When you think about old-school casino games, video poker and slots immediately spring to mind. In the pre-internet days, before the many high-tech online slots and casino games emerged, both would be housed in standalone cabinets. With similarly bright lights and appealing sounds, it’s easy to see why players would compare the two games.
However, the two games couldn’t be more different. And in this article comparing video slots and poker, you’re about to discover why.
Rules Overview
First, take a look at an overview of how to play both games.
Poker
Virtually all casino poker machines are based on the game of five-card draw. A standard 52-card deck is used, though often wildcards like jokers are also included. As with regular poker, the game is all about achieving the best possible hand. But instead of beating an opponent, you’re paid based on the strength of your final holding.
You start the game by selecting a wager size and hitting the button to play. You’ll receive an initial five-card hand, but you also have the chance to discard and draw new cards. Depending on the rules, you may even receive several drawing opportunities. If your final hand meets the qualifying criteria, you’ll win a prize.
Slots
The original casino slots required a lever to be pulled rather than a button to be pushed. But modern games look more similar to poker machines in that regard. Either way, the fundamental premise is somewhat similar in that the spinning reels supply you with an initial set of symbols. You may hold those which are favorable, respinning the rest and hoping for a better match.
Whichever symbols rest on the payline at the end of the spin determine your prize. More modern slot machines often feature multiple paylines, plus all kinds of weird and wonderful symbols. The evolution of slots has led to the inclusion of complex bonus games, but the core idea remains unchanged from the earliest games.
Similarities
You can already see the initial similarity between the two, which is the idea of creating a combination and being paid according to its strength. But the two games also share a few other common elements.
Random Number Generator (RNG)
RNG software ultimately powers both games. In poker machines, it’s used to shuffle the virtual deck of cards. While for slots, it determines whether or not the spin is a winning one. There are different approaches that a game developer can take to affect the hit frequency of certain events. But all RNG games must be certified to prove they’re fair and truly random.
Return to Player (RTP) Rate
On a similar note, both types of games have a pre-programmed RTP value, which dictates how much money the machine will pay out over time. So, whilst each individual event is random, over an infinite period, the game is configured to retain a set amount. This is the house edge, which makes the casino its money. An RTP of 99% would mean that $99 is returned for every $100 fed into the machine.
Solo Pursuit
If you don’t like the hustle and bustle of table games or interacting with others when playing online poker, both of these are great alternatives. They are solitary pastimes since it’s just you against the machine. You can learn to play at your own pace, with no public embarrassment when you make a mistake. Furthermore, there’s no pressure to speed the game along like you’d experience in blackjack or craps.
Differences
Now, to quickly run through the key differences between the two.
Strategy
This is undoubtedly the main point of difference between casino slots and poker machines. The former is purely luck-based, even if there’s a bonus game that gives the illusion of skill. Sometimes you may get to flip a coin or pick from several options on the screen. However, it doesn’t matter how you act, the game has already decided the outcome.
But in poker, you can follow a basic strategy. It’s a solved game, just like blackjack. As such, you can not only reduce the house edge but with some variants, you can actually make the game profitable. There’s a reason why you’ll find casinos offering a free spins slots bonus, but they never encourage you to play online video poker.
Payouts
Another key difference is the amount of money you can win. First of all, your poker returns are linked to the size of your bet. Playing the maximum stake ensures that the payout rate of each hand is increased exponentially. For instance, a royal flush with a maximum five-coin bet usually returns 4,000 coins. But with a four-coin bet, it might only be 1,000. The pay jump is significant.
You also need to consider jackpots. While you do sometimes see linked poker machines that offer progressive jackpots, they rarely match those in the slots world. The likes of Mega Moolah will frequently pay eight-figure sums, for example.
Variety
While there are certainly different rule variations to be found in poker games, the diversity is nowhere near that of slots. It’s possible to mix things up with wildcards, like in Deuces Wild or Joker Poker, but the basic game remains the same.
However, there are dozens of different themes on which to build a slot game. You can mix up the music, sounds and graphics according to whatever you like. Space, history, culture, movies — there are even slots based on arcade games. It’s possible to introduce unusual gameplay elements like walking wilds, expanding reels and cluster pays. The scope for creativity and innovation is much greater with slots.
Relative Strengths
To summarize, here are the main advantages of both games.
Poker
A predominantly skill-based affair, video poker is better than roulette, craps or any purely random game if you’re looking to overcome the house edge. Although it may become a tad boring to simply follow a fixed strategy, it’s possible to make a little money by doing so.
Slots
The main appeal of casino slots is the simplicity of their rules and the fact that there’s no need to study any strategy. Simply hit the button, cross your fingers and hope for the best. What’s more, the potential rewards can be greater, too, thanks to some impressive progressive jackpots.
Which Do You Prefer?
So then, is video poker better than slots or not? Ultimately, the answer comes down to personal preference. Both games have their similarities and differences, not to mention their own strengths and weaknesses.
If you’re happy to practice and sharpen your skills, poker games can be profitable. But if you’re more interested in blowing off a little steam without needing to think too hard, slots are likely a better fit for you.
The only way to know for sure is to try for yourself. Why not register with Borgata Online to experience a vast selection of slots and poker games?