Video Poker Is Not Live Poker

3 September 2022

By Jerry Stickman

Since the introduction of the “Poker-matic” machine in 1970, video poker has grown to become wildly popular. The World Series of Poker, a live poker tournament, also started in 1970, has also drawn a huge audience.

While there may be similarities between video poker and live poker, the two are distinctly different.

Let’s look at video poker first.

Video poker is a machine-based game. One player on each machine.

• Each video poker game has a selection of winning hands. Each winning hand is assigned an amount that is paid to the player should that hand appear. The amounts paid for each winning hand appear in a pay table that is shown on the machine. The lowest winning hand is usually a pair of jacks or higher. The highest winning hand is usually a royal flush.

• The player is always paid the amount shown in the pay table for each winning hand. The amount never varies for standard video poker games.

• Progressive games are slightly different. The amount paid for certain hands (usually just the royal flush) will slowly increase as players play the game until someone hits the hand. The value of the hand is then reset to “reset” value and begins to slowly increase with additional play.

• Players play against the house, not other players.

• Because the amount paid for each winning hand is displayed, players can determine the return from each video poker game and pay table.

• Strategy for play is developed based on the winning hands and what they are paid. The math of the game determines the best plays for each dealt hand.

• Players who play the best mathematical strategy will do best in the long run.

• Hands are played quickly. Skilled players can play over 1,000 hands per hour.

Now let’s look at live poker.

Live poker has two or more players at a table. Each player must “ante” a certain amount to play. Cards are dealt to each player in a set pattern. Players take turns betting. In order to stay in the game, each player must match the current bet amount when it’s their turn to bet. The remaining player still in the game, that has the highest ranked hand is the winner of the entire pot.

• While there is a set hierarchy of winning hands, there is no set value for a winning hand. The winning amount is determined by how much is in a combined pot of all the player’s bets.

• Players play against each other, not the house. The house takes a certain percentage of the pot.

• Unlike video poker, there is no set return percentage as any hand can be a winner and the winning amount varies.

• While playing strategies based on the odds of certain hands appearing is helpful, the results are not strictly based on the match.

• There is a huge human element to live poker play. Players can bluff. Video poker can not.

• Live poker requires skill in not only the math of the hands, but also people reading and bluffing skills.

• Each live poker hand takes some time to complete. There can be several rounds of betting. Players can take a considerable amount of time deciding what to bet during each of these rounds.

Summary

Video poker is more straightforward. The player plays against the casino and the math of the game is the only real skill that is required to perform well.

Live poker is more complex. Not only is a general knowledge of the math of the game required, people skills as well as the ability to bluff successfully are also required.

Both games are extremely popular. The choice is up to you.

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. 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