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Everything You Need to Know About Video Poker: Types, Strategies, and More

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Read Time: 6 minutes

Many gambling sites do not have live poker rooms and tournaments, with sites like Ignition Casino a rarity among online casinos. However, along with slots and table games such as blackjack and roulette, video poker is a popular game for players at online casinos.

What is video poker? Video poker combines elements of a traditional poker game with slot machine gameplay. Video poker gives players the chance to use both skill and strategy to try to set themselves up for success.

This in-depth guide to video poker is designed to familiarize beginners with basic principles and strategies of the game, as well as point experienced players in the right direction if they are looking to learn more beyond the basics.

What is Video Poker?

As with other card-based casino games, video poker uses a standard deck of 52 playing cards. The objective of the game is to come up with the best possible hand according to poker hand rankings.

How to Play Video Poker

To play video poker, there are a few basic rules and instructions to follow.

Basic Rules

Betting: Players start by placing a bet. These bets typically range from one to five coins.
Dealing: After placing a bet, the player receives five cards.
Choosing Cards: After receiving their five cards, players then choose which cards to keep and which cards to discard.
Drawing New Cards: After determining which cards are kept and which cards are discarded, the player replaces the discarded cards with new cards from the deck.
Winning Hands: After the player replaces the discarded cards, the final hand is evaluated. Payouts are then made based on the game’s paytable.

Understanding the Paytable

Each video poker machine has a unique paytable. This paytable details the payouts for different hands.

Before playing, players should become familiar with the paytable so they can understand potential returns.

Types of Video Poker Games

As with live poker, video poker has several different variants. What are some of the most popular variants?

Common Video Poker Variants

Jacks or Better: In this popular variant, players need at least a pair of jacks to win.
Deuces Wild: In this variant of video poker, all twos (deuces) act like wild cards. This means that they can substitute for any card to create a winning hand.
Bonus Poker: Bonus poker offers higher payouts for certain hands, like four of a kind.
Double Bonus Poker: Double Bonus Poker is Bonus Poker with even higher payouts for specific hands.
Tens or Better: As with Jacks or Better, players need at least a pair of tens to win.

Specialty Video Poker Games

Some video poker machines offer unique rules and payouts. These unique rules and payouts can add an extra layer of excitement to the experience.

Strategies for Video Poker Success

There are many more advanced video poker strategies that players can use once they have become familiar with the game and have the basic strategies down.

What are some considerations that new players should have from the outset?

Optimal Play

Learn Basic Strategy: Learn the optimal strategies for each video poker variant. Variants may require different strategies based on the paytable.
Card Selection: When deciding which cards will be kept and which cards will be discarded, any choices must be made based on the potential to create a winning hand.

Using Strategy Charts in Video Poker

Many video poker resources, including Wizard of Odds, provide strategy charts which outline the best way to play depending on your starting hand. Making good use of these charts can significantly increase your chances of success.

Bankroll Management

Good bankroll management is imperative in any form of gambling, whether it is betting on sports, betting on horse races, or playing online casino games like video poker.

What are three top tips for good bankroll management while playing?

Set a Budget: How much are you willing to spend? Determine your budget before you start playing.
Choose the Right Machine: Payouts vary from machine to machine. Choose machines that maximize your potential returns.
Adjust Bet Sizes: Keep your budget and your bankroll in mind when determining bet sizes.

The Role of Luck vs. Skill

As with any card-based casino game, video poker has a significant skill component. At the same time, luck also plays a key role due to the randomness of card draws.

Skilled video players can increase their odds with smart, strategic gameplay. However, they cannot eliminate the element of chance.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Playing Video Poker

Ignoring the Paytable: Payouts can greatly vary, which makes it vital to always check the paytable for each machine.
Poor Card Selection: If you discard too many cards without having a solid strategy in place, you can miss a lot of opportunities to win.
Chasing Losses: Poor decision-making can lead to losses, and further poor decision-making can occur because of chasing losses. Be sure to stick to your budget, and if you find yourself starting to chase losses, take a break.

Playing Video Poker Online vs at a Casino

Benefits of Playing Online

Convenience: At online casinos such as OnlineCasinoGames.com and DuckyLuck Casino, you can play video poker, slots, and other popular casino games from the comfort of your home or elsewhere.
Variety: At online casinos, players can often find a wider range of games and variants. For example, Wild Casino offers more than dozen different video poker games.
Bonuses: Online casinos may offer big bonuses that can provide a major boost to your bankroll. For example, at SlotsandCasino, players can receive a 500% match bonus and 150 free slots spins on their first deposit if it is made with Bitcoin or another form of cryptocurrency.

Benefits of Playing at a Casino

Social Interaction: Playing games at a casino gives players a chance to interact with others and soak up a social atmosphere.
Physical Experience: For some players, handling chips and money or pressing buttons can add to the experience and fun.

Conclusion

An exciting combination of luck and strategy, video poker provides players the opportunity to have fun while making money.

By using resources like this one and others to become familiar with rules and strategies, taking the time to learn the ins and outs of the game, and practicing through gameplay, you can attain the knowledge and experience required to maximize your chances of video poker success.