How to Play Video Poker: A Beginner's Guide
- Learn everything you need to know to get started playing video poker.
- All the rules, games, and video poker strategies are broken down into a simple guide.
- Feel confident and ready to play, enjoy, and (hopefully) win at video poker.
With all the jargon, rules, and silly etiquette, there's no doubt the casino can be an intimidating place sometimes. That's why at PokerNews, we've prepared this handy beginner's guide to playing video poker. We want everyone to feel comfortable, confident, and prepared when they play at an online casino - our simple guide to video poker will do just that.
In this article, you'll find the following video poker information broken down into helpful, bite-size nuggets:
Wondering what the difference is between video poker & poker? Although both games see players try and make the best poker hand possible (usually from 5 cards), Video Poker is a single-player game that is against the house or a dealer while poker is played against other opponents. Moreover, there are different betting options available in both formats of the game.
The Basics of Video Poker
Firstly, it's important to remember that when people talk about video poker, it's a blanket term for a casino game category with many variants. These games (which we'll go into in more detail later) include Ultimate Texas Hold'em, Jacks or Better, and more, which all have subtle differences but share the same principles.
That is, they are all based on either 5-card draw or 3-card draw poker, they all share a paytable based on winning poker combinations, and they all have an element of video poker strategy that slot games don't have.
You should never forget these key points when playing video poker games. An example of a slight difference that might exist between video poker games is Deuces Wild, for instance, where the 'two' cards 2♣2♠2♥2♦ act as wilds that can help make poker combos - but don't worry about this for now.
Ultimately, no matter which video poker variety you are playing, the following method for playing won't change:
- Find a brilliant online casino with video poker games and sign-up.
- Pick a video poker game - there are usually quite a few video poker varieties to pick from.
- Size your stake and place your wager when prompted by the video poker machine.
- Hit deal to receive your five-card or three-card poker hand.
- Discard your cards if they don't help your hand. Swap them with replacement cards from the deck. Remember - you want to make the best poker hand possible.
- Check the paytable and odds for your winnings (if you've won).
- The video poker machine will automatically pay out a winning hand.
In terms of the mechanics of just playing a hand of video poker, this is a basics every newbie needs to know. To gain a greater understanding of video poker, the strategy, the payouts, and more, let's now look at the hand rankings in video poker - an understanding of which is essential to know whether you want to stick or discard your cards during the game.
Simple Guide to Video Poker Hand Rankings
Anyone familiar with the game of poker will recognize nearly all the winning video poker hands as they are the same.
Certain video poker varieties contain their own unique hand rankings, but nine times out of ten, these winning hands will result in the highest payouts (most powerful hands run from top to bottom):
| Winning Hand | Description |
|---|---|
| Royal Flush | A, K, Q, J & 10 all same suit. E.g.10♦J♦Q♦K♦A♦ |
| Straight Flush | Five cards in sequence, all suited. E.g.5♠6♠7♠8♠9♠ |
| Four-of-a-Kind | Four cards, all same rank. E.g.10♣10♠10♥10♦K♠ |
| Full House | Three-of-a-Kind & a Pair. E.g.A♣A♠A♥6♥6♦ |
| Flush | Five cards, all suited. E.g.3♣5♣9♣Q♣A♣ |
| Straight | Five cards in sequence. E.g.A♦2♠3♠4♥5♣ |
| Three-of-a-Kind | Three cards, all same rank. E.g.J♠J♥J♦10♦4♣ |
| Two Pair | Two cards of one rank plus two cards of another rank. E.g.3♦3♥J♣J♠8♥ |
| Jacks or Better | A pair of Js, Qs, Ks or As. E.g.J♥J♠5♥6♣9♣ |
Next, we'll look at the sort of odds you can expect from hitting each of the poker combinations above. After all, everybody loves a big payout!
Understanding Video Poker Payouts
Every video poker game has a system of payouts that usually sees the payout odds increasing significantly from a relatively common Jacks or Better hand to the rare and coveted Royal Flush.
Again, these payouts vary according to the variety of video poker game you're playing, although most video poker machines offer fairly similar odds.
Let's take an example from the excellent video poker game Let It Ride, with its payout table fairly representative of what you might see if you randomly picked any video poker game.
| Hand | Payout Odds |
|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 1,000-1 |
| Straight Flush | 200-1 |
| Four-of-a-Kind | 50-1 |
| Full House | 11-1 |
| Flush | 8-1 |
| Straight | 5-1 |
| Three-of-a-Kind | 3-1 |
| Two Pair | 2-1 |
| Jacks or Better | 1-1 |
From the table above, you should be able to see one of the main attractions of video poker, which is the possibility to hit huge odds with every hand. However, of course, these odds reflect the likelihood of attaining these combinations, which is why we'll now look at some video poker strategies and tips that can help a beginner.
Video Poker Beginner Tips & Strategies
Nearly every video poker game comes with its own unique tips and strategies that set it apart from the rest. That said, there are some universal tips & tricks that we've picked up over the years that can help a beginner no matter which game you play.
Playing with strategy in mind is really important. Odds experts and casino sharks will tell you it's the only way to win in the long term (or at least not lose big). As a novice, you should never forget the following things when playing video poker:
- Always Manage Your Bankroll - As a newbie, if you take nothing else away from this article, please take away the importance of bankroll management. No matter which casino game you play, but especially in video poker, proper bankroll management is the only way to be successful in the long run. Set a clear staking plan and stick to it; only ever bet what you can afford to lose.
- Take Time to Learn the Game - This may sound obvious, but as you've probably picked up from the article, there are lots of little intricacies and idiosyncrasies that come with each variety of video poker. Although the fundamentals don't change, the little rule changes between games can become significant if you're not on top of them, which will harm your profit margin. PokerNews has in-depth guides for the major varieties of video poker games - familiarize yourself by reading them before jumping into a real money lobby.
- Patience is a Virtue - The nature of video poker is that you will probably be dealt more bad hands than good. Therefore, it's crucial to remember that patience can be one of the best skills in a casino gamer's locker and that waiting for the right time to bet will always be better than playing every hand you get. This will protect your bankroll during the bad runs and ensure you've got enough chips to capitalize when you're dealt the good hand.
- Watch Experienced Players - In video poker (or life generally), it's hard to find a more cast iron learning method than watching someone experienced do something and try to emulate them. With so many online guides and YouTube videos available, there's a whole wealth of information at our fingertips now that didn't exist when video poker machines burst onto the scene in the 1990s. Watch someone with experience play, watch what they do right, and try and copy - it's that simple!
For a more advanced guide to video poker strategy, read our article on How to Win at Video Poker.
The Best Video Poker Games
Let's quickly sprint through some of the best video poker games available that, as a beginner, you will want to make sure you try out. These video poker games are so popular they will be available at the vast majority of online casinos you play at.
Play Jacks or Better
Jacks or Better closely resembles straight five-card draw, with the added advantage of earning an extra point for each pair of Jacks or higher you receive. This variation also allows for playing multiple hands simultaneously, increasing the potential for greater winnings.
Play Deuces Wild Poker
Before delving into the specifics of Deuces Wild Poker, it's crucial to highlight its outstanding return-to-player (RTP) rate, one of the highest among video poker games. This attribute, coupled with its unique wild card feature, makes Deuces Wild a captivating and rewarding choice, standing out among the diverse video poker variants available.
The wild card feature in Deuces Wild allows players to substitute any card with a deuce, transforming deuces into versatile wild cards. This dynamic element further enhances the game's appeal, making Deuces Wild a compelling choice for video poker enthusiasts.
Play Let It Ride Poker
Distinct from the other games on this list, Let It Ride Poker can involve up to seven players, although you don't directly interact with them. You construct your winning hand using three cards dealt face up (your cards) and two cards dealt face down (community cards – these represent the dealer's cards in live Let It Ride Poker). Your decisions hinge on your confidence in your cards: do you withdraw (Pull) your bets, or do you opt to continue, known as Let It Ride?
The Best Casinos for Video Poker
Feel ready to test out your newfound video poker skills for real?
The sections below detail the best real money video poker casinos in your area and the best free video poker available at social casinos. For further details on our favorite video poker casinos, check out our complete guide to the best video poker casinos of the year.
Alternatively, keep reading and find a casino in this current article!
Best Real Money Video Poker Casinos
Below, you can find the best real money video poker casino in your location. Please note these will vary depending on where you are based in the world, as will the availability/nature of any bonuses and promotions. Still, they have been checked and verified by our team of experts to ensure they're a great place to play video poker.
Best Free Video Poker Casinos
Those who want to play video poker for free should look no further than some of the brilliant social casinos available in your area! Playing video poker for free is a great way to test out new strategies, especially as a beginner, and Sweepstakes casinos are primed to provide some great video poker games. As with the real money section above, the social casino the link takes you to varies according to location.
How to Play Video Poker Beginners - FAQs
What is the Difference Between Video Poker & Poker?
Although both games see players try and make the best poker hand possible (usually from 5 cards), Video Poker is a single-player game that is against the house or a dealer while poker is played against other opponents. Moreover, there are different betting options available in both formats of the game.
What is Video Poker & how does it work?
Video poker is a single-player casino game that combines elements of traditional poker with slot machines. It's played against a machine rather than other players, and the goal is to create the best possible five-card poker hand by selecting cards to hold or discard.
What are the Different Types of Video Poker Games?
There are numerous variations of video poker, each with its own set of rules and paytables. Some popular versions include Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, Ultimate Texas Hold'em, and Caribbean Stud Poker. Each video poker variant offers unique features and potential payouts, catering to different preferences and playing styles.
How do I play a hand of video poker?
After placing your bet, you'll be dealt five cards face up. You can then decide to hold any or all of these cards. The remaining cards will be replaced with new ones, and your final hand will be compared to the paytable to determine your winnings. This can slightly vary between different video poker varieties, but in its most basic form this is the objective of video poker.