Video Poker Rules

Online 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 sites), you can choose the denomination that you'd like to wager.

Once you are ready to play, simply click on the "Deal Draw" button to get your cards. The idea here 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:

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!