FAQ Video Poker

Welcome to frequently asked questions about the game of video poker.

Which video poker games are the most popular?

  • Jacks or Better - This game is the most basic and widely played video poker game. Players need to get a pair of jacks or better to win.
  • Deuces Wild - In this game, all deuces (2s) are wild and can be used as any card to create a winning hand.
  • Joker Poker - This game includes a joker card that can be used as a wild card to create a winning hand.
  • Bonus Poker - This game offers higher payouts for certain hands, such as four of a kind or a straight flush.
  • Double Bonus Poker - Similar to Bonus Poker, this game offers higher payouts for certain hands, but with an even larger payout for four aces.
  • Triple Play Draw Poker - This game allows players to play three hands at once, increasing the chances of winning.

When was video poker invented?

Video poker was invented in 1979 by Si Redd and incorporated into casinos in Las Vegas and Atlantic City in the 1980s.

What is the difference between poker and video poker?

Poker is a card game played with a standard deck of 52 cards, where players bet on the strength of their hand and try to win the pot by having the highest ranking hand or by bluffing their opponents into folding. Video poker is a casino game played on a machine that simulates a poker game. Players are dealt a hand and then have the option to discard and draw new cards to try and improve their hand. The machine then determines the payout based on the final hand. Video poker does not involve any betting against other players or bluffing.

How does the RNG work in video poker?

In video poker, the RNG (random number generator) works by generating a random sequence of numbers that correspond to the cards that are dealt to the player. The RNG ensures that each hand is completely random and unbiased, ensuring that the game is fair and random for all players.

To generate the random sequence of numbers, the RNG uses algorithms and mathematical formulas to generate a series of numbers that are completely random and unpredictable. These numbers are then used to determine which cards are dealt to the player, ensuring that each hand is unique and random.

The RNG is constantly running in the background of the game, ensuring that the cards dealt to the player are completely random and unbiased. This ensures that the game is fair and random for all players, ensuring that no player has an advantage over another.

What is the optimal strategy for jacks or better video poker?

The optimal strategy for jacks or better video poker involves three main steps:

  • Always hold a pair of jacks or better: The main goal of jacks or better video poker is to get a pair of jacks or better. If you are dealt a pair of jacks or better, hold onto it and discard the other three cards.

  • Hold onto four cards to a royal flush: A royal flush is the highest possible hand in video poker, and it pays out significantly more than other hands. If you are dealt four cards that could potentially form a royal flush, hold onto them and discard the fifth card.

  • Follow the "high card" rule: If you are not dealt a pair of jacks or better, or four cards to a royal flush, follow the "high card" rule. This means holding onto any card that is a jack or higher, and discarding the other cards. The reasoning behind this is that even though you may not have a strong hand, you have a chance of hitting a pair or a three-of-a-kind with these high cards.

Remember to always keep in mind the payout for each hand, as this will impact your decision-making. If a certain hand pays out significantly more than others, it may be worth it to hold onto certain cards even if they don't fit the above criteria.