Understanding and Enjoying Video Poker

I wonder how many of you out there can tell me how slot machines differ from video poker. If you really know I’m waiting to hear. The correct answer is that video poker is a skillful game while slot machines playing depend on luck. Nothing you can decide can influence the results of playing the slot machine successfully. All it consists of is praying for a lucky win when you insert a coin and bring down the lever. On the other hand, video poker is played with skill, and the result of the game depends on the extent of your skill.

Now, is there anybody out there who can tell me another principal difference that contrasts slot machines with video poker? And the correct answer this time is that when you play video machines you can know in advance what percentage payback you’ll entitled to, while you’ll stay completely in the dark with slot machines. Obviously whoever was aware of that information also knows that video poker machines are preferable when it comes to paybacks than successfully played slot machines.

Those of you who were quite in the dark regarding the question and answer quiz should simply carry on reading. The knowledgeable ones who knew all about the two questions needn’t bother to read the rest of the story and can move directly to your choice video poker machine and begin to play.

The best way to begin is by looking at the rudiments of the game. The rules of the card game video poker are almost identical to those of the regular five card draw poker game. What essentially differentiates it is the fact that you don’t play against anybody and your first bet is the most you can actually lose. In the beginning, you bet after having inserted between one and five coins into the machine. Five cards are then displayed on the video monitor and your aim is to endeavor to form with these cards the best poker hand you can. As it’s based on a draw you have one chance to develop a better hand of cards. You do this by throwing away from one card to all original five cards you’re holding. Naturally, this is up to you as you are not obliged to discard the cards. Using the button under each individual card, you decide which cards you wish to retain, then press the deal button and all your cards will be exchanged for new ones. The outcome is determined by your final hand and the machine pays out according to displayed machine plan. Of course, the amount you get paid increases in relation to the value of your hand.

Now that we’ve explained the external workings of the video poker machine let’s deal with the inner part. The leading video poker and slot machines producer International Game Technology gave answers to three particular questions I put to them, and they are as follows:

Question No.1: Are the cards dealt out randomly?

Random results of gaming devices are obligatory according to gaming rulings. This is executed in the manner that all sorts of games work with and produce game outcomes according to a random number generator (RNG) software algorithm. This algorithm is operating hundreds of times per second while awaiting a player to insert coins or push a credit button. According to the type of game being played, the potential outcomes run into the thousands of trillions, and billions of outcomes are those that are applicable to slot machine symbols, keno balls or card sets. Similar to a well shuffled pack of cards, so this complete random playing is secured in a like-manner.

Question No.2: At what stage does the shuffling cease?

Whatever the game, on pressing the deal or bet button, you determine the random result. The outcome is determined by the random number generator only without dependence on any other game factors such as the number of coins for the wager, or any event associated with a previous game, or the waiting time prior to drawing cards.

Question No.3: Do dealt cards have a designated draw card?

The answer is simply no. The IGT games work according to this procedure: the first five dealt cards are shown and according to the need you take more cards from the top of the pack. As the draw card stays the same, if you dispose of a card it’s not important which one it is as. Thus this goes to show that according to IGT the initial answer is that every hand is a result of random generation. There are those who consider that the machine understands the cards it originally gives you followed by inferior cards which it deals to give you a losing hand. But this is quite false because the pack is mixed at random and the cards are handed out and received successively. As it is, there are sixteen quintillion with zeros; I never knew that so don’t feel you had to know this information. However, we’ll get to be acquainted with that figure when the national debt reaches those proportions.

An additional factor should be stated here concerning video poker machines in relation to random results. Pay attention to the fact that the stated answer emphasizes the point that random results are mandatory by the gaming regulations. However, there are casinos functioning in various locations, which do not abide by these rules. A good parallel is that of ships sailing in foreign seas and Indians living on their reservations without abiding by national rules. It has to be stated that there is a form of technology allowing machines to function in a non-random manner. The idea here is that this type of machine is especially programmed to prevent you having a superior hand and this leads to the house having much higher odds. Fortunately, a lot of states stick to the gaming regulations, such as New Jersey, Colorado, Nevada and others have outlawed these machines. But don’t be surprised if you find them in those casinos not following the regulations.

As for the next answer, it is a fact that the random calculating ceases after placing the first coin or pressing the betting or dealing button. This indicates that no matter how many coins we bet the outcome is always identical. Others are of the opinion that the result differs according to the number of deposited coins. However, this is incorrect. Depositing one coin or five coins results, for instance, in the same royal flush outcome.

If you consider this previous answer, then you should be far less confused regarding the manner in which drawn cards are dealt out. There are players who think that ten cards are at first dealt by the machine. For every displayed five up cards there are five covered dealt cards. It’s a quite false supposition. The reason is that for every draw card you get it happens to be in the same alignment as though you received it from the pack’s top.

And lastly, you should take in account that IGT is not the sole video poker maker. A number of other manufacturers could possibly fix their machines to operate differently. Possibly, the random calculating does not cease in the same manner and it is possible that the draw cards are dealt in another way. Nevertheless, IGT remains the biggest leading manufacturer and the one you’re most likely to come across.

We can assume that you are now well acquainted with the working of the video poker machine, so now we have to study how to select the highest paying machines. It was stated already at the opening that a video machine’s percentage payback can be instantly recognized simply by seeing it displayed. That is quite correct, however, you still have to know something about the comparison between machine types. Types of available machines are Jacks or Better, Joker Poker and others. What complicates matters are the various types of machines, yet each one is differs in its method of payment. The good thing is that every video poker’s payment percentage can be computed. This enables you not only to know each machine’s highest paybacks, but also informs you regarding what strategy to play per machine by using a combination of odds for that machine. Unfortunately, it’s almost not possible to work this out individually, so that means you’ll either have to purchase a suitable software program or you’ll have to get hold of book displaying percentage and strategy lists. View the tables in the book, and look at the range of video poker games together with highest coin and most apt strategies with their pay-outs in percentages.

It’s fortunate that you can compute mathematically the percentages of pay-outs for every video poker machine. This enables you to evaluate each machine’s best paybacks as well as letting you know the most apt moves to take per machine according to the odds’ combinations. In contrast, unfortunately, it’s virtually not feasible to do that by yourself so you’ll have to purchase the book with all the strategies and percentages. If you possess a computer, you can calculate precise percentages for video poker machines if you purchase a relevant program. Such a program shouldn’t cost more than thirty dollars, and apart from computing percentages it will enable you to gamble on various video poker machines and work out paybacks and how to play the best hand. The way you use this game is to play on automatic and then you will be informed whether your decision is the most correct decision. It’s amazingly easy, even kids can play it.

Assuming you are not so keen to get that involved with the game I’ll go on to offer some overall advice to assist you. The first tip is to look for the best payment returns machine. Better Machine is an example of one of the best machines in the market. It goes without saying that you’re undoubtedly thinking what is this Better Machine. The meaning of the term Better refers to the Jack cards and that indicates that only holding at least one Jack pair leads to a win. As there are assorted pay-out plans per machine nine sixths means that on Better machines at least twenty various payback plans are accessible.

It’s obvious to all that the various plans are alike apart from the superior pay-outs for flushes and full houses and the nine-six machines. For excellent playing on a nine-six machine there is an almost one hundred percent repayment while a 97.3% pay-out is paid for similar play n the eight-five type. So naturally if you’ve got the choice it seems logical only to choose a nine-six. However, you’ll still notice that numerous players play the eight-five in Las Vegas even though they have the choice of both machines. And the simple reason is that they are not aware of the difference as you are. So always go for the nine-six. You’ll find them available in some strip casinos and in virtually every casino in downtown Las Vegas. However, they are not all that available in New Jersey and other states. I did find several in Mississippi but it was hard to locate. If you have trouble locating one, then look in Slot Host to see whether they are available.

An eight-five Jacks or Better progressive is another popular machine you’ll likely to meet with. Apart from a royal flush which gives you a jackpot sum shown on the machine’s meter, this machine pays out a similar eight-five as the previously mentioned one. Till someone strikes lucky with a royal flush, the jackpot goes on piling up before restarting. If you’ve got the five coin option on a twenty-five machine when the jackpot climbs beyond $2, 240 then we advise you to go ahead and play. Stick to nine-six machines if the jackpot is below this sum.

An additional piece of advice is to limit the time you spend on the same machine gambling. Remember that a good return from a Better does not always evolve on Deuces Wild, in another word: different machines have different strategies. However, if you personally spend all your time on one type of machine such as a nine-six and train on it then you can quite speedily get to know the decision making to be constantly made. Take into account that the number you reach in video poker is connected to perfect play when computing the percentage returns. For instance you’ll get a 99.5% pay return with perfect play if you play a nine-six or Better machine. Thus, in theory only if you decide correctly all the time you could get 99.5 dollars for every one hundred dollars you play. The casino’s revenue will be more if you play incorrectly as does happen with the majority of players. Playing an assortment of machines increases the difficulty in recalling the right moves and this leads to inferior playing. Thus logically it seems that using one type of machine and constantly playing it makes it easier to remember the right strategies and decision making.

The decision has now been made concerning the type of machine worth playing so let’s discuss the strategy involved in actual playing. Tables have been arranged providing strategic moves for both the nine-six and eight-five videos. The tables, offer you the best hands to play and have been devised using computerized computation and a software program. Nothing is absolutely faultless yet they are incredibly precise up to small increments. The types of italicized poker hands display the two tables’ differences.

The nine-six chart displays several self-explanatory topics.

Topic 1: You should be pleased if you’ve got a low pair. Out of thirty six hand possibilities the low pair is considered number sixteen indicating that there twenty more inferior hands. Viewing the remaining fifteen superior hands you will notice that eight pat hands do not need a draw. Six of the remaining seven hands are four cards while a three card royal flush is the last one.

Topic 2: It’s recommended not to keep three cards in your hand trying to make a flush or straight. This procedure is not displayed anywhere on the tables. Don’t ever hold three cards for a flush or straight although sometimes it could be worth it for a straight flush.

Topic 3: As for inside straights, we recommend keep your distance. These straights are displayed only twice on the table and in inferior positions: number 25 having four high cards and number 30 having three. You’ll find that it’s far simpler to draw and outside straight and in that way you get a card for either end to complete it. You’ll see that these kind of open ends are displayed four times on the table and are superior to the inside straights. Take a look at numbers 21, 18, 7 and 15 to see the high cards involved.

Topic 4: Do you know what a kicker is? Anyway first you should know not to keep this card. This card is an unpaired one not having a pair such as when you have two kings and a nine or two eights and a king. This odd card out is the kicker and as it’s without hand value get rid of it.

Don’t forget that these strategic charts are not applicable for wild card games such Joker Poker, Double Joker or Deuces wild and are solely displayed for Jacks or Better. The former games are for specific machines using entirely diverse strategies.

Some interesting data for you is that concerning video poker machines, there are more than two and a half million individual hands that can possibly be played. For your further information a royal flush can occur once every forty thousand hands on a nine-six Jacks or Better; every nine thousand a straight flush can arise; every four hundred and twenty five hands a four of a kind; every eighty seven a full house; every ninety one you can get a flush; every eighty nine a straight; every fourteen you can get a three of a kind; every eight hands you can get two pairs; and every five hands a pair of Jacks or better can occur. However the point of interest is that a straight and a flush are more difficult to attain than a full house, which offers better returns than either one. Just over fifty percent of the time, on a nine-six machine you’ll end up with a loss.

An additional tip refers to the amount of coins to use for betting. Bet the highest sum when using a hundred percent or beyond return machine. This is because when you strike the royal flush you’ll receive a bonus of coins. For instance, you’ll get two hundred and fifty coins for a royal flush on nine-six machine; five hundred coins for two; seven hundred and fifty for three; a thousand for four and the highest win, which is four thousand coins for five coins. This means you can get two thousand seven hundred and fifty coins for a bonus. On this nine-six for every forty thousand four hundred hands you can anticipate a royal flush; while on an eight-five machine you get that for every forty thousand two hundred hands and on an eight-five progressive it’s anticipated for every thirty two thousand seven hundred hands. Thus the additional bonus makes it worth trying although the odds are towering. If it’s too expensive, try a lower number machine instead of a maximum number of coins on the superior one. However, don’t forget to play only with one coin if you’re using a less than maximum machine. As you can’t receive a bonus playing more than one coin is simply illogical anyway.

It’s worth paying attention to a significant point and that is: the royal flush in a major component in the full return for video poker machines, especially when you are considering full pay-outs for these numbers always comprise a royal flush. Actually, the royal flush figures so prominently in these machines that till the royal flush turns up the expectation is that you’ll continue to lose. The importance of the royal flush shows that until you strike it you are anticipated to lose even when you’re playing a more than one hundred percent payback machine. So the significance of all this advice is that you should bear in mind that according to statistics, you are expected to lose your cash until you strike a royal flush which restore your cash to the total level.

Bob Dancer, the video poker specialist, says that when playing a Jacks or Better nine-six machine, while anticipating a royal flush to turn up you are expected to lose at 2.5% rate. Translating this into cash, we can say that on average, when waiting for the flush to turn up, for every hour’s playing you can anticipate losing almost nineteen dollars. But the truth is you have to remember whenever you’re talking about video poker nobody can give you a firm guarantee. If it’s been stated that forty thousand hands can evoke one royal flush then be alert to the financial significance that even in this case there is no guarantee.

Slot clubs is the last piece of advice we shall discuss concerning video poker. You’ll find that virtually every well-known casino has a slot club and it’s highly recommended to become a member prior to gambling. Membership is free charge and you’ll be awarded lots of various free goodies, such as shows, food, cash, drinks, etc. On joining you’ll receive a kind of credit card which on inserting in the machine records the bets as well as time and duration of playing. It goes without saying that the more cash you insert the more the number of freebies. However, don’t get too enthusiastic and overdo it and find yourself forking out more cash just for some mere complimentary. The correct way is to get your freebies without any concern for over-playing. You’ll find that a lot of clubs will return money, so add that sum to the payback on your specific machine. Treasure Island in Las Vegas, for instance, returns 0.67% of your money. If you are playing a nine-six Better machine and you add this percentage to the 99.54% of your return you arrive at an improved modified amount of over one hundred percent. This indicates that in theory you’re playing at a small advantage and you are still in the running for further freebies.

This information was first issued in 1994 and is continually updated. The essential change in additional years is that the nine-six machines in Las Vegas are getting rarer. Other machines, such Double Bonus Poker and Bonus Poker have come instead. But that’s what’s happening in this market as more novel machines are continually replacing the old models. Don’t apply the information of the above charts to these new machines as their strategy is more complex. Assuming you possess a PC you can purchase the latest software for learning all about the latest models. If not, and you look hard enough in the small neighborhood casinos, you’re still discover out there the nine-six model and the ten-seven machines