hand consists of five consecutive cards with different suits.
  • Three of a Kind – This hand consists of three cards of the same value plus two cards with different values.
  • Two-Pair – This hand consists of two pairs and one random card.
  • Jacks or Better – This hand consists of a pair of Jacks or higher.

Among these cards, the royal flush holds the highest rank and pays the highest. Meanwhile, jacks or better ranks last in terms of ranking and payout.

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Video Poker Gameplay

Video Poker Gameplay

Jacks or Better is one of the classic and popular video poker variations. It is played using a standard deck of 52 cards. When playing this game, your objective is to make the best five-card poker hand possible to get rewards.

Note that your hand should have at least a pair of Jacks to win the round, hence the name Jacks or Better. Any card combo lower than a pair of Jacks is deemed worthless. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to play the game:

  1. To start the game, press Deal. Five cards, or the decision hand, will be dealt face up thereafter.
  2. Click which card or cards you would like to keep for the next wave of flipping cards. You have the freedom to decide how many cards will be held. In fact, you can even skip picking a card. After taking your pick, click Deal. Note that there are no stakes involved in choosing your cards from the decision hand.
  3. The initial five cards will be blurred out and four 5-card sets will be dealt face up. Each set contains the card or cards that you have put on hold during the decision hand. Say you put Jack of Diamonds (J♦), Jack of Spades (J♠), and 5 of Hearts (5♥) on hold at the beginning of the game. These cards will appear on all the decks. So if one of the four new sets of cards has 5 of Diamonds (5♦) and 5 of Spades (5♠), you win a full house.
  4. Collect your winnings and proceed to the next round.

Most video poker variants give you the option to double after you land on a winning five-card hand. Opting for a double gives you the chance to scoop twice the amount of your winnings. You will then play a pick-me card game, in which one upcard and four face-down cards are dealt. If you pick a card of higher value than the upcard, you win.

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Video Poker Tips

One of the engrossing features of video poker is that the game relies on something other than sheer luck—your game skill. Pick and discard the right cards and you are on your way to higher chances of winning. Increase your winning chance by taking note of the following strategies:

Choose the Most Lucrative Option

Video Poker Payout

Not all video poker variants are created equally. Some offer better returns than others do, so make sure to pick the more rewarding choice. For instance, in Microgaming’s Jacks or Better game, a flush awards 30 credits. In Deuces and Wilds, on the other hand, a flush pays off only 15 credits.

In addition, you must sign up with betting sites that offer low house edge and award generous bonuses. This way, you get to win more and enjoy the game without risking your bankroll.

Check the Chances of Winning for Each Hand Before Drawing

Although video poker features simple gameplay, deciding which cards to keep and to discard can be daunting. For instance, when you are dealt an initial hand with a low pair and two of the cards needed for a royal flush, you might think of making any of these moves:

  • Keep the low pair in the hopes of getting a three-of-a-kind or better hand or;
  • Discard the pair in the hopes of getting a royal flush

Of course, chasing for the most lucrative win is tempting, but you must check first the probability of the hand you are eyeing for. Say you are playing a video poker game that uses a single, 52-deck card. The probability of you getting a royal flush in your initial hand is about 1 in 650,000. Then, the probability of getting the hand when you hold two cards to the royal flush is about 1 in 16,300. While getting a royal flush is not impossible, doing so is close to impossible.

On the other hand, keeping your pair holds more potential, as it can lead to multiple hand combinations with better chances of winning. Simply put, when you are stuck deciding which cards to play, consider going for the hand that holds the highest chance of appearance. Just take note that the chances may vary on the video poker variant you are playing. For instance, the odds in Jokers Wild might differ with Jacks or Better because the former uses more cards, inclusive of the Joker.

Video poker’s straightforward gameplay and rewarding payouts contribute to making it a perfect choice for a fun-filled betting experience. It is also a favorable starting point for newbie poker players. Video poker strips down most of the complex parts of standard poker while maintaining the latter’s essential rules and adrenaline rush. Ready to test your luck? Place your first video poker bet today!

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