Video poker is quickly emerging as a popular casino game around the world. Players are only now beginning to learn that video poker has a house edge that is significantly lower than playing at a slot machine. Video poker games have the look of a slot machine, however, instead of spinning reels, players receive a hand of cards they will play from. This guide will offer an extensive and exclusive breakdown of every video poker game available at online real money casinos.
Video poker has become so popular that there is now more than one video poker game available to play at any top online casino. However, every video poker game is usually a variation of two video poker games. These are; Jacks or Better and Deuces Wild. To understand the variations of these, it is key to first understand the original video poker game and how it is played.
What You’ll Find On This Page
- The Original Video Poker
- How to Get the Best Hand in Video Poker
- Deuces Wild Video Poker
- List of Video Poker Machines at Top Casinos Online
- The Best Strategy for Video Poker Games
- Video Poker FAQs
The Original Video Poker
Video poker is another way of playing the classic card game of poker, without the crowds and tables. Instead, video poker is played on what looks like a slot machine, and uses the same random number generator software. Every video poker game is determined by this software, making the outcome entirely random and fair. Another similarity that video poker shares with the slot machine is they both have a pay table. A pay table is a list of outcomes or combinations and how much they will pay. Slot machines makes use of a combination of symbols to determine a winning outcome, whereas in video poker, your hand determines if you win. By knowing how much each hand will pay, players are able to calculate their overall payback percentage.
The original video poker is known as Jacks or Better and is played with a standard 52 card deck as follows:
- Players get dealt their hand of five cards to play from.
- Upon viewing their hand, players must decide which cards they will keep and which cards to discard and replace with new ones. Players may also choose to replace their whole hand.
- Depending on your hand, you will be paid out according to the combinations from the pay table.
- Players should memorise the pay table for each hand in order to know which cards to throw away and which cards to keep. This will help you get the best hand and increase your payback percentage.
How to Get the Best Hand in Video Poker
Every round of video poker is determined by your hand and if you have something that matches the pay table. By knowing what hand you could possibly build or get dealt, you will know exactly what your payback percentage will be. Here is every kind of hand that you can win with in video poker:
- Pair: This is a hand with two cards of the same value.
- Two Pairs: A hand that contains two different sets of pairs.
- Three of a Kind: When you have three cards with the same value.
- Straight: A hand of cards that follow each other in sequence, but not from the same suit.
- Flush: Having five cards from the same suit but not in any sequence.
- Full House: A hand with a pair and a three of the same kind.
- Four of a Kind: Having four cards with same value.
- Straight Flush: Having a hand with five cards in sequence, with the same suit.
- Royal Flush: A hand containing the sequence of 10, Jack, Queen, King, and Ace, all the same suit.
Each hand stated above makes the pay table and will payout players according to their rank. Pairs have the lowest payback percentage and a royal flush has the highest. However, always remember that the house edge in video poker games are always better than playing at any slot machine.
Deuces Wild Video Poker
Deuces Wild has a lot in common with the Jacks or Better video poker game. Both these video poker games deal out a hand of five cards. Players may also choose which cards they want to keep and which they want to replace to strengthen their hand. Ultimately, the payout you receive will be based on the strength of your hand.
The main difference with Deuces Wild to the original video poker is the introduction of wild cards. In this video poker game, the deuces can be used to replace other cards needed to make a stronger hand. The typical Deuces Wild pay table changes to reflect this.
Another difference with the common Deuces Wild pay table is that you need a much better hand to qualify for a payout. Two pairs and a pair do not payout in this video poker game and the lowest hand is a 3 of a kind.
List of Video Poker Machines at Top Casinos Online
Besides the two video poker games mentioned, there are also others available to play at top online casinos. Here is a list and description of every video poker game you can play at a casino site we recommend:
Jacks of Better
This video poker game is the best and most common variant of this casino game. Gameplay is simple to understand and follows the rules of the classic card game of poker. Jacks or Better is ideal for new players and for experienced poker players. The payout is 9 times the bet you placed.
Jokers Wild
Video poker only gets more fun when you start trying out the different variations of the original video poker. This video poker game also uses a 52-card deck, with one added surprise. The major difference in Jokers Wild is the introduction of a Joker, which can replace any card of your liking to make a stronger hand.
Deuces Wild
This is a video poker game that raises the stakes by introducing two Joker cards. This will help you get a stronger hand and more often. Deuces Wild will surely have players entertained and increasing their overall payout percentage while doing it.
Bonus Video Poker
This video poker game offers players the same gameplay as Jacks or Better, but with a bonus payout for a four of kind. The amount of the bonus is determined by the rank of the four of a kind you have in your hand.
Double Bonus
Players who feel extra lucky are in for a real treat when they play Double Bonus. This is essentially a variation of Bonus Poker with greater payout potential. In this video poker game, players receive an extra bonus payout for having a hand with four Aces.
Double Double Bonus
If you want greater payouts with more excitement, Double Double Bonus is the video poker game for you. Similar to Double Bonus, except that players will receive an extra payout for a hand with any four of a kind.
The Best Strategy for Video Poker Games
Unlike the slot machine, video poker makes use of a bit of skill and strategy. Golden Riviera Casino provides players with all the best strategies, no matter which video poker game they decide to play:
- Calculate the house edge: Before choosing a video poker game, you should always know the house edge involved. Jacks or Better has a house edge less than 0.5%.
- Understand the video poker game: Always know what the pay tables and rules are of the variation of video poker you choose to play. Each version is based on the original video poker, however differ slightly.
- Know the pay table: Each video poker game has its own pay table. Some will include lower ranking hands, while others won’t. Some will have higher payouts than others depending on the hand you have.
- Practice for free: To get to know the game, you should always take advantage of the online casinos free play feature. This will allow you to practice as much as you need to.
- Limit your bankroll: A key element to every casino game is creating responsible limits on your budget. This includes setting clear limits on how much you plan to spend, lose and also win before walking away.
Video Poker FAQs
Video poker is a newly invented version of poker that takes out the need to play at a poker table. Video poker is played on what looks like a slot machine, only with no spinning reels. Online video poker is played directly from your PC or mobile device.
A premium online casino is a casino that caters for a variety of players. There are video poker games to suit every budget and preference. Some of the best video poker variations include Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild and Jokers Wild.
A Random Number Generator is software that is used in every slot machine and video poker game. This software generates multiple sequences of outcomes every second. When you eventually hit the “deal” button, the sequence at that exact moment becomes your given outcome. This doesn’t display as numbers, but as cards that make up a hand.
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