Video Poker Rules

Video poker is a fusion between poker and slot machines, and it manages to preserve the best of both worlds. Just like slots, you can play this game on your own and at your own pace. There is no pressure from a pushy dealer and you won’t get hassled by the other players. At the same time, you still have to employ a degree of skill to keep the house’s edge to a minimum. Also, just like poker, there are many different varieties. For this guide, we will focus on Jacks or Better: one of the most popular video poker games, and a great starting point for any new players. Read on to learn everything you have to know to play this legendary video poker game.

Getting Started

The first thing you need to decide when playing any video poker game is how much you want to bet per hand. There are two factors to consider: credit size and credits per hand. To have a shot at the top prize bonus (for a royal flush) you should bet the max coins. The ideal coin size depends on your bankroll, but don’t hesitate to lower this figure to allow yourself to bet the maximum.

After pressing Bet Max or Deal, the computer will automatically give you five random cards. Like a typical draw poker game, your job is to decide which cards you want to keep and which you want to replace. There is a lot of strategy that goes into which decision is the best, and luckily there are many strategy resources that tell you exactly how to play any given hand. Once you know what you would like to do, click on the cards that would like to keep, and then click the Draw button. The digital dealer will replace the cards that you did not select, and your hand will be complete.

Understanding The Payouts

Once you are finished playing the hand, the computer will automatically decide how much you win (if anything). It happens in the blink of an eye, but it is actually quite a simple process. The hand rankings are the same as in traditional poker games and the video poker game has a pay table displayed to the left. Based on how many coins you wagered, the pay table tells you how much you stand to win for any given hand. Payouts are calculated as a multiple of your credit size so, naturally, betting more gives you a chance to win more. No matter how large your bankroll is, though, you should start by playing for free to practice and learn the rules. With optimum strategy, you can limit the house edge to a small 0.46%; playing poorly, on the other hand, is a great way to lose on a regular basis.