Video poker has become an immensely popular casino game both online and in brick-and-mortar establishments. The mixture of classic poker strategy with fun slot machine play makes these games appeal to both poker fans and casual gamblers. These poker machines function similarly to slots but offer much more interactivity than simply pressing a spin button. After assessing your hand, you can choose which cards to “hold” and which to discard and replace. The goal is to create a winning poker hand by the final draw.
Most video poker games are based on five-card draw poker. You’re aiming to make hands like straights, flushes, full houses, four-of-a-kind, or even the elusive royal flush. The stronger your final hand is, the bigger your payout. Like slots, video poker includes a pay table that shows the prizes for different winning combinations. Once you’ve chosen the cards to hold, hit the draw button to replace the discarded cards. Most online video poker games allow betting multiple coins per hand to increase the potential prizes.
Hand rankings and pay tables
Since video poker uses standard poker hand rankings, it’s important to know the order of winning combinations. Royal flushes are the top hand, followed by straight flushes, four-of-a-kind, full houses, flushes, straights, three-of-a-kind, two-pair, and single-pair. Better hands result in bigger payouts on the machines. Pay tables detail exactly how much each winning hand will pay out depending on how many coins or credits are bet. They vary between different video poker variations. For example, Jack or Better Machines pay out more for flushes and full houses, while Deuces Wild pays more for four-of-a-kind hands. Checking the paytable helps maximize your payouts.
Video poker tips and strategy
- Play max coins – Betting the maximum number of coins often unlocks larger payouts and jackpot prizes. Always check the pay table to confirm.
- Use proper strategy – Learn optimal hold/discard strategies for your chosen game variation rather than relying on gut instinct. Using proper strategy can reduce the house edge substantially.
- Manage your bankroll – Set betting limits and stop-loss thresholds so you don’t lose more than you afford. Maintain discipline rather than chasing losses.
- Join loyalty programs – Signing up for video poker loyalty programs allows you to accrue comp points and earn cashback or bonuses based on how much you play.
- Take advantage of bonuses – Welcome bonuses, free spins, and video poker promotions give you extra money to play longer and take more chances.
- Play slower games – Slower dealing games like Jacks or Better offer more favorable odds and allow more time to consider strategy.
For the best results, utilize video poker strategy charts, which tell you the statistically optimal plays for every hand combination. Top aus online casinos strategy guides take into account the specific pay tables and game rules. By following the charts, you make near-perfect mathematical decisions and improve your odds significantly.
