What Is Video Poker At Casino
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.
Video poker, that old casino favorite, is available online as well! If you're a video poker lover, that's great news. Even better is the fact that you'll find an incredibly low house edge with online video poker. Video poker offers you incredibly high RTP: in fact up to 99.73% RTP! It's also very easy to play. Video poker derives from the classic 5-card draw table poker, which is the simplest variant of poker and is, in fact, rarely played in professional tournaments or in casinos. In their early days, video poker machines were called Draw Poker, a game we now know as Jacks or Better. When you are playing video poker games or slot games the general rule of thumb is that you should always bet the maximum amount that the machine will allow you to make. There are a few exceptions to this rule but we will explore those later in this article. For video poker games, the maximum bet is usually anywhere between 5 and 20 coins.
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.
Free Video Poker Games
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.
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.
Free Video Poker No Download No Registration
# 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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Tourists often have a hard time finding good returns on video poker when visiting Las Vegas. This is mainly because most of the games on the Las Vegas Strip have a house edge of at least 2%. On top of that, the games at McCarran Airport are far worse than any of the games you’ll find at many Vegas casinos. Serious video poker players will want to stay away from the Strip all together when visiting Las Vegas, or at least take a short taxi ride to find the better games with a higher RTP.
While that is the case, there are still many options available to casino advantage players; you just have to know where to look. Below we’ll go into further detail on how you can find the best casinos to play video poker when visiting Las Vegas.
#1 The D: Best Video Poker Game in Las Vegas
The single best video poker machine in Las Vegas is located at one of my personal favorites; The D. The casino at The D is located downtown on the Fremont Street Experience, which you’ll recognize by the infamous red “D” logo. The game we are talking about is called Loose Deuces Wild and it returns 101.6% on five coins (with perfect play).
There is just one single machine with this game on it at The D, and it’s located on the second floor. All machines found on this level operate on coins. The denomination for this Loose Deuces Wild machine is a measly $.05. If that machine is taken, there is also a 10/7/5 Double Bonus game available in quarters just a few steps away.
Honorable Mention: Video Poker at The M Resort & Casino
We recently decided to add in The M Resort & Casino as an honorable mention. As of 2018, The M has one of the best overall video poker offerings for players among casinos in the Las Vegas area. When considering the 99% payback games available at machines around the resort, including at the bars, The M casino in Henderson is a great choice for video poker players.
There are many 99% machines available in the high limit room as well, with denominations as low as $1. This casino is about 20 minutes off the strip, but is one of the newest properties in Henderson and has one of the most modern layouts among Las Vegas Casinos.
Other Great Video Poker Games in Downtown Las Vegas
The D is not the only place on Fremont Street to find good video poker games that return over 100%. While the Vegas Strip’s positive payback video poker machines are few and far between, Fremont Street has a lot to offer in this regard. Below we have outlined the casinos with positive payback on video poker.
#2 El Cortez Video Poker
The El Cortez offers several $0.25 full pay Deuces Wild machines which have a 100.76% payback. Aside from this, they also spread 10/7/5 Double Bonus Poker in several locations on the casino floor. With this abundance of great options, it is one of the best casinos to visit for playing video poker.
#3 Las Vegas Club Video Poker (Now Closed)
The casino at Las Vegas Club in downtown Las Vegas spreads full pay Joker Poker which has a 100.64% return. All of these games operate on coins and return over 100%, which is much better than those located on the strip. This casino has since been sold, closed and a new property will take its place. For posterity and reference, we have left this in our guide.
#4 Boyd Gaming Video Poker
Two of the three Boyd Gaming properties in downtown Las Vegas offer video poker machines that return over 100%. In downtown Las Vegas, California and Main Street Station have 10/7/5 Double Bonus. These casinos also have a variety of full pay games that return 99.5% or better. Main Street Station has full pay Jacks or Better at the bar as well.
#5 Plaza Las Vegas Video Poker
It is also worth noting that Plaza Las Vegas recently upgraded all of its video poker machines, many of which now return over 100%. Its best game is 10/7/5 Double Bonus, which returns 100.17%. It also has 9/6 Bonus Poker Deluxe and 9/6 Jacks or Better. Both of these games are located at the bar, which is an added plus.
Vegas Locals’ Casinos with the Best Video Poker
If you are looking to get away from Fremont Street and the Las Vegas Strip, there are many locals casinos that offer 100%+ return video poker machines. All major Station Casinos properties offer video poker games that return over 100%. Red Rock, Santa Fe Station, Green Valley Ranch, Boulder Station and Texas Station are among the casinos that offer these games. Not all machines at these properties have the great returns. The ones that do will be clearly advertised, so they are fairly easy to spot.
The best game on these video poker machines is full pay Deuces Wild. Other great options include 10/7/5 Double Bonus and 10/6 Double Double Bonus. Some of the machines also offer full pay Joker Poker. All games are available in quarters. The Double and Double Double Bonus games are also available in $.50 and $1 denominations.
Palms spreads full pay Deuces Wild, Double Bonus and Double Double Bonus. Sam’s Town also offers these games. All are available in quarters.
Never Use Players Card in Full Pay Machines
When many Video poker players start out, they learn that they should always use a players card when giving video poker action. The games listed above are one of the only exceptions. The reason for this is that casinos will often assume players that play on these devices are experts who are giving up no edge on the game. This can stop all mailers from casinos which means no more free play or hotel offers. For this reason it will do you well to avoid using a players card on these types of machines; even if you have a players card at the casino.
How Can Casinos Make Money Off 100% Video Poker?
Casinos still make money from video poker games that return more than 100%. That is because many players will not play all five coins required for the extra royal flush bonus. Most of the games available require a complicated basic strategy that differs from Jacks or Better. Many players do not put in the time to learn these strategies, and the casinos know this. The Deuces Wild games found on these machines should not be played like a normal game with a lower pay table, since it has a completely different strategy.
For these reasons, casinos still manage to make money from the games we mentioned in this article. Always make sure to play five coins every hand and learn the proper strategy so that you can play at an advantage on full pay machines. This will result in a theoretical 100%+ return on your play.
Kevin King is a former professional gambler and casino expert from Las Vegas who now shares his expertise in the form of casino guides and reviews.