Us Weekly Magazine - Celebrity News

An Introduction to Video Poker

Video poker was introduced during the early years of the 1970s. Like every new game introduced to the public, this game also struggled to gain acceptance. Back then, video poker received a nickname - "poker slots" - referring to the fact that the game had something in common with both slot machines and poker. This game is indeed an interesting twist and mix of the two earlier games and was destined to last through the decades.

Video poker requires poker skills and a certain degree of luck. Unlike the table version of poker, video poker will not require a player to interact with the dealer or other players. Like slot machines, the card combination you see on a video poker game screen influenced by an RNG (Random Number Generator).

The immediate impression is that video poker is like slots. However, the game takes slots one step further - the addition of skill as an important element in the game. Unlike slots, players have the chance to sway things around to their favor. You can tilt the outcome of the hands played by applying whatever poker strategy you employ at a regular poker table.

In video poker, the frequency of the cards can be calculated as well as the possible combinations. Thus, any player with decent poker skills can devise an optimal playing strategy in video poker. This, therefore, sets video poker apart from slots brining it into the category of skill games and not games of chance.

If played with decent poker skills, the odds in video poker can easily rival any of its table variants. Another enticing fact about video poker is that players may get up to a 99.5 percent in returns calculated over the long haul. To be able to achieve such results in video poker, players must stick with optimal play.

Now, the question is why would a casino put such games on the floor? The answer is astonishing, that is, only a few players know the basics and practice a decent strategy. Players commit enough mistakes to make video poker really profitable for the casino. It is not uncommon to find video poker machines that display a good pay table to make a good profit. Weaker players still remain a casino's bread and butter, a fact especially true in this game.

Since players are already familiar with poker and its rudiments, shifting to video poker won't become a problem. This also adds to the popularity of the game and makes it a great alternative to the table version of poker.