Video poker, or draw poker,
usually allows you to bet anywhere from $0.25 to $5 per
hand, depending on the machine and
casino at which you're playing. After you put in your
money (generally a minimum of $20 at most online casinos),
you can choose the denomination that you'd like to bet.
Once you are ready to play, simply click on the "Deal
Draw" button to get your cards. The idea in draw
poker is to attain a winning combination of cards (there
are loads of combinations - for reference we have included
some common winning combinations below).
You can improve the strength of your hand by picking
to "hold" certain cards and getting rid of
others. The cards you choose to drop will be replaced
by new ones after you click on the "Deal Draw"
button again.
To summarize, the 'rules' or steps are simplified as
follows:
- Insert your money into the machine.
- Press the button 'Deal or Draw'
- After viewing your cards, pick which ones you wish
to keep and then press the 'Hold' button underneath.
- Press the Deal/Draw button again.
- Continue this process for as long as it continues
to be fun!
- When you've decided you're done, press the button
- usually marked - 'Credit' or 'Cash Out'.
In draw poker you sometimes have the option as well,
if you win your hand, to double your money in a 2nd
round called a "Double Playoff Round." (If
you don't want to play this 2nd round, you can just
click on "Collect" to get your winnings.)
The double playoff round works like this:
The poker machine's cards will turn over (face down),
and then the machine will flip one card. You are betting,
in the double playoff round, on whether the next card
the machine flips will be greater or lower than this
original card. If the next card the poker machine flips
is higher than the first card, you win your bet and
double your money. If the card is lower, you lose your
money. And if it's the same card, it's a puch and nobody
wins or loses. Keep in mind that in order to double
your bet in the double playoff round, you must click
on the "double" button.
Here are some common winning combinations in draw poker:
Jacks or Better: A pair only counts
if it's Jacks or higher. Anything lower is not considered
to be a winning hand.
Kings or Better: Again, kings and
higher (aces, in other words). Anything lower is not
considered a winning hand.
Two Pair: 2 sets of pairs of the
same card value.
Three of a Kind: 3 cards of the same
value.
Four of a Kind: 4 cards of the same
value.
Five of a Kind: 4 cards of the same
value, in addition to a Wild Card.
Straight: 5 consecutive cards going
by card value, not of the same suit.
Flush: 5 non-consecutive cards of
the same suit.
Straight Flush: 5 consecutive cards,
all of the same suit.
Royal Flush: 5 consecutive cards,
all of the same suit, the 1st card being 10 and the
last card being an ace.
Wild Royal Flush: Identical to a
royal flush, but containing a Wild Card.
Several Online Casinos even tie progressive jackpots
to Royal Flush hands or other rare combinations in an
effort to attract players. If this is the case at your
casino, and you manage to get a Royal Flush, there's
a good chance you could even make millions!
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