Video Poker Rules

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Video Poker Wagering: Wagering is fairly simple in Video Poker. You can typically choose between $0.25, $0.50, $1, or $5 games. The bets are 1x, 2x, 3x, 4x, or 5x (Max Bet) for the particular game you are playing. For example if you're playing a $1 game, you will be able to place bets of $1, $2, $3, $4, or $5 respectively.

Rules of the game: Video Poker is based on five-card draw poker. Therefore, video poker rules revolve around the basics of poker play, but instead of playing against other players, you're playing against a computer. The only true artifact that relates video poker and classic poker is the ranking of poker hands, which occur in each game the same way - based on traditional poker rules.

If you're interested in learning the 'rules' associated with expert play, then what you're truly interested in is video poker strategy, and you should visit our page dedicated to just that. If you're just looking for the basics, and some good pointers, keep on reading!

Video poker is like draw poker. Each player is dealt five cards, and they are given to option of keep as many as they wish, or discarding as many as they wish. Any cards that are discarded are replaced with new random ones . If this second hand achieves a winning poker hand, you get paid. The specific details for video poker rules rely on the style of game you're playing. Jacks or Better for instance pay's gives back what you put into the machine if your hand has a pair at least a pair of jacks.

As your first rule of thumb, memorize or print out a copy of the rank of poker hands.

ROYAL FLUSH - The highest ranking hand possible. All five cards are in both sequence and common suit and the high card is an Ace. Example: A(hearts), K(hearts), Q(hearts), J(hearts), 10(hearts)

STRAIGHT FLUSH - Five cards both in sequence and common suit. Example: 10(diamonds), 9(diamonds), 8(diamonds), 7(diamonds), 6(diamonds)

FOUR OF A KIND - Four cards of the same rank. Example: 5(clubs), 5(hearts), 5(spades), 5(diamonds)

FULL HOUSE - Three cards of one rank and two cards of another rank. Example: K(clubs), K(diamonds), K(hearts), 4(spades), 4(clubs)

FLUSH - Five cards of same suit. Example: K(diamonds), J(diamonds), 9(diamonds), 6(diamonds), 3(diamonds), 2(diamonds)

STRAIGHT - Five cards in sequence ( Aces are used as high only ) Example: A(clubs), K(diamonds), Q(clubs), J(hearts), 10(spades)

THREE OF A KIND - Three cards of same rank. Example: 9(clubs), 9(diamonds), 9(hearts), A(spades), 8(clubs)

TWO PAIR - Two groups of two cards of same rank. Example: 4(clubs), 4(diamonds), J(hearts), J(spades), A(clubs)

PAIR -One pair of two equal value cards constitutes a pair

HIGH CARD - When the hand you are left with has no pairs, and is not a straight or a flush, its relative value is determined by the highest value card. When two players have no pairs, straight, or flush the winner of the tie is determined by the highest value card in the hand. If the highest cards tie, the tie is broken by the second highest card. Suits are not used to break ties.

The process by which you beat video poker revolves around knowing which cards to hold on to, and which cards to get rid of. These decisions have been worked out ahead of time by mathematicians, and are sometimes referred to somewhat incorrectly as video poker rules specific to a certain game. We feature two such video poker strategies on our strategy page.