How Do Video Poker Machines Work? At the heart of the video poker machine is the Random Number Generator or RNG. A RNG is a software algorithm used to ensure a truly random outcome of game play. Not all RNG's operate in the same manner. Here's how the industries leading Video Poker machine manufacturer International Game Technology's video poker RNG works. |
While the machine is not being played, the RNG runs hundreds of times per second. The RNG has billions of possible outcomes for any set of cards. Once the Start, Deal or Bet button is pressed (or the first coin is deposited), the outcome is determined regardless of game play or the number of coins bet.
After the first five cards have been dealt and displayed, replacement cards are drawn from the top of the deck. Therefore, no matter which card is thrown away, the replacement card will remain the same. For example, a player is initially dealt the following hand; JH, QH, KH, 7D and 7S. If the player discards the pair of sevens, and draws the 7C and the 7H, they would have had four sevens had they originally discarded the JH, QH and KH.
International Game Technology is not the only video poker machine manufacturer. Therefore, their competitor's RNG's may operate differently. As you probablt already know, video poker players are usually avid poker players as well. Now that you know a little more about how video poker machines work, wouldn't you like to know how rakeback works in poker?
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- Video poker has virtually the same rules as a game of five card draw poker. The only difference is that you have no opponent to beat and you can’t lose more Steve Bourie is the author of the American Casino Guide, the most comprehensive publication available for information on any U.S. Casino/resort, riverboat or Indian casino.
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What Is a Video Poker Strategy Table?
Hand Types and Expected Value
Why Different Strategy Tables Offer Different Advice Sometimes
Can You Use a Video Poker Strategy Table, or Do You Have to Memorize It?
How Does Poker Bros Work
What if You Won’t Want to Memorize or Use a Strategy Table?
A Simplified Jacks or Better Video Poker Strategy
- The first thing you should understand about Jacks or Better video poker is that you never keep a kicker. A kicker is an extra high card that you hold onto along with the pair that you’re holding. This is sometimes the appropriate strategy if you’re playing 5-card draw with your buddies, but in video poker, there’s no advantage to be had from that high card. 2 pairs is 2 pairs, regardless of the cards’ ranks.
- The next thing to understand is the folly of drawing to an inside straight. An inside straight is one where you can only fill the straight with a card of one rank – an example would be 4578. You’d need a 6 to fill that straight, and there are only 4 of those in the deck. Contrast that with an outside straight – one where you have 8 cards in the deck that will fill your straight. An example of that would be 4567. Any 3 or any 8 will fill your straight, which doubles your probability of hitting your hand. The only exception to not drawing to an inside straight is if you have 3 or 4 high cards (jacks or higher). In that case, the extra equity you get from possible high pairs compensates for the low probability of filling your straight.
- You’ll never hold 3 cards to a straight or to a flush. You might keep 3 cards to a straight flush, though, because you have so many “outs.”
An Example of a Video Poker Strategy Table
- Royal flush, straight flush, 4 of a kind
- 4 cards to a royal flush
- Full house, flush, 3 of a kind, straight
- 4 cards to a straight flush
- 2 pairs, a pair of jacks or better
- 3 cards to a royal flush
- 4 cards to a flush
- Any low pair
- Any open straight draw
- One high card
- Nothing