Video Poker – Do Your Decisions Matter?

Video poker is a fun and addictive game that also happens to offer some of the best odds in the casino, if you choose the right machine. Due to the spread and popularity of the games, there are people who have suspicions about the way the game works.

Yes, your video poker decisions matter, which is one of the main reasons why some players are so loyal to them. These are considered games of skill, unlike slot machines or other games where the skill of the player has no effect on the outcome. Continue reading here at Xgtiger Casino.

How to Play Video Poker

• For those who have never played the game, here is the basic rundown of video poker:
• The player places their bet on the machine.
• Five virtual cards will be given to the player.
• The player must now decide which cards to keep. They can choose all, some, or none.

For each choice discarded, the player receives a new card.

The player’s hand is complete, and they receive a payout based on the standard rankings for poker hands (with a pair of Jacks often being the minimum required).

When the game is idle, its random number generator compiles hundreds of number combinations every second. The games developed by IGT, for example, have 16,000,000,000,000,000,000 (16 quintillion) possible outcomes, and one of them is selected the moment you press the deal button.

A deck is randomly selected and shuffled, and the first five cards are shown to the player. The customer has no control over events up to this point, but that is about to change in the next phase.

The player is then called upon to decide which of the five cards will remain in their hand. This is where the player’s decision really matters, because the game is effectively over when they make a choice.

While some prefer to “eyeball” their cards and go with whatever seems the safest game, more professional video poker players tend to use a basic strategy. What is the main strategy?

This is a predetermined set of moves based on the type of video poker being played and the combination of cards currently displayed. This may not guarantee a win, but it reduces the house edge and provides better overall odds for the player.

The paragraph above proves my point, because the house edge can only be lowered by basic strategy if your video poker decisions matter. That’s the strongest reason to try this game, and I’m still surprised that most casino patrons prefer to risk their money on a random spin of the virtual reels of a slot machine.

The Exception to the Rule – Class II Video Poker

Yes, your decisions do matter in video poker – unless you’re sitting in front of a Class II machine.

I love reading about people’s gambling experiences online. Coupled with the fact that I write about gambling for a living, it’s no surprise that I hear a lot of gambling stories.

I recently received an email from Chris Markham, an Oklahoma resident and a frequent player at tribal casinos in the state. He was curious about a video poker machine he was playing, which was acting strangely.

The game appears to be a Jacks or Better game with a decent 9-6 paytable. However, after completing what turns out to be a missing hand, Chris is surprised when an animated dragon appears on the screen, breathes fire, and turns his missing hand into a straight flush. Although he was very happy to cash in his winnings, he also wondered why this game seemed to work differently than most video poker machines.

After pressing him for more details about the game, it became clear what was going on: Chris was playing a Class II video poker machine. These games are different than the Class III machines you’re used to, because the decisions made by the player don’t matter.

As we discussed earlier in this post, Class III video poker machines use a random number generator to determine which cards to deal, but they also allow the player to use strategy when it comes to improving their hand. Class II games, meanwhile, are used in casinos where Class III options are restricted or limited in number.

These games are technically considered bingo, as the results are determined by a series of numbers randomly drawn by a central server and then applied throughout the casino to everyone sitting at a Class II machine (not regardless of whether they are slots, video poker, or something else).

If the drawing determines that you should be the winner, you will receive a payout regardless of your hand.

In the case discussed above, the loss of the player’s hand is explained by the appearance of the dragon. It doesn’t make a lot of sense when you think about it, but having Class II games always seemed odd to me.

Slot machines are the most common type of game offered this way, and their random nature makes it impossible for a customer to distinguish between the Class II and Class III versions.

However, if you want to be certain about the type of machine you are playing on, give the game a thorough review. If you see a bingo logo on the glass, it’s a Class II game. Otherwise, you’re playing Class III like most of the civilized world.

A Final Word

Online video poker continues to grow in popularity for many reasons. The most obvious is the possibility of a player eliminating the house edge or gaining a mathematical advantage. Some prefer the simple, solitary nature of the game, as it often lacks the crowds and dazzling graphics associated with slot machines.

By using a solid strategy and keeping a clear head, players have a better chance of breaking even or making a profit. And considering the number of losers who walk away from casinos every day, this last reason is more than enough to ensure repeated play.

Conclusion

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