You may have come across the video poker format while at an online platform or a physical casino. This might lead you to ponder what sets it apart from traditional poker. regular poker played against other players.
For instance, does having strong poker skills enhance our likelihood of winning at video poker as well?
Is it feasible to achieve profitable outcomes from video poker over an extended period?
We will dive into these and other related questions throughout this article, providing insights to help you decide if you should give video poker a shot.
Table of Contents
Slots or Poker?
While both share the poker nomenclature, the similarities between them are rather superficial. Essentially, video poker resembles a poker-themed slot machine more than a traditional poker game.
A major point of distinction lies in the design of video poker, which is strategically crafted to guarantee the house edge in the long run. Much like slot machines, video poker devices feature a predetermined 'payback percentage.' For example, a machine with a 95% payback suggests that for every $100 a player wagers, they can expect to get back $95 on average, provided they play optimally. video poker game The prospects of making it a profession appear somewhat bleak; however, there remain potential opportunities for discerning players to turn a profit, which we will delve into later.
Different video poker machines are available on the market, and they may vary greatly depending on the software. Typically, they feature some form of a draw variant where players receive five cards and can choose to discard any of them in pursuit of a stronger hand.
The Skill Element
This introduces an element of skill into video poker. Players can maximize their potential returns by selecting the statistically best option with each draw. Nevertheless, regardless of the player's expertise, the long-term payback percentage generally cannot surpass 100%—if it did, casinos would risk incurring losses.
That said, there are some rare exceptions where certain casinos might offer a payback rate slightly over 100%. This could theoretically facilitate professional play, but it necessitates an extraordinary level of skill.
There are numerous varieties of video poker available, making it worthwhile to look into them.
Video Poker Variations
Jacks or Better – This is the most prevalent form of video poker, often referred to simply as 'Draw Poker.' It's named accordingly as payouts commence when a player achieves at least a pair of Jacks. exact rules before investing.
Here are some common variants -
Tens or Better – The name gives it away; this machine rewards players with payouts starting from a pair of tens or higher.
Jokers Wild – In this variant, Jokers act as wild cards, substituting for any other card necessary to create the best hand possible. Additionally, a 'five of a kind' hand can occur in Jokers Wild. This variant is generally regarded as one of the more challenging video poker types to master for maximizing payouts.
Deuces Wild – In this version, twos are wild. There's been a noted instance where this format offers payback percentages as high as 100.8%, though such occurrences are rare, and the marginal edge means significant variance is likely. Let's not forget that it also demands an ideal strategy for navigating its complexity.
Several video poker formats incorporate progressive jackpots, which accumulate over time and can lead to substantial payouts.
Vultures and Progressive Jackpots
While this feature doesn't alter the overall expectation from the machine in the long term, at any given moment, the expectation can be influenced by the magnitude of the progressive jackpot. Hence, if the jackpot value is significant, it could create favorable short-term win probabilities. Some casinos even actively promote when their jackpot exceeds a certain figure, aiming to draw in more players.
Other video poker variations might present larger payouts once a specific threshold is reached. For instance, the payment for a flush could see substantial boosts every fourth flush hit, although this depends on the specific game software.
This mechanic attracts players dubbed 'vultures,' who time their approach to machines. They observe until another player has hit three flushes and then rush in after they leave. By arriving at the machine right before a higher payout hand is achievable, they can have a gaming session that temporarily promises positive expectations, at least until the next flush is obtained. poker hands In summary, by combining several strategies, including:
c) Identifying machines boasting a payback rate exceeding 100% and playing optimally,
one could theoretically engage in video poker while maintaining a positive expectation, potentially even doing so professionally.
a) Targeting big progressive jackpots
b) “Vulturing” specific machines
Nonetheless, achieving this would clearly be challenging, and some might argue it isn't worth the effort. Techniques like 'vulturing' could even be viewed as unethical and might, in extreme instances, lead to a ban from the casino.
Moreover, engaging in video poker for extended periods with perfect play could unfortunately arouse the suspicion of casino staff.
Timothy \"Ch0r0r0\" Allin is a professional player, educator, and writer. Since his journey began in 2006, he has advanced his bankroll from the lowest online stakes without making any deposits. After successfully competing in some of the world’s most formidable settings, he now shares his expertise and strategies with readers of the 888poker magazine.
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