Playing Video Poker
Walk into any Vegas casino and you'll find a bank of video poker machines built into just about every bar and lounge. Occasionally, somebody may even get up and leave so you can have a go.
Some people see these as a reverse ATM. Pop in your cash, look at the screen, press a few buttons and hey presto! You have made a deposit to the casino. Others, however, see these terminals as a good way to juggle a few quarters while they sup Michelob. However, there is more to video poker than meets the eye.
Video poker remains a firm favourite with casino goers, and for good reason. Not only is it easy to learn and play, but there is a significant element of skill involved, particularly if you are keen to hit the big payout hands and maximise your returns.
Video poker is simply a straightforward game of draw poker, where you play against the house to make winning poker hands. As in draw poker you are dealt five cards and you can choose to keep any from none to all of them.
The better the hand you make after you've changed (or held) your cards, the greater the payout. For instance if you are dealt 8-8-8-Q-3, you'd hold the three 8s (three of a kind pays 3-1) and hope to hit another 8 (to make four of a kind) or another pair (to make a full house).
The skill in the game lies in knowing when to hold and when to discard, as some of the rarer hands have massive payouts. For example if you were dealt A, K, Q, J, 9 of Spades you'd have a winning hand of a flush at 6-1. However, a royal flush pays250-1 so you might be tempted to fold the 9 and hope for the 10 of spades or at least a 10 for the straight, which would pay a consolation of 4-1.
The most popular video poker game is Jacks or better. The name says it all - you need to achieve a pair of Jacks or better in your hand not to lose.
As for strategy, the way you play depends on what you are dealt. You'll notice that sometimes, it pays to stick with a lower paying out hand than go for it. This may decrease you thrill in the short term, but will probably increase your return in the long term.
One important thing to remember is that video poker machines do not have memories and therefore, each hand should be played as it stands, don't rely on what happened in previous rounds to help you make decisions on the next.
