Video Poker vs. Slot Machines
Upon first glance, video poker machines look quite similar to slot machines. However, once you get under the hood there are actually quite a few differences. This article will look at the differences between video poker machines and slot machines, and give a few tips as to what game you should play based on your personal tastes.
Video Poker Strategy vs. Slots Strategy
The main difference between video poker and slots is the fact that in video poker players have to make decisions for themselves that affect the outcome of the game, and in slots players really have no input that affects the outcome of the game.
Players in video poker have to decide what machine to play, how many credits to play, and most importantly, what cards to hold during the game. These decisions all affect the outcome of your session.
Different video poker machines have different payouts, so it’s important to choose the most profitable video poker game. You have a decision to make when it comes to how many credits to play, because almost all machines provide a royal flush bonus for playing the maximum number of credits. And of course, when you’re playing the game you need to choose the right cards to hold and the right cards to draw, or you’ll lose a lot of money.
However, in slot machines players really have no decisions. They can choose what machine to play, but almost all of them have the same payout percentages. The only real decision is how many credits/reels to play, because some slot machines have multiple reels and pay more for jackpots when you’re playing the max number of reels/credits.
Potential Profitability
Another important difference between video poker and slot machines is the fact that players can actually be consistently profitable at video poker, whilst slot machines are always a loser’s bet. By finding good pay tables, using perfect video poker strategy, and using a player’s card, you can actually exceed a 100% rate of return. Of course this isn’t easy, and it takes a lot of dedication, but it can be done. In slot machines it is simply impossible to be playing at 100+% rate of return.
Progressive Jackpots
So far this article seems like video poker is much better, but jackpots are one of the areas where a player might prefer slots. Many slot machines are “progressive slots”, which means they have a progressive jackpot that can be won by playing that machine. Progressive jackpots grow larger and larger until someone hits it, then it resets at a lower amount and starts growing again. Often times these jackpots can reach 5, 6, or even 7 figures.
There are very few progressive video poker machines, so if you’re looking to hit a big score you’re probably better off finding a slot machine with a huge progressive jackpot.
User Input in Video Poker/Slots
Another reason why players might prefer slots over video poker is the fact that you can sit at a slot machine and play without really thinking about anything. You don’t have to consider proper strategy or pay tables or rate of return – you can just gamble and enjoy yourself. This appeals to some people, so we felt it was worth mentioning.
When to Choose Video Poker
You should play video poker if you’re trying to make money, are willing to learn perfect strategy, have the dedication to find a profitable machine, and are willing to put in long sessions to try to grind out a profit. If you want to play Video Poker, we recommend checking out Bovada.com, as they’re our favorite online casino for playing Video Poker.
When to Choose Slots
You should play slots if you’re trying to enjoy yourself without thinking too much, prefer huge jackpots over small, more consistent wins, and don’t want to have to learn strategy.
More Information on Slots:
If you'd like to learn more about Slots, check out these sites:
- Slots at SlotsGeek.com.
