Video Poker Basics

Video Poker is played with a 52-card deck. The object of the game is to create the best possible poker hand (see below). You are dealt five cards to start. You have the option of holding or discarding each of the five cards. After selecting the cards you wish to hold, you draw new cards to replace the ones you have discarded to make your final hand.

Played at most casinos, to win you must make one of the following sets of cards or "hands".

• One Pair:
  Two cards of the same value, with three extra cards that do not combine in any desirable way.
   
• Two Pair:
  Two pairs of cards with the same value, each pair having a different value. One extra card is present.
   
• Three of a Kind:
  Three cards of the same value, with the remaining two cards not combining in any desirable way.
   
• Straight:
  Five cards of sequential value, and differing "suits" (spades, clubs, hearts or diamonds).
   
• Flush:
  Five cards of the same suit, that are not all sequential.
   
• Full House:
  Three cards of one value, and two cards of another value. Sometimes called a "full boat".
   
• Four of a Kind:
  Four cards of the same value, with one extra card present.
   
• Straight Flush:
  Five sequential cards of the same suit. i.e. 4,5,6,7 and 8 of spades.
   
• Royal Flush:
  A Straight Flush that consists of the five highest value cards, 10, Jack, Queen, King and Ace.

Depending on the type of game of poker you are playing and the house rules wild cards may be allowed. A wild card is a card that can double as any other card in a deck. The wild card is usually a joker card, though different variations may use any card as "wild".

Online Video Poker Strategy