Poker is a popular card game that combines elements of chance and strategy. There are various styles of poker, all of which share an objective of presenting the least probable or highest-scoring hand. A poker hand is usually a configuration of five cards depending on the variant, either held entirely by a player or drawn partly from a number of shared, community cards. Players bet on their hands in a number of rounds as cards are drawn, employing various mathematical and intuitive strategies in an attempt to better opponents.

1. Play Online Poker Machines
2. How To Play Poker Machines In Vegas
3. Video Poker Machine
4. How To Play Poker Machine Online
5. Video Poker Machine Used
6. How To Play Poker Machine And Win

1. Video poker has been around for over almost 50 years, In 1970 Dale Electronics introduced the world’s first video poker machine. It was called “Poker-Matic.” It was installed in virtually every casino that existed in Las Vegas at that time. Even though it did not become a big hit, the Poker-Matic laid the groundwork for future games that.
2. A slot machine (American English), known variously as a fruit machine (British English), puggy (Scottish English), the slots (Canadian English and American English), poker machine/pokies (Australian English and New Zealand English), fruities (British English) or slots (American English), is a gambling machine that creates a game of chance for its customers.

Play Online Poker Machines

Given the game's many different forms and various dynamics, poker strategy becomes a complex subject. This article attempts to introduce only the basic strategy concepts.

The fundamental theorem of poker[edit]

The fundamental theorem of poker, introduced by David Sklansky, states: Every time you play your hand the way you would if you could see your opponents' cards, you gain, and every time your opponents play their cards differently from the way they would play them if they could see your cards, you gain.^[1] This theorem is the foundation for many poker strategy topics. For example, bluffing and slow-playing (explained below) are examples of using deception to induce your opponents to play differently from how they would if they could see your cards. There are some exceptions to the fundamental theorem in certain multi-way pot situations, as described in Morton's theorem.

Pot odds, implied odds and poker probabilities[edit]

As expert poker players will tell you, the best way to beat video poker is to play fewer hands. Unlike online poker, playing against the video poker machine requires you to slow down your game and play for wins rather than volume. By following the expert tips on this page, and practicing by playing video poker for free, you can beat the machine.

The relationship between pot odds and odds of winning is one of the most important concepts in poker strategy. Pot odds are the ratio of the size of the pot to the size of the bet required to stay in the pot.^[1] For example, if a player must call $10 for a chance to win a $40 pot (not including their $10 call), their pot odds are 4-to-1. To have a positive expectation, a player's odds of winning must be better than their pot odds. If the player's odds of winning are also 4-to-1 (20% chance of winning), their expected return is to break even (on average, losing four times and winning once for every five times they play such a pot).

Implied odds is a more complicated concept, though related to pot odds. The implied odds on a hand are based not on the money currently in the pot, but on the expected size of the pot at the end of the hand. When facing an even money situation (like the one described in the previous paragraph) and holding a strong drawing hand (say a Four flush) a skilled player will consider calling a bet or even opening based on their implied odds. This is particularly true in multi-way pots, where it is likely that one or more opponents will call all the way to showdown.

Deception[edit]

By employing deception, a poker player hopes to induce their opponent(s) to act differently from how they would if they could see their cards. David Sklansky has argued that winning at poker is often decided by how much one player can force another to change his/her style while successfully maintaining their own strategy.^[2]Bluffing is a form of deception where players bet strongly on a weak hand to induce opponents to fold superior hands. Related is the semi-bluff, in which a player who does not have a strong hand, but has a chance to improve it to a strong hand in later rounds, bets strongly on the hand in the hopes of inducing other players with weaker 'made' hands to fold. Slow-playing is deceptive play in poker that is roughly the opposite of bluffing: checking or betting weakly with a strong holding, attempting to induce other players with weaker hands to call or raise the bet instead of folding, to increase the payout.

Position[edit]

Position refers to the order in which players are seated around the table and the strategic consequences of this. Generally, players in earlier position (who have to act first) need stronger hands to bet/raise or call than players in later position. For example, if there are five opponents yet to act behind a player, there is a greater chance one of the yet to act opponents will have a better hand than if there were only one opponent yet to act. Being in late position is an advantage because a player gets to see how their opponents in earlier position act (which provides the player more information about their hands than they have about his). This information, coupled with a low bet to a late player, may allow the player to 'limp in' with a weaker hand when they would have folded the same hand if they'd had to act earlier. Position is one of the most vital elements to understand in order to be a long-term winning player. As a player's position improves, so too does the range of cards with which they can profitably enter a hand. Conversely this commonly held knowledge can be used to an intelligent poker player's advantage. If playing against observant opponents, then a raise with any two cards can 'steal the blinds,' if executed against passive players at the right time.

Reasons to raise[edit]

Unlike calling, raising has an extra way to win: opponents may fold. An opening bet may be considered a raise from a strategy perspective. David Sklansky gives seven reasons for raising, summarized below.^[1]

• To get more money in the pot when a player has the best hand: If a player has the best hand, raising for value enables them to win a bigger pot.
• To drive out opponents when a player has the best hand: If a player has a made hand, raising may protect their hand by driving out opponents with drawing hands who may otherwise improve to a better hand.
• To bluff A player raises with an inferior or 'trash' hand attempts to deceive other players about the strength of their hand, and hopefully induce a better hand to fold.
• To semi-bluff A player with a drawing hand may raise both to bluff and for value. While technically still a bluff, as the player may not end up with a made hand and is primarily trying to drive out players, the player still has the opportunity to make his or her hand and win the pot if the bluff is called.
• To block Players on drawing hands may put out a 'blocking bet' against players who are likely to bet when checked to, but unlikely to raise when bet into. This is a small bet made on a drawing hand to lessen the likelihood of having to call a larger bet from a player in late position.
• To get a free card: If a player raises with a drawing hand, their opponent may call the bet and check to them on the next betting round, giving them a chance to get a free card to improve their hand.
• To gain information: If a player raises with an uncertain hand, they gain information about the strength of their opponent's hand if they are called. Players may use an opening bet on a later betting round (probe or continuation bets) to gain information by being called or raised (or may win the pot immediately).
• To drive out worse hands when a player's own hand may be second best: A combination protection and probe raise, a player with a strong hand but not the 'nuts' (the hole cards that make the best possible hand given the current face-up cards) may raise, both to induce drawing hands that may improve to the 'nut hand' to fold, while also testing to see if another player has the 'nuts'.
• To drive out better hands when a drawing hand bets: If an opponent with an apparent drawing hand has bet before the player to act, if the player raises, opponents behind them who may have a better hand may fold rather than call two bets 'cold'. This is a form of isolation play, and has elements of blocking and protection.

Reasons to call[edit]

There are several reasons for calling a bet or raise, summarized below.

• To see more cards: With a drawing hand, a player may be receiving the correct pot odds with the call to see more cards.
• To limit loss in equity: Calling may be appropriate when a player has adequate pot odds to call but will lose equity on additional money contributed to the pot with a raise.
• To avoid a re-raise: Only calling (and not raising) denies the original bettor the option of re-raising. However, this is only completely safe in case the player is last to act (i.e. 'closing the action').
• To conceal the strength of a player's hand: If a player has a very strong hand, they might smooth call on an early betting round to avoid giving away the strength of their hand on the hope of getting more money into the pot in later betting rounds.
• To manipulate pot odds: By calling (not raising), a player offers any opponents yet to act behind them more favorable pot odds to also call. For example, if a player has a very strong hand, a smooth call may encourage opponents behind them to overcall or even raise, building the pot. Particularly in limit games, building the pot in an earlier betting round may induce opponents to call future bets in later betting rounds because of the pot odds they will be receiving.
• To set up a bluff on a later betting round: Sometimes referred to as a long-ball bluff, calling on an earlier betting round can set up a bluff (or semi-bluff) on a later betting round. For instance, a player with a strong initial hand may call instead of raise to see the flop cheaply. That flop may not benefit the player, but the player may still have many 'outs' (cards left to deal that could make a strong hand), or even if the odds are slim they can try to bluff. By raising, this scenario may appear to an opponent like a player who has 'limped in' with a weak initial hand, but after the flop now has a strong made or drawing hand. A recent online term for 'long-ball bluffing' is floating.^[3]

Gap concept[edit]

The gap concept states that a player needs a better hand to play against someone who has already opened (or raised) the betting than he would need to open himself.^[4] The gap concept reflects that players prefer to avoid confrontations with other players who have already indicated strength, and that calling only has one way to win (by having the best hand), whereas opening may also win immediately if your opponent(s) fold.

Sandwich effect[edit]

Related to the gap effect, the sandwich effect states that a player needs a stronger hand to stay in a pot when there are opponents yet to act behind him.^[3] Because the player does not know how many opponents will be involved in the pot or whether he will have to call a re-raise, he does not know what his effective pot odds actually are. Therefore, a stronger hand is desired as compensation for this uncertainty. A squeeze play exploits this principle.

Loose/tight play[edit]

Loose players play relatively more hands and tend to continue with weaker hands; hence they do not often fold. Tight players play relatively fewer hands and tend not to continue with weaker hands; hence they often fold. The following concepts are applicable in loose games (and their inverse in tight games):^[1]

• Bluffs and semi-bluffs are less effective because loose opponents are less likely to fold.
• Requirements for continuing with made hands may be lower because loose players may also be playing lower value hands.
• Drawing to incomplete hands, like flushes, tends to be more valuable as draws will often get favorable pot odds and a stronger hand (rather than merely one pair) is often required to win in multi-way pots.

Aggressive/passive play[edit]

Aggressive play refers to betting and raising. Passive play refers to checking and calling. Unless passive play is being used deceptively as mentioned above, aggressive play is generally considered stronger than passive play because of the bluff value of bets and raises and because it offers more opportunities for your opponents to make mistakes.^[1]

Hand reading, tells and leveling[edit]

Hand reading is the process of making educated guesses about the possible cards an opponent may hold, based on the sequence of actions in the pot. The term 'hand reading' is actually a misnomer, as skilled players do not attempt to assign a player to an exact hand. Rather they attempt to narrow the possibilities down to a range of probable hands based on the past actions of their opponent, during both the current hand and previous hands played by this opponent.

Tells are detectable changes in opponents' behavior or demeanor which provide clues about their hands or their intentions. Educated guesses about opponents' cards and intentions can help a player avoid mistakes in his own play, induce mistakes by the opponents, or influence the opponents to take actions that they would not normally take under the circumstances. For example, a tell might suggest that an opponent has missed a draw, so a player seeing it may decide a bluff would be more effective than usual.

Leveling or multiple level thinking is accounting for what the other opponents think about the hands. This information can then be used to the player's advantage. Some players might be able to make educated guesses about opponents' hands; this could be seen as the first level. The second level could be thought of as the combination of the first level and deducing what the opponents think the player's hand may be. Skilled players can adjust their game play to be on a higher level than that of less skilled opponents.

Table image and opponent profiling[edit]

By observing the tendencies and patterns of one's opponents, one can make more educated guesses about others' potential holdings. For example, if a player has been playing extremely tightly (playing very few hands), then when he/she finally enters a pot, one may surmise that he/she has stronger than average cards. One's table image is the perception by one's opponents of one's own pattern of play. A player can leverage their table image by playing out of character, and thereby inducing his/her opponents to misjudge his/her hand and make a mistake.

In live poker, as opposed to internet, stereotypes are often used for initial 'reads'. For instance, people of retirement age are often witnessed to play tight. Players will often project this image on unknown people of retirement age. Young people wearing headphones and hoodies are often witnessed to play more aggressively and mathematically if they played a lot of winning internet poker. These stereotypes can often be good bases to start a profile.

Often, there is a rather small pool of players in a given card playing venue. People will carry their history of playing with them in these environments.

Internet poker players can use large databases of hand histories to get a more precise player profile. Statistical information about opponents is displayed on the tables in the form of a heads up display. The most commonly used software is PokerTracker and Hold'em Manager.

Equity[edit]

Players' equity in a pot is their expected share of the pot, expressed either as a percentage (probability of winning) or expected value (amount of pot * probability of winning). Negative equity, or loss in equity, occurs when contributing to a pot with a probability of winning less than 1 / (number of opponents matching the contribution+1).

Example

Alice contributes $12 to a pot and is matched by two other opponents. Alice's $12 contribution 'bought' the chance to win $36. If Alice's probability of winning is 50%, her equity in the $36 pot is $18 (a gain in equity because her $12 is now 'worth' $18). If her probability of winning is only 10%, Alice loses equity because her $12 is now only 'worth' $3.60 (amount of pot * probability of winning).

Texas hold 'em example

Alice holds J♦8♠. Bob holds K♥7♠. After the flop, the board is 5♥6♥7♦. If both hands are played to a showdown, Alice has a 45% chance to win (which she is unaware of, because she does not know what hand Bob holds), Bob has a 53% chance to win and there is a 2% chance to split the pot. The pot currently has $51. Alice goes all-in for $45 reasoning that she can take the pot immediately if Bob folds or that Bob calls with a worse hand. Bob's simple pot odds for the call are also 32%; since his equity of 53% is greater than the pot odds he has to call, Bob has a positive expected value for the call (if he knew Alice's hole cards).

Short-handed considerations[edit]

When playing short-handed (at a table with 3-6 players), players must loosen up their play (play more hands) for several reasons:^[1]

• There is less likelihood of another player having a strong hand because there are fewer players.
• Each player's share of the forced bets increases because there are fewer players contributing to the forced bets, thus waiting for premium hands becomes more expensive.

This type of situation comes up most often in tournament style play. In a cash game, the adjustments are very similar, but not quite as drastic as the table can ask for what is known as a 'rake break.' A rake break occurs when the floor-man, who represents the casino, agrees to take a smaller portion than usual for the hand. For example, a random casino might normally receive 10% of the pot up to 5 dollars for a 'rake.' In this case the table would only owe 10% up to 3 dollars until there are a sufficient number of players again. In online poker rake breaks are determined automatically.

Structure considerations[edit]

The blinds and antes and limit structure of the game have a significant influence on poker strategy. For example, it is easier to manipulate pot odds in no-limit and pot-limit games than in limit games. In tournaments, as the size of the forced bets relative to the chip stacks grows, pressure is placed on players to play pots to avoid being anted/blinded away.^[5]

Mindset considerations[edit]

In 2014, Bwin conducted a study to see what makes a professional poker player. The brain activity of poker players, of varying degrees, was monitored using EEG headsets and visualised into brain maps.^[6] Leading sports psychologist, James Hazlett, then interpreted the findings:

• More experienced players showed higher levels of focus and concentration throughout the game.
• The amateur players had less control over their emotions, and were prone to allowing negative emotions, such as frustration, distract them.
• Whilst opponents were taking their turn, the expert players opened up another table or watched replays of hands they had played poorly to improve.
• The brain maps showed that the professional players were led more by logic and intuition.

The conclusions of the study suggest that poker players can improve their strategy by considering their mindset. Mental training techniques, commonly used by athletes, could therefore help to improve performance by working on elements such as self-control and concentration.

See also[edit]

Poker plays[edit]

Specific games[edit]

Notes[edit]

1. ^ ^abcdefDavid Sklansky (1987). The Theory of Poker. Two Plus Two Publications. ISBN1-880685-00-0.
2. ^Milovsky, Nicholas. 'The Basics of Game Theory and Associated Games'. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
3. ^ ^abDan Harrington and Bill Robertie (2004). Harrington on Hold'em: Expert Strategy For No-Limit Tournaments; Volume I: Strategic Play. Two Plus Two Publications. ISBN1-880685-33-7.
4. ^David Sklansky (2001). Tournament Poker for Advanced Players. Two Plus Two Publications. ISBN1-880685-28-0.
5. ^Dan Harrington and Bill Robertie (2005). Harrington on Hold'em: Expert Strategy For No-Limit Tournaments; Volume II: The Endgame. Two Plus Two Publications. ISBN1-880685-35-3.
6. ^Your Brain on Poker

How many times have you entered a casino and were immediately dazzled by the shiny machines lined up in the lobby? If you are a fan of gambling machines, but you weren’t sure how to play them, let me introduce you to some basic rules you should follow.

One Name — Different Games

Let’s clear up the puzzle related to poker machines. When you enter an Australian casino and ask for poker machines, a kind host or hostess will probably take you straight to the slot machines. This is entirely legitimate unless you wanted to play a Video Poker machine.

The catch is that Aussies use the term “pokies” or poker machines for both slot games and Video Poker machines. Since both of these are extremely popular with gamblers, and people enjoy the gameplay as well as the prospect of scoring big wins from them, I decided to give both of these game types some well-deserved attention.

The Irresistible Charm of Pokies

Let’s make one thing clear — Australians love pokies, and who can blame them?

These exciting but simple gambling machines lure casino visitors with their bright lights, colourful symbols, cheery sounds, and the opportunity to score a big jackpot.

Slot machines first appeared in Australia in the 1950s. They were soon recognized as highly profitable and thrilling casino games. As a result, they evolved rather quickly. It didn’t take too long to get from the classic three-reel games with up to five paylines to the exciting video slots that offer multiple paylines. Today, these machines offer interactive gameplay that turns a slot player into the hero of the story. Most importantly, they provide generous bonus rounds, free spins, and awesome jackpots.

Additionally, for all these reasons, slots became the most prominent game in numerous online casinos

Online vs. Live Pokies

Playing slot machines in brick-and-mortar casinos is practically the same as playing online. All you have to do before you hit the spin button is to choose how much money you will bet. Then, pick how many paylines will be active in your game. Once you have this set, you can start spinning the reels. The thing you should pay attention to when you select a slot game that suits you best is the RTP. This is short for Return To Player. It’s the payback percentage a player can expect to get from a slot machine in the long term.

But, there is a difference between the RTP you’ll find in land-based casinos and the online RTP. Namely, you can expect the RTP of land-based casinos to go from 85%–92% as set by the local laws. But, online casinos offer a more generous payback of 94% or even 95%. Additionally, the opposite of the RTP is the house edge.

If an online slot machine has an RTP lower than 90%, maybe you should keep on looking.

There is yet another favourable option you can use in online casinos — the free play mode. You can use this free trial option to get to know the slot. It’s a great way to test the game without investing real money.

Pokie Tactics and Jackpots

The outcome of a slot game depends on pure luck because the random number generator governs the slot machines. However, you can still do many things to get the best chance of winning. You should always include all the paylines in your game. And, if you are doing well, you should double your coins per payline. This way, you can multiply your winnings in case a specific symbol combination hits the reels.

For gamblers who play slot machines only to hit the jackpot, the situation is pretty self-explanatory. You have to place a max bet on all the paylines to be in a position to chase it. Additionally, you have to be persistent and play for a long time.

Also, numerous pokie machines offer a chance to score a progressive jackpot. The random progressive jackpot is the dream of every ardent slot lover. It can transform you into a millionaire in a matter of seconds. However, it is not easy to hit it because it appears randomly, usually at the end of the game.

Video Poker Machines — Favourites of Many

While pokies are definitely the top choice for many Australians, the other kind of gambling machine that attracts many experienced and new players is Video Poker.

The reasons are obvious — VP games offer generous payouts while having the highest RTP rate among casino games. You can refer to Video Poker as the technologically-advanced, generously-paying younger brother of a classic table game. So, let’s find out how to play poker machines!

Overall, the rules of Video Poker are the same as in plain poker. There is a standard deck of 52 cards. And, depending on the game, it can include one or more joker cards. You have to try and get the best combination of cards that will get you money in the end.

The Basics

If you know how to play Five-Card Draw Poker, you will find Video Poker pretty easy to play.

It will not take a long time to learn how to play poker machines. When you start a game, five different cards will appear on the screen. Look closely and select those you want to get rid of. When you get fresh cards instead of the ones you selected, in case you completed a winning hand, you will be paid out accordingly. It’s as simple as that.

The paying combinations of cards are generally the same as in a classic poker game. The lowest hand in Video Poker is a pair. Usually, it is a pair of Jacks, hence the name of the most popular Video Poker machine, Jacks or Better. When playing Jacks or Better, or similar video poker variants, the second best hand is two pairs, then a three of a kind, and we go all the way to the most valuable — Royal Flush. Thus, it’s similar to actual poker.

If accompanied by various bonuses, the Royal Flush can bring you an incredible payout of 4,000 times your original bet. I will explain a little about video poker betting later on.

Tips

Here are some tips for playing Jacks or Better every gambler should know:

• If you hold four cards that can get you a straight or a flush, keep them and go for a higher hand.
• You should do the same if you have three cards that could lead get you the highest hands; keep them and replace the other two.
• When playing Jacks or Better, if you don’t hold any cards that can get you a stronger hand, keep all the face cards and replace the others.
• If you don’t have any card you can use, get rid of the entire hand and hope that the fresh five cards will be better.

While the game of Jacks or Better can give you a great introduction for how to play poker machines, its rules will not apply to all the different games. Some popular Video Poker Variants are Deuces Wild, Joker Poker, Double Bonus, etc.

Next to games like Jacks or Better, the most-played Video Poker games are those that offer bonuses or double bonuses. The bonuses can be triggered if players finish a round with specific card combinations.

How To Play Poker Machines In Vegas

Game Layout

Video Poker Machine

The key thing that separates Video Poker from its live counterpart is that you are essentially playing a virtual game with a screen. Most land-based and online Video Poker titles have a similar game layout.

Namely, on the screen, the middle will usually show the five cards and a paytable that gives you all the payout combinations. The main buttons are underneath the cards, and they usually consist of the Draw, Bet one, and Bet Max options. Additionally, the bottom right corner will show the number of coins/credits you have won, the number of coins you have played, along with your total balance. Also, you will see the maximum coin limit on the screen as well as the size of the jackpot.

Once you look over your cards and discard those that you think are undesirable, the result will be matched against the pay table. If you score even the minimum combination, the machine will pay out.

How To Play Poker Machine Online

Betting

In terms of the wagering, Video Poker utilizes the coin system. It allows players to wager a number of coins depending on what they are hoping to win. Plus, you can also use different coin denominations in land-based casinos, and different coin values in online casinos. For most cases, you can play up to 5 coins. But, the coins can be worth AU$1, AU$5, and other values. For example, if you bet with five AU$5 coins, the size of your total bet for that round will be AU$25.

What’s more, even if Video Poker is a chance-based game, some strategies are often overlooked. Sure, you can “wing it” and just bet aimlessly, but it’s better to have a good betting plan because the RTP will get you in the long run. You should pick a time limit for your gaming so that you never lose focus.

Opposite to slots, video poker requires you to take your time and make good decisions, rather than spin as much as you can. Plus, before you choose the game, look over the paytable in detail. Some games will provide better payouts. On top of that, depending on the game, there are various ways to hold your card combinations depending on which card is dealt. For instance, in games like Deuces Wild. In Jacks or Better and many other variants, the simplest rule you can follow is to get rid of all your cards and get new ones if you don’t already have a good combination like a high pair, three-of-a-kind, etc. Overall, some of the best combinations will always be the Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Four-of-a-Kind, Full House, etc. The lowest winning combination will be a 2 pair in most cases.

Multi Hand Video Poker

Additionally, some machines will allow a multi-hand mode. This mode allows multiple hands and players can have up to 100 for most games. While the multi-hand options can be immensely fun, you will definitely need a larger bankroll since your bets will be multiplied according to the chosen number of poker hands.

Video Poker Machine Used

Video Poker Summary

How To Play Poker Machine And Win

Well, there you go! As you have seen, it’s incredibly easy to learn some of the basic rules of Video Poker. I hope this explains why poker machines are probably the most desired and played games among gamblers in Australia and worldwide. You should try some games like Joker’s Wild, Deuces Wild, Double Double Bonus, Jacks or Better and see for yourself. With some luck, you could win some enormous prizes!