In slots, you do not have the option of discarding what you are dealt with, but in video poker it is your decision on whether or not to discard and have a card replaced.
The discarding option involves a strategic skill element in decision making. The discarding and replacement factor makes video poker games a game of skill as opposed to slots, which are purely games of chance.
In slots you have to stay with what you get dealt with, but in video poker games you can manipulate the end result by the discarding and replacement option.
Though skill plays a major role in video poker games, the magic of the luck element is still there and one cannot for sure say that luck is not the essence in this game. For someone to achieve consistency in winning video poker games, they ought to optimize their strategy in synchronization with luck, strategy, and machine mechanics.
The kind of hand you have got dealt with, the stakes you have in your bankroll for your play, and the hand you have drawn are the three main factors, which decides your overall victory in video poker games.
You will not have control over what you get dealt with; however, you can manage your bets and discards to a certain extent. You got to have better control over these two factors to be an optimized victor.