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Video poker machines are everywhere. You can find them online, at land based casinos, even in gas stations. People love video poker. The combination of slot machine style play and intense poker action make them some of the most popular games in the house. Casinos are always looking to expand their video poker section, and you can find a wide variations of these games at most larger casinos. However, like a slot machine, video poker got its start as one game.

The First Video Poker Machine

The first video poker style machine actually predated the first slot machine invented by Charles Fey. In 1891 a company called Sittman and Pitt Company released the first video poker like machine in Brooklyn, New York. The machine had ten cards that fell in to drums. When the player put their money into the device, the drums would spin and the players cards would be revealed. Like the famous Liberty Bell slot machine, players often won free drinks at the bar instead of cash to get around the gambling laws at the time.

Video Poker Gains Popularity

It was not until the 1970s that video poker really gained its popularity. The invention of the modern computer gave way to many advances in society, including the ability to combine a television screen with the old style drum poker machines. In 1979, International Game Technology invented the Draw Poker video machine. From there, video poker became the popular game it is today.

Video Poker in Modern Times

Video poker has become so popular that you are more likely to find these type of machines at smaller casinos then anything else. Many players prefer video poker over the poker tables. Video poker is faster to play, and with no physical opponents people feel more at ease. Video poker made its way to the internet shortly after online casinos where invented. Video poker enthusiasts and first time players flocked to the internet version of these games. Players enjoy the freedom that online gambling gives them combined with the simplicity of video poker.

Video Poker in the Future

It is unlikely that video poker will ever fall out of favor with gamblers. Poker is a classic game and the mixture of technology adds a much beloved simplicity. Gaming companies are creating new styles of video poker all of the time and the future is likely to bring us new games with better technology.

Deuces Wild is a poker game developed for video poker. Video poker is a modern twist on traditional poker games. Video poker uses computerized machines that allow individual players to compete against the computer, rather then a table full of players. Many players prefer the solitude of the video poker machine over the sometimes nerve-racking poker tables

Deuces Wild video poker is a traditional five card game. Deuces Wild uses the standard rules for the suits with face cards being higher then number cards. However, Deuces Wild has the added thrill of a wild card. Every two dealt to a player is considered “wild,” and can be used to represent any card in the deck.

How Do I Play Deuces Wild Video Poker?

A player sitting in front of a Deuces Wild video poker machine can start a round by placing an Ante bet. The player can place their Ante bet by following the prompts on the screen. A player is required to place an Ante bet before each round of Deuces Wild, and the casino often places a minimum bet requirement for the game.

The Ante bet signifies the start of the round. Once the bet is placed, the dealer, (video poker machines use computers to automatically generate cards and act as the dealer,) will deal out five cards on to the screen. From here the player has two choices, he can raise his bet and continue with the hand or fold and loose his Ante. If the player chooses to ride out the hand, they must raise their Ante bet.

Once the player has raised his Ante bet he has the option of discarding up to four cards from his hand. The dealer will deal another set of cards to replace the unwanted set. The player is only given one chance to discard in Deuces Wild video poker. After the second round of cards has been dealt, the player will enter the final stretch of the game and must make a high card hand from what he was dealt, or loose his bet.

In order to win a hand of Deuces Wild, the player must be holding a pair of Jacks or better in their hand. However, if a player is holding a two number card from any suit, he can use that card to better his hand.

The player is paid out according to a pay structure determined by the casino based on the hand he is holding and the amount of his bet. If the player does not have a high card hand, he looses his entire Ante bet and any raise made.

How Does Betting Work in Deuces Wild Video Poker?

Video Poker uses a payout scale to determine the amount won for each hand of video poker. These structures are paid using a ratio. Typically that ratio falls in the 1:1 or 3:1 categories, but since the actual amount is up to the casino, it may vary.

Video poker is quickly taking over the casinos. Many land-based and online casinos are clearing out some of their poker tables to make way for more of these popular machines. If you have never tried a video poker machine, or only played one a few times, you may want to consider developing a technique and playing these games more often. Video poker offers a variety of games; many not found at the poker tables, and can bring in big winnings if you play smart.

Develop Your Video Poker Strategy: Step by Step

Step One- Learn the Video Poker Games

There are a wide variety of games on video poker machines, such as Deuces Wild or Double Barrel Bonus. You should learn the basic rules of each of these games. If you are able to play all of the games, you can find the best paying machines by playing different games.

Step Two- Learn the Betting Structure

Unlike traditional poker games where a player must have the highest hand at the table to win, video poker players win every time they get a qualifying hand. The winnings are paid out according to a pay scale. These pay scales may vary by the casino but they all pay according to a ratio using the type of hand and the amount the player bet. You can find the pay out scale listed near the video poker machine or on the machine itself. Take the time to familiarize yourself with these scales.

Step Three- Find Your Favorite Games

You will have more enthusiasm, and a better chance of winning, if you play the games you enjoy. Find your favorite games by playing each video poker game offered in the casino. Play three to five hands on each game and move on when you get the ropes down.

Step Four- Practice

Like any game of poker, developing a strategy takes practice. Play video poker games as often as you can, focusing on developing your skills. You can brush up on your technique without leaving your house- most online casinos have video poker games, and some even let you join a practice area for free. These practice areas offer the same games. Players can test their skills on many of the popular video poker games without having to spend any money. This is a great benefit to someone looking to develop their skills before breaking in to their bankroll.

Double Barrel Bonus is a form of video poker. Video poker machines are becoming common place in both land based an online casino. Video poker is similar to traditional poker, except the player uses a gaming machine instead of a poker table. The video poker machine acts as the dealer and the player only plays against himself.

Double Barrel Bonus Video Poker is a traditional five-card poker card game with a twist. In Double Barrel Bonus, the player is dealt five cards. Those five cards must have a pair of jacks or better for the player to win the hand.

How Do I Play Double Barrel Bonus Video Poker?

To start a round of Double Barrel Bonus, the player will place an Ante bet by entering a monetary amount on the betting screen. An Ante bet is required for each round of Double Barrel Bonus, and several casinos place a minimum betting limit on the bet.

Once the Ante bet has been placed, the player will be dealt five cards by the poker machine. From here the player can decide whether to ride their hand or fold. If he or she folds, they will loose their Ante bet. If the player wants to ride their hand, they must raise their original Ante bet.

After raising their Ante bet, the player can discard the playing cards they do not feel are helping their hand. A player can discard up to four cards. The video poker machine will then deal out additional cards to replace the ones discarded by the player.

The player will only get one chance to change their hand. After the second round of dealing, the player will enter the final draw against the video poker machine. The player must have at least a pair of jacks to win the hand. Any less and the player will loose their bet.

How Does Betting Work in Double Barrel Bonus?

If the player is holding a pair of jacks or better they will be paid out according to the betting structure for the video poker machine. Typically, Double Barrel Bonus pays out on a ratio of 1:1 or 3:1. However, the pay out structure is determined by the casino and may vary. Players can view the pay out structure in the options menu of the video poker machine.

It is important to remember that Double Barrel Bonus is an all-or-nothing game of poker. If the player’s hand is equal to or more then a pair of jacks, then the player will be paid. If the hand is any less, the player will loose their bet. For this reason, it is important to play each hand carefully and know when to fold. It is better to fold a poor hand on an Ante bet then to loose both an Ante and a raise. Players can minimize this risk by keeping their bet raises small on the hands they are not certain of and saving the larger raises for guaranteed hands.

Video poker is quickly becoming one of the most popular games at both land based and online casinos. For good reason, as video poker has the lowest house advantage-less the one percent on most games. In addition, video poker is fun and easy to play once you know the basics. However, like most popular casino games, video poker comes with its fair share of myths. These myths will only hurt you in the end and are best left disbelieved.

Three Video Poker Myths

1. A high bet will give you bad cards. Some players believe that to get the best cards, you should bet lower. The truth is, the video poker machine does not know how much you are betting, and the random number generator the machine uses to deal the cards will deal them out in a sequence regardless of your bet. A player actually has better odds by betting higher due to the payout scale of most video poker machines.

2. No machine will pay out twice in a row. Most players believe that once a video poker machine hits a big pay out, that machine will not pay out again for several hours if not days. The truth is, a machine is just as likely to hit two payouts in a row (or at least close together), then it is to hit one big pay out. Since the video poker machine is using a random number generator to deal the cards, a payout can come at any time, regardless of when the last payout happened.

3. You can predict what cards you will get next. In every casino, there is at least one player that believes he or she can predict which cards will come up next on a video poker machine. The truth is, predicting any deals on a video poker machine is next to impossible as the random number generator is constantly working. This means that for every second you do not push the draw button, the random number generator is still shuffling the cards, making it impossible to count cards on a video poker machine.

Following a video poker myth can cost you your hand and your bet. The best video poker strategy is to play smart and ignore the myths. If you are confident in the game you are playing and enjoy the machine you are at, then there is no reason to listen to video poker strategy that sounds a little too good (or off) to be true.

Every game in the casino from Texas Hold ‘Em to the slot machines has a house edge. A house edge is how the casino ensures they keep some of their money and are able to stay in business. However, different games have a different house edge that can vary from less then one percent to five or more depending on the game. Knowing the best games to play in the casino with the lowest house advantage may help you walk away a winner.

The Five Casino Games with the Lowest House Edge

1. Video Poker- Video poker machines typically carry a house advantage of two percent or less, and some poker machines go as low as half a percent. You can determine the video poker machine’s house advantage by reading the payout scale. The payout scale is typically located on top of or near the poker machine. Occasionally the scale may be listed on the interactive menu.

2. Poker Tables- The poker tables may be the best seat in the house if a player is trying to beat the house edge. This is due to the fact that in the exception of a small sum removed from each pot, the house has virtually no advantage at the poker table. House winnings are completely up to the dealer and the luck of the draw. A highly skilled poker player can eliminate the house advantage at the table.

3. Blackjack- The blackjack table is another spot in the casino with a low house edge. Most blackjack tables carry a house advantage of less then one percent. By knowing the basic blackjack strategies, a player can reduce the house edge to half a percent.

4. Acting as the Banker in Pai Gow- At first glance, acting as the banker in Pai Gow does not seem that appealing, after all you have to pay a five percent commission to the house for the spot. However, the banker in Pai Gow collects on any player he beats, and if you are good at the game, the five percent commission is well worth it.

5. Baccarat- While Baccarat has a higher house advantage then blackjack or the poker tables; it is still one of the best bets in the house. Baccarat only carries slightly more then one percent on the house edge.

By playing games with a low house advantage a player has a better chance of walking away from the casino a winner, however, no player should play a game with high stakes until they are completely familiar with the rules and strategies.