Video Poker is a beloved game that can be gambled on in casinos across the world, or alternatively at your house on your personal computer, using an Internet connection. The game rules are very simple and involve the player trying to get the best combination of cards possible in order to win money. On this account it’s very similar as a normal game of poker, without the involvement with other players. Of course, tactics employed during a real-life game of poker, like tricking, will be irrelevant here.
The game of Electronic Poker starts when the gambler inserts credits (whether it’s tokens, credit slips or cash) into the machine and presses the deal button. A 5 card hand will be electronically ‘dealt’ on the video screen.
The Electronic Poker machine also has hold buttons, and enthusiasts will need to now decide which cards to hold and which to throw away. For the cards the bettor would like to retain, the ‘hold’ buttons should be pressed so that they illuminate. The player can decide to keep any number of cards they wish, whether it is all or none.
After the enthusiast has selected which cards he or she wishes to keep, the player will then press ‘draw’, at which point any fresh cards are given out if desired. The round is now completed, with the Video Poker machine analyzing the cards to see if it is the same as any of the winning hands listed in the payment schedule.
Normally, the lowest winning hand on an Electronic Poker machine is a pair of jacks with the prize money growing for each better hand. A list of common winning hands starts with jacks or better, and moves on to 2 pairs, 3 of a kinds, straights, flushes, full houses, 4 of a kinds, straight flushes and last but not least royal flushes. It definitely goes without saying that the payout schedule can range from game to game, so that skillful players are able to pick the most money-making machine each instance.
After the initial round has finished, the player can either decide to stay on and try to to maximize their winnings, or press the ‘collect’ button to retrieve any credits that they may have won. Further, several versions of the game allow the player an opportunity to double their wins, in which instance another round is played. There are also differences between specific games, with some virtual decks including wild cards and other varying elements to enhance playability.