Guide to Video Poker: Rules and Strategy Basics

The Unique Appeal of Video Poker
Video poker is a unique casino (spin-away1.com) game that combines the simplicity of slots with the strategy of poker. Unlike slots, which are pure chance, video poker allows you to use skill to influence the outcome. The game is played on a digital console similar to a slot machine, using a standard 52-card deck. Since the game is based on standard card probabilities, the math is completely transparent to the player. With perfect play, some video poker games offer payout rates that exceed 99.50%.
How to Play: The Rules of Five-Card Draw Video Poker
To begin a game, you must select your bet size and press the deal button on the screen. The generator displays five cards, which make up your initial five-card draw poker hand. You must analyze these cards and decide which ones to keep (hold) and which ones to discard. When you are ready, clicking draw will replace the discarded cards with new ones from the deck. The final combination determines your payout according to the machine's paytable.
Understanding Poker Hand Rankings
Here are the most common winning hands in video poker, from highest to lowest:
Royal Flush: The ultimate hand containing A, K, Q, J, 10 of the same suit, offering the top jackpot. Four of a Kind: Four cards of the identical numerical value, providing a high payout. Flush: Five cards of the same suit in any order, offering a moderate return.
Here is the paytable for a classic Jacks or Better video poker game at 1 to 5 coin bets:
Poker Hand 1 Coin Payout Payout (5 Coins) Winning Odds Royal Flush Hand 250 4,000 coins (Bonus Jackpot) 0.0025% Straight Flush 50 250 to 5 1 in 9,000 runs Four of a Kind Combo 25 coins 125 1 in 420 runs Full House Hand 9 45 coins 1.15% Flush 6 30 coins 1 in 90 runs Pair of Jacks or Better 1 5 to 5 1 in 5 runs Essential Strategy: The Jacks or Better "9/6" Machine
If you want the best odds, you should seek out the "9/6" Jacks or Better machine. This designation means that a Full House pays 9 to 1 and a Flush pays 6 to 1 on your stake. This payout setup is referred to as full-pay and yields an outstanding RTP of 99.54% with basic strategy. Be careful to avoid lower paytables like 8/5 or 6/5, which significantly lower your winning odds. Make sure to read the screen paytable columns to verify you are getting full-pay odds.
Summary of Video Poker Guide
In conclusion, video poker is a rewarding game that rewards players who take time to learn the rules. We highly recommend wagering the maximum 5 coins to ensure you get the big payout on a royal flush. Consult a basic strategy cheat sheet, play free practice games first, and stick to your budget.