Poker is largely luck based anyhow but the human element allows you to win with nothing at all, if Video poker is missing that element of the game its unfortunate because its alot closer to slots again anyhow.  The one advantage slots can tout in its favor is that the money is contained in the machine from previous winnings and there is a payout ratio due, however I think the ratio is not per slot but the entire casino game or even people say the game ratio might be shared for a whole operator.   That makes its very hard to know when the slot 'owes' you cash and the payout is more likely.   Somehow I have done well with slots in the past on occasion and I just stuck to whatever worked and didn't do high stakes, I cant say I know it was me or just persistence and eventually I got enough I was in profit so quite happy.