Video Poker Guide

Video Poker Guide - Transitions From Worldwide Hobby to Internet Phenomenon

**** Do you want to play online poker and you are a US citizen, click here to sign up at BetOnline Poker. They accept US credit cards & eChecks. ****

Many players consider poker to be an American frontier game. Poker's worldwide origins can be traced as far back as the 1500s. In the United States, this game originated during the 1700s. From the Mississippi River area to mining camps that dotted the West during the Gold Rush, poker has been a favorite past-time for hundreds of years.

Poker has undergone a number of changes since its early days. The game finally became formally organized in the 1900s. No greater change has occurred to this game, however, than its adaptation into video format. This phenomenon is premised on five card draw poker, which is the most fundamental variation of poker. The combination of slot machine and poker game has lured many enthusiasts to video poker since its inception. Video poker is believed to have surfaced in casinos in the 1970s. However, the evolution of this game started long before that time.

The Rise of Video Poker

Charles Fey has earned a place in history with his famous Liberty Bell Slot Machine. This machine was invented in his garage sometime in the late 1800s. He added the Draw feature to his design in 1901, which enabled players to make a second spin. This feature changed the machine from slot to gambling.

 

By the 1900s, the Draw machines were manufactured in New York, where supply was not sufficient to meet demand. Players could be seen in nearly every doorway of cigarette shops and liquor stores across the United States, where these machines maintained a grand presence. Gambling had not yet been legalized in any country, so those early games did not pay money to winning players. Instead, a high hand was awarded with prizes such as cigarettes. Lower hands earned a lone cigarette instead of several or a single drink.

 

Those machines operated with a handle that players pulled after they inserted a coin. Five spinning drums featured cards that the player could decide to either hold or discard by means of another spin. Hence, some skill was required to beat the odds. Players were unaware, but those early machines only featured 50 cards as opposed to a full deck. Chances of winning were subsequently reduced, but that did not impede their popularity.

 

The Debut of the Video Poker Machine

A draw poker machine was introduced by the Fortune Bell Company in the 1970s. Players could play poker from a screen not unlike a television. The cards were displayed on the screen and a console provided the player with his or her choice of how to proceed (draw, fold, etc.). Poker rules from traditional casinos were also applied to these machines. Winning hands that included a Royal Flush earned the highest payouts.

 

With assistance from increased technology and ever-present popularity, early machines evolved into the games that exist today. In the 1980s, video poker machines were found in airports, local restaurants, train stations, casinos, and night spots. At that time, players appreciated video poker games because of the lower investment they offered as well as the convenience.

 

Online Video Poker

The rise of the Internet in the 1990s gave way to online video poker. This was one of the first online games to be featured. Every online casino now offers video poker games, and a vast number of versions exist to appeal to nearly all tastes. The ease afforded by online payment transactions as well as the enjoyment procured from playing at home makes online video poker games some of the most exciting of all that are available.

 

Understanding the history of video poker is an integral component of a player's success. The rules are basic and the fundamentals are similar to traditional poker. However, some differences between the two do exist. These should be recognized by video poker enthusiasts to further their knowledge of the game.

 

Traditional Poker vs. Video Poker

Video poker and live poker are simply not the same games. Some differences are significant, while others are more subtle. The disparities of these two gaming giants are listed below.

 

• Strategies such as bluffing and sandbagging are not applicable to video poker.
• Live poker includes varieties that are totally unrelated to video poker.
• Video poker is available to players at all times every day.
• A specific number of players is not required for video poker.
• If you have a high hand with video poker, you do not need to worry about losing to a player with a better hand.
• Video poker allows you one opportunity to change your hand as opposed to live poker where several draw rounds are typically available.
• You as the player are aware of your potential payout before playing. Regular poker, however is not as predictable.
• Strategy notes are not permissible at live poker, but they are with video poker - particularly online video poker.
• The need to ask for additional time in making your decision does not exist with video poker. You can take as long as you want.

Facts of Video Poker

Myths surrounding video poker games have been prevalent since their onset. Digging through these popular misconceptions is worthwhile to discover the actual truth.

 

• An opportune time for payout does not exist with video poker. These are purely games of chance and skill. Accordingly, winnings are based on those odds and nothing else.
• Video poker machines and online versions are closely monitored by governing bodies to ensure fair and ethical play for all gamers.
• A random number generator is responsible for dealing your cards. Timing has no impact on such.
• The odds for video poker games and actual shuffled decks are identical.
• Your strategy for playing should change as pay tables change. Also match your strategy to a particular game.
• Your wager amount does not impact any aspect of the game. This is contrary to the belief that higher bets yield lower card hands.
• If you have a mathematical mind, you can determine the odds of a game's particular payout. Base this upon the life of the game, not just those rounds that you are playing.
• Mutually exclusive deals are provided by video poker games. The previous deal is not a representation of the one to follow.

Video poker is a significant fixture at both traditional and online casinos today. From its early roots as a hobby to the technologically-advanced game it is now recognized as, video poker defines all that is enjoyable to gamers around the globe. Good odds, the chance to demonstrate skill, and continual new features draw players to video poker every day. With the right game and careful study, players can enjoy great winnings that will keep them coming back for more.