Introduction To Video Poker
Video poker is one of the most popular games at online casinos. If you like a low house edge, the chance to win big and games of skill, this is the game for you. Below, we look at how to play the game and boost your winning chances in a game where the house doesn’t always have the advantage. The video poker game is one of anonymity and great fun. Read on to find out how to play.
How To Play Video Poker
Unlike online slots, the video poker game at online casinos lets you make decisions that can affect the outcome of your hand, hopefully for the best. Based on the same principles as classic poker, the combinations and rules are easy enough to get the hang of. Best of all, there are plenty of variations of video poker, like Triple Deuces, Deuces Wild and Jacks or Better to keep you entertained.
Rather than playing video poker online one hand at a time, you can potentially play up to a hundred hands, significantly increasing your chances. Once you’ve chosen your game of choice, you’ll need to pick your preferred coin amount and place your video poker bets. Press the Deal button to receive 5 cards and then decide which cards you want to hold. Press Draw to exchange your unheld cards and try to create a qualifying hand.
It doesn’t matter which video poker game you pick to play, the game screen always has certain elements that are the same. These include the payout table, Bet and Deal buttons and your hand of cards. Unlike slots where you’re paid off with arbitrary combinations, you win in poker based on the hand ranking of your result. A Royal Flush is what you really want to aim for as the top payer, followed by a straight flush.
- A 52-card deck is used
- Play between 1 to 5 bet levels
- Players receive 5 cards
- Hold or discard cards to make the best hand
Video Poker Rules
Video poker online is simple, which is why you’ll find both casino novices and pros alike playing. It’s based on the rules of five-card draw poker and different hand rankings pay out different amounts. In most variations, a 52-card deck is used and most video poker bets range between 1 and 5 coins per hand. When you receive your cards, you can decide which ones to keep and which to discard in an attempt to make up the best possible poker hand. If you do have a winning hand, the game pays out according to its payable. As with regular poker, a Royal Flush is the highest paying hand, followed by a Straight Flush, all the way down to a Pair of Jacks. Best of all, with video poker, you can look forward to wildcard games and even progressive jackpots where you could win a hefty sum of money with just one spin.
Video Poker Strategies
We couldn’t write this video poker tutorial without offering you a video poker strategy or two. The most important pointer we can give you is to always hold a pair, Full House, Straight Flush, Four of a Kind or Royal Flush. They’re all winning combinations. But if you have 3 of a kind, rather get rid of the other two cards as you stand to turn your hand into a Full House.
Always Bet Max when you play online video poker. With Jacks or Better machines, especially, there is a top payout for a Royal Flush. When you play with the maximum amount of coins, you could score a bonus when you are dealt a Royal Flush. If you’re not comfortable with a five-coin bet, then by all means drop down to a lower bet, but keep in mind you won’t be eligible for the jackpot.
- Always hold onto winning hands
- Get rid of two cards when you have 3 of a kind
- Bet the maximum number of coins
Different Types of Video Poker
One the greatest things about playing video poker online is the choice of games. The rules are more or less the same for different variants, with a tweak here and there. There are even those machines that boast progressive jackpots where you could hit a goldmine if luck is on your side. Some of the other popular versions of video poker include Jacks Or Better, Jokers Wild, Triple Play, Multi Play and Double Bonus. You’ll also find a few different versions of video Texas Hold’em. Most games are based on the usual 5-card draw. Different games sport different payout schedules, with some offering higher payouts than others. Games that offer the best payouts are referred to as full pay games. Remember, you stand to win the highest payout when you bet the maximum amount of coins.
Tips and tricks for Video Poker beginners:
Take your time to hone your video poker skills before you play for real money. Applying a strategy can help you make the best moves, depending on the hands you are dealt. Also, choose games with high payout percentages and remember to play with more than you can comfortably afford to lose. Finally, bet the maximum number of coins for the highest payout when you do have a winning hand. You can usually wager up to 5 coins per hand.
Glossary Terms in the Game
- Deuces Wild – game where a deuce is a wild, substituting other cards for the best hand.
- Draw – draw different cards at once to establish the best hand you can.
- Pay table – outline of how much you can win with different hand combinations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which video poker game has the best odds?
It depends on the video poker paytables at your preferred online casino. Look for full-pay games for the best odds, like variants of Deuces Wild. This gives you the best chance of sizeable wins as you play your favourite online casino game and try to create the best hands possible.
Is video poker better to play than slots?
It can be. Slots have their own pluses, but it’s hard to find any that offer a house edge that works for you, whereas video poker does offer favourable house edges for players. After all, you can – to a point – control the outcome of the game armed with strategies and tips for winnings hands.
What happens in video poker tournaments?
Video Poker offers the opportunity to take part in exciting tournaments. During this type of video poker game, all players start with the same bankroll. The idea is to make the biggest profit in a certain number of hands or in a certain timeframe. Prizes are awarded to top finishers, with the winner walking away with the biggest prize.
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