Choosing The Best Video Poker Game For You considers different aspects of choosing for the New Player. It also evaluates single or multiple lines and examines bonus features.
Why Video Poker Instead of Slots?
While Slot Machines and Video Poker Machines both use random number generators, there are significant differences. To understand why video poker is often preferred over slots, consider these points:
- Higher Return Rates/Lower House Edge: Video poker typically offers better payout percentages compared to slot machines. At the $.25 denomination, the difference can be as much as, on average, Video poker – 96% to 99%, Slots – 85% to 95%
- Less Randomness: Video poker outcomes are based on skill rather than pure luck, making it more engaging.
- Skill Involvement: Players can influence outcomes through strategy and decision-making in video poker. With an optimal strategy, the House Edge in video poker can be significantly lower than in slots
- Variety of Games: There are many video poker variations, providing diverse playing experiences.
Please Note – On any given session, either Video Poker or Slot Machines can vary widely from the long term expected payback. This volatility can lead to extreme positive or negative results at any time.
Self-Analysis: Finding the Best Game FOR YOU
- What’s your bankroll? (The amount of money you wish to spend at that session)
- Have you played before, or are you a newbie? (Here’s a hint: If you don’t know the difference between Jacks or Better (JoB) and Bonus Poker, you’re a newbie!)
- If you have played before, which games do you strongly understand the right strategy? Which should you stay away from?
- Are you interested in learning the correct strategy to maximize your time and reduce the house advantage? Or do you want to play for fun and figure it out as you go?
- Do you prefer volatile games with bigger payouts and more excitement? If so, the bigger the payouts, the higher the volatility. High volatility means these games come with expected quick losses and shorter sessions. Or do you prefer to play simpler, less exciting games, expecting longer play but smaller payouts?
- Do you prefer a multi-line game at a lower denomination or a single-line game at a higher denomination?
Understanding The Deal and the Random Number Generator
Most video poker is based on one game – Poker, Jacks, or Better. So, we will use Jacks or Better (JoB) as our base game for explanations.
Video poker uses live poker card rankings for the payout hierarchy. These rankings include pair, two-pair, and 3-of-a-kind, and so on. But that’s where the comparison to the poker room ends.
A Random Number Generator (RNG) deals five cards from a 52-card deck. Some games use more, like Joker Poker. The player chooses the cards to keep and presses draw to get replacement cards for those discarded. The last 5-card hand decides the payout. Video Poker machines use the RNG to deal with the first five and the draw cards.
Deciding Factors For the Right Game
Your bankroll should help decide the game you play.
Bankroll – the money you will use for your gambling session.
Denomination – the base value of each bet.
Usually, a rule of thumb is your bankroll should be three to four times the royal flush payout amount. If you plan to play a 25-cent JOB, note that it is a classic game. It is not a progressive game. In this game, the royal flush pays 4,000 credits. This is $1,000 on a quarter machine. You need three to four times that amount, or $3,000 to $4,000.
Volatility
Volatility refers to the ups and downs of winning and losing. As the volatility gets higher (worse), your bankroll should be larger.
Pay Tables and THE ROYAL FLUSH
An essential part of the payout structure is for four-of-the-kinds (quads). The higher the quad payout, the more volatile the game. The more volatile the game, the larger your bankroll must be.
A Royal Flush is the best hand you can get unless you play Joker Poker in Atlantic City. Still, there is a dramatic difference in the Royal Flush payout if you are not playing Max Bet. Bet five credits to have a chance to get a Royal Flush. With the max bet, the payout jumps to 4000 credits. Without a max bet, the payout is 250 credits per credit played.
On average, you will hit a royal flush once in every 40,000 hands.”But, of course, the word “average” means a whole bunch of sets of 40,000 hands. In any given set of 40,000 hands, you hit more than one royal flush. Heaven forbid, you hit no royals at all. In fact, you have a 36.8% chance that you won’t get a royal in one cycle (40,000 hands) and a 13.5% chance after two cycles (80,000 hands).
Henry Tamburin
Play 1-4 credits if your bankroll dictates that, or lower the denomination.
MULTI-LINE VIDEO POKER VS. SINGLE LINE VIDEO POKER
Standard video poker machines are called “single-line play” – one game at a time. Yet, video poker machines allow you to play three, five, 10, 50, and even 100 games.
A Recent win playing Triple Play (3 hands). Notice the small denomination.
These “multiple-play” games deal the same initial hand to three, five, 10, 50, or 100 hands. The player then decides which cards to save for all the hands dealt. The strategy for playing a multi-play game is the same as when playing a single-play game, with some exceptions.
But the volatility (more extreme highs and lows) increases due to the number of hands played. There are many fun and exciting multi-hand games available. But, without the optimal strategy for the base game, the House Edge rises to more than most slots. Beginners should stick with low volatility games.
Also, most casino multi-line games have slightly poorer paytables.
THE FINAL DRAW
For some, fun is the priority. But, if you’re like me, you’d like your fun to last as long as possible. Recreational gambling is about being prepared and having fun. The more prepared you are, the more fun it will be and the longer your sessions will last.
