Video Poker Rules
| Learning the Basic Rules of Video Poker
Video poker is a strategy-based gambling game where players’ decisions matter and can influence the outcome of a betting round. It borrows most of its rules from five-card draw poker. The biggest difference between the two is that video poker is played against a piece of software, not against fellow players. The gameplay is fast-paced, exciting, and highly rewarding provided players incorporate a suitable strategy to reduce the house edge and boost their odds of winning.
Players can bet anywhere between one and five coins per round. The standard hand ranking in poker is in place, meaning that the strongest hand to form is the Royal Flush. Video poker is available in multiple variations, each with distinct features and payouts. The game can be found at numerous online casinos in single-hand and multi-hand formats to suit gamblers across the board. Most versions are dealt out of a single deck containing 52 cards, although variants that utilize jokers are also on offer.
If you are yet unfamiliar with video poker but are willing to master it, you have come to the right place. The following article covers the basic rules of play, the hand ranking, and the main differences between popular video poker variations like Jacks or Better and Deuces Wild. Let’s have a quick look at the most common rules first.
Video Poker Rules
Video poker resembles slots to a nominal extent but the similarities are only superficial, as you shall see briefly. Outcomes in slots are governed by pure chance, which is not the case in video poker where skill and knowledge can tip the scales in the player’s favor. As already mentioned, the basic rules of play are moderately easy to grasp. In video poker, players are dealt a starting hand and must decide which cards to hold and which ones to replace to form a winning combination. If they happen to have a winning combination, they get paid according to the paytable. If players use an efficient strategy, they can significantly reduce the house edge and profit in the long term.
The gameplay is pretty straightforward and can be broken down into two main stages. First, you must place your bet and have the option to wager one to five coins of your desired denomination per round. The software will then deal you a starting hand containing five cards. You have the option to keep or replace all, none, or some of your initial cards. Discards are subsequently replaced with new cards that form your final hand. If the latter is listed in the game’s paytable, you earn the corresponding payout.
Hand Rankings
The standard ranking of poker hands is in place but keep in mind winning combinations may differ from variation to variation. Hence, it is recommended to check the paytable of your chosen game in advance. The most popular video poker variant you can play online uses the Jacks or Better hand ranking and payout structure where the lowest possible hand consists of paired Jacks and pays even money (1 to 1). Let’s examine the other qualifying hands that award payouts in Jacks or Better.
The strongest hand players can form is the Royal Flush which consists of suited Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and Ten. The second-best hand is the Straight Flush and consists of any five suited card in sequential order. The third strongest hand is the Four of a Kind where you have four cards of the same denomination, for example, four deuces. Next comes the Full House where you have three cards of the same denomination plus a pair.
Then, there’s the Flush containing any five cards of the same suit that are not in a sequential order. What follows is the Straight consisting of five sequential offsuit cards. The next hands are Three of a Kind which consists of three cards of the same denomination and the Two Pair where you have two pairs, for instance, two deuces and two Aces. The lowest winning combination is Jacks or better – a single pair that consists of at least Jacks.
| Video Poker Hand Rankings | |
|---|---|
| Royal Flush | A K Q J 10 |
| Straight Flush | Q J 10 9 8 |
| Four of a Kind | K K K K 5 |
| Full House | 10 10 10 7 7 |
| Flush | J 9 7 5 3 |
| Straight | Q J 10 9 8 |
| Three of a Kind | 7 7 7 10 A |
| Two Pair | J J 6 6 4 |
| Jacks or Better | Q Q 10 2 A |
Players are awarded fixed payouts for each specific hand but the exact amount depends on the strength of the winning combination and the number of coins in play. For instance, if you place the maximum bet of five coins and score a Royal Flush, you will earn 4,000 coins but if you wager only four coins your payout will amount to 1,000 coins. Payouts may vary slightly, depending on the particular variation. Players should always consider the payout percentage of the variation they are about to play to ensure the rules work in their favor.
Video Poker Variations
As already mentioned, players can now engage in a number of exciting video poker variations. Each version has specific subtleties and quirks. It is always a good idea to get familiar with the precise rules before you play for real money. Some variations feature wild cards, while others like Jacks or Better don’t. We should also note that games with wild cards play slightly differently and have a different payout structure. In most cases, the payouts for winning combinations completed with the help of wild cards are slightly altered.
The minimum payout is among the most important things you should take into account when playing variants with wild cards. The weakest possible winning combination in such games is Three of a Kind or paired Kings or Aces. Thus, it is always a good idea to look at the paytable before playing a particular variant to prevent confusion and costly strategy errors.
Even though such rule changes seem insignificant at first glance, they actually have a huge impact on the correct playing decisions. Remember that you should always adjust your strategy in line with the rules of the video poker variation you play.
Conclusion
Even though video poker is similar to standard poker, there are some differences in the rules that should be addressed. To fully enjoy the game, players must understand the basic rules and the winning combinations in the respective variation they are about to play. A number of efficient strategies exist, allowing you to reduce the house edge and win consistently in the long term. Video poker is the perfect game for players looking to test both their skills and luck, hence its immense popularity in the gambling community.
| Payment Method | Deposit | Withdrawal | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Visa Card | YES | YES |
 | Mastercard | YES | NO |
 | InstaDebit | YES | YES |
 | PayPal | YES | YES |
 | Skrill | YES | YES |
 | PaySafeCard | YES | NO |
 | Citadel | YES | YES |
 | Neteller | YES | YES |
 | Sofort | YES | YES |
 | PayForIt | YES | NO |