Getting Started- How to Play Online Video Poker
October 31st, 2008It depends on the machine and casino at which you are playing, yet usually, Online Video Poker, or Draw Poker allows you to bet from $0.25 to $5 per hand. Having put in your money (generally a minimum of $20 at most sites), you can choose the value that you would like to bet.
Getting Started- How to Play Online Video Poker
No matter if you play free Video Poker or for real money, you start the game in the same manner. You click on the “Deal/Draw” button to receive your cards. Your aim is to achieve a winning combination of cards, of which there are loads. Below, we included some winning combinations so you can check them out.
If you want to increase the strength of your hand, you can do it by choosing to “hold” certain cards and getting rid of others. The cards you choose to drop will be replaced by new ones after you click on the “Deal/Draw” button again.
Online Video Poker Rules
There’s really nothing easier than learning the rules of Video Poker game. It will be particularly simple, if you played Draw Poker before. These are the basic steps that you take when playing Online Video Poker:
- Insert your money into the machine.
- Press the ‘Deal’ or ‘Draw’ button
- After viewing your cards, choose which one you want to keep and then press the ‘Hold” button underneath.
- Press the Deal/Draw button again.
- Play for as long as you feel it brings you joy.
- When you want to finish, press the button-usually marked- ‘Credit’ or ‘Cash Out’.
‘Double Playoff Round’ – an Online Video Poker Plus
Playing Draw Poker, sometimes you may be offered an option to double your money in a 2nd round called a “Double Playoff Round”. Of course you don’t have to use it. In this situation, simply click on “Collect” to get your winnings.
Playing Video Poker games, you may also use the Double Playoff Round option. This is how it works:
The Video Poker machine’s cards will turn over (face down), and then the machine will flip one card. Your task is to bet on whether the next card the machine flips will be greater or lower than this original card. If the next card flipped by the machine is higher than the first card, you win your bet and double your money. If the flipped card is lower than the first card, you lose your money. Finally, if the card flipped is the same, there’s a ‘push’ meaning nobody wins or loses. If you want to double your bet in the Double Playoff Round, don’t forget to click on the “Double” button.
Below, we present the possible winning hand combinations in the Video Poker online, as well as in the land casinos:
Jacks or Better: A pair only counts if it’s Jacks or higher. Nothing lower will be the winning hand.
Kings or Better: Only Kings and higher (Aces, in other words) are considered a winning hand.
Two Pair: a hand made of 2 sets of pairs having the same card value.
Three of a Kind: 3 cards of the same value.
Four of a Kind: 4 cards of the same value.
Five of a Kind: 4 cards of the same value, in addition to a Wild Card.
Straight: 5 sequential cards going by card value, but not of the same suit.
Flush: 5 non-sequential cards of the same suit.
Straight Flush: 5 sequential cards, all of the same suit.
Royal Flush: a hand made of 5 sequential cards, all of the same suit, where the first card is 10 and the last card is Ace.
Wild Royal Flush: A hand which is the same as Royal Flush plus a Wild Card.
There are Online Casinos which are ready to go to extremes in order to attract players. For instance, they tie Progressive Jackpots to Royal Flush hands, or offer other combinations as winning hands. Well, it would not be an exaggeration to say that you could become a millionaire if you get a Royal Flush at one of such casinos.
Online Video Poker Strategy
So you feel like playing online video poker? Great, good choice. At the very beginning your task is to find the ideal online casino for you. Some players made and are still making the same terrible mistake- they underestimate the value of choosing a trustworthy casino. The truth is that a bad decision may cost you much stress. Obviously, you don’t want to share the fate of these players and be pushed to say “What? How was I supposed to know the casino I won at takes forever to pay its winners?!”
You can avoid such disappointment. Just remember to do your homework before depositing your hard-earned money to any online casino.
Take time and check various casinos. Choose the one that you think will fulfill your gaming needs and expectations ( cash bonuses, free Video Poker games, solid customer support, etc.) When you finally decide on one, choose the Video Poker game which brings much joy on the one hand, and offers the highest possible payouts on the other,








