Online Video Poker Rules

Online video poker is a simple game which is easy to learn. The rules are similar to the classic casino card game, although online you play against the video poker machine and not other players.

Another distinction between online video poker and the card game is that the web based game does not allow for bluffers.

Online video poker is played with a pack of 52 playing cards. All are valued as numbered, with the 'face' cards rising in rank; i.e. Jack lowest to King highest. The ace is considered the highest value card. Some games include the jokers too.

The Aim of the Game

The aim of the game is to get one of the many combinations of winning five-card hands. Each winning hand has its own ranking (and payout) with the Royal Flush topping of them all.

Online casinos offer a range of online video poker, with favorites including, 'Jacks or Better', 'Deuces Wild', 'All American' and 'Joker Poker'. You should note that each online video game will have the winning combinations and prize money clearly stated on the front of the video poker machine. Make sure you read these over before starting to play.

Below are the standard winning card combinations, listed by rank:

ROYAL FLUSH – An Ace, King, Queen, Jack and Ten all in the same suit.
FIVE OF A KIND – Four cards with the same number plus a joker.
STRAIGHT FLUSH – Any five card suit in the same sequence.
FOUR OF A KIND – Four cards with the same value.
FULL HOUSE – Three of a kind combined with a pair.
FLUSH – Any five cards of same suit but not in sequence.
STRAIGHT – Five cards in sequence but not of same suit.
THREE OF A KIND – Three cards with the same value.
TWO PAIR – Two separate pairs.
ONE PAIR – Two cards of the same value.
HIGH CARD – Highest card in your hand.

The single most important thing in online video poker is to understand the different winning combinations and their ranking. If you are unfamiliar with what to aim for then you may discard valuable cards by mistake.

Many Video Poker games allow you to discard all five cards if you choose to do so, which is sometimes useful, if dealt a weak hand.

The Run of Play

The game has five simple steps:

The player places a bet.
The machine deals the player five cards.
The player decides which cards to keep and which to discard.
The player discards the unwanted cards and is dealt the appropriate number of replacements.
The player wins or loses and is paid out any prize according to the value of their hand.

Online video poker is fun to play and simple to learn. Familiarizing yourself with the run of play and understanding the winning hands is all you need to do before making a start. However, beware, the game is deceptively complex and takes practice and skill to master. Take your time to learn the ropes before splashing about too much cash.