Jackpot Rank

Types of Video Slot Machines

Video Poker Machines

No other single category of slots is more popular at the present time than the video poker machines. Some people are literally hooked on them. It isn't unusual to see customers stand in line to play these machines. There are both the standard and progressive applications of the video poker game, and one is just as popular as the other.

As with most slots, nickels, quarters, and dollars are the most popular denominations for the poker machines. I don't know what it is about this game, but you better look out, because these machines can mesmerize you. It's quite relaxing to focus your attention on the blue screen in front of you as you draw and discard hand upon colorful hand, game after game.

On the same amount of money, you could probably play a poker machine longer than any reel-type machine. Said another way, it probably takes longer to lose, playing video poker. But unless you hit a royal flush or at least a few four-of-a-kinds or better in the course of the time you are playing, don't expect to get rich playing video poker. Yes, you can make money at it, but it's mostly the enjoyment of playing as well as picking up a few bucks that makes it such a popular game.

Video Blackjack or 21

There are a couple of important differences you should know about between the video version of blackjack and a real live game. A blackjack machine uses only one 52-card deck, but the deck is shuffled electronically before each and every hand played. Card counting is, therefore, impossible. Another difference is that on some but not all blackjack machines the player loses on pushes or ties, the newer machines, however, will return your money on a push, as is done in most table games of blackjack.

These machines are to play for a while but definitely lack the hypnotizing of the poker machines. Give them a try, and you can decide for yourself.

Keno Machines

Keno machines can be surprisingly entertaining. They are not going to mesmerize you like the pokers, but they keep your visit to the slot department from becoming dull, they offer a little variety. One major difference from live keno is that machine keno takes a lot less money to play. You can easily play machine keno ten or twenty times faster than real keno.

The other side of the coin is that if live keno was too slow to keep you interested, video keno could be the answer. Finally, you only play straight keno on a machine; there is no provision for a "way ticket."

The "Revolutionary" Videos

The "revolutionary" videos have been made possible only by the technology of the electronic revolution and the computer age. One of the more common new video games at the present time is horse racing. It works something like this. Actual races from a track are photographed or recorded on a video laser disk. The disk, which can store many separate races, is then installed in the horse race machine.

When you insert your coins, the machine will randomly select a race and provide you with a video read-out of the horses and their odds. You then bet on one or more horses to win, then push the start button, and the race is played for you on a TV monitor built into the machine. You get paid according to what the odds were if your horse wins.