How to Play Video Poker

Video Poker

Video Poker is a close relative of the regular game of poker and is derived from a combination of slot machines and five-card draw poker. The major differences between regular poker and Video Poker is that you are playing against a machine rather than real people, and your goal is to achieve particular hands rather than beat opponents hands (as there are no other players).

To begin play, determine the number of coins you are going to play and insert your money.

Once you place your video poker bet you push the deal button. After your five cards are dealt you will decide which video poker cards that you would like to keep by pushing the video poker hold button associated with that card. The objective is to finish the game with the strongest hand possible. The payout at the end of the game is dependent on the value of the hand you are holding.

After making your selections, double check to make certain that every card you would like to keep has the word hold either above or below it. Because one you place the deal button every card that you have chosen to discard (not hold) will be replaced with another card from the video poker deck.

Instead of beating an opponent’s hand as in normal poker table play, you can win when you hold any of the five-card combinations listed on that particular video poker machines payout table. If your resulting hand holds a winning video poker combination you will be credited according to the payout schedule.

Video Poker Tips

Never keep a kicker with any pair.
Holding a kicker to any pair reduces your return by 5%.
Never draw four cards if you can draw three to a royal flush.
Always keep five-card winning pat hands with on exception: if you can, draw one card to a royal.
Don’t break a flush even if you can draw one to a straight flush, but always break a flush to draw to a royal.
Never break a straight to draw to a straight flush.
Never draw five if you have a jack or better.
Don’t keep a ten for a four card draw.