Many people ask “What is Casino Video Poker?” Well simply put, Casino video poker is a game of speed mixed in with a bit of strategy. It is far from being just another variant of a slots game. If one looks closely, it’s obvious that playing video poker involves quite a bit of strategy.
Many variations available
There are numerous variations of video poker. But the common thread found in all versions of the game is that the player must make the best possible 5 card poker hand.
What is Casino Video Poker and how it differs from regular poker
Video poker is different then other forms of poker. In video poker the player is not competing against other players. So there is no such thing as raising, calling or folding in casino video poker. A player will get paid his winnings if he attains a certain poker hand rank.
The amount he gets and the hand required to get it, determined by the type of video poker game he is playing.
What is the deal like
Most casino video poker starts with a 52 card deck. There are also versions that play with decks that include Joker card.
At the start of the game, the machine deals the player five cards face up. You have one chance to decide how many cards to keep and how many to discard.
In video poker the term discard means that the player wants the discarded cards replaced with new cards. The player can discard none or as many as all 5 cards if he deems it necessary. The cards discarded are the cards the player deems as not useful in the poker hand he is trying to make.
A few examples
For example, if you receive Jack of Hearts, Jack of Diamond, 2 of Hearts, 5 of Clubs and the 9 of Spades. You could decide to discard the 2 of Hearts, 5 of Clubs and the 9 of Spades in the hope of getting 1 or 2 more Jacks.
The choice is yours. This would be a good starting hand since you already have a pair of jacks. Gaining another jack or another pair, would just increase the win.
Information on other variations
Deuces Wild, Jacks or Better, and Double Bonus Video Poker are some of the most popular casino video poker games available at practically all online and land-based casinos.