Video Poker Games and Slot Machines

Video poker is poker housed in a slot machine. Video poker machines are extremely popular in casinos because they are so easy to play. For slot machine players, it is a more profitable - or rather, less expensive - alternative since the payback percentage of video poker is known and quite good.

Video Poker Games and Slot Machines

Video poker is preferable over slot machines for several reasons. In video poker, the jackpot is 5 times more likely to occur, the payout is known and some video poker games have positive expectations for the player. Slot machines keep their odds secret and even if you knew them, it is certain they are worse than in video poker. The only kind of slot machine that could be more profitable is perhaps the UK fruit machines due to the predictable way they pay out.

How Video Poker Games Work

Video poker works much like an ordinary slot machine. After you place a bet, the machine deals you 5 cards. You can choose to keep or replace 1-5 of these cards. Your goal is to make the highest-ranking poker hand possible. Poker players will recognize this as based in draw poker.

You can bet 1-5 coins or credits on a single machine. If you bet the maximum of 5 credits, you are eligible for a bonus or even a progressive jackpot (depending on the machine) when you draw a royal flush. So to be safe, always bet max or you will regret it if you do hit the royal only to find out you did not bet the needed amount. If you cannot afford to spend a lot, then switch to a lower-denomination machine.

Video Poker Games

There are different kinds of video poker games around. The easiest to learn is Jacks or Better. The odds for that game is very nice, about 97-99%. But there is an even more rewarding game called Deuces Wild. This video poker game gives you more hands to win because all 2 cards are wildcards. What that means is whenever you draw a 2 card, it is automatically counted as the card that can give you the best possible hand with the other cards. Deuces Wild has a return of about 100.77% when played with good strategy.

Unfortunately, Deuces Wild has spotty availability. You will probably not find it in most major casinos like in the famous Strip in Las Vegas. But you can find it in smaller casinos that offer more attractive payouts. Or better yet, you can play Deuces Wild online in the many internet casinos today.

Video Poker Strategy and Reminders

Each video poker game has its own strategy requirements. To minimize the house advantage or (if it's Deuces Wild) get positive return, you have to play the strategy for that game perfectly. If you make mistakes, you might as well be playing slot machines.

Further, video poker is not easy money. It takes thousands, even tens of thousands of hands, to see sizeable profits even with optimal strategy. You could be making $5-$10 per hour if you are good, and you will need thousands of dollars for a bankroll while you wait for that rare royal flush and/or progressive jackpot.

That said, video poker games are fun to play. They will reward you with many hours of entertainment. If you get lucky or play long enough with flawless strategy, you might just hit the jackpot and get rich! So for fun or for profit, play and enjoy the game!