There are important differences between Video Poker and Table Poker worth noting as follows:

1. In Video Poker the House is represented by a machine not a dealer and the video machine does not attempt to beat you.

2. You don't have to figure out what the other player's hand could be like when playing against other players.

3. You cannot bluff.

4. You do not run the risk of being beaten by another player. If you have a strong hand, you win. In Table Poker, you could have a strong hand like three of a kind and lose to another player who has a better hand.

5. A good decision in Video Poker may be a bad one for Table Poker. What is advantageous to hold in Video Poker may prove disadvantageous in Table Poker and vice versa.

Since its introduction in the early 1980's, Video Poker has grown into one of the casino's most popular games. Unlike regular Poker, which is played against other players at a poker table, Video Poker is played individually on a machine that uses video technology to create a Poker hand.

Based on classic Five Card Stud, Video Poker challenges players to build the best possible five-card hand. The player is dealt five cards and has the option of discarding any or all of the cards. New cards are dealt to replace the discards.

Payoffs are based on a scale, paying players for hands as low as a pair of tens or Jacks all the way up to a Royal Flush. Like slot machines, Video Poker machines are available in many denominations, with 25c and $1 machines being the most popular. Many casinos also offer progressive payoffs or bonuses for Royal Flushes or other special hands. Video Poker provides variety too, with versions ranging from 'Jacks or Better' to 'Deuces Wild' and 'Jokers Wild'.

The ranking of hands starting from the highest are as follows:

1. Five of a Kind
2. Royal Flush
3. Straight Flush
4. Four of a Kind
5. Full House
6. Flush
7. Straight
8. Three of a Kind
9. Two Pair
10. A Pair

Five of a Kind is only possible when using a Joker or Wild Cards and is the highest possible hand.
Note: Las Vegas regulations require that the outcome of any hand in Video Poker not be affected by the number of coins played. If you get a good hand with one coin bet, you would have been dealt the same hand with two or more coins.
House advantage 3% average.

Video Poker Strategies

(Click HERE to return to VIDEO POKER RULES)

Video Poker is a draw poker in slot machine form. Players Hold or Discard from five cards showing and get a second deal, or stand with a pat hand. It has become the most popular game of chance among casino players in the U.S. Eighty percent of respondents to a recent survey in Las Vegas said they played video poker.

If you are using one of the strategy tables below make sure you analyse every hand very carefully. Take your time, there's no need to rush. The videopoker machine will patiently wait for your decision regardless how long it takes.

Jacks or Better
Hold any paying hands you get dealt. The only reason to split them up would be if you get dealt at least four cards to a Royal Flush.

If you don't get any paying hand dealt check the following and select the first option on the list that applies to the hand you were dealt. You should always hold any:

1. Single High Card
2. Two High Cards of a different suit
3. Two High Cards of the same suit
4. Low Pair (Tens and lower)
5. Jack, Queen or King of different suits
6. Jack, Queen, King or Ten of the same suit
7. Four consecutive cards to a Straight
8. Four cards to a Flush
9. Three cards to a Straight Flush
10. Four cards to a Straight Flush
11. Three cards to a Royal Flush
12. Four cards to a Royal Flush

It is recommended if you are not dealt any of the above you should draw a whole new hand of five cards.

Jokers Wild
Follow these suggested guidelines if you are dealt a hand without a joker. You should always hold any:

1. Paying hand with the same exception as in Jacks or Better,
2. If you have four cards to a Royal Flush.
3. Pair from Two's to Queens
4. King or Ace alone
5. Unsuited King or Ace
6. Four cards to any Flush
7. Three cards to a Straight Flush
8. Two suited King or Ace to a Royal Flush
9. Three or four cards to a Royal Flush

This table is recommended for hands containing a joker. You should always hold any:

1. Pair of High Cards (Tens to Ace)
2. Three of a kind or higher
3. Four cards to a Straight
4. Four cards to any flush without an Ace or a King
5. Three cards to a straight flush
6. Three or Four cards to a Royal Flush

If none of the above applies keep the joker only.

Deuces Wild
In Deuces Wild it is recommended you always keep any:

1. Paying hand with the exception of four cards to a Royal Flush
2. One Pair / Keep two pairs only if a Full House pays the same as a Four of a Kind
3. Two of Ten, Jack, Queen and King of the same suit
4. Four consecutive cards to a Straight
5. Four card Flush
6. Three cards to Straight Flush
7. Four cards to a Straight Flush
8. Three cards to a Royal Flush
9. One Deuce with another paying hand
10. Two Deuces with a four of a kind or better
11. Three Deuces with Wild Royal Flush or Five of a Kind
12. Four Deuces (your hand can't get any better than that)

Keep only the deuces if none of the above applies.

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