How To Play Video Poker: Basic Rules
Major gambling websites offer numerous video poker variations, allowing their clients to pick the game that fits their taste. Despite some common features, each variation is its own game with its unique rules, winning hands, payouts, etc. Keep that in mind when switching between different games.
Let’s take Joker Poker to explain how to play a video poker slot. Joker Poker is a worthy free video poker variation. It’s fun and easy to play.
How To Operate A Video Poker Slot
The control panel is divided into sections with different pieces of information, e.g. current balance, current bet, winnings in the last spin, etc.
To set or change the size of your wager, use the Bet button. If you’re after an adrenaline rush, click the BetMax button, and the system will place the maximum bet per each line.
Also, the main screen displays a table with winning hands and their payouts. It’s an extremely convenient feature that allows you to instantly find out how much money you’re going to get for a certain hand.
Play Process
Start playing with making a bet. Then click the Deal button. You’ll be dealt 5 cards. This is your first hand. Take a close look at your hand while consulting the paytable. If you consider a card valuable and want to keep it, click the Hold button beneath it. If you have a winning hand, the system will highlight it.
After deciding which cards to keep and which ones to discard, click the Deal button again. The cards that you left out will be replaced with new ones. Now it’s time to determine the winner. If you have a winning hand, you receive a payout. If not, you lose your wager.
Here is some good news for those who love risk. You can challenge luck and try to double your payout in the Gamble feature (like the one available in regular slots).
Other free video poker variations are played following a similar process. However, they often vary by winning hands and payouts. Plus, some variations use additional cards.
Paytable
Video poker uses the standard hands that you might know from the classic poker. However, if you’re a poker newbie, don’t worry. Each slot has a paytable with winning hands and their multipliers. Every time you need to refresh your memory, simply take a look at the paytable at hand.
Check out the winning hands and payouts for Jacks or Better:
|
Hand
|
5 chips
|
4 chips
|
3 chips
|
2 chips
|
1 chip
|
|
Royal Flush
|
4000
|
1000
|
750
|
500
|
250
|
|
Straight Flush
|
250
|
200
|
150
|
100
|
50
|
|
Four of a Kind
|
125
|
100
|
75
|
50
|
25
|
|
Full House
|
45
|
36
|
27
|
18
|
9
|
|
Flush
|
30
|
24
|
18
|
12
|
6
|
|
Straight
|
20
|
16
|
12
|
8
|
4
|
|
Three of a Kind
|
15
|
12
|
9
|
6
|
3
|
|
Two pairs
|
10
|
8
|
6
|
4
|
2
|
|
Jacks or Better
|
5
|
4
|
3
|
2
|
1
|
|
Loss
|
0.46%
|
1.95%
|
1.95%
|
1.95%
|
1.95%
|
Winning Hands
|
Name
|
Description
|
|
Royal Flush
|
5 same-suited cards, from 10 to Ace. The highest-paying hand.
|
|
Straight Flush
|
5 consecutive same-suited cards
|
|
Four of a Kind
|
4 cards of the same rank
|
|
Full House
|
3 cards of the same rank + 2 cards of the same rank
|
|
Flush
|
5 same-suited cards in random order
|
|
Straight
|
5 cards in consecutive order
|
|
Three of a Kind
|
3 cards of the same rank
|
|
Two pairs
|
2 cards of the same rank + 2 cards of another rank
|
|
One pair
|
2 cards of the same rank
|
|
High card
|
The highest card in your hand
|
How To Win At Video Poker? Optimal Video Poker Strategy
Unlike regular slots, video poker allows the player to make impactful decisions that affect the outcome of the game. This is why winning strategies deliver great results in video poker. You can totally use optimal strategies to boost your winning chances and make more wins.
Naturally, every video poker variation has its own strategies. In one of our upcoming articles, we’ll address the pros and cons of each strategy in more detail. Now let’s focus on the basic optimal system that maximizes your profits while keeping risks at bay.
This video poker strategy is ideal for Jack and Better and similar variations. It brings down the house edge to a tiny 0.1% - 0.2 %. As you can see, this strategy is a real treasure! Curious to know how to apply it and how to win at video poker?
Using the optimal video poker strategy is a walk in the park. But first, allow us to refresh in your memory how video poker is played. You receive your first hand. You pick the cards you want to keep. The remaining cards leave the game and are replaced with new ones. Your second hand is your final hand that determines whether you win or lose.
According to the optimal video poker strategy, you must keep the cards that form the following hands/combos:
- Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Four of a Kind, Full House
- 4 cards for Royal Flush
- Flush, Straight, Three of a Kind
- 4 cards for Straight Flush
- Two pairs
- Jacks or Better
- 3 cards for Royal Flush
- 4 cards for Flush
- Low pair (10 and lower)
- 4 cards for Inside Straight (4 cards in consecutive order, e.g. 5,6,7,8,)
- 2 high cards (Jack, Queen, King, Ace) of the same suit
- 3 cards for Straight Flush
- 2 high cards of different suits (if you have more than 2 high cards, keep the lowest ones)
- 10/Jack, 10/Queen, 10/King of the same suit
- 1 high card.
There are slots with multi-hand game where you play several independent hands. The beauty of this game is that you can lose one hand while winning another.
Ways To Classify Video Poker Games
Since free video poker is so loved by gamblers, software brands came up with numerous variations of this truly iconic game. You can classify all apps using the following criteria:
- Number of paylines. This parameter can vary from 1 to 100. Each payline has 5 cards.
- Progressive jackpot. In some slots, if you wager 5 coins per line, you stand a chance of hitting a jackpot with the highest-paying hand (Royal Flush).
- Payouts. In different video poker games, the same hands pay differently. Plus, in some variations, your reward depends on how many coins you bet per line. For example, a 5-coin wager can bring you 5 times more than a 1-coin bet.
Video Poker Variations
All hail diversity! Video poker comes in multiple versions. Take a look at the most popular of them:
- Jack and Better. If you have a Pair of Jack or higher, you get a money reward.
- Wild Deuces. All Deuces act as Wilds.
- Joker Poker. This poker variation has Joker cards.
- Aces and Faces. If you have a hand consisting of face cards and Aces, you get a payout.
- Bonus Poker.
- Tens or Better. If you have a Pair of Ten or higher, you win.
Five Play Draw Video Poker
Five Play Draw Video Poker is a truly unique game. It’s a mix of nine 5-card video poker variations.
Your goal is to collect a winning hand made of 5 cards. Depending on your hand value, you get a payout. Each poker variation in Five Play Draw Video Poker is played according to its own rules. For example, in Jacks or Better, payouts start from a Pair of Jacks. In Deuces Wild, all Deuces (Twos) act as Wilds.
The 9 games inside Five Play Draw Video Poker can be split into 3 categories:
- Jacks or Better: base games and several bonus games;
- Deuces Wild and bonus game;
- Joker Poker.
Here is a full list of games that make a part of Five Play Draw Video Poker:
- Jacks or Better
- Bonus Poker
- Bonus Deluxe Poker
- Double Bonus Poker
- Double Double Bonus Poker
- Triple Double Bonus Poker
- Deuces Wild
- Deuces Wild Bonus Poker
- Joker Poker
Free Deuces Wild Video Poker
Deuces Wild Video Poker is an exciting video poker variation that takes the best from both poker and slot machines. In this game, all Twos act as Wild symbols in slots. This means they can replace other cards, forming winning hands.
Free Deuces Wild Video Poker is played exactly like any classic video poker game. The player receives 5 cards. Then the player decides which cards they want keep. The discarded cards are substituted with new ones. If the player ends up with a winning hand, they get a payout.
Take a look at the winning hands in Deuces Wild:
- Natural Royal Flush
- Four Deuces
- Wild Royal Flush
- Five of a Kind
- Straight Flush
- Four of a Kind
- Full House
- Flash
- Straight
- Three of a Kind
Free Video Poker Jacks Or Better
Video Poker Jacks Or Better is a classic video poker variation that needs no introduction. Gamblers’ love for this game says it all. Like in any poker variation, you need to collect a winning hand and get a payout according to the applicable paytable. Rare hands pay the highest. The stronger your hand, the more money you’ll get for it.
At the same time, Free Video Poker Jacks Or Better has one particular rule that gave the name to this game. The rule says that you need to have at least two Jacks to get paid. Of course, you can have a higher hand but payouts start with a Pair of Jacks.
Aces and Faces
From Jacks Or Better, let’s switch to a no less interesting poker variation, Aces and Faces. In this game, all winning hands include face cards and Aces. Also, players get a money reward for a Four of a Kind (four cards of the same rank). The most valuable Four of a Kind hand is the one consisting of four Aces.
Why You Must Absolutely Try Video Poker
If you’re a fan of games where you actually have a say in the result, you’ll fall in love with free video poker. While it’s not as intricate as classic poker or chess, it gives you a good chance to apply your initiative and strategic thinking. While video poker is not a card game in its pure form (like online blackjack or baccarat), it’s not a regular slot game either. It’s a brilliant mix of both. Learn the optimal video poker strategy and play at least once! We bet this amazing game will become your constant companion on gambling sites!
FAQ On Video Poker
Should I keep a low pair in video poker?
The intuitive decision of any gambler is to keep high pairs. They look reliable and pay higher. At the same time, keeping low pairs increases your average payout, eventually resulting in more wins. When deciding whether to keep low or high pairs, you need to consider the color and suit of your cards.
Is video poker beatable?
Absolutely. It’s one of the most beatable casino games. To maximize your winning odds, you need to pick a video poker variation with a low house edge and high payout rate (RTP). Using the winning strategy is also a crucial factor in your success.
What is a kicker in video poker?
Kicker is a card that doesn’t make part of a winning hand but can affect your final payout. Before playing kickers, make sure they count in the poker variation you’re playing.
What is Double Bonus Video Poker?
Double Bonus Video Poker is a variation of Jacks or Better that provides additional payouts for Four of a Kind hands. For example, if you bet 5 coins, 4 Aces will bring you 800 coins.
How often does a Royal Flush come up in video poker?
Here is the frequency of a Royal Flush occurring in different video poker games:
- Jacks or Better – 40.391 times
- Double Double Bonus – 40.782 times
- Not So Ugly Deuces Wild – 43.456 times
- Full Pay Deuces Wild – 45.282 times
- Joker Wild – 46.214 times
- Double Bonus – 48.048 times
The odds of getting one or more Royal Flushes for 40,000 Jacks or Better hands:
- 0 (zero) – 36.8%
- 1 – 36.8%
- 2 – 18.4%
- 3 – 6.1%
- 4 – 1.5%
- 5 – 0.3%
- 6 and more – 0.1%
How much does a Royal Flush pay in video poker?
Royal Flush is the highest-paying hand in video poker. The size of its payout depends on your bet (1 to 5 coins). The maximum bet (5 coins) ensures the highest payout. Also, Royal Flush payout varies across games. Be sure to consult the paytable of your selected video poker variation.
How does video poker work?
Video poker is played very much like a regular slot machine. You need to choose the number of coins you want to bet. The Random Number Generator picks 5 random cards which are displayed on the screen. Then the player needs to analyze their hand and decide which cards they want to keep in the game. The remaining cards are replaced with new ones. (New cards are also picked by the random number generator).
How do you beat the casino in Jacks or Better?
To win at Jacks or Better, you need to stick to the optimal strategy. According to this strategy, you must keep the following cards that will later help you form a strong winning hand:
- 4 cards to a Straight;
- 3 cards to a Royal Flush;
- 3 cards to a Straight Flush;
- Two Pair;
- 1 high card.
Is 9/6 more profitable than Jacks or Better?
9/6 video poker is a variety of the all-familiar Jacks or Better. This game boasts a whopping 99.5% RTP. This is one of the highest RTP value among video pokers and casino games in general.
What are the odds in video poker?
In video poker, your winning odds depend on multiple factors, including video poker type, its RTP, and your play style. In video pokers, RTP ranges between 97% and 99.5%, which is a very generous value compared to other casino games. Using the optimal strategy boosts your winning chances.
Odds of getting a winning card combination in your starting hand in Jacks or Better:
- Royal Flush – 649.740 to 1
- Straight Flush- 72.193 to 1
- Four of a Kind- 4.165 to 1
- Full House- 694 to 1
- Flush- 509 to 1
- Straight- 255 to 1
- Three of a kind- 47 to 1
- Two Pairs - 21 to 1
- Pair J,Q,K or A - 7.69 to 1
- Any Pair- 2.37 to 1
What are the best odds in video poker?
In video poker, a sure way to maximize your winning odds and minimize the house edge is by applying the optimal strategy. The optimal strategy lists the beneficial cards that you need to keep in order to form paying hands later.
Let’s take a simple example. Originally, the odds of getting a Royal Flush in the starting hand are 649.740 to 1. But if the player keeps 4 cards to a Royal Flush and replaces the remaining card, the odds of collecting a Royal Flush grow to 47 to 1. The odds of collecting a Four of a Kind and Full House are 24 to 1 and 16 to 1, respectively.
We could give hundreds of examples like that but we won’t do that. You go the gist, right? The most important thing to remember is that following the optimal strategy significantly boosts your chances at winning.
What is full pay Deuces Wild?
Full-Pay Deuces Wild, or FPDW, is a game of Deuces Wild with higher-than-usual payout rates for winning hands. For example, if you bet 1 coin, you’ll earn 5 coins on Four of a Kind and 15 coins on Five of a Kind.
What is a hand in Jacks or Better?
In Jacks or Better (like in any other poker variation), a hand refers to 5 cards dealt the player at the beginning of the game. There are also multi-hand poker games where the player manages several independent hands at once.
How do you win at Jacks or Better?
The optimal strategy is a surefire way to give a boost to your winning odds and make more money on video poker. If you’re playing Jacks or Better, the strategy says to keep the following cards:
- 4 cards to a Straight;
- 3 cards to a Flush Royal;
- 3 cards to a Straight Flush;
- Two Pair;
- 1 high card.
How do I beat the casino at Deuces Wild?
Winning at Deuces Wild is quite possible if you’re sticking to the optimal strategy that says which cards are worth keeping and which ones can be replaced. Click here to learn more.
How many cards do I get in Deuces Wild?
When the game starts, the player gets 5 cards from a 52-card deck. Then the player decides which cards they want to keep. The cards given up by the player leave the game and are replaced with new ones.
What does Jacks or Better mean?
Jacks or Better is a name of a popular video poker variation. In Jacks or Better, winning hands are made up of Jacks and higher cards. This rule gave the name to this entertaining game.
What is Deuces Wild?
Deuces Wild is another video poker variation where all Twos have the magical talent of a Wild symbol in slots. This means that a Two can turn into any other card, making it easier for you to collect winning hands.
Is video poker better than slots?
Video poker has two major advantages over slots. First, video poker is more profitable for the player. While different video pokers have a 97-99.5% RTP, slots only have a 80-97% RTP. Also, video poker players have a real chance to boost their winning chances by using the optimal strategy. The strategy tells which cards are valuable and therefore must be kept. Video poker has tons of simple, logical, and no-risk strategies and systems that can make a real difference in your gambling performance.
