Video Poker Glossary
Video Poker (and any other casino game for that matter) has a ton of terms and words that are meaningless to the everyday person. It is important to learn the lingo before you start playing so you don't mess anything up or sound like an amateur. This glossary will teach you the most common terms used by video poker players so you can talk the talk while at the casino.
86
Term used to describe a player being banned from a casino. Usually pertains to Blackjack players who are counting cards. Occasionally happens to professional video poker players.
Action
The total amount of money that a player wagers. Includes all bets made, regardless of outcome.
Bank
A grouping of similar video poker machines, usually located near each other in the casino.
Bankroll
A player's total amount of money available for gambling.
Bust
A hand that failed to improve after the draw.
Cash Back
A percentage of losses are returned to a player as a result of using their player card.
Comps
Refers to kick backs that casinos give to loyal players, including meals, hotel rooms, or plane tickets.
Cycle
The average number of hands it takes for a machine to hit a jackpot. Jackpots are usually won when the royal flush is hit, which happens roughly every 40,000 hands. Also called royal flush cycles.
Drawing Hand
An initial deal that needs to improve to make a solid hand.
Deuce
A two. For example, the "deuce of hearts."
Expected Return
The long run average payback on a video poker game. To calculate the expected return, you multiply the payout percentage by the average hourly wager.
Face Card
Any Jack, Queen, or King. Called "face cards" because they have faces on them as opposed to just numbers and a suit.
Full Pay
A video poker machine that is using the best possible pay table. For example, Jacks or Better full pay uses a 9/6 pay table as opposed to the more commonly used 8/5 pay table.
Hand Pay
When you hit a large jackpot and are paid by hand instead of in credits on the machine. Learn more about hand pays and tipping.
House Edge
The percent advantage that the casino holds over the players in the long run.
Low Pay
A video poker machine with a pay table that is less than full pay. For example, an 8/5 Jacks or Better machine would be considered a low pay machine.
Payback Percentage
The average percent of each bet that the machine will return. If the payback percentage is over 100%, the game is profitable for the player.
Payout
The amount a video poker machine pays off for a specific poker hand. For example, in Jacks or Better the payout for a straight is 4:1, so a straight would pay four times the initial bet.
Pay Table
A table showing the payouts for each poker hand. Determines if a game is full pay or low pay. Learn about video poker pay tables.
Progressive Jackpot
Jackpot that continually rises as it is fed by a percentage of each bet. Grows until a player hits it (usually by making a royal flush) then starts over at a lower amount. Learn more about progressive video poker jackpots.
Random Number Generator (RNG)
A computer processor that simulates each deal of the cards to ensure randomness/fairness.
Volatility
The deviation from the expected long term average of a bet. If a machine is highly volatile, you have more of a chance of going broke.
W-2G Form
Form that must be filled out for tax purposes. W-2G forms only are required for wins of $1,200 or more.
Wild Cards
Cards that can be substituted for any other card. For example, in Deuces Wild video poker you can use twos as any card you wish.
