Video Poker - The Basics
After Blackjack and Craps, video poker gives you some of the
best odds in the casino if you play it right. It combines some
of the fun of a slot machine with some of the fun of a table
game, all without rushing you to play. This is why many
professional gamblers use video poker as a means of relaxation
in between the demands of blackjack or a table poker game.
For many years now, video poker has steadily increased in
popularity in the casinos. While many video poker machines may
look like slot machines, make no mistake about it - they are
not! Unlike slot machines, video poker is a combination of luck
AND skill.
The cards are dealt randomly, just as in a real poker game. The
house's edge is determined by how much it pays for the various
combinations of winning hands. Different machines have different
payout schedules for the various poker hands, so be sure to
choose a machine with a favorable payout schedule.
In order to play video poker with any chance at winning, you
must know the basics about playing five card draw poker, which
is beyond the scope of this article. We'll assume you know the
basics of the game and how the various poker hands are ranked.
To play a video poker machine, you simply insert one or more
coins (usually up to a maximum of five) and push the "deal"
button. Five cards are dealt to you on the screen. You choose
the ones you want to hold by pushing the "hold" button
underneath each card.
You then push the "deal" button again and you will be dealt the
number of cards you choose not to keep, to form your final, five
card poker hand. If you end up with a winning combination, you
are paid according to the payout schedule.
It's as simple as that! Many video poker machines have a payout
schedule that is 97 or 98%. In another article, we'll explain
the schedule with the best odds.
Until then, good luck!