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Video Poker is an incredibly popular casino game, which can be found both online and in land-based casinos. The game represents a fusion between chance and skill and it also has favorable odds, too.
You might think that video poker cannot be played by beginners, but the game is actually very simple and easy to learn, making it a perfect option for both professional players and amateurs. Check out our easy video poker guide and you will be able to play the game like a professional.
Basic Rules
Not surprisingly, the rules of video poker are largely the same as those of poker. As you know, video poker is played with decks of cards and each card has its respective value. To win in the game, you need to create the highest ranking five-card hand you can. It is important to note that the outcome in video poker is up to you exclusively as you have no opponents to contend with; it is just you versus the computer.
It should be noted that different video poker games have different pay tables. That is why it is advisable to familiarize yourself with the game’s pay table before you get to play, you can do that here http://www.casinoguardian.co.uk/video-poker/
At the beginning of each round, you are asked to choose how much money you wish to stake. Once you have decided, the computer deals five cards and you are asked to choose whether you wish to discard any of the cards; it is possible to discard all five. To dispose of the cards you do not want, you just need to press the draw key and you will get a replacement right away. If you have formed a winning combination of cards, you win.
Video Poker Payouts
As you can guess, video poker odds vary from game to game, but the game is generally thought to offer incredibly favorable odds. As a matter of fact, several Deuces Wild variations come with a 100.77% return if you use the most suitable strategy.
Additionally, some video poker machines feature a progressive jackpot, which increases, with every losing combination.
Video Poker Variations
Without a doubt, there are tens of different video poker variations, some more popular than others. In the lines below, we have focused on three of the most popular types of video poker.
Jacks or Better
As you can guess from the game’s name, the minimum winning combination here includes a pair of Jacks. One pair of Jacks returns your stake, which is why it is the lowest winning combination on the pay table. If you manage to create a full house, you receive 45 coins (if you press the max bet button, that is), while 4 of a kind awards you with 125 coins.
In addition, the highest winning combination in Jacks or Better is a Royal Flush, which comes with a payout of 4,000 coins.
Deuces Wild
Deuces Wild is another popular video poker variation in which all twos are wilds. Since the game utilizes wild cards, you need to have at least 3 of a kind to form a winning combination. In Deuces Wild, it is also possible to form a 5 of a kind hand, which rewards you with 75 coins. The highest winning combination on this variation is a natural Royal Flush, which pays out 4,000 coins.
Joker Poker
Joker Poker is a video poker variation, which utilizes jokers; a single joker is used along with the standard 52-card deck. Not surprisingly, the joker cards act as a wild in the game, just like twos are wild in Deuces Wild.
To make a winning combination on this video poker variation, you need to form a pair of Kings or better. Again, natural Royal Flush is awarded on Joker Poker, as are 5 of a kind and 4 of a kind. Additionally, some games feature a payout for a “sequential royal flush”, which is a hand that starts with 10 on the left side and ends with an Ace on the right side.
