Operating a video poker machine is a relatively easy task. Many casinos make sure these machines provide access as easy as possible so that any beginner is able to take a seat in front of them and test their luck. However, in order to feel more comfortable during their first experience with a video poker machine and, what is more important, to avoid costly mistakes, one should obtain some knowledge of the typical video poker machine.
For those who wonder what a video poker machine looks like, we should note that it is quite similar to any modern slot machine. What’s more, there are video poker machines that offer multi-game menus, so that a player is able to choose between video poker and slot options. However, as we already noted, in video poker games making a choice is a crucial factor, therefore, this requires the use of a larger set of controls than in the case of playing slots, which boosts the complexity of game play.
Any person, who has never seen a video poker machine, would ask where to place cash, where to locate the payout table for the particular game, what buttons to use in order to keep a card or remove a card and so on. In an attempt to provide answers to these and other questions that may arise, we dedicate the following set of articles.
Let us begin with the typical appearance of a video poker machine.
”The Candle”
At first glance, one will undoubtedly notice that on the machine’s top there is a cylindrical light. Part of it is color-coded in order to visualize the denomination of currency a player is allowed to bet on the particular machine. In most cases, the top of the candle is white, while underneath it a red light visualizes nickels, a yellow light visualizes quarters, a blue light, dollars, while higher denominations are presented in purple.
On multi-denomination machines, the color beneath the white part of the candle shows the highest denomination allowed. Casinos have set a threshold, that requires the jackpot to be hand-paid. In most cases, it is $1 200, while any amount under it (including Royal Flushes under that threshold) will usually be paid out by the machine.
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The candle can be used for other purposes as well. If a player presses the Change/Call Attendant button, the top of the candle will be lit. This way casino personnel will know that the player is in need of service.
The candle on older video poker machine models will produce flashes if the coin hopper inside has been emptied.
The candle on newer models will produce flashes in the following cases: the machine has exhausted the paper for cash ticket printing; a malfunction has occurred; a player has won the jackpot, which the casino pays by hand.
The Glass
On the front side of any stand-alone machine (machine that offers one game), the area above the display screen is covered with a piece of glass, where the name of the poker game that can be played on that machine is printed. On older models, the glass may also visualize the payout table for the particular game. At the same time, on newer models, that offer a multitude of games, the glass will usually visualize the name of the manufacturer (Game King, Game Maker, etc). On these video poker machines, one may find neither a list containing all the games offered nor the payout tables for each game.
The Game of Video Poker
Jacks or Better, Bonus Poker, Deuces Wild
Double Bonus, Pick’em Poker
Ranking Hands Video Poker
Video Poker Machine Appearance
The Screen
Naturally, every machine is equipped with a display screen, where the cards and other information are visualized. There are two standard machine models, on which the screen is located in a different manner. On the upright model of machines, the display screen is at the sight level of a player, just like the PC screen. On the table-top model, the display screen is located in the top area of machines, which is parallel to the ground.
If the video poker machine has only one game on it, the payout table for the game will usually be shown on the display screen, as one approaches the machine for the first time. We shall discuss payout tables at a later time. One should deposit money in the video poker machine, once a player has become familiar with the payout table for the particular game. Two games may share the same name but may offer different payouts. It is the payout table, that makes it clear, whether a player has found the game they desire.
In case the video poker machine has either a number of different games or a number of denominations for one and the same game, the payout table will not be shown on the screen, as one approaches the machine for the first time. It is more likely that the screen will visualize a menu of denominations and games available for selection.
First, a player needs to choose the desired denomination (quarters, dollars, or other), after which they need to choose the game and read through its payout table. The latter is recommended, because selecting a particular denomination may, at times, lead to changes in the payout table.
Both the stand-alone and the multi-game machines will also display other information. On the lower right side of the screen one may find how many credits they currently has, as they inserts tokens or money. During a play the machine will visualize the change in one’s credits, their amount will drop as the player loses and increase as the player wins. This is valuable information, since this way one is able to track their bankroll.
Additionally, once the game has been initiated and the cards have been dealt, with a winning hand combination the screen will display both the combination and the number of coins awarded. The pay table, in most cases, appears in dark blue or black, while the column showing the number of coins bet appears in bright red.
Last but not least, when holding a card, ”HOLD” will be displayed above or below the respective card. When getting a final hand, ”GAME OVER” will be displayed in the center or in the right side of the screen.
