Video Poker

Video Poker Rules

The one aspect video poker shares with traditional poker is the ranking of the hands. Video poker is played against a computer and the goal is to achieve the best hand. It may appear similar to slots but video poker is more a game of skill.

Throw away everything you know about traditional poker except the ranking of the hands. There is no bluffing. There are no other opponents. It is just you versus the video poker game.

Video poker pays off to the player based on the pay table displayed on the machine. Note that in video poker, an ace is no more valuable than a jack is because the machine does not pay off more for a pair of aces than it does for a pair of jacks.

When playing video poker, you put coins into the machine and start the game. The computer will then deal you five cards. If you are operating a standard video poker game, the computer deals the cards randomly from a single deck (52 cards). Other forms of video poker games, such as bonus video poker, may include additional cards in the deck, like a joker.

The video poker hand values are as follows (from highest to lowest):

1. Five of a Kind (Only in video poker forms that use a wild card.)
2. Royal Straight Flush
3. Straight Flush
4. Four of a Kind
5. Full House
6. Flush
7. Straight
8. Three of a Kind
9. Two Pairs
10. A Pair (Ordinarily minimum a pair of jacks.)

If dealt a non-paying hand, you have the option of getting rid of any or all of your five cards and drawing replacements. Selecting the ‘hold’ button beneath a card allows you to keep it in your hand. Take your time. Review the hand carefully. You are dealing with a machine that will patiently wait while you make a cool, calculated choice.

After the player has made the decision, the video poker machine will show the pay table. The table displays your winnings, which the computer bases on the number of coins used to play that hand. Most video poker machines allow you to play up to five tokens and there are significant benefits in terms of pay out for doing so. For this reason, most video poker experts suggest playing the maximum amount of tokens allowed.

So come on and try your hand at Online Video Poker.