How do Class II (Indian Casinos) Video Poker Games Work?

14 December 2024

By Jerry Stickman

From Jeff.

Hi Stickman,

I saw your recent article about the difference between Indian casino’s Class II slot machines and how they are different from the regular casino’s games (central bingo game computer versus random number generator).

I understand how that can work. What I am having trouble understanding how this works with video poker machines. I assume Indian casinos that have Class II games must use bingo game rules to generate winning video poker hands.

With slots it is easy. The pay table for whatever symbols should pay simply match what a bingo card would pay. The player has nothing to do with the outcome.

Video poker is different. An initial hand is dealt and the player has the option to save or discard any or all those cards. No problem if the player always discards the entire hand, the video poker machine will generate a replacement hand that matches what the bingo card dictates.

My question is, what happens if the bingo game says the winner is a royal flush and the player discards in a way that a royal flush is not possible. Something like discarding a 10 while holding an ace of the same suit. What if he holds a card that has a different suit such as holding an ace of spades and a king of diamonds.

Just so you know, I do not play at Indian casinos. If I did, I would most likely know how they deal with this problem. Your answer will help me sleep at night (LOL)

Jeff

Hi Jeff,

That is a very interesting question. I am surprised (and impressed) that you read the article and thought enough about it to even think of it.

I must state at the beginning that many Indian casino are now allowed and have what are call Class III machines. Class III games are just like those in Las vegas and elsewhere. The availability of Class III machines is growing and Class II games are becoming less common.

You certainly did highlight a problem that had to be addressed when mapping video poker to bingo game rules. The solution was rather clever, I think.

If whatever is held allows for making the hand become the winning hand the bingo card dictates, the proper cards simply appear. For example, if the player held a low pair and the bingo card dictated a three of a kind winner, a third card of the same rank would be in the replacement cards.

But what if the player kept three cards of a straight flush (say the king, 7 and 2) and the winner was a straight. Or as you indicated, what if the winner was a royal flush and the player kept three cards of a flush that included a 4?

How can the machine change what the player held?

Simple. They have something that is sometimes referred to as an “angel feature.” An image of an angel appears on the screen and magically transforms the offending card or cards into those required to make a proper winner.

When you cannot explain it with logic, look to the divine!

Thank you for the question. It was a good one.

As always, may all your wins be swift and large, and your losses be slow and small.

Jerry “Stickman”

Jerry “Stickman” is an expert in craps, blackjack and video poker and advantage slot machine play. He is a regular contributor to top gaming magazines and 888casino.com. He authored the video poker section of “Everything Casino Poker: Get the Edge at Video Poker, Texas Hold'em, Omaha Hi-Lo, and Pai Gow Poker!” You can contact Jerry “Stickman” at stickmanjerryg@gmail.com