Lucky Nugget Video Poker

The Lucky Nugget variation of video poker is not one in which the payouts are "top-heavy," but rather probably more evenly distributed up and down the line than any other version of the game of video poker.

Like all versions of the game, the player receives five cards at the outset. Then the player makes the decision as to how many cards to keep in his hand before the draw, as he tries to achieve a winning hand.

Here, the winning hands start not with a pair of Jacks or better, but with two pairs. One of the things you also notice right away if you look at the pay table is that the Royal Flush doesn't pay 4000 or 5000 coins on a five-coin maximum bet, as do other versions of the game, but only 2500.

There is a compensation of sorts, however, as you'll see from this payout scale that represents full pay (based on a five-coin bet, which is what we recommend):

• Royal Flush -- 2500
• Straight Flush -- 250
• 4 of a Kind -- 175
• Full House -- 40
• Flush -- 40
• Straight -- 40
• 3 of a Kind -- 10
• Two Pair -- 5

Interestingly, a Full House, a Straight and a Flush all pay the same amount. that's part of what makes Lucky Nugget unique.

Coin denominations allowed are 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 50 cents, $1, $2 and $5. The maximum bet is $25, based on five coins at the highest denomination.