Video poker is the fastest growing
game in the casino, outstripping even the ubiquitous slot machines.
Video poker offers the player the thrill of knowing that his or her
strategy at a given game is the determining factor in what edge the
casino will have in the long run. In fact, some video poker games
are so close that expert strategy can actually give the player the
edge. The problem for most players is that there are almost 200 different
machines each requiring a discreet set of strategies. At first this
statement might seem daunting but in reality video poker players
discover which machines they enjoy playing and they tend to stick
with those. Thus, you’ll hear some players stating that they
only play Jacks-or-Better Draw Poker, or Deuces Wild Poker, or Joker
Poker. In fact, these three varieties are the most common and the
most popular. Of course, within these machine families there are
dozens of variations.
Like slot machines, a computer chip containing a Random Number
Generator or RNG runs video poker machines. This RNG constantly selects
number series that represent card values. Video poker machines are
programmed to simulate a 52 or 53 card deck with a random shuffle.
Once a card is “dealt” it can’t be dealt again
until a new game begins. Unlike slots the astute video poker player
can know exactly what edge the casino has over him or her by analyzing
the payout chart on the front of the machine.
All video poker games will deal out five cards to the player. The
player then gets to choose whether he wants to hold or discard one
or more cards. Each discarded card will receive another card in exchange.
The five-card hand will then be paid off according to the posted
schedule.
|
