Poker vs Video Poker: How Do They Differ?

By Jane Shaw Senior Editor Updated: 06/21/2023

Jane Shaw Senior Editor See Full Bio

We count on Jane to inform our readers about the latest slot games in the US market. With her passion for video games and a degree in engineering, she’s our gambling tech expert. Jane’s also active in our blog section, where she tackles the curiosities and changes in the industry.

Twitter X

Poker vs Video Poker

• Why Video Poker Differs from Poker
• Online Video Poker vs Online Poker
• Playing Online Poker for Beginner
• Video Poker: An Introduction
• The Difference in Payouts
• The Legality of Online Games
• Technology’s Role in Poker
• Frequently Asked Questions

Poker vs video poker – what’s the difference? Do the two games share any similarities? In today’s blog, we’re going to be looking at both types of poker. We’ll look at how they’re different from one another, how they both cater to different player preferences, and which might be most suitable for you. Let’s jump straight in!

Aren’t Online Poker and Video Poker the Same?

While some people assume that online poker is the same thing as video poker, in reality, the two couldn’t be more different. In fact, when you play poker online you will find numerous ways of playing, and the purpose of this blog is to give you an insight into two of the most popular variations: standard poker and video poker. Let’s begin by dissecting the main differences between the two games.

Online Video Poker Vs Online Poker

Standard poker and video poker, while rooted around the same traditional card game, have completely different rules that cater to different player preferences.

Standard poker is a multiplayer game, hosted on various gambling platforms, such as the Omaha poker sites, where players from around the world can join. This is the traditional version of poker, where you play against other players. It focuses on strategy, understanding of human psychology, and situational decision-making. It emulates the real-world poker experience, where players compete against each other, in the form of cash games and tournaments.

Video poker, on the other hand, is more like slot machines, although there is a fraction of skill involved. Here, you’re playing against a machine, with fixed odds and a definitive paytable.

The goal when you play at the best video poker sites or any other with such titles is to make the best five-card hand. The payout is determined by the rank of your hand. The lack of human opponents simplifies the game.

Overall, online video poker and online poker have almost nothing in common besides using the same hand-ranking system. In the following sections, we’ll take a closer look at both games.

Playing Online Poker: A Beginner’s Guide

Playing online poker is a fun and exciting way to enjoy the classic card game right from your own home. While it can feel a bit overwhelming at times, once you get the hang of it, it’s great fun, and some players end up winning a lot of money from the game.

Firstly, let’s talk about different variations of poker you can play online. The most common type is Texas Hold’em. Here, every player is dealt two private cards, and five community cards are dealt face-up on the board. The objective is to make the best five-card hand using your two cards and the community cards, using any combination of them.

Another popular version of poker is Omaha. It’s similar to Texas Hold’em, but each player is dealt four hole cards and must make the best hand using exactly two of their cards and three of the five community cards. Omaha is a more complex game, so it’s not really suited to beginners.

Regardless of the version of online poker you play, you’ll find that it’s played in several formats. One of the most common is cash games, where you sit down with some chips and can bet freely. You can leave the table and cash out at any time.

The second popular format is a tournament. When you enter into a poker tournament, you pay a set entry fee and get a stack of chips. The goal is to accumulate chips from other players; once a player runs out of chips, they’re eliminated. Those who make it to the finishing stages of a tournament win a prize.

Most online poker sites also run sit & go tournaments, which can be described as mini tournaments. These start as soon as a set number of players have registered, usually ranging from two to 180 players. They’re great for players who want to play in a tournament but don’t have loads of time.

Online poker involves elements of luck, but there is a considerable amount of skill involved in the game, just as there is in poker played in real life.

Video Poker: An Introduction

Video poker is a digital version of the classic poker game, and it’s a great choice for both beginners and experienced players. It combines the strategy of poker with the simplicity of slots.

When you play video poker, you’re dealt five cards on a screen. You choose which cards to keep and which ones to discard. Then, the discarded cards are replaced with new ones from the deck. The goal is simply to form the best five-card hand possible, and you’ll win a prize if you get the minimum hand value or better.

One of the great things about video poker is that it’s incredibly easy to play. Once you’re familiar with the basic poker hand rankings – from a pair all the way up to a royal flush – you’re ready to play.

Video poker is also interesting as it offers one of the lowest house edges in casinos. When played optimally, certain machines can even see the odds shifting in your favor.

As it’s only you playing video poker, you can play at your own pace. There’s no rush to make a decision, and you don’t have to worry about other players at the table. There’s no bluffing, no decision-making (aside from whether to discard any cards or not), and most games have a built-in “best strategy” feature which shows you whether to throw away cards and, if so, which ones to get rid of.

The Payouts of Pokers and Video Poker

The payout models of video poker and online poker are very different. In video poker, your winnings are determined by a fixed paytable. The better your hand, the higher your winnings, it’s that simple.

Standard poker, on the other hand, offers a much more fluid approach to winnings. The amount you win can vary a lot depending on the game format, number of players, their skill levels, and the size of the buy-ins. In a tournament, for example, the prize pool is usually distributed among the top 10% of players only, while a cash game sees anyone’s full stack of cash chips at risk in any one hand.

There is also no guarantee you’ll win money in standard poker. For example, you could hold the best hand in the world – a royal flush – but if all the other players fold, then you won’t end up making any money.

Understanding the Legality of Online Poker

Online poker, like any form of gambling, is subject to various legal restrictions and regulations, which vary from one jurisdiction to another. In some countries, online poker is completely legal and regulated, while in others, it’s totally banned.

In countries where online poker is legal, operators are usually required to hold a valid online gambling license. This means they’re subject to rigorous regulations, helping to ensure fair play, protect vulnerable players, and prevent money laundering.

In the US, the online landscape of both player-versus-player poker and video poker is complex. It’s now determined on a state-by-state basis.

For example, you can legally play poker in Michigan, while other states, like California, do not offer legal poker online. Below, we’ll look at where online poker and video poker is legal around the world:

Technology’s Role in Revolutionizing Poker

Technology has significantly transformed both types of poker we’re looking at today. In the past, traditional poker was a game you played face-to-face with other people. You could look into their eyes, see their reactions, and try to guess what cards they were holding. But technology has completely changed this.

Now, you can play poker on your computer or smartphone against people from all around world, and this means you can play without needing to visit a land-based casino or poker hall. While convenient, it’s changed a lot about the game. For example, you can’t see the other players’ faces. Instead, you need to focus more on their betting patterns and the speed of their plays to get a tell.

When it comes to video poker, the differences aren’t anywhere near as pronounced. In fact, the video poker games you find online are likely to be very similar to the ones found in land-based casinos.

It’s likely we will see continued improvements in the technological elements of both games in the next decade. VR poker could take off, and with the rise in AI, there’s likely going to be significant challenges operators will need to overcome to prevent AI-powered bots from dominating the tables.