Video Poker Rules and Information

Video poker is a version of poker where you can play by yourself. You don’t need to sit at a table and compete against other players and you can chose to stand up and walk away anytime you like. There are many different versions of video poker available. Simply read the rules or hit the help button before you begin to play. Video poker bets can be a low as 25 cents a hand and some machines/games will accept $20 bets. Once you have chosen a game to play you can choose the denomination you would like to play.

All video poker games are a version of the classic “draw” poker where your goal is end up with a 5 card hand of some type of winning combination. Winning combinations are paid out depending on the odds of achieving the hand. To begin you are dealt five different cards by clicking the “Deal Draw” button. You now have the choice to either keep all five cards or to improve your hand by throwing away some or all cards and receiving new ones in their place. If you would like to hang on to any of your orginal cards, hit the “hold” button that is found underneath each card or simply click on the card itself. Once you have chosen which cards you want to hold click the “Draw” button and your new cards will be revealed. If your new five card hand makes up a winning combination the computer will automatically credit your account. Below is a look at the most common winning combinations. These combinations along with their payout amounts should be posted on the game for your review.

Winning Poker Combinations (payouts will vary depending on odds of achieving hand and depending on specific game):

Jacks or Better: In most video poker games, holding a pair is only considered to be a winning a hand if the pair is jacks or better (queens, kings or aces). Example, QH, QS, 10H, 6C, 8C.

Two Pair: Is achieved when you are holding two different pairs of cards. Example, 3D, 3H, 9D, 9C, JS.

Three of a Kind: Is achieved when you are holding three cards of the same rank. Example, 7H, 7S, 7C, 9S, KH.

Straight: A hand consisting of five consecutive cards in numerical order (suit doesn’t matter in this case). Example, 8H, 9S, 10S, JH, QC or AH, 2C, 3S, 4H, 5S.

Flush: A hand containing any five cards of the same suit. Example, 4H, 7H, KH, 5H, AH.

Full House: A hand consisting of one par and one three of a kind. Example, 7H, 7D, QH, QS, QC.

Four of a Kind: A hand consisting of four cards of the same rank. Example, 9H, 9C, 9S, 9D, JS.

Five of a Kind: This hand is only possible if you are playing a video poker game that uses Wild Cards. A hand of four of a kind and a wild card.

Straight Flush: A hand that consists of five cards in consecutive numerical order and of the same suit. Example, 6H, 7H, 8H, 9H, 10H.

Royal Flush: The best hand in poker, a Royal Flush is a straight flush that starts at the number 10 and ends with an Ace. Example, 10D, JD, QD, KD, AD.