Basic Rules of How to Play Video Poker

Video Poker is the game that anyone can enjoy and easily try out online. Before this game was introduced on the Internet many would never even consider to sit down by a video poker machine. The fact that this game requires more than just luck scare some people off.

When playing video poker online it is easy to learn the rules and to advance as fast as fits the individual needs. Once you’ve gotten into the habit of playing this great game it is very likely that you will search for the tools to improve your game and there are a few things to think about when doing so. 

   

How to Play Video Poker

Video poker is in essence draw poker. The big difference is that you are playing against a machine or, as is the case online, a computer. When you have made your bet you get five cards and you have to build a hand with these. You can choose to keep them all or ask the computer to discard them all or a few and replace them with new cards. Once you have your final hand its value and the times you exchanged cards will determine how much money you made or lost. 

   

Rank of Hands

It is crucial to understand the rank of hands in order to learn how to play video poker. The following are the standard hands. How much they will make you in cash depends on the casino you are playing in but their order is always the same.

• Royal Flush - The Royal Flush consists of a sequence of cards of the same suit starting with the 10 and going to the Ace.
• Straight Flush - The Straight Flush is also a sequence of cards in the same suit but it can be any sequence and doesn’t have to start at the 10.
• Four of a Kind - The Four of a Kind is, just as it sounds, four cards of equal value.
• Full House - The Full House includes three cards of equal value and a pair of the same value.
• Flush - Five cards of the same suits. (They can be any cards)
• Straight - A Straight is a sequence of cards that are of mixed suits.
• Three of a Kind - Three cards that are of the same value are called a Three of a Kind.
• Two Pair - A hand that has a double set of pairs is called a Two Pair
• One Pair - One Pair is a set of two equal cards.

   

Playing Video Poker Online

The good thing about playing video poker online is that you can play much more than what would be the case in a land based casino. In the comfort of your home you can practice your skills whenever you feel like it. Having the option of playing for free is also an asset and once the money get involved you can choose what casino will reward your deposits the best. 

 

Variations of the Video Poker Game

There are several versions of video poker and as soon as you have the standard game down you might enjoy trying a different type. The regular video poker is played with 52 cards. A variation of this can include more cards that will serve as jokers in the game. If you see that a casino offers several kinds of video poker you should check their presentations as well as hearing what other players have to say about the games in a forum. 

   

Video Poker Strategies

Becoming skilled in video poker is all about practice and to understand the value of the different hands. A combination of many games and learning strategy will most likely lead to a better game play. Two players can make completely different choices with the same card depending on their understanding of the game.

 

Important to Remember

Be prepared to lose some money to begin with. It takes some time to learn how to break even in video poker and there are very few players who manage to get to this point without any monetary losses. If you make sure to use free play machines and work on your understanding of the game you will most likely have the best outcome. Should you see that you’re just not getting it right you could take a break, play something else, come back, and try the game again at a later point.

 Like all other games video poker is meant to be fun. Make rain checks every now and then to make sure that you are playing it with smile on your face or at least without worry lines.

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