Class II vs. Class III Video Poker

The distinction between Class II and Class III video poker is rooted in the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) of 1988, creating two fundamentally different gaming experiences that look identical to the casual player.

Class III: Casino-Style Gaming

Class III represents the standard video poker found in commercial casinos like those in Las Vegas or Atlantic City. These machines feature:

A local Random Number Generator (RNG) that simulates a 52-card deck

Each hand is an independent event where player skill (holding/discarding) directly influences outcomes

The mathematical Return to Player (RTP) can be calculated precisely

Player strategy meaningfully affects long-term results

When you press "Deal" on a Class III machine, the RNG generates a random sequence that determines your cards. Your subsequent hold/draw decisions influence whether you win and how much, making skill a genuine factor in your results.

Class II: Bingo-Based Gaming

Class II video poker is a legal workaround used primarily by tribal casinos without full state gaming compacts. These machines are technically "technologic aids" to the game of bingo:

The terminal connects to a Central Determination System (CDS)

A multiplayer bingo game occurs on the central server

The poker hand displayed is predetermined by the bingo pattern match

The cards shown are merely an "entertaining display" of that result

The Illusion of Skill

In many Class II implementations, the "Hold/Draw" decision does not alter the payout. The prize is predetermined by the bingo draw, meaning the card "draw" is a visual animation rather than a probability event. The machine must award the bingo prize regardless of how the player manipulates the cards.

Outcome Mapping: The Technical Bridge

Modern Class II machines use sophisticated outcome mapping to disguise the bingo mechanics. When the bingo game determines a win equivalent to a "Full House," the Class II machine displays a poker full house animation. This mapping has become so refined that Class II games are visually indistinguishable from Class III to the casual player.

The Technological Legacy

Ironically, the networking infrastructure required for Class II gaming pioneered several innovations later adopted by commercial casinos:

Server-Based Gaming (SBG) features

Remote configuration capabilities

Multi-game cabinets

Dynamic yield management

Practical Implications

For players, the key question is: Does my strategy matter?

AspectClass IIIClass IIOutcome determinationLocal RNGCentral bingo drawStrategy impactSignificantOften noneSkill relevanceHighUsually decorativeRegulatory bodyState gaming commissionsNIGC

Understanding this distinction is crucial for advantage players, who may find their carefully honed strategies completely ineffective in Class II environments.