Poker is one of the most popular casino games and throughout the years we’ve seen many different forms of the same game. One of the most popular ones is video poker.
Instead of playing against actual people in a casino, you are playing a game online on your free time instead. So, does this mean that the outcome of every hand is predetermined?
If video poker doesn’t have a randomized feature of dealing cards, then this means that video poker is actually more luck than skill. But is it?
Let’s find out how video poker works and whether or not it is a game of skill or luck.
How Video Poker Works
Since we are talking about a machine, we have to dig deeper and find out how it works.
Fortunately, video poker machines are programmed with a quite standard software design that is similar to slots using a random number generator (RNG). This means that the RNG is constantly shuffling the deck until the player hits the button to deal the cards.
Typically, once the initial deal is completed, the cards are set and no further calculations are made until the next hand is dealt. The “software” is much more rudimentary and basically selects random numbers that generate the screen images of the cards.
In other words, players have the same chance in actual real-life poker as they have playing video poker.
In fact, the return to player RTP of video poker is around 95% or more, and traditional poker has similar chances but they often rely more on skill.
Is it Luck or Skill?
Well, when we talk about a randomized game, it is really hard to set clear boundaries about whether or not the skill is involved in the process. However, video poker might be quite different than standard in-person poker, but there is also skill involved.
In fact, in the short-term, playing video poker is all about being lucky. However, if you want to walk away profitable in the long term, then actual poker skill is required.
After all, poker is a game of math, and professional poker players make superior decisions based on their calculations which gives them an edge in poker.
With that said, since video poker shares many similarities to slot machines, and you cannot predict the outcome of each hand, it is safe to say that video poker is actually more luck than skill.
Compared to in-person poker where you can use many different techniques to gain an advantage such as body language, bluffing, and verbal communication, the only thing that can help you gain a slight edge in video poker is following a certain strategy.
However, even if you do have a strategy since video poker is a game of randomized nature, it is impossible to predict the right decisions for your hand.
But all hope is not lost.
You can still use some of your skills and strategies from the traditional poker to increase your winning chances. In fact, you can lower the house edge by creating your own strategy, and hoping for higher returns.
Now even though traditional poker and video poker are identical in terms of gameplay, they require quite different strategies. So, before playing video poker make sure to do a bit of digging and find out the best strategy that fits your playstyle.
Final Words
Since Video Poker is based on an RNG (just like slots), it is safe to assume that there is more luck involved in the process than skills. So, if you like the idea of the randomized nature of poker then you should play video slots.
If you like to be more in control of the game, and shift your chances closer to your skills, then playing traditional poker is the right way to go.
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