How to Play Video Poker – A Beginner’s Guide

Video poker is an exciting casino game that combines elements of traditional poker and slot machines. It’s easy to learn how to play video poker, and with a little strategy, you can improve your chances of winning. In this blog, we’ll explore the basic rules, different types of video poker, card values, and much more to help you get started.

Basic Rules and Objective

The basic rules of video poker are simple. The game is usually played on a machine that resembles a slot machine. The objective is to make the best possible poker hand using the cards you are dealt. Here’s a step-by-step guide to understanding the rules:

Place Your Bet

Before the game begins, you need to place a bet. You can usually choose to bet between one and five coins. The more you bet, the higher the potential payout.

Deal the Cards

After placing your bet, you’ll be dealt five cards on the screen. These cards come from a standard deck of 52 cards (sometimes 53 if there’s a Joker).

Choose Which Cards to Keep

Look at your cards and decide which ones you want to keep. You can keep all, some, or none of the cards. Click on the cards you want to keep.

Draw New Cards

After deciding which cards to keep, click the “Draw” button. The cards you didn’t keep will be replaced with new ones from the deck.

Final Hand

Your final hand is then compared to a payout table to determine if you’ve won. The better your hand, the larger your payout.

The main objective of video poker is to make the best possible hand and win according to the payout table.

Learn the Types of Video Poker

There are several types of video poker games, each with slightly different rules and strategies. Here are some of the most popular ones:

Jacks or Better

This is the most basic version of video poker. To win, you need at least a pair of Jacks. It’s a great starting point for beginners.

Deuces Wild

In this version, all 2s (Deuces) are wild cards, meaning they can replace any other card to help form a winning hand. This game offers more opportunities to win, but the payout table is slightly lower than that of Jacks or Better.

Joker Poker

This game includes a Joker card, which acts as a wild card. It can replace any card to complete a hand. With the Joker in play, you have more chances to create strong hands.

Bonus Poker

Similar to Jacks or Better, but with bonus payouts for specific hands, like Four of a Kind. There are different variations of Bonus Poker, each offering different bonus payouts.

Double Bonus Poker

This is a variation of Bonus Poker that offers even higher payouts for certain hands, like Four of a Kind. However, it can be a bit riskier, as the lower-ranked hands have smaller payouts.

Each of these games has its own strategy, so it’s a good idea to try a few different types and see which one you enjoy the most.

Card Values and Combinations

Understanding the value of the cards and the different possible combinations is key to playing video poker. Here’s a quick overview:

Card Values:

• Number Cards (2-10): These cards are worth their face value.
• Face Cards (Jack, Queen, King): These cards are all worth 10 each.
• Ace: It can be worth either 1 or 11, depending on the hand.

Winning Combinations:

• Royal Flush: This is the highest possible hand. It consists of A, K, Q, J, 10, all of the same suit (e.g., all hearts). The Royal Flush usually offers the biggest payout.
• Straight Flush: This hand consists of five consecutive cards of the same suit (e.g., 7, 8, 9, 10, J, all of spades).
• Four of a Kind: Four cards of the same rank (e.g., 9, 9, 9, 9).
• Full House: This hand consists of three cards of one rank and two cards of another rank (e.g., Q, Q, Q, 3, 3).
• Flush: Any five cards of the same suit, but not in sequence (e.g., 2, 5, 7, 10, K, all of diamonds).
• Straight: Five consecutive cards of any suit (e.g., 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, in mixed suits).
• Three of a Kind: Three cards of the same rank (e.g., 7, 7, 7).
• Two Pair: Two cards of one rank and two cards of another rank (e.g., J, J, 4, 4).
• Pair: Two cards of the same rank (e.g., K, K).

These combinations are what you aim for when playing video poker. The stronger your hand, the bigger your payout will be.

Payout Tables

Payout tables are an essential part of video poker. They show how much you can win for each possible hand. Each type of video poker has its own payout table, so it’s important to understand the one for the game you’re playing. Here’s an example of a basic payout table for Jacks or Better:

• Royal Flush: 250 coins (or more if you bet the maximum)
• Straight Flush: 50 coins
• Four of a Kind: 25 coins
• Full House: 9 coins
• Flush: 6 coins
• Straight: 4 coins
• Three of a Kind: 3 coins
• Two Pair: 2 coins
• Pair of Jacks or Better: 1 coin

If you’re playing a version with a wild card, such as  Deuces Wild, the payout table will be slightly different, with higher payouts for certain hands and lower payouts for others. Understanding the payout table will help you make better decisions during the game.

Dealing the Cards

In video poker, the cards are dealt from a virtual deck of 52 cards (or 53 if there’s a Joker). After placing your bet, you’ll be dealt five cards. These cards are displayed on the screen, and it’s up to you to decide which ones to keep and which ones to discard.

The cards you keep will stay in your hand, while the ones you discard will be replaced with new cards from the deck. This process is called “drawing cards.” The goal is to improve your hand and increase your chances of winning.

Betting Rounds

Betting in video poker is simple. Before the cards are dealt, you place your bet. Most machines allow you to bet between one and five coins. The size of your bet affects your payouts; betting the maximum amount usually unlocks the highest possible payouts, especially for the Royal Flush.

After placing your bet, you’re dealt five cards. There is only one round of betting in video poker, so after you decide which cards to keep and which to discard, the game proceeds directly to the draw.

Drawing Cards

Drawing cards is a key part of video poker strategy. After you’ve been dealt your initial five cards, you decide which ones to keep. The cards you discard are replaced with new cards from the same deck.

For example, if you’re dealt a hand with a pair of Kings, you might choose to keep the Kings and discard the other three cards in the hope of drawing another King or even a Full House.

After the draw, your final hand is evaluated against the payout table to determine you’ve won.

Showdown

In video poker, the showdown occurs immediately after you draw your final cards. The game automatically compares your final hand to the payout table to determine if you’ve won and how much you’ve won.

If your hand matches one of the winning combinations on the payout table, you’ll receive a payout based on the strength of your hand and the size of your bet. If your hand doesn’t match any of the winning combinations, the game ends, and you can place a new bet to play again.

Basic Betting Strategies

When it comes to betting in video poker, there are a few basic strategies that can help you make better decisions:

Learn How to Play Video Poker and Bet the Maximum

Whenever possible, try to bet the maximum number of coins (usually five). This is because the top payout for a Royal Flush is significantly higher when you bet the maximum. However, only do this if your bankroll allows it.

Keep High Pairs

If you’re dealt a pair of Jacks or better, keep those cards. High pairs are a solid foundation for winning hands.

Aim for Strong Hands

If you’re close to a Straight, Flush, or Royal Flush, it’s usually worth trying to complete that hand rather than holding onto a lower pair.

Don’t Chase Low Pairs

If you’re dealt a low pair (e.g., 3s or 4s), it might be better to discard one or both of them in the hopes of drawing higher-value cards.

These basic strategies will help you make smart decisions while playing and improve your chances of winning.

Advanced Techniques

Once you’re comfortable with the basics, you can start using more advanced techniques to increase your chances of winning:

Go for the Royal Flush

If you’re dealt four cards to a Royal Flush, it’s worth discarding the fifth card, even if it’s a winning card like a pair. The potential payout for a Royal Flush is so high that it’s worth the risk.

Use Wild Cards Wisely

In games with wild cards, like Deuces Wild, use the wild cards to complete higher-value hands. For example, a wild card can help you complete a Straight Flush or even a Royal Flush.

Learn the Payout Tables

Each version of video poker has a slightly different payout table. Understanding these differences can help you choose the best game and make better betting decisions.

Practice Bankroll Management

Set limits on how much you’re willing to bet and stick to them. Advanced players know when to walk away and avoid chasing losses.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even experienced players make mistakes in video poker. Here are some common ones to avoid:

Not Betting the Maximum

In most video poker games, the top payout is only available if you bet the maximum number of coins. Don’t miss out on big wins by betting less.

Holding onto Too Many Cards

It can be tempting to keep more cards than you should, hoping to complete a hand. However, this can reduce your chances of drawing better cards.

Ignoring the Payout Table

Each game has its own payout table, and ignoring it can lead to missed opportunities or poor decisions. Always check the payout table before you start playing.

Chasing Losses

It’s easy to get caught up in the game and keep betting more to win back what you’ve lost. This is a dangerous strategy that can lead to even greater losses.

By avoiding these mistakes, you can improve your gameplay and increase your chances of winning.

Bankroll Management

Bankroll management is crucial in video poker. It’s important to set limits on how much you’re willing to spend and to stick to those limits. Here are some tips for managing your bankroll:

Set a Budget

Decide how much money you’re willing to spend before you start playing. This should be an amount you’re comfortable losing.

Divide Your Bankroll

If you’re planning to play multiple sessions, divide your bankroll into smaller amounts. This way, you won’t spend all your money in one session.

Know When to Stop

If you’re on a losing streak, it’s important to know when to stop. Don’t chase losses by betting more money than you’ve budgeted.

Take Breaks

Playing for long periods can lead to fatigue and poor decisions. Take regular breaks to stay fresh and focused.

Good bankroll management will help you enjoy the game without risking more than you can afford. 

Conclusion

Video poker is a fun and exciting game that offers a mix of luck and strategy. By understanding the basic rules, learning about different types of video poker, and using smart strategies, you can increase your chances of winning.

Remember to manage your bankroll carefully and avoid common mistakes to make the most of your gameplay. Happy playing!