Poker for Beginners: How to Play Video Poker Online

Video poker has a really interesting backstory that dates back to the early days of casino gaming technology. It started gaining popularity in the 1970s, right when personal computers and video screens were beginning to pop up in everyday life. At that time, people often called it “poker slots” because it shared a lot of similarities with slot machines. Just like slots, video poker did not need a dealer; there were no other players to worry about, and it used a random number generator to decide the outcomes.

It did not take long for casinos to see the allure of video poker. Players were able to play a poker-style game at their own pace or desire without the pressure of competing against other players at a table. The concept was incredibly simple – just insert some coins, deal five cards, keep the ones you wanted, and draw for the rest. This simplicity was enough to draw in both casual players and serious gamblers.

While the technology continued to change, video poker machines began to evolve. Mechanical units gave way to digital machines with a visual screen, sophisticated graphics, and touchscreen features. The consistent factor was still that unique combination of luck and decision-making, which always makes it fun. Video poker was different from the earlier slot machines in that it added an element of skill- deciding which cards to keep, in turn affecting your odds of winning.

As time progressed, many variations of video poker started to be created - Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, Bonus Poker, and many more, each with its own unique rules and pay tables. However, the basic premise of taking the best five-card poker hand remains the same, so video poker is easy to understand, quick to play, and still provides players with an advantage should they study strategy.

These days, online video poker is becoming more accessible than ever before. You can find dozens of versions available at top online casinos, with many allowing you to play for real money and others offering free demo modes. The nature of the game has been replicated with the same feel of a machine found in a land-based casino, with responsive controls, correct odds, and the possibility of a real payout.

Casino and Video Poker

Casino gaming offers a variety of games, including video poker. The difference with video poker is that it allows for a significantly higher level of strategy than traditional slots, where elements of chance determine the outcome with little to no influence from the player. Both video poker and slots utilize a random number generator to distribute cards or place symbols on the reels, but the key difference lies in what happens after the deal.

In video poker, the game starts with five cards being dealt to the player. At this point in the game, the player will decide which cards to hold and which to discard. After making that decision, the discarded cards are replaced, and based on the resulting hand, the player will determine if they “won” and what the value of that win will be. The straightforward mechanism of video poker, combined with the ability to make factually and rationally informed decisions, sets it apart from other electronic casino games, including slots.

This combination of skill and chance is what makes video poker appealing to so many people. Players can feel more active and in control, as a player’s choices can determine the payout. 

The potential positive payouts are one of the greatest attractions of video poker. Certain types, such as full-pay Jacks or Better (sometimes called 9-6 machines), can offer a return-to-player rate greater than 100% when played perfectly, meaning that players can ultimately overcome the house edge long-term by following the perfect strategy. This is normally unattainable in other casino gambling.

In either land-based or online environments, video poker offers a fast, solo-play gaming experience that is rewarding for those willing to apply patience, discipline, and wise decision-making skills. It is a game that respects skill, rewards study, and caters to players looking for an alternative to random chance. Video poker is still one of the best playing options in any casino for people who like the act of playing and want a legitimate chance to win.

Poker Hand Rankings

To be successful at video poker, it is important to know the standard poker hand rankings since all payouts will be based on what type of hand you ultimately have after the draw. Video poker hand rankings are the same as those of regular five-card draw poker. When you know the order of the hands, it allows you to make better decisions while playing, especially when deciding which cards to hold and which cards to discard. 

Now, let’s take a look at the full list of hands ranked from high to low and how they apply in video poker play:

• Royal flush. The ultimate hand in video poker, which is a very rare combination. It consists of an Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and a ten – all of the same suit. It is the highest-paying hand in all versions of video poker, often awarding 800-to-1 when betting the maximum five coins. Getting a royal flush is the dream of any player and is one of the major reasons many players never play less than the full coin amount.
• Straight flush. Five consecutive cards of a kind, like the six, seven, eight, nine, and ten of spades. It is a great hand that offers a generous payout, but not quite as much as the royal flush.
• Four of a kind. Also known as “quads,” this is simply four cards of the same rank - four kings, for example. In most video poker, this is one of the most reliable mid-to-high pays and appears much more often than the hands above.
• Full house. This hand consists of three cards of one rank and two cards of another rank, for example, three 10s and two 7s. It is a balanced hand with a decent payout, typically 9-to-1 in full-pay machines.
• Flush. Five non-consecutive cards that are all suited - for example, a two, four, six, eight, and queen of clubs. Flushes tend to pay well and are a little easier to see when making the hold/draw decision.
• Straight. Five consecutive cards of varying suits, such as five, six, seven, eight, and nine, with different suits. Straights have a more modest payout and are seen quite often.
• Three of a kind. This hand includes three cards of the same rank, for example, three Jacks. This is a more prominent winning hand that provides a steady return.
• Two pair. Two distinct pairs in one hand, for example, a pair of eights and a pair of queens. This combination usually pays 2-for-1 and gives players a good chance to get a full house if they choose to draw.
• Pair of Jacks or Better. The lowest qualifying hand in most video poker games. A pair of jacks, queens, kings, or aces will earn the player a payout. Any lower pairs (tens or lower) usually do not pay.

In most regular forms of play, hands that are weaker than a pair of Jacks or Better, such as a pair of tens or an unpaired hand with random cards, lead to no win at all. However, even with these hands, there is potential if you have an understanding of what cards to hold for a better combination.

The hand rankings in poker provide the backbone for every strategic decision you will make in a video poker session. If you hope to play consistently and successfully over the long haul, you must keep these in mind, as well as recognize the potential to draw to even greater hands. 

The Video Poker Machine

If you want to succeed in video poker, it is essential to understand how a standard video poker machine operates. We will illustrate it using the popular version of video poker known as Jacks or Better. 

To begin each round, you will first place a bet and hit “Deal”. The machine will then deal five cards, face up, at random from a standard 52-card virtual deck. The goal of the game is to create the best poker hand that you can by choosing which cards to keep and which cards to throw away. Then, you will hit the “Draw” button. The cards you threw away will be drawn from the same deck and replaced with others to create your final hand. It is this final five-card hand that will determine if you win and what your payout will be.

The design of a video poker machine is simple and intuitive. On your screen, you will see:

• Your balance and the number of credits available.
• The amount wagered.
• A clearly labeled pay table showing all winning hand types and their respective payouts.
• Five cards in the center.
• Action buttons such as “Hold,” “Deal/Draw,” “Bet One,” and “Bet Max”.

Online versions work very similarly to physical machines, but they are easier to access. Everything is controlled with a mouse or touchscreen, but the game's flow, rules, and pay tables remain the same. When playing in a casino or online video poker, the key is understanding the machine’s layout, using the pay table, and making the best decisions every round.

The Pay Table

A pay table is one of the most essential tools in video poker, and it is essentially a chart that displays the value of each winning hand based on the number of coins wagered. Knowing and understanding the pay table is crucial when making informed decisions to maximize your potential for winning, as it reveals the value of each hand. Let’s use the popular Jacks or Better version as a reference to explain how pay tables work.

The best type of Jacks or Better machine to play is called full-pay, usually referred to as 9-6. The "9" means nine coins are paid for a full house, and the “6” means six coins are paid for a flush, both on a one-coin bet. It pays more than any other pay table, as other payout levels, such as 8-5 or 7-5, only pay 8 coins and 5 coins, respectively, or even less. While it may not seem like a significant initial concern, over time, it adds up to a substantial return on investment.

A full-pay 9-6 Jacks or Better machine typically offers a return to player of nearly 99.54%, assuming the player is perfect in their play. However, in rare promo conditions or in online formats, this RTP can go upwards of 100%, meaning the player has a marginally positive payout over the house. Alternatively, tables offering smaller payback percentages (lower 9-5 or 8-6 Jacks or Better) have RTPs as low as 96%, which makes it much harder to play and make a profit long-term.

Another important factor is the effect of betting maximum coins, generally five. Other than simply increasing payout odds on certain hands given in-game situations, you could only unlock the maximum payout on a royal flush. The typical maximum payout is 800-for-1 for a royal flush, with a bet of five coins. With a lesser bet, most often 250-for-1. Because this drastically decreases potential payout amounts, this is why savvy players advise sticking with five unless budgets do not permit.

Here is an example of a typical full-pay Jacks or Better pay table (per coin bet):

• Royal flush: 250 (or 800 with 5 coins).
• Straight flush: 50.
• Four of a kind: 25.
• Full house: 9.
• Flush: 6.
• Straight: 4.
• Three of a kind: 3.
• Two pair: 2.
• Pair of Jacks or Better: 1.

The pay table is your road map to strategy in video poker. When you compare pay tables among machines, you can start to determine which machines have your best odds. Always play the full-pay versions if that is an option. You also want to play all five-coin versions for the maximum potential, not the minimum, especially to capture the royal flush pay. 

Video Poker Strategy

Strategy plays a vital role in the success of video poker players. While luck determines the appearance (types and ranks) of cards, your decisions determine how well you utilize them. 

Let’s look at a few basic examples in the context of Jacks or Better.

• You are dealt the ace of spades, king of spades, queen of spades, jack of spades, and four of clubs: hold the Ace, King, Queen, and Jack of spades – four to a royal flush.
• You are dealt eight of diamonds, eight of spades, eight of clubs, three of hearts, and five of diamonds: keep all three eights – that is, three of a kind.
• You are dealt nine of spades, ten of spades, Jack of spades, Queen of spades, and King of spades: that is a straight flush – keep it all!
• You are dealt Jack of diamonds, Jack of spades, four of hearts, seven of clubs, and nine of clubs: keep the pair of jacks.

A common mistake is splitting a paying hand, such as two pairs, with the hope of drawing into a full house. It is advisable, unless as part of an advanced strategy to chase a hand like a royal flush, to always take the guaranteed payout.

By utilizing a simple strategy chart, you can greatly increase your odds. These charts provide a list of possible hands ranked in order of expected value, allowing you to select the best-value cards to hold.

Over time, you will minimize your losses and increase your wins by applying a smart strategy, which will increase the enjoyment of your video poker experience.

Optimal Strategy 

Those who wish to achieve long-term success in video poker, particularly Jacks or Better, must follow the optimal strategy – a mathematically proven set of guidelines that dictate the best decision for any possible hand. The optimal strategy is formulated to reduce the house edge and maximize your return potential, often increasing the return to player close to 100% or even beyond on full-pay machines.

The concept is simple: each starting hand has one set of cards that has the highest expected value. Any deviation from this will cost you over time. Playing optimally will help you make the correct decision and keep you playing disciplined and effectively.

Now, let’s review some key strategic rules centered on common hands and what to hold or discard.

• Hold a made hand over a draw: if you receive a pair of Jacks or Better, do not break it to chase a straight or flush; guaranteed payouts are much better than possible risky payouts.
• Keep four cards to a royal flush: for example, if you drew king, queen, jack, and ten of hearts with a low off-suit card, discard the fifth card and draw for the ace (the payout of 800-for-1 makes the draw worth the risk).
• Keep low pairs only if there are no better draws: two fours are worth holding unless you have four cards to a flush or straight.
• Hold three cards to form a straight flush if they are consecutive and suited, such as five, six, and seven of the same suit.
• Never break up a straight flush or full house.
• With no high cards or draws, discard all five and take a fresh deal.

Here is how you should rank possible hands from strongest to weakest when considering what to keep:

1. Royal flush (hold all five).
2. Straight flush.
3. Four of a kind.
4. Full house.
5. Flush.
6. Straight.
7. Three of a kind.
8. Two pairs.
9. Pair of Jacks or Better.
10. Four to a royal flush.
11. Three to a royal flush or four to a straight flush.
12. Low pair.
13. Four to a flush or outside straight.
14. Two high cards (jack or better).
15. One high card.
16. Draw five new cards.

This tactic applies not only to 9-6 Jacks or Better but it can also be adapted to variations like 8-5 and Bonus Poker; however, the payout changes might slightly affect which decisions are the best.

There will be times when you will have difficult decisions to make a strong hand for an even stronger possibility. For example, breaking a pair of jacks to chase a royal flush with four suited high cards is a statistically justified move despite the risk.

The ultimate way to win at video poker is to follow an optimal strategy every time. Refer to a strategy chart or memorize the strategy while you are playing, and it takes the guessing game out of the decisions. It is then purely based on math, as opposed to just instinct. This is how professionals lower variance and increase the expected return in the long run.

Money Management

Winning at video poker, no matter how well you play, also depends on wise bankroll management. Many good players have gone broke not because they played poorly but rather because they either bet too much in relation to their bankroll or poorly managed their funds through a series of losing games. Good money management helps keep you in the game longer, survive any variance, and maximize the odds of experiencing those elusive big wins, specifically the royal flush.

The first rule is easy: set a budget. Decide how much you are willing to lose before you even start playing, and do not exceed that amount. Your bankroll should be money that you can afford to lose, not money that you need for essentials.

Next, select the appropriate denomination that suits your budget. In most cases, it is smarter to be playing five coins at a lower denomination than fewer coins at a higher one. For example, if you have $1.25, you are better off playing five coins at 25¢ (a total of $1.25) than one coin for $1. By playing five coins, you are playing for the full 800-coin payout for a royal flush and not putting your bankroll under undue stress.

Here are some helpful tips for managing your bankroll like a professional:

• Play only full-pay or high-pay tables to get the best return on your money.
• Track your wins and losses, even during short sessions, so you can get a clear picture of your average performance.
• Do not fall into the trap of chasing losses. If luck is not on your side, resist the urge to raise your bets out of frustration. Just stick to your plan.
• Remember to take breaks to clear your mind and avoid making decisions based on emotions.

It is also smart to set some win goals and loss limits for yourself. For instance, you might decide ahead of time that you will cash out if you double your money or that you will stop playing if you lose 50% of your initial bankroll. Having these boundaries in place can really help you keep your winnings safe and reduce your losses.

Lastly, it is essential to remember that video poker, like any other casino game, has its ups and downs. You might find yourself going through stretches where high-paying hands, like four-of-a-kind or royal flushes, are few and far between. That is why it is crucial to have a solid bankroll that can support you through hundreds of hands in a single session.

By combining smart strategies with careful money management, you set yourself up for the best shot at lasting success. In a game where skill really counts, safeguarding your bankroll means you can stick around long enough to reap the rewards.