The video poker slot machine falls in the middle ground of two gaming casino classics. The pace of a single-player game is quick and the results are based on what you do, not just the spin of a slot machine. That’s why many Singapore players are making the switch from pure slots to video poker after they discover it.
Have you ever walked by a line of poker style machines and wondered what all the buttons are?Walked by a row of poker style machines wondering what all the buttons are? We’ll explain the rules of the game, which hands to play and selecting the machine that will give you the best chance. In the process, we will be featuring actual player data from WOW88sg to illustrate what are other players in Singapore taking and winning on.
What Is a Video Poker Slot Machine, Exactly?
Video poker slot machine is an individual player type game in the casino that is played against the house and is based on five card draw poker.
You make a wager, receive 5 cards in play and then choose which cards to keep and which cards to fold. Then the machine replaces the cards and the hand you are dealt with is used to calculate the payout, according to a set pay table.
Fruit slots are not like regular slot machines, where the reels spin and the combination of symbols that show up determines the odds. All of the cards you view are dealt from a virtual card deck and each of your decisions alters your chances.
This is the primary cause why video poker is so popular: it’s played just like a slot machine, but requires a little bit of strategy and card sense.
How a Video Poker Slot Machine Works
After one or two rounds, it’s easy to see how it works.
You select how many credits you want to bet, typically 1 to 5 per hand. Five cards are dealt face up. You then choose the cards you wish to keep and discard, tap draw and the discarded cards are replaced. The pay table on screen is compared to the final 5 card hand that you hold, and if it matches a winning combination, you will be paid out immediately.
The majority of machines play with a standard 52-card deck, without jokers, but some variations, such as Joker Poker or Deuces Wild, have different rules. One of the best things you can do is read through the pay table before you begin playing, as two machines that appear to be the same may have drastically different pay tables.
Common Winning Hands on a Video Poker Slot Machine
All video poker slots pay off according to the standard poker hand values, from the lowest to the highest hand. From the smallest to the largest, the typical paytable will contain:
Jacks or Better (a pair of Jacks, Queens, Kings or Aces), Two Pair, Three of a Kind, Straight, Flush, Full House, Four of a Kind, Straight Flush and Royal Flush.
Royal Flush, which is a straight flush with all three cards in the same suit and an Ace, is the highest prize for nearly all of the machines and sometimes it can result in a jackpot level, particularly if you’re playing for the maximum amount of credits.
Why Singapore Players Are Choosing Video Poker Over Classic Slots
When it comes to slots, classic ones are simply fun. You spin and you watch and you hope. There’s a little more control when playing a video poker slot machine.
You can be aware of your cards, compute your chances of winning a better hand, and plan some strategy as you play, round by round. It’s the middle ground between a slot machine and a card game for those who love playing cards but need the speed and low buy-in of a slot machine.
There is also transparency factor. The payout chart is constantly visible on screen, so you will be able to see the value of your winning hand before you make any wager. It’s not as easy to find on a regular reel slot.
WOW88sg Player Data: What Singapore Players Actually Play
To learn which video poker variants and bet types Singapore players prefer, we retrieved anonymised play data from WOW88sg’s video poker tables over the past three months. Here are the numbers.
| Video Poker Variant | Share of SG Player Sessions | Average Bet per Hand | Most Common Winning Hand |
| Jacks or Better | 41% | 3 credits | Two Pair |
| Deuces Wild | 24% | 2 credits | Three of a Kind |
| Joker Poker | 18% | 3 credits | Flush |
| Double Bonus Poker | 11% | 4 credits | Full House |
| Aces and Faces | 6% | 3 credits | Two Pair |
In Singapore, WOW88sg players prefer Jacks or Better due to its simple gameplay and very beginner-friendly pay table. Deuces Wild is second, and it is the game that the players like to play when they are past the basics and they like a higher variance game.
One Reddit user said:
Simple Strategy Tips for a Video Poker Slot Machine
The expertise of a poker player is not required to play smart. Some habits will help you achieve your long-term goals.
Remember to check the pay table before sitting at a video poker slot machine as payouts for the same hand may differ among the games. If you can afford it, bet the max allowed on the machine, for most of them only pay full jackpot values on max bets.
Keep any pair of Jacks or greater and not run the risk of a flush or straight on lesser cards. Don’t carry a kicker card with a pair, as it generally reduces the probability of having a hand. Lastly, establish a session budget before you get started and stick to it, whatever the first few hands are like.
Pros and Cons of Playing Video Poker Slot Machines
Pros
Unlike regular slots, the choices you make with your card will actually have an impact on your chances of winning in video poker. The pay tables are clearly displayed in the front, so you don’t have to be surprised on the value of a winning hand. No rush – games are played at your speed. Well-known variations such as Jacks or Better usually have higher return to player percentages than the typical slot machine.
Cons
It may take a little practice to learn which hold is best for which variant, and it could cost you in value playing blindly. For those looking for a purely passive game experience, the format may be less exciting than a spinning slot. Despite the element of strategy, it still requires luck to win on less common hands such as a Royal Flush.
How to Start Playing at WOW88sg
Starting up only requires a few minutes. Register in the WOW88sg table games and slots lobby, and then check out the video poker area and choose a type you are comfortable with.
Many new players start out with Jacks Or Better before they venture into the more variance games once they get the basics down. If you want to compare video poker with classic reel slots, be sure to explore all of our online slots, or look through our current promotions to figure out if there is a welcome offer that you are eligible to take advantage of before you start playing.
If you’re still not sure what format to choose, our How to Play Online Slots article details the basics of reel-based slot games, and our Responsible Gambling page provides information on how you can stay within your means when gambling.
Conclusion
A slot machine that is a bit different from the others that you find in a casino is a video poker slot machine, in which you are able to make a difference, the payouts are clear, and the action is still fast and loose. From the simplicity of Jacks or Better to the more adventurous options of Deuces Wild, there is a variant of WOW88sg that’s perfect for every style. Check out the entire lobby today and choose the video poker slot machine that’s best for you.
Please play responsibly. Make limits, take breaks and keep in mind that gambling should be fun, not a source of financial worry.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the similarities between a video poker slot machine and a normal slot machine?
No. A typical slot game is completely random, meaning that the game’s results are determined by the spins of the reels, while a video poker slot machine is based on a five-card poker hand and the hold and discard decisions made by the player determine the outcome of the game.
- Which video poker game is best for the novice player?
For new gamers, Jacks or Better is often recommended due to its simple rules and its easier-to-read and easier-to-remember pay table.
- Is it necessary to have real poker experience in order to play video poker?
Not at all. It is very important to know the basic rules and values of poker hands, and most of the machines have the pay table prominently displayed on screen.
- Is it possible to play video poker slot machines on mobile?
Yes, the video poker games of WOW88sg are completely optimised for mobile browsers, and you can take pleasure from them with out downloading a video poker app in your tablet or cell phone.
- What is the minimum age that is required to play at WOW88sg, Singapore?
To comply with Singapore’s legal gambling age requirements, players must have reached the age of 21 before they register and play at WOW88sg.