Poker vs. Video Poker: What’s More Advantageous?

In a brick-and-mortar casino, it is easier to tell video poker and poker apart because the former is a video gaming cabinet, whereas the latter is a table game. In addition, video poker cabinets are usually situated in a separate section next to slot machines. In contrast, poker is played in the same section as other table games like baccarat and blackjack.

For online casinos, however, it’s sometimes a little more challenging to differentiate the two before launching the game as they are all software. Thankfully, in player-friendly online casinos like Vegas video poker has its separate section, whereas poker titles are accessible under the table games menu.

Their visual differences aside, these two games are similar in many ways, but their gameplay is suited to players with different tastes. Still, given their similarities, there’s usually an ongoing debate in casino gaming circles as to which of the two offers more advantage to the player. So let’s take a closer look into the duo, and you’ll have your answers.

How to Play Video Poker

Video poker is a video-based gambling game derived from five-card draw poker – the simplest variant of the traditional poker game. It starts with a five-card poker hand where you must choose which cards to keep or discard, and you’ll earn a payout. Here’s a quick highlight of how a classic video poker game works:

• Place your wager amount into the game.
• Hit the deal button, and you’ll receive your initial five-card poker hand.
• Get rid of one or more cards, and you’ll receive replacements from the same deck.
• If you like, you can discard all five of your original cards to accept others.
• You’ll earn a win if the hand or hands you played are identical to the winning combos indicated in the paytable.
• How to Play Poker

Poker is a card comparison gambling game where players bet on having the best hand based on the rankings of a standard 52-card deck. While there are many different variants of poker, most modern poker games follow this structure:

• One or more players wager an ante or blind bet
• Each participant places a wager depending on the value of their hand compared to other players
• Players can then either call, fold or raise in a clockwise direction
• The round of play ends when all participants either call the last wager or fold
• If all except one participant fold, the last player standing will win the pot
• If at least two players remain after the last round of play, there will be a showdown, and the player with the more valuable hand wins.
• Additionally, during the gameplay, a player who is either confident about their hand’s value or bluffing can place more money in the pot.

Which of the Two Holds Better Advantage for a Player?

There is a range of merits and demerits that players will encounter depending on which type of game they play, between poker and video poker. Here’s a quick highlight:

Level of Difficulty

Video poker is considered much simpler as compared to regular table poker. That’s because you only need a surface knowledge of poker to indulge in video poker, as opposed to the well-drawn-out tactics you may need to beat your opponent in regular poker. Additionally, with video poker, you can play alone, while with standard poker, you may need to have the mental acuity to handle the pressure of a more experienced opponent.

Pace

Looking at the pace of the gameplay, video poker is a fast-moving game, as you may not have to indulge in interactions with other players who may slow down the playing process.  

Predictability

Video poker has more to do with playing the hand you receive while considering the mathematical implications of your choices. This entails taking a hard look at the standard poker hand rankings and gauging the probabilities of earning high payouts. Such dynamics make video poker the more predictable game as opposed to regular poker, which taps into the psychological aspect of the game as you seek to outmaneuver your opponent. If you play your cards right in poker, then you have a chance at hitting massive six- or seven-figure payouts.

House Edge

Another aspect where video poker and regular poker differ is when it comes to the house edge. Video poker is considered one of the casino games with the lowest house edge, as most variants often come with RTPs set at well above 99.5%. As for poker, the variants with the friendliest house edge have about 95% RTP.

While video poker is a more straightforward game with less pressure and higher RTP, that isn’t to say that it is the better option for all players. Poker usually holds bigger winning potentials for the most skilled players, unlike video poker, where you might collect smaller wins. Ultimately, it all comes down to the player to make the choice that suits them best.