How do you play Video Poker?
If you know how to play poker and you know the general rules with its winning combinations, Video Poker will be no mystery to you. If you don’t know anything about this world, don’t worry, we’ll explain how to play together with the basic rules.
There are different versions of Video Poker for example (Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, etc.) but all of them have more or less the same operation.
Here is a step by step explanation how to play:
To bet Once you connect to the game, you will find a screen with various buttons. The first thing you will have to do is decide how much you want to bet. In Video Poker, credits or coins are usually used so you can select the value you want to give them and then choose how much you want to bet. There is also a button to bet automatically or to make a maximum bet. At the top of the game screen you will usually find the pay table that tells you the possible winning combinations and how they are paid off. The winning combinations are practically the same as in poker. If you want to know more about them, read our poker guide.
Receive the cards: The next step will be to press the deal button, and 5 cards will appear on the screen. Take a look at the cards you’ve received and decide which one to keep and which one to discard.
Discard: Simply click on the cards you want to keep and then hit the deal button. In this way the unselected cards disappear and are replaced by new cards.
New cards: You will receive new cards to replace those you have discarded. The hand will end here. Now you will have to see if the five final cards you have obtained have any winning combination.
Payment of bets: It will be the machine itself that will automatically give you the final result. It will examine your cards to see which is the highest winning combination that you can form with your cards. In case of obtaining a prize, it will be credited to your account automatically.
After this last step, this hand will end, and you can start a new one by following the same steps.
Variants of Video Poker
In the world of Video Poker, you will find a lot of different versions but in general, they all have the same common rules and differ from each other only in small ways.
Among the variants that exist, we can point out the best known, such as:
Jacks or Better
It is the most common and widespread variant among Video Poker players.
The game indicates that the minimum winning combination begins at a pair of jacks and thereafter follows the winning combinations of poker.
Tens or Better
A version very similar to the Jacks or Better where the main difference we find is that the minimum winning combination is a pair of tens.
Jokers Wild
Here you play with a standard deck of 52 cards plus a joker, which can be substituted for any card in the deck depending on the strongest winning combination that can be formed. A combination that is also possible with the inclusion of a joker is the repoker (i.e. the combination formed by four equal cards e.g. 4 kings) plus the joker.
Deuces Wild
It is another variant of Video Poker where the cards with the number 2 function as jokers and can be substituted for any other card in the deck. Each deck includes four deuces, therefore we will have four jokers.
Pick’em Poker
A very simple variant of Video Poker. It is played with two cards face up that appear on the left of the game screen which you will have to keep. On the right, you will have the option to pick between two stacks of three cards with one card exposed (the other two are hidden). Depending on the cards on the left, you will need to choose from one of the two exposed cards on the right and once the latter is selected, the hidden two cards will be automatically uncovered in order to complete the five cards and make a winning combination.
Conclusion and tips
In our modest opinion, Video Poker is a perfect option for all those who love slot machines and who are also poker lovers. It is easy and simple to play allowing you to experience the excitement of poker and slots at the same time.
And as always, here are some tips that can help you in your journey through the world of Online Video Poker.
Get familiar with the game through free platforms without investing real money until you know the rules and feel ready to do so.
Never lose sight of the list of winning combinations. They will help you decide which cards to discard.
Play only in licensed casinos that meet all legal requirements and offer you all the security guarantees.
Play wisely and responsibly, for leisure and for fun.
For more information on responsible gambling click on https://www.begambleaware.org/
So now enjoy trying this game. You will surely love it, and it will get you hooked. Have fun!
Frequent questions
Can you find progressive jackpots at Video Poker?
Yes, as in many other online casino games, in Video Poker you can also find progressive jackpots.
Which version of Video Poker is most recommended?
There is no doubt that the best-known version is Jacks or Better and perhaps it is the best version to start getting to know Video Poker. But once the game is mastered, the Deuces Wild version will become more attractive as it is the one with the highest payout percentage.
If I know how to play poker, can I play Video Poker?
Of course, Video Poker has the same objective as poker and is played with practically the same winning combinations. You will not have any difficulty in playing Video Poker.
Can Video Poker be played for free?
Yes, most online casinos will offer you this possibility so that you can play the game with a free version.
How many times can you rule out in Video Poker?
Just once, and you can discard as many cards as you want from 0 to 5.
