New to Video Poker? Let’s Get Started!
If you’ve never played video poker before, don’t worry—it’s one of the simplest and most exciting casino games to learn. It’s a blend of traditional poker and the fun of slots, all played on a machine. This guide will break down everything you need to know, including the rules, how to play, and the hands you need to know to get started.
Step 1: How Video Poker Works – The Basics
Video poker is based on traditional 5-card draw poker, but it’s much simpler and quicker. The main goal is to create the best possible poker hand. Here’s how you play:
- Place Your Bet: Use the “+” and “-” buttons to set your bet. Most machines allow you to bet between 1 and 5 coins per hand. It’s usually best to bet the maximum of 5 coins to unlock the highest payouts, especially if you hit a Royal Flush.
- Deal: Press the “Deal” button, and the machine will give you 5 cards. These are your initial cards.
- Hold or Discard: Look at your cards and decide which ones you want to keep. To keep a card, simply press the “Hold” button under it. You can hold all, some, or none of the cards.
- Draw: After you’ve chosen which cards to hold, press “Draw.” The cards you didn’t hold will be replaced with new ones.
- Winning Hands: After the draw, the machine checks your final hand against the payout table to see if you’ve won. If you have a winning hand, you’ll be paid out according to the game’s paytable.
Step 2: The Hands You Need to Know
Knowing which hands to aim for is key in video poker. Here are the standard poker hands, ranked from highest to lowest:
- Royal Flush: The ultimate hand! It’s made up of A, K, Q, J, 10, all in the same suit (e.g., Ace, King, Queen, Jack, 10 of Hearts).
- Straight Flush: Five consecutive cards in the same suit (e.g., 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 of Spades).
- Four of a Kind: Four cards of the same rank (e.g., four 7s).
- Full House: A combination of three of a kind and a pair (e.g., three 8s and two 4s).
- Flush: Five cards of the same suit, not in sequence (e.g., 2, 5, 8, J, K of Clubs).
- Straight: Five consecutive cards of different suits (e.g., 4, 5, 6, 7, 8).
- Three of a Kind: Three cards of the same rank (e.g., three Kings).
- Two Pair: Two different pairs (e.g., two 5s and two 9s).
- One Pair: Two cards of the same rank (e.g., two Jacks). In most games, you’ll need at least a pair of Jacks or higher to win.
- High Card: If no other hand is made, the highest card in your hand determines the value (e.g., Ace high).
Step 3: Basic Strategy – What to Hold and What to Discard
Knowing which cards to hold and which to discard is the core of video poker strategy. Here are some simple guidelines for beginners:
- Always Hold a Winning Hand: If you’re dealt a winning hand (e.g., a pair of Jacks or better), hold those cards.
- Go for Royal and Straight Flushes: If you’re dealt four cards to a Royal Flush or a Straight Flush, hold them and draw one card to try for the big hand.
- Keep High Cards: If you don’t have any pairs or a strong hand, hold onto high cards (Jacks, Queens, Kings, or Aces) since they increase your chances of forming a winning pair.
- Hold Pairs: If you’re dealt a pair, hold it! You might draw into three of a kind, four of a kind, or a full house.
- Discard Low, Unconnected Cards: If your hand has no high cards, no pairs, and no potential for straights or flushes, discard all five cards and draw new ones.
Step 4: Understanding the Payouts
Every video poker game has a paytable that shows how much each hand is worth. The payouts increase with the difficulty of the hand. Here’s a typical payout structure for a “Jacks or Better” video poker game (assuming you bet the maximum of 5 coins):
- Royal Flush: 4,000 coins
- Straight Flush: 250 coins
- Four of a Kind: 125 coins
- Full House: 45 coins
- Flush: 30 coins
- Straight: 20 coins
- Three of a Kind: 15 coins
- Two Pair: 10 coins
- One Pair (Jacks or Better): 5 coins
Step 5: Final Tips for Beginners
- Always Bet the Max: In most games, the biggest payout (4,000 coins for a Royal Flush) is only available if you bet the maximum of 5 coins. If you can, always bet the max to get the best possible return.
- Practice in Social Casinos: Use social casino platforms like CasinoEmpire.io to practice without real money. You can try out different strategies and learn the flow of the game with no pressure.
- Start Simple: Begin by focusing on basic hands, like pairs and high cards, and build up your strategy as you become more familiar with the game.
Social Casinos Are the Best Place to Practice
Social casinos, like CasinoEmpire.io, are the perfect playground for learning video poker. They give you a risk-free environment to understand the rules, master the strategies, and explore different variations of the game—all while having fun. Plus, you get to play for free with virtual coins, so there’s no stress about losing real money as you refine your skills.
Now you have everything you need to play video poker like a pro! It’s a game of both luck and strategy, making it one of the most rewarding and exciting experiences in the casino world. Grab your virtual coins, head to CasinoEmpire.io, and get ready to hit that “Deal” button!
