Video Poker Vs Slots

Poker

Any serious poker player will tell you that video poker isn’t really “poker” – and there is no arguing with that. It is, after all, a video game that’s been designed to beat the player in the long run and there isn’t much that you or anyone else can do about it. In some ways it is a casino game, much like slots.

Yet, when comparing the two, you’re still much better off playing video poker. It is hard to find a similar type of comparison, but playing video poker instead of slots is almost as good as playing Texas Hold’em instead of blackjack, provided you’re at least a break-even poker player and also know the basic strategy for blackjack.

If you’re wondering why this is the case and what makes video poker so much better than slot machines, keep on reading to find out. You might be quite surprised.

  • While Video Poker and Slots are two very different games, they are often compared to one another. They have in common that they’re both at the top of the list as being popular and some of the best casino games available. At first, players might think that video poker and slot.
  • Outlaw Video Poker -Score up to 250x your bet in this poker favorite! PLUS: Classic 777 Slots Deuces Wild Millions of players are already winning – get in on the action! -Score 12,500 FREE Tokens when you register to play.
  • Slots have the best contribution- 100%. However, some releases may not contribute the same%, while the others will be fully excluded, such as progressive JPs or the ones with higher RTP.

1. In video poker, your decisions matter

The moment you put money in a slot machine, it is a done deal. You can set the stakes and choose which slot game you’re playing, but that’s pretty much all decision-making you get to do. Whether you turn on the auto-play mode or press that “spin” button manually every single time, there is absolutely no way to influence the results. Slots are governed by a Random Number Generator and the result of every spin is determined the moment it starts, so you can’t change the result no matter what you do.

Video Poker has More Strategy than Slots. One key difference between slot machines and video. Video Poker Analyzer Introduction. This calculator will analyze any pay table for many types of video poker games. Select a category and, adjust the pay table as desired, and click the Analyze button.

This isn’t the case with video poker, although many players are unaware of the fact. There are quite a few variations of the game and each of them comes with a certain set of rules. These rules dictate the strategy you should adopt. While you can’t beat the house edge, by playing correctly you can come close to realizing the true RTP (return to player) of the game, just like when using the perfect blackjack strategy.

2. Most video poker machines have better payout rates

Video Poker Vs Slot Machines

Slot machines, especially in brick and mortar casinos, don’t have very high RTPs. Usually they’re set around 90-95%, which isn’t horrible but it isn’t particularly good, either. Every time you play through $100, you’re losing $5 on average, and those spins are quite fast. That’s why slots can eat up a lot of money before you even realize what’s happening.

Most video poker machines have the RTP of at least 95% and some go as high as 99%+. This depends on the game variation as well as the pay table and playing optimally. A video poker variation with a player-friendly pay table can have a really high Return to Player, which means your money won’t go nearly as quickly. Although a few percentage points may not seem like a lot, this can make a huge difference in the long run, and you’ll get much more play time with video poker.

3. Sometimes, video poker can be +EV

Video Poker Vs Slots

There is no slot on the planet that will ever give back more money than the players have put in. even those games with the highest RTP will always keep a certain small percentage of all money that goes through them. By design, slot machines have been created to print money for the casinos and that’s why you’ll see hundreds of them on a casino floor.

Video poker is slightly different, as there are certain variations that can become +EV to play at times. These are usually video poker games with progressive jackpots. Once that number reaches a certain point, you’ll be playing the machine with an effective RTP of 101% or 102%. Once again, this isn’t a lot but having even the slightest edge over the casino in any game isn’t something you’ll get to see too often. This makes video poker truly unique in the world of gaming online. And of course it doesn’t automatically mean you’ll be making $101 or $102 for every $100 you play through, but the mathematical potential for that is there with the added possibility of winning that progressive jackpot.

For regular players, video poker can also be a slightly winning proposition even if the RTP is slightly in the house favor. Most venues have VIP programs where you accumulate points that can be exchanged for stuff like food, drinks, accommodation, etc. In online video poker, you’ll often be earning points that can be converted to bonus cash. The value of these perks can sometimes justify the small casino edge and actually help savvy gamblers come out ahead when all is said and done.

Free Deuces Wild Video Poker No Download

Video Poker Vs Slots

Conclusion: Fun vs. RTP

So, from the monetary point of view, playing video poker simply makes way more sense than playing slots. While it may not be as skill-oriented as proper Texas Hold’em, there are still certain skill elements required to play the game optimally. So, the game presents a challenge of sorts and it is more about consistently playing your best to lose the minimum.

PokerPoker

Slots, on the other hand, are all bells and whistles. There is no knowledge required and they are capable of spitting out wins equaling 1,000x or more your stake. Any spin of the reels can produce a big win and get your blood pumping – which is exactly why these games enjoy a much greater popularity than video poker.

At the end of the day, it is down to your personal preference. Having a bit of fun with slots every now and then can be quite exciting. But if you care about money and want to play a game where your skills and decisions matter, and where you can at least have a chance to occasionally gain an edge over the house, you should stick to video poker.

Other Posts You'll Enjoy

Video Poker Vs Slots

  • Here's Why Video Poker and Slot Games Are Not the Same Thing

    Many a poker player loves to dabble in video poker from time to time, but you won't often find poker purists playing the slots too…

  • Poker and the Evolution of the Slot Machine

    Many poker players tend to look down on slots as they believe this is a less advanced form of gambling. Clearly they’re unaware of how…

  • 7 Reasons Why You Should Aspire to Be More Like Allen Kessler

    If you've ever run in poker circles, you've likely heard an Allen Kessler min-cash joke. All kidding aside, however, he's a damn fine poker player.…

  • 7 Reasons Poker Will Never Be as Popular as General Casino Gaming

    While we all love poker here at Cardplayer Lifestyle, we also realize that general casino gaming is the preferred choice of many who like to…

  • 5 Innovations In Poker Video Games

    Though not necessarily as popular as playing the game of poker itself, poker video games certainly attract numerous players. This blog post traces the history…

  • 4 Tips for Greater Profit from Video Poker

    In this video poker strategy post, you'll learn four excellent tips that can help you improve your overall video poker performance, and maximize your ability…