Many people ask “What is Casino Video Poker?” well simply put, Casino video poker is a game of speed mixed in with a bit of strategy, it is far from being just another variant of a slots game. If one looks closely, it’s obvious that playing video poker involves quite a bit of strategy.

There are numerous variations of video poker, but the common thread found in all versions of the game is that the player must make the best possible 5 card poker hand.

Unlike other forms of poker the player is not competing against other players, so there is no such thing as raising, calling or folding in casino video poker. A player will get paid his winnings if he attains a certain poker hand rank. The amount he gets and the hand required to get it, is determined by the type of video poker game he is playing.

Most casino video poker is played with a 52 card deck, but there are also versions that play with decks that include Joker card. At the start of the game, the machine deals the player five cards and he is given one chance to decide how many cards he will keep and how many he will discard.

In video poker the term discard means that the player wants the discarded cards replaced with new cards. The player can discard none or as many as all 5 cards if he deems it necessary. The cards discarded are the cards the player deems as not useful in the poker hand he is trying to make.

For example, if he is dealt Jack of Hearts, Jack of Diamond, 2 of Hearts, 5 of Clubs and the 9 of Spades, the player might discard the 2 of Hearts, 5 of Clubs and the 9 of Spades in the hope of getting 1 or 2 more Jacks.

Deuces Wild, Jacks or Better, and Double Bonus Video Poker are some of the most popular casino video poker games available at practically all online and land-based casinos.