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Video Poker consists of many different variations that pits the player against the dealer to see who will make the best hand. Depending on the game chosen, the player can be dealt just three cards up to seven cards, as well as wild cards.
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While there are many variations of video poker one can play, rankings of hands will always be consistent.
Most poker games are played with the standard 52 deck of cards and cards are ranked with Ace being the highest and two being the lowest.
Below are poker hands ranked from best to worst:
Royal Flush: A 10, Jack, Queen, King, and Ace all of the same suit.
Straight Flush: Five cards of the same suit in sequential order (ex: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 all of hearts)
Four of A Kind: Any four numerically matching cards (ex: 7s all of different suits)
Full House: Combination of three of a kind and a pair in the same hand (ex: three 4s and two 8s)
Flush: Five cards of the same suit, no sequential order necessary (ex: a 2, 3, 4, 8, and Jack all of clubs)
Straight: Five cards of any suit, in sequential order (ex: a 6 of hearts, 7 of clubs, 8 of hearts, 9 of spades, and 10 of clubs)
Three Of A Kind: Any three numerically matching cards (ex: three 4’s of any suit)
Two Pair: Two different pairs in the same hand (ex: two Jacks and two 5s in the same hand regardless of suit)
One Pair: Any two numerically matching cards (ex: two 8’s regardless of suit)
High Card: The highest ranked card in your hand (ex: if neither you nor the dealer have any other ranked hands, than the winner is determined by who has the highest card)
Note: High Cards will also dispute “tied” hand rankings – ex: if you and the dealer both have a pair of 8’s, but you also have an Ace, you would win by having a pair of 8s and ace “kicker”
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Ante – the minimum amount you must gamble to join
Blinds – money put on the table before the cards are dealt; blinds will rotate from player to player with each new hand
Big Blind – Whoever is the big blind must put in the bigger size blind into the pot to start the game
For example: In a $1/$2 cash game, the $2 is the big blind size and what the big blind “person” must put in to start the game (everyone else will have to match or “call” to that bet size to stay in)
Little Blind - Following suit, the little blind will put in the smaller size blind into the pot to start the game
For example: In the same $1/$2 cash game, the little blind “person” must put in $1 to start the game
Call – when a new wager has been placed, a player must “call” or match up to that new wager to stay in the hand
Check – if no new wager has been made and a player doesn’t want to raise the bet, they can “check” to stay in the hand
Raise – a player wishes to increase the table bet
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“Stud” Games: Players are dealt a specified number of cards (either 5 or 7) and must use those cards to make their best hand
“Draw” Games: Players may decide to trade in cards (generally up to 3) in an effort to improve their hand
“Community Card” Games: Players are dealt two cards, then play off the “community cards” that are dealt to the entire table to make their best hand