Video Poker is something more than a combination of slot machine and poker. The common feature with slots is that it is played on the machine and each hand here requires a new bet and the payout depends on the size of the bet and the combination of cards (just like with symbols in the slot game). And common features with poker are that here one player plays against a machine which displays the player's cards on a screen. Video Poker combines skill with luck, providing an exciting combination of challenge and surprise.Â
Just like in the poker, your only objective is to get the best-paying hand. Once you have placed a bet, the game starts. The player is dealt five cards from a standard 52-card pack. In Video Poker only the ranking of the hands is the same as in table poker. You may hold or throw away as many cards as you like by activating the button "HOLD" underneath every card. After selecting the card(s) you want to HOLD or discard, press on "DEAL/DRAW". The cards you didn't want to hold are replaced with new cards.
Here are the poker hand values from the highest scoring hand (Royal Flush) to the lowest hand (Pair) and a description of each.
Royal Flush - the best possible hand, a Ten, Jack, Queen, King and Ace of the same suit.
Straight Flush - All five cards are consecutive and are of the same suit.
Four of a Kind - Four cards of the same value and obviously of different suits.
Full House - A three of a kind and a pair at the same time.
Flush - Any five cards of the same suit, but not in sequence.
Straight - Five cards in sequence, but not of the same suit.
Three of a Kind - Three cards of the same value.
Two Pair - Two pairs of cards.
Pair - Two cards in your hand are the same value.
Unlike slots, in video poker you can improve your chances to win following different recommendations like: if you are dealt a hand in which you need only one card to make a Royal Flush, Flush, Straight, or Straight Flush, then you have to replace the card that does not fit into the needed sequence of cards; don't draw to inside Straights. That is, if you have 4, 5, 7, 8, K, don't replace the king and go for the Straight. If you keep the King, you could get anything from nothing to a pair of kings and up-including the royal Flush; never draw 4 cards if you can draw 3 to a royal flush and always hold a full house, five of a Kind, four of a Kind, a Straight Flush and a royal Flush.
Almost all online casinos offer their visitors to play any game for free. By taking this chance you will kill two birds with one stone: you will be able to test and improve your skills with no financial risk or ruin and you will get to know the pay table, the specific features of the game in the casino you have chosen.
