Nov 07, 2019 However, such odds are difficult, though not impossible to find in both land-based and online casinos, so you might have to settle for games with odds of 20/8 or 25/7. The average theoretical return for video poker with odds of 25/8 is estimated at 99,7%.
- Attempting to pinpoint the odds for slot machines is a daunting task. With such a variety of machines and games available, the odds can vary a great deal. Generally slots odds are expressed in the form of a payback percentage. The closer to 100%, the better for players.
- Video poker is essentially the merging of two very popular online casino games, poker and slots.The game uses the skill elements and features of poker, as well as the chance factor of slots to bring players one of the most sought after pastimes at sites such as Casino.com Ireland.
In this article, I am going to explain how to beat video Poker machines by:
- Playing smarter
- Playing slower
- Picking the best games
- Reducing the house edge
- Avoiding the stupidest mistakes
In case you already know all of this and can’t wait to play some of the best video Poker games - this is the site you should visit.
However, if you’d like to know how to play better with a helpful video Poker strategy - continue reading.
What Makes Video Poker Special?
Since it made its entry into the Casino scene back in the 1970s, video Poker has gone from strength to strength to become one of the most popular gambling games.
Do you know why?
Video Poker is one of the few Casino games that not only offer some of the highest odds in Casino gambling but it gives you also the chance to influence the game’s outcome.
Yes, your skills can make a difference.
As if that’s not enough, video Poker is popular also because it brings into the mix a low house edge (profit to the Casinos) while still giving you, the player, a chance to win big (in Jackpot proportions).
Better still;
Video Poker gives you that much-craved anonymity in the sense that you can play alone and without the psychological pressure of a live Poker game.
In other words, you don’t have to deal with pit bosses, dealers, or fellow players who dissect and even irritatingly comment on your play.
While these are just some of the few godsend advantages that video Poker brings into your playbook, the biggest question remains: how can you beat video Poker machines?
You may have probably come across an adage in the betting circles that states:
'The house always has an advantage.'
It may be hard to refute this, but video Poker is almost an exception to this rule.
It doesn’t matter whether you play Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, or any other video Poker variation.
With the right skills, strategy, knowledge and an element of luck, you can beat video Poker machines hands down.
The fact that you are playing against a machine and not against other players is an advantage that makes video Poker machines very beatable.
Add this to the fact that you’re almost five times more likely to hit a big Jackpot (aka. the Royal Flush) when playing video Poker makes it one of the best games out there.
In fact, you should seriously consider moving from traditional Slot machines to video Poker machines.
But before you blindly jump ships, here’s the strategy you should follow to beat video Poker machines.
Learn the Rules of Video Poker
Playing video Poker is simple.
While there are various variants of video Poker, they have one thing in common: they’re all based on simple mechanics of five-card draw Poker.
Video Poker uses a standard 52-card deck.
After you make your wager and press the 'Deal' button, the machine randomly gives you five cards.
At this point, you need to choose which cards to keep and which cards to throw away or discard.
To keep them, tap on the pictures of your chosen cards on the screen.
Once you have made your pick, press the 'Draw' button for the machine to randomly replace the discarded cards.
In this exciting game, your winning is based on ending up with a Poker hand such as flush, straight, two pairs, or even a royal flush.
Always keep in mind that the amount that you win per hand depends on the Poker value of your hand and the posted pay table of the machine you’re playing.
One of the most important things to know on how to beat video Poker is that you have to make a wise decision on which of your dealt five cards to keep and which ones to discard.
Remember, making the right decision from the word go will give you the best chances of winning even a Jackpot.
Video Poker Basic Strategy
The gravest mistake that you can do in your quest to beat a video Poker machine is to attempt playing by just…guessing.
You will lose a lot of money on a simple game that gives you a real shot at winning.
Remember, having the right skills and using an optimum video Poker strategy will not only give you a higher chance of winning millions, but you will also enjoy the benefits that come with winning, such as comps that are set aside for Casino’s best players.
Keep in mind that you should also thoroughly practice on your computer before risking real money on a real video Poker machine.
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Choose the Right Pay Table
One of the best things about playing video Poker is that the machine allows you to know the expected return before you even start to play.
Video Poker is incomparable to any other game because unlike quite a few new slots, it is the only game that shows you the expected return on your money on the pay table.
It is therefore crucial that you do your research to identify the best video Poker machines that offer good paytables.
To find the most generous machine, you should understand that the return on a particular video Poker machine is based on the machine’s pay table.
For instance, Casinos average a profit of about 3 percent on each play on a video Poker game.
This profit is known as the house edge.
Now if the Casinos get 3%, you as the player should get a return of 97 percent, which can vary depending on the machine’s pay table.
That’s why you need to check out various machines and their pay tables before you play at the video Poker with the highest returns.
For example, you increase your chances of beating a video Poker machine if you choose a game with a paytable that offers 99.54 percent return than if you pick a video Poker with a paytable that provides a 97.29 percent return.
In other words, the 99.54 percent machine only keeps 0.47 percent house edge while the 97.29 percent machine keeps 2.71 percent.
In this case, choosing the 99.54 percent is the better option as it offers you close to full pay.
On the contrary, you will lose your money almost six times faster if you play on the 97.29 percent machine.
There is, consequently, no doubt that searching for a good machine will pay.
You should not fall prey to using machines that are lousy or machines that offer terrible paytables.
How to Beat the Jacks or Better Video Poker
Each video Poker game has its own strategies.
For instance, the strategy that will help you win on Jacks or Better is different from that which will help you succeed on Deuces Wild.
And because learning all the strategies on the book might be tiresome if not impossible, let’s look at how to beat video Poker Jacks or Better.
Even though Jacks or Better offers one of the lowest returns, especially when compared to games such as Deuces Wild, Double Bonus Poker, and other variations, it remains one of the most enthralling and rewarding video Pokers games, at least according to the majority of video Poker players.
Therefore, here are some crucial tips that will possibly help you win big and beat the video Poker machine while playing Jacks or Better.
Always Play the Max
It is always imperative to play maximum coins.
This is because Jacks or Better video Poker machines offer top payout for a royal flush (the Jackpot).
Playing maximum coins gives you the chance to get a bonus win when you hit a royal flush.
Even though you can bet between one to five coins per hand, you only stand a chance to get the bonus on a royal flush when you bet five coins per hand.
On the contrary, you can consider dropping down to a lower coinage if you aren’t comfortable with the five-coin bet.
The only difference is: you will not play for the Jackpot.
Find the Best Pay Table
As noted above, finding the best pay table is crucial if you are serious about beating a video Poker machine.
With regards to Jacks or Better, there is a myriad of pay charts available.
Although each pay chart offers a different house edge, you should always consider going for a 9/6 (or more) pay chart when playing Jacks or Better video Poker.
This is because a 9/6 is a fair return that offers full house pay on nine coins and flush pay on six coins.
Playing on a pay chart that offers less the 9/6 pay chart is a risky move and clear indication that you are playing with a bigger house edge.
In this case, you are giving the Casino more profit (money) per hand, thereby losing your money faster than you realize.
Slow Down
Like almost all Casino games, you should always remember that video Poker machines are designed for one main purpose: make a profit (house edge) for the Casino.
Either way, the more you play, the more you lose.
It is, therefore, advisable to apply what I call 'a slow-down strategy' when playing Jacks or Better.
Casino Video Poker Machines
No one will chase you and no one will call the clock if you take some time to decide what cards to keep.
Even better:
You can play and go on a break anytime you want.
The key is not to rush and not to play for volume. Video Poker, unlike online Poker, is a gambling game where the greater the number of your hands is, the higher are the chances that you will lose your money.
If you play Poker, you know that the key to being a winning player is 'to play fewer hands.'
Video Poker is different.
In video Poker, you don’t need to play fewer hands - you need to play slower hands.
This will help you in lessening your hourly losses, hence giving you the opportunity to play for longer and increase your chances to hit a royal flush or to put together a sizeable win.
Even though this is nothing but common sense, many players often ignore this basic gambling principle and therefore lose a lot of money within a very short period.
You need to take complete control of your hand-per-hour to get the chance to extend your playing time and minimise your losses at the same time.
Join a Player’s Club
More often than not, the player’s clubs are created and designed to get you and other players to play more and longer to get comps.
While this may seem like a negative, it shouldn’t be your ground of not joining them.
The Player’s clubs are your best chance to earn special bonuses that Casinos give only to their most valuable players.
This works to your advantage in the sense that it helps you reduce the house edge in the long run.
I strongly recommend you to browse through the best Casinos online and choose the one that has the best advantages when it comes to long-term video Poker playing.
Play the Progressive Jackpot Video Poker Machines
One of the main reasons why almost all Casinos offer progressive Jackpots is to give players an added chance of reaping big on a relatively small bet.
Casino Poker Machine Games
Jacks or Better video Poker games are known to offer some of the best progressive Jackpots out there, but you only stand a chance of winning if you use the best strategy.
The problem is, many progressive Jacks or Better video Poker machines use terrible pay tables.
You should be vigilant to ensure that you only play progressive Jackpot on machines that offer a comparatively good pay table.
Remember, progressive Jackpots offer players the chance of winning phenomenally big. It could be you.
But if you pick a video Poker game that gives you no chance of winning, then you won’t get a single chance to beat the game.
Keep an Eye on the Bonuses
There are always a lot of promotions and offers not just on the Jacks or Better video Poker, but on other games too.
By targeting the right promotions, you stand a bigger chance to beat video Poker machines since you get free money to play more games.
Don’t ignore the bonuses to play video Poker and don’t be afraid to use a Casino’s live chat feature to ask if there’s something for you.
Only last month, I received four bonuses only because…I asked for them.
Sometimes, online Casino websites are so bad that it’s nearly impossible for an average user to find all the promotions or all the latest Casino bonuses that are running at any given time.
If you want a bonus, ask for it. Remember: fortune favours the bold.
Be bolder.
Things to Avoid
And now, a few practical and simple tips to win at video Poker online.
The Kicker. When you play Jacks or Better video Poker, you should always avoid the widespread blunder of retaining a kicker.
Many players mistakenly think that keeping a kicker gives them a higher chance to win with a higher payout.
The Straight / Flush. You should also never attempt to keep three cards in your quest of chasing a straight or a flush.
Keeping three cards with the hope to grab a straight or a flush only leaves you in a losing position.
The only time that you can keep all the three cards is when you can pull off the highly valuable straight flush in your attempt at going after a big payout.
Keep in mind this basic strategy on how to beat video Poker machines: never give up a winning hand in an attempt at getting an even bigger hand.
Conclusion
Playing video Poker games, particularly Jacks or Better video Poker, is one the best choices you can make when you log in to your favourite online Casino.
Video Poker games come with a lot of options and features that not only make them a proper alternative to traditional Slot machines but also give players a real shot at winning big.
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The promotion presented on this page was available at the time of writing. With some Casino promotions changing on daily basis, we suggest you to check on the site if it still available. Also, please do not forget to read the terms and conditions in full before you accept a bonus.Video poker and slot machines are the most-popular forms of machine based
gaming. That said, these two games are often compared in a variety of aspects.
Many players who take a beating on slots become curious about video poker due
to its strategic element.
Likewise, those who don’t want to bother with video poker strategy become
interested in slot machines due to their simplicity.
If you fit into either of these categories, or you’d just like to know how
slots and video poker compare, keep reading as we break down all of the
important aspects.
Later, we’ll also discuss how video poker and pull tab machines compare since
the latter is also a popular machine game.
Difference Between Video Poker and Slot Machines
# 1 Difference: Video Poker has More Strategy than Slots
One key difference between slot machines and video poker is that the latter
involves intricate strategy.
You begin every video poker hand with 5 cards, and you decide what to keep
and discard. Each decision you make has a long-term impact on pay back.
Let’s look at an example:
- You’re playing 9 / 6 Jacks or Better
- You’re dealt: 10c, Js, 9c, 4s, 6s
- The correct move is to keep Js and discard everything else.
In the situation above, the only correct strategy decision is to keep the
jack of spades. Anything else results in a higher house edge and lowers your
chances of winning.
Contrast this to slot machines, where the biggest strategy aspects involve
bankroll management and choosing games with high pay back.
Once you accomplish these two goals, there’s literally nothing else to do
besides hitting the spin button.
Some of the newer slot machines feature skill-based bonus rounds. But these
bonuses only account for around 5% of overall pay back.
Video poker contains far more skill than this, and there’s no comparison to a
skill-based slot.
# 2 Difference: Slots Offer Bigger Progressive Jackpots
Slot machines are well known for offering progressive jackpots worth millions
of dollars.
Of course, only a small percentage of slots offer this much money. But the
point is that you can make a fortune by winning a slots jackpot.
Below you can see some historic online and land-based slots jackpots.
- $39.71 million
Won
by a 25-year-old software engineer at Las Vegas’ Excalibur Casino. - $34.56 million
Won
by cocktail waitress Cynthia Jay-Brennan at Vegas’ Desert Inn. - €17.88 million
(approx. $22m)Won by British soldier Jon Heywood at an online casino.
- $22.62 million
Won
by Johanna Huendl on her way to breakfast at Bally’s Las Vegas. - €17.86 million ($22m)
Won by a Finnish player at an online casino.
These are just
a few examples of the massive jackpots that slot machines
offer. But they show you the type of fortunes that are available when a
progressive prize grows large enough.
Most video poker games offer a royal flush payout worth 4,000 coins, although
some have progressive jackpots too.
The largest progressive video poker jackpot that we’ve seen is a $670,000
payout. Poker pro Huck Seed won this prize in 2011 while betting $500 per hand.
This is definitely a big payout, but it doesn’t come anywhere close to the
largest progressive slots.
# 3 Difference: Video Poker Offers Higher Pay back
While video poker machines don’t give you the opportunity to get rich, they
do offer much higher pay back than slots.
Below you can see some of the highest-paying variations in video poker:
- Full-pay Deuces Wild =
100.76% pay back - Full-pay Joker Poker =
100.64% pay back - 10 / 7 Double Bonus =
100.17% pay back - 10 / 6 Double Double
Bonus = 100.07% pay back - 9 / 6 Jacks or Better
= 99.54% pay back - 8 / 5 Bonus Poker =
99.17% pay back
Even if you play 8 / 5 Bonus Poker, you’ll earn higher pay back than any slot
machine can offer.
The best slots pay back is typically found in online casinos, including the
following games:
- Mega Joker – 99% pay
back - Jackpot 6000 – 98.8%
pay back - Blood Suckers – 98.0%
pay back - Megaspin Break Da Bank
– 98.0% pay back - Fishy Fortune – 97.90%
pay back - Kings of Chicago –
97.80% pay back - Hot Ink – 97.50% pay
back
These games offer a far better return than what you’ll find in
brick-and-mortar casinos. But they still don’t offer as high of pay back as
video poker games.
If you want a better chance of winning, then video poker is your best bet.
# 4 Difference: Slots are More Relaxing to Play
Earlier we discussed how video poker features a lot more strategy than slots.
But on the reverse side, slot machines are more relaxing for people who don’t
care about strategy or a higher return.
To illustrate this point, let’s look at the process for playing both slots
and video poker:
Slots
- You select your bet size.
- You spin the reels.
- Sometimes you’ll trigger a bonus round or free spins.
Video Poker
- You select your bet size.
- You receive a 5-card hand.
- You decide what cards to keep and discard.
- You click Draw to complete your hand.
Even if we include free spins or a bonus round, which only happen
occasionally, the slots playing process features one less step. Compare this to
video poker, where you may spend 5-10 seconds thinking during the draw round
(third step).
Again, if you’re just a casual gamer who wants to relax and play some casino
games, then slot machines are a good choice.
# 5 Difference: Video Poker Pay back Is Easier to Figure Out
You can find pay back for plenty of online and land-based slot machines
through research. But what if you can’t find pay back for the particular game
you’re playing?
This would involve looking at the paytable, playing countless spins, and
trying to figure out the frequency of each payout.
Obviously nobody wants to do this because it would cost a fortune and require
endless hours.
Video poker paytables, on the other hand, are much easier to understand. You
just need to know what payouts change the pay back for specific video poker
variations.
With Jacks or Better, you need to concentrate on the full house and flush
payouts. Here are some examples:
| Game | Pay back | Coins for Full House | Coins for Flush |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 / 6 Jacks or Better | 99.54% | 9 | 6 |
| 9 / 5 Jacks or Better | 98.44% | 9 | 5 |
| 8 / 6 Jacks or Better | 98.39% | 8 | 6 |
| 8 / 5 Jacks or Better | 97.30% | 8 | 5 |
| 7 / 5 Jacks or Better | 96.15% | 7 | 5 |
Some video poker variations have more than two differing payouts on the
paytable. But as long as you know what payouts to look for with any given game,
there’s no mystery involved in the pay back.
# 6 Difference: Slots Offer More Comps
The big downside to slot machines is that you’re dealing with a larger house
edge. But the upside is that slots offer you more comps too.
Let’s illustrate this point with comp examples for both slot machines and
video poker:
Slots Comps
- You earn a 2% comp rate on losses.
- You’re playing a slot with a 5% house edge.
- You bet $2,000.
- Your theoretical losses are $100 (2,000 x 0.05).
- You’d receive $2 in comps.
Video Poker Comps
- You earn a 2% comp rate.
- You’re playing 8 / 5 Bonus Poker (0.83% house edge).
- You bet $2,000.
- Your theoretical losses are $16.60 (2,000 x 0.0083).
- You’d receive $0.33 in comps.
A common casino gaming tip is to never play strictly for comps. After all,
you can see that your video poker losses would be $83.40 less than slots under
these circumstances.
But the good news is that you’ll at least receive more comps to soften the
blow.
# 7 Difference: You can Win Long-Term Profits in Video Poker
It’s not easy to find video poker machines that offer positive expectation
(+EV). But you can still find +EV video poker in certain parts of Las Vegas.
Contrast this to slot machines, where you won’t find a single game anywhere
that offers over 100% pay back.
As for +EV video poker games, let’s review the four that were mentioned
earlier:
- Full-pay Deuces Wild =
100.76% pay back - Full-pay Joker Poker =
100.64% pay back - 10 / 7 Double Bonus =
100.17% pay back - 10 / 6 Double Double
Bonus = 100.07% pay back
Double Bonus and Double Double Bonus don’t offer a very big edge, even with
perfect strategy. But full-pay Deuces Wild and Joker Poker offer noticeable
profits to skilled players.
Here are win rate examples when perfect strategy is used on the following
games:
- Deuces Wild
You’d
win $7.60 for every 1,000 hands played. - Joker Poker
You’d
win $6.40 for every 1,000 hands played. - Double Bonus
You’d
win $1.70 for every 1,000 hands played. - Double Double Bonus
You’d win $0.70 for every 1,000 hands played.
None of these win rates will earn you a full-time living. But pro players can
make a living with Deuces Wild and Joker Poker when they take advantage of
double and triple point promotions.
Assuming you don’t care about being a video poker pro, then you can earn
profits through Double Bonus and Double Double Bonus while also entertaining
yourself.
# 8 Difference: Slots Pay More Online than in Land-based Casinos
In point #3, we mentioned how online slots normally pay more than those in
brick-and-mortar casinos.
While there aren’t any uniform figures on these differences, here are some
estimates:
- Online slots = 96%
return to player (RTP) on average. - Land-based slot
machines = 93-94% RTP on average.
Compare this to video poker, which doesn’t change when moving from online to
land-based casinos.
Odds Video Poker
If you’re playing a 9 / 6 Jacks or Better game, it’s going to offer 99.54%
pay back in both online and brick-and-mortar casinos. If you’re playing a 9 / 7
Double Bonus game, it’ll pay back 99.55% anywhere.
The one caveat is that you’re more likely to find 9 / 6 JoB in online casinos
than in land-based venues. The reason why is because internet operators don’t
have to cover as many overhead costs, and they can offer more high-paying games
like 9 / 6 JoB.
# 9 Difference: Video Poker Requires Max Bets for Top Pay back
The golden rule of video poker is that if you want max pay back, then you
need to make the max bet (5 coins). The reason why is because you’re eligible
for a much-larger royal flush payout when you wager 5 coins.
You can see this below:
- 5-coin bet =
4,000-coin royal flush - 4-coin bet =
1,000-coin royal flush - 3-coin bet = 750-coin
royal flush - 2-coin bet = 500-coin
royal flush - 1-coin bet = 250-coin
royal flush
The 3,000-coin jump in the top royal flush payout is why you should bet 5
coins on every hand.
Some slot machines also require that you make specific bets to quality for
the jackpot and / or bonus rounds. Here’s an example: you’re playing a
50-payline game and you need to play all 50 lines in order to qualify for the
progressive jackpot.
But this is the exception, rather than the norm. You’re not required to make
qualifying bets on most slots – especially online – to qualify for bonuses and
jackpots.
Similarities Between Video Poker and Slot Machines
# 1 Similarity: Both Operate through a Random Number Generator
Random number generation involves creating a sequence of numbers that can’t
be predicted. And both slot and video poker machines use a random number
generator (RNG) to ensure that every round is based on random chance.
Many video poker and slots myths arise because players don’t understand how
an RNG works. Certain players think there’s a pattern or strategy that will
result in guaranteed profits.
But the RNG ensures that every outcome is totally independent of the last.
# 2 Similarity: Video Poker and Slots are Good Alternatives to Table Games
Picture this scenario:
- You visit a casino and you’re new to table games.
- You sit down to a blackjack table because you’ve heard it has a low house edge.
- You touch your cards on the first hand, and the dealer warns you not to touch them.
- You make a few strategy mistakes and are lectured by the player next to you.
- You take too long to make decisions on most hands, drawing groans from the table.
Based on this experience, chances are that you won’t be thrilled to play any
more table games. Of course, you may also be too intimidated from the beginning
and avoid the tables altogether.
This is where video poker and slots become perfect alternatives in land-based
casinos. If you don’t want to deal with the pressures of learning table games,
you can sit down to a video poker or slot machine and play at your own pace.
# 3 Similarity: The Same Video Poker and Slots Games can Offer Different Pay
back
Earlier, we covered how the same video poker variant has different pay back
based on the paytable. Slot machines are also this way because casinos can order
different pay back for a specific game.
This is mostly the case in land-based casinos, where the same slot machine
might offer 92% pay back at one casino, and 89% pay back at another.
Online slotsmakers normally offer a uniform payout percentage with each
individual game, no matter the casino. But some internet slots can also feature
different pay back as you move between casinos.
One example is Microgaming’s Mega Moolah, which can offer anywhere from
88.12% to 95% pay back.
# 4 Similarity: Both Games Have Betting Options
You can change betting options to your preferences in both video poker and
slot machines.
Let’s check out some wagering options that you’ll see in video poker:
- Bet 1 to 5 coins per
hand. - In online casinos, you
can change the coin denomination (ex. $0.05 to $0.25). - Play multiple hands
per turn (in triple play). - Make side bets for
multipliers (special video poker variations).
Now let’s look at slot machine betting options:
- Change coin size (ex.
$0.01 to $1.00). - Adjust paylines (ex. 1
to 20). - Change coins per line
(ex. 1 to 5). - Use double-up option
after wins (in certain games).
Some betting options in video poker and slot machines are nearly the same,
including the coin denomination and coins per hand / pay line.
Video Poker vs. Pull Tab Machines
Free Casino Poker Slot Machines
What are Pull Tab Machines?
Pull tabs are special gaming tickets that involve pulling open perforated
windows on the ticket’s backside. The goal is to pull open symbols that match
the winning combinations listed on the frontside.
Most pull tabs cost $0.25, $0.50, $1, $2, $3, or $5 per ticket.
Pull tab tickets can either be sold by hand or through machines. The latter
is similar to video poker or slots because you put money into a machine, then
receive your ticket.
Electronic pull tabs are another option, allowing you to play through a
tablet device. Electronic pull tabs offer everything that physical tickets have,
except that you don’t physicallypull the tabs – you merely swipe them.
What are the Similarities between Video Poker & Pull Tabs?
- Machine-based
Play – Both video poker and pull tabs are played through machines.
Pull tabs can also be distributed physically by vendors (normally through
charities). - Transparent
Odds of Winning – Video poker paytables are transparent and allow
you to easily figure out pay back. Pull tab players can see how many
available prizes (predetermined) and tickets are left through a tally sheet
or electronic display. - Varying Prizes
– Video poker and pull tabs feature varying payouts, with the royal flush or
highest-symbol combination (pull tabs) offering the biggest prize
What are the Differences between Video Poker & Pull Tab Machines?
- Pull Tab
Payouts are Predetermined – Each pull tab game is released with a
set number of payouts and tickets (ex. 5k prizes for 50k tickets). When the
prizes are all won, distributors can either offer another round, or get rid
of the game completely. - Video Poker
Payouts are Totally Random – Each video poker payout offers
specific odds of winning, just like a pull tab game. But the key difference
is that video poker prizes aren’t predetermined. Even though a royal flush
payout (4,000 coins) happens roughly 1 in 40,000 hands, it could
theoretically happen 4 in 40,000 hands. - Pull Tab Games
Don’t Involve Much Strategy – The biggest strategy to pull tab
machines is finding out how many prizes are left versus tickets. This gives
you an indication of whether or not you should play based on the odds. Video
poker strategy, as covered before, is far more involved. - Every Video
Poker Outcome is Independent of the Last – Given that video poker
payouts are based on an RNG, past results never determine future hands.
Contrast this to pull tabs, where every loss removes one losing ticket from
circulation, thus improving your future odds. - Pull Tab
Machines Play More Like Slots than Video Poker – Considering that
pull tab machines involve matching symbols with winning combinations,
they’re similar to slot machines. Meanwhile, video poker is an
electronic-based version of draw poker.
Conclusion
While video poker and slot machines share similarities, they’re also
different in a variety of aspects too.
We highlighted nine differences, but the key ones that stand out include the
following:
- Video poker has far more strategy.
- Slots offer bigger jackpots.
- Video poker offers higher pay back.
- Slots deliver more comps (due to high house edge).
- Video poker has +EV games.
These differences define each game and make them appeal to specific crowds.
Those who enjoy using skill to improve their chances of winning will
appreciate video poker. Meanwhile, players who want to chase big jackpots and /
or play without considering strategy will like slot machines.
Video Poker Machine Odds
These comparisons don’t prove that one game is superior to the other.
Instead, they highlight the aspects you want to consider when deciding what to
play in casinos.
The same goes when pitting video poker and pull tab machines against each
other.
Best Video Poker Odds
Pull tabs are like a hybrid between slots and the lottery because you buy
tickets and try to match symbols. This offers another luck-based game that
appeals to a different crowd than video poker lovers.
Video Poker Odds At Casinos
Of course, nothing is stopping you from dividing your play up between video
poker, slots, and / or pull tab machines. We find that this is a fun way to
enjoy a variety of gaming experiences.