Poker has always been an insanely popular game. Almost every casino on earth has at least a few poker tables, and you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t know at least the basic rules of the great game.
When technology caught up with gambling in the 1980’s, video poker was introduced.
Video poker, though similar to normal poker, is a completely different game, with different rules, variants and procedures. This article will help you understand the rules of video poker.
Video poker is operated more like a slot machine than anything else. You insert a coin and push a button (or just push a button if you’re playing online), and watch as the computer deals you 5 cards face-up.
Next, you can choose which cards you want to keep and discard, with the ultimate goal being to get the best hand possible.
The main difference between poker and video poker is that in the later, you’re not playing against anyone. When you sit down to play a game of poker with your buddies, you’re competing against them for the pot, and only the player with the best hand will win anything.
In video poker, you will win money if you are dealt a winning hand. There are no other players or dealers to beat – if you have the minimum winning hand or better, you will walk away with some money.
You can find further information about the rules by reading the article “how to play video poker”
Since video poker works on a pay-per-hand basis like this, knowing the payouts for specific hands is very useful. Most of the time you can find this information on top of video poker machines or in their descriptions online.
You should know the potential payout of each hand with any available multipliers before you play any games. The ranking of hands is always the same, and you can memorize that by looking at the chart below.
Royal Flush
a Royal Flush is the highest ranking hand possible in video poker. All five cards are in sequence and of the same suit.
Example: A, K, Q, J, 10 of spades.
Straight Flush
a Straight Flush is five cards in sequence and common suit, but not royal (starting with an ace).
Example: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 of diamonds.
Four of a Kind
Four cards of the same value.
Example: K, K, K, K, 8
Full House
Three cards of one value and 2 of another.
Example: 8, 8, 8, 3, 3
Flush
Any five cards of the same suit
Straight
Any five cards in a row (sequence).
Example: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Three of a Kind
Three cards of same value.
Example: J, J, J, A, 8
Two Pair
Two groups of two cards of same value.
Example: 8, 8, K, K, 3
A pair, Jacks or better
Two cards (Jacks or better) of the same value
Example: 8, 4, J, J, A
There are also suggestions and tips on how to optimize your chance of winnings. You can find more information about this game reading the Video Poker section.
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Read these three mini-guides to learn all the basics you need to know in order to open a casino account and start playing for real money. Don't forget also to browse the FAQ and all the other site sections.
