Video Poker is a popular game that usually will be gambled on in casinos throughout the world, or alternatively at your house on your computer, using an Internet connection. The game rules are absolutely simple and consist of the player trying to get the best combination of cards achievable in order to acquire money. In this respect it is much the same as a normal game of poker, apart from the involvement with competing players. Of course, methods employed during a physical game of poker, like tricking, will be irrelevant here.

The game of Video Poker begins when the bettor inserts credits (either tokens, tickets or money) into the video poker machine and presses the play button. A hand of 5 cards will then be "handed out" on the video screen.

The Electronic Poker machine also has hold buttons, and gamblers should now pick which cards to hold and which to throw away. For the cards the player would like to retain, the ‘hold’ buttons should be pressed so that they illuminate. The player can choose to keep any amount of cards they wish, from all to none.

After the bettor has chosen which cards he or she wishes to retain, they should press ‘deal’, at which point any new cards will be needed they will be dealt. The game is now completed, with the Electronic Poker machine scanning the hand to see if it matches any of the winning hands printed on the payout schedule.

Normally, the minimum succeeding hand on a Video Poker machine is a pair of jacks with the award money increasing for each and every better hand. A common list of winning hands starts with jacks or better, moving on to two pairs, 3 of a kinds, straights, flushes, full houses, 4 of a kinds, straight flushes and finally royal flushes. It definitely goes without saying that the payout schedule can vary from machine to machine, so that knowledgeable gamblers are able to pick the most profitable machine every time.

After the initial round has completed, the player can either choose to stay on and try to to maximize their earnings, or press the ‘collect’ button to cash out any credits that they may have won. Further, several styles of the game allow the player a chance to increase their wins, in which case another hand is played. There are also differences among specific machines, with some virtual decks having wild cards and other varying elements to increase playability.