Playing and Betting
When a player walks into a casino, it is hard to ignore the allure of the Video Poker machine.
To start, they are easy enough to find. The machines are as compact as a slot machine, and in many respects, just as flashy. Plus, they offer one of the best chances to actually win in the casino, as the game is partially skill based.
While the player may be familiar with the playing style of a traditional Poker table, they may not be sure that video poker plays close enough to “the real thing”. But it does, and once a player understands how video Poker works, the similarities become that much more apparent.
Like traditional Draw Poker, Video Poker is generally a game of skill. It is still very much a game that requires the player to not only understand the odds, but also the skill to know how to beat them. Video Poker isn’t a game of random chance. Those that understand the mechanics of gameplay can also stand to make some money, because (like we mentioned earlier), the house edge is small for a skilled player.
Betting in Video Poker is simple. A player can generally use anywhere from one to five coins (normally, denominations are paid through dollars bills via a changer, so keep the change jar at home), and the higher the bet, the better chance a player will have in scoring a bonus.
Of all the video Poker variations, the one most commonly in use these days is the five card draw game (jacks or better is the norm). Suit hands are still ranked he same as found in traditional Poker, except they pay out on a pay table (hands don’t “beat” each other). The better the hand, the higher your payout.
Ok, so you insert your coins, hit the “deal” button, and you get five cards. Here’s where video poker strategy comes in – will you go for the pair, or shoot for the Royal Flush? Video Poker is played via a touch screen, where players interact with the various images of playing cards. You choose to keep or draw cards (via the buttons under each), and then hit the “deal” button. The cards you want replaced are replaced, and your final hand is shown – if you (generally) have Jacks or Better, you win. If not, you lose. Then you start the process all over again.
The most basic thing to remember here is that if a player is familiar with the rules and various hands of Poker, then they will find that they are able to play video Poker with a minimal learning curve. With that in mind, it is time to find the nearest video Poker machine, place few bets, and plan a strategy to that winning payout.
