Complete Guide to Video Poker

If you have never played the game of video poker, it may be difficult to figure out how it works. You may have played it and have no idea what you are doing as well. Video poker is a very popular option available at most land-based and online gambling sites.

It also comes with some of the highest payout percentages on the market. Casinos know this too well, which is why you will never find video poker games listed in prominent positions.

In this guide we will dive into the ins and outs of the game of video poker, how it is played out as well as other tidbits of relevant information.

What is Video Poker?

Video Poker is unlike any other poker game available on the market. You are not playing against other players or sitting at a table. Instead, they are gambling machines, which although look similar to slot machines, they are not.

Slot machines as well as video poker machines can mostly be found in the slots areas of land-based casinos. You need to insert coins into their slots in order to play these games. In slot games, you have to land identical symbols on a payline in order to win.

The game of video poker is essentiawlly a card game but one that is played on a machine or online. It was first introduced in the 1970s, and has been growing in popularity every since. It is loved by most gamblers since it is one of very few games that offers the highest available odds. You can also influence the outcome which makes from a change especially when compared to other games of chance available in the market.

The game of video poker deals you out 5 playing cards. You must decide which cards to keep and which to discard. The game deals you out replacement cards for the ones you discord.  The value of your poker hand will determine whether you have won and the payout.

Pay Structures in Video Poker

The main goal of this game is to create the best possible hand according to the variant you are paying. Whether you are placing the maximum coin amount or any other value, familiarising yourself with the pay structure is smart, so you can adjust your betting strategy accordingly.

Each online casino game on the market comes with a payout percentage and a house edge. While some players think they are one and the same, they are entirely two separate entities. The payout percentage if the amount of money you can expect to get back from winning. This is a percentage that is attached to every game and gives you a good indication of what you can expect to retrieve.

For example, if you are playing a game that has a 99% payout percentage. This means, that you can expect to retrieve £99 for every £100 wagered on that game. It does not mean that you will win this amount back every time. It’s a general average and statistic that applies if you have been playing the game at length.

On the other hand, the house edge refers to the percentage that the casino collects from every wager. To use the same example, the casino takes 1% of every bet placed.

All video poker games come with a pay table, just like online slot games, where most information will be listed. The paytable will give you a good idea of the best hands and their payouts as well as their volatility levels. Not all games will disclose the volatility level.

Variance and volatility are key characteristics of video poker games. They essentially inform the player of the risk level associated with the game. If a game has high variance, that means that you can expect to win substantially on an irregular basis. A game with low variance, on the other hand, allows you to achieve small wins on a regular basis.

If this information is not available online, you can usually figure out the volatility levels, by simply playing a few rounds of the game in free demo mode. Not only will you be able to try the hand first-hand, but you can also get a good idea of the volatility levels without putting your own money on the line.

As mentioned having a good look at the paytable should give you a good idea of what to expect in terms of winnings and returns. Here is a common example for a paytable available for a Jacks or Better game variation:

Different Types of Video Poker Games

There are many types of video poker games available on the market. Here are some of the most popular ones available:

• Jacks or Better: Possibly the most popular game version of video poker. The lowest-paying hand in the game is a pair of Jacks or better. The game is played out with a single deck of 52 cards. You can also win the top jackpot prize if you succeed in getting a Royal Flush.
• Deuces Wild:  In this game variation of video poker, there are wild cards available. Similar to online slot games, wild cards can substitute other cards in a bid to help you create a good hand. 
• Bonus Poker: Similar to Jacks or Better, the key difference to this game is that you get various payoffs on specific four of a kind hands. There are many variations of Bonus Poker available on the market as well.
• Double Double Bonus Poker: The key difference to this game is that layouts for all four of a kind hands are boosted.

What is the difference between playing Video Poker and Poker?

The difference between the two games is massive. First off, the game of video poker is played against software rather than a dealer or any other players. This means you don’t have to bluff or try to read your opponents.

You also don’t have to worry too much about creating a hand that can beat other players’ hands. Your hand is the only one that matters in this game. Even if you have a weak hand, you still win in the game of video poker.

It is also a very easy game to learn, unlike poker. You can easily use it as a learning step especially if you are not familiar with the game of poker. Once you have mastered the skills for video poker and know how hands work, you can work your way up to poker.

It is also far more accessible than gaining access to an available poker table at a brick-and-mortar casino. You don’t have to look for other players to play. You can simply find a game variation you want to play and get started in no time.

In conclusion, video poker games have some of the best odds and payout percentages available on the market. It may not be everyone’s cup of tea, especially if you don’t quite like making decisions or enjoy the pressure. If you like chatting with other players, you may prefer something a little more social such as live casino games.

Video poker is superior to online slot games for many reasons. Not only does it come with better odds, but the payout percentages are far much better too. If the average payout percentage for online slot games is 96%, the average payout percentage of video poker games is often 97% to 98%.

You also don’t know the odds of winning online slot games. You are wholly relying on a random number generator for generating wins. In the game of video poker, you have a more active role, where you can pit your wits against the casino.

Similar to other games where you have a big role to play, be mindful that many casino bonuses don’t allow you to wager on video poker games. Some casinos may allow you to play but your bets will only contribute a small percentage towards the wagering requirements.

If you want to play video poker online, it is important that you take the time to evaluate any online gambling site you are thinking of signing up for. Read player and casino reviews and read the fine print properly.

Don’t forget you can also play video poker games in free demo mode, so you can learn the ropes of the game in no time.  There are also many downloadable mobile video poker apps available online. Compatibility is a non-issue these days as most mobile video poker apps and casino apps have been created for both Android and iOS devices.