Video poker is one of the world’s most popular casino games!
Video poker games made their debut back in the 70s, in the USA, and later spread in Europe, and eventually all over the world! Nowadays, video poker machines occupy half or even more of the casino games floor space! It is not the easiest casino game to play for novices, but it has some of the highest odds of winning, hence the popularity!
What makes video poker entertaining for the majority of gamblers is that, different from slot games, in video poker you can utilise your experience and know-how to improve your chances of winning! The combination of skill and decision-making in video poker adds to the game’s appeal!
An experienced player knows that cards are dealt from a randomly shuffled 52-card deck! This allows you to calculate the potential combinations and come up with an effective playing strategy!
What is video poker?
It can be played online, or in computerised consoles similar to slot machines! Video poker is based on five-card draw poker, the simplest poker variant! To take the pot (win), during a single bet or game of jackpot, you must have the best hand!
The highest winning hand in the game is the Royal Flush, followed by Straight Flush, Four of a Kind, Full House, Flush, Straight, Three of a Kind, Two Pair, Pair and High Card! Every online video poker game has a pay table that lists all hands and their associated winnings.
The best games online
Many video poker variations have been introduced throughout the years! However, just a few of them remain popular to online casino enthusiasts today! Check them out:
Jacks or Better
This is the most common 5-card draw video poker game, and can potentially pay-out up to 99% in its full-pay version in the long run! Starting payouts are at a pair of jacks and a flush pays off 6 times the bet!
Joker’s Wild
In this video poker variation, a joker is added to the deck! It acts as a wild card and can substitute cards to make winning combinations! 5-of a kind is an exclusive winning hand for this poker variation only!
Deuces Wild
All twos are wild in Deuces Wild poker! Twos make better poker hands, and increase the game’s RTP! With a four-of-a-kind occurring every 15 hands, the game has one of the highest theoretical turnovers!
Double Bonus
Four aces in Double Bonus video poker result in a bonus payout! It is a variant of Jacks or Better poker that, when played well and with high pay schedules, can provide a positive RTP.
Tens or Better
This is a poker game that derives from Jacks or Better! They’re similar, except in Tens or Better, the minimum paying hand is a pair of tens! The full house and flush payouts differ too!
What is the best strategy for video poker?
Video poker is seen as a game of skill rather than chance, therefore it is legal in many nations where other online slots are prohibited. That’s because poker, unlike other casino games, allows players to make calculations and implement strategies, which can eventually increase the odds of winning! Here are the key rules you should follow on every video poker game to win:
- Use basic calculation to determine the chance of getting the cards you need to win.
- Break up a flush or a straight if you have four cards needed for a royal flush.
- Break up a pair of jacks or better if you hold four cards in a royal flush.
- Prioritise a low pair instead of a single high card (jack, queen, king, or ace).
- Do not break a four card inside straight!
To win in video poker is challenging! You must know the game rules in detail, including how cards are dealt, winning combinations, and the game’s variations! One thing you can learn right away, is that whenever you are confronted with the following hands, you have a high chance of winning, so do not discard them: royal flush, straight flush, full house, three of a kind, or two pair!
Conclusion
The genesis of poker is traced back to the 10th century, when a Chinese emperor used to play a similar domino-card game! Fast forward in the first quarter of the 20th century, poker became the afternoon’s entertainment for everyone in the world, who wanted to play card games! In the 1970s, it became possible to play poker using a slot machine type of console! Today, you can play the beloved card game in casinos online, from the comfort of your home, using your mobile device!