Video Poker is a beloved game that is able to be played in casinos throughout the world, or in your house on your computer, through a web connection. The rules are very simple and consist of the player attempting to get the highest assemblage of cards achievable in order to acquire money. In this respect it’s much the same as a classic game of poker, without the interaction with any other players. Of course, tactics employed during a real-life game of poker, like tricking, will be irrelevant in Video Poker.

The game of Electronic Poker begins when the player inserts credits (either tokens, tickets or money) into the machine and presses the deal button. A 5 card hand will be "distributed" on the screen.

The Electronic Poker machine also has hold buttons, and enthusiasts should now decide which cards to hold and which to throw away. For the cards the bettor wishes to keep, the ‘hold’ buttons must be pressed so that they light up. The player can choose to keep any number of cards they want, from all to none.

After the gambler has selected which cards he would like to retain, the player will then press ‘draw’, at which point any new cards are needed they will be given out. The hand is now finished, with the Electronic Poker machine analyzing the cards to see if it matches any of the winning hands printed on the payment schedule.

Typically, the minimum succeeding hand on a Video Poker machine is a pair of jacks with the prize money getting larger for each better hand. A common list of winning hands starts with jacks or better, moving on to 2 pairs, three of a kinds, straights, flushes, full houses, four of a kinds, straight flushes and finally royal flushes. It is obvious that the pay out schedule can vary from game to game, so that discerning enthusiasts are able to pick the most money-making ones every time.

As soon as the initial round has completed, the player can either decide to stay on and try to to maximize their winnings, or they can press the ‘collect’ button to cash out any credits that have been won. Additionally, some versions of the game allow the player an opportunity to increase their wins, in which situation a further game is played. There are also variations between specific machines, with some virtual decks including wild cards and other differing aspects to enhance playability.