Video poker is a type of machine based on a popular card game. It has variations from many providers. All of them are based on five-card poker with exchange. Regardless of the version, you have to play video poker against a computer – there is no live dealer or opponents in it.
- What is video poker
- Rules of the discipline
- Types of video poker
- Features of video poker
- Video Poker Bonus Offers
- How to play video poker online
- Frequently Asked Questions
What is video poker
The game is based on five-card exchange poker. There is no need to compete with other users or the dealer. The outcome of each round is determined by a computer based on the results of a random number generator. One of the features of the discipline is that the player is not rushed. The time for making a decision is not limited.
The user’s task is to collect a payable combination (hand) to get the winnings according to the odds. They are displayed in the table, which is usually located in the main window.
The stronger the combination collected, the bigger the winnings
The stronger the combination, the higher the winnings.
Advantages and disadvantages of entertainment
Video poker can be found in the lobby of almost every online casino. This is due to the many advantages that attract players.
| Pros | Pros |
|---|---|
| IncreasedRTP compared to traditional slots. It reaches 99% and more. | In some varieties of discipline is not paid for the younger pairs. For example, in Jacks or Better win jacks and cards older. |
| You can simultaneously play up to 50-100 hands, increasing the dynamics of gameplay. | As for other machines, there are no win-win strategies. |
| The main window displays a pay table listing all possible combinations. | In a game with many hands, you can quickly lose the entire bankroll. |
| A large number of varieties of video poker. | |
| Many versions have bonus features, risk game and even wilds. |
Rules of discipline
The main goal of the player is to compose typicalpoker combinations. Each of them is paid according to the coefficient set by the provider: the initial bet is multiplied by it. The rules of the discipline are based on draw poker, so the user receives five cards to form a combination. After the deal, he notes which he wants to keep and which to replace.
In some versions of video poker there are minimum requirements for paid combinations. For example, in Jacks or Better, a pair of Jacks is considered the initial pair, and less strong pairs (tens, nines and others) do not bring a win.
The course of the game
In all types of games, the gameplay is the same and consists of several stages. At each of them the user performs certain actions, and at the end receives a payout or loses the bet made. The game runs according to the algorithm:
- Setting the bet.To determine its size at the bottom of the window there are buttons with arrows or the image of chips of different denominations.
- Setting up hands.By default, the user plays with one set of cards. Their number can be increased to 50-100, depending on the version of video poker.
- Deal cards.To do this, you need to click on the button to start the game – Deal. Five open cards appear on the screen. Even if 10-20 hands are selected, they will be the same for all.
- Exchange.After familiarizing yourself with the starting combination, you need to select the cards that should be saved. The operation should be confirmed with the Draw button. Instead of all fixed cards will be given new ones (different for all hands).
- Payment of winnings.For each collected combination the user receives prize money in accordance with the table.
In some versions of video poker has a risk round – the function Gamble or Double. It can be triggered only after a paytable combination falls out. This allows you to increase your winnings. There are different variants of the risk round: with guessing the color (black/red), suit (spades, hearts, clubs, diamonds) or face value of the card (from several inverted must choose the oldest to beat one open).
With a successful choice, the user doubles the winnings. Otherwise, he loses the amount
If the user makes a successful choice, he doubles the winnings. Otherwise, the user loses the amount.
Combinations
Almost all games have standard rules for making combinations, except for versions with wild twos or jokers. These special cards are able to replace any other cards in the deck, that is, they act as wilds.
Exceptions also include versions of video poker, in which the smallest possible combination is considered a pair of tens or jacks. Otherwise, everything is standard. Combinations are built from the youngest to the oldest:
- Pair – two cards of equal value.
- Two Pairs.
- Set – three cards of the same value.
- Street – a consecutive row of five cards of any suit.
- Flush – five cards of a certain suit.
- Full House – a pair + set.
- Four of a kind (e.g. all tens).
- Straight Flush – a sequence of five single-suit cards.
- Royal Flush – a sequence of higher cards of the same suit (from 10 to Ace).
Payout table
There is no single table with payout ratios for all versions of the game. Providers work it out for each title. The table is placed on the main screen, placing combinations in descending order from top to bottom. Opposite each of them the payout coefficient is indicated.
Types of video poker
These virtual disciplines differ in pay tables, the number of hands, the presence of additional features such as risk rounds and jackpots. There are also unique versions of the game with features unique to them.
| Variety | Difference |
|---|---|
| Jacks or Better | Combinations below two Jacks do not pay |
| Joker Poker | There are jokers in the deck, which perform the function of a slot wild: they substitute for any other cards when forming a combination |
| Double Bonus Poker | The rules are similar to Jacks or Better, but the rackets give bonuses |
| Deuces Wild | The rules are similar to Joker Poker, but instead of the joker, doubles act as a wild |
Poker game features
Video poker is characterized by a fairly high rate of return. The rules of the game are simple. It is enough to memorize all the typical combinations, which are the same in all versions from different providers.
It is necessary to learn to manage the bankroll, observing the basic rule: the money on the balance should be enough to pay at least 100 distributions. It is also not worth playing risk rounds. You can try your luck, but not more than once – it is better to refuse from the second round.
Bonus offers for video poker
Online casino operators do not issue freespins for these virtual disciplines. Sometimes cash bonuses are offered – welcome andreloads. However, in this case, you should take into account that it is usually impossible to fulfill their wagers in video poker.
How to play video poker online
This type of slot machine is found in many casinos. Some sites even open separate categories for them. In other cases, you should look for video poker in the section with table or card games.
Choosing a casino
The choice of the site should be taken seriously, checking it for a license. Every reliable operator is audited and authorized by one of the regulators (Curacao, Malta, UK and other countries). You can check the license availability by the validator icon at the bottom of the home page.
On reliable sites users will find a lot of bonuses, a large catalog of machines, a wide list of payment systems for deposits and withdrawals and good support service.
The number of games should be at least 2000-3000 – this figure is considered normal for all large casinos. From the list of payment systems depends on the convenience of transactions. The cashier should have at least one method suitable for the player.
Game selection
Similar to slot machines, video poker should be chosen according to its technical characteristics and potential benefits:
- Payback. It is also called RTP. The value indicates the theoretical percentage of return from the total amount of bets of all players. It is better to look for machines with RTP not less than 98%.
- The number of hands.Each provider sets a limit on this parameter. There are machines in which you can choose 50 or even 100 hands.
- Limits.Limits on the amount of betting on the hand or each hand.
- Combinations and payout ratios.Each provider sets them individually. It is necessary to pay attention to the combinations from which payouts are made.
Popular providers
The release of such slot machines are engaged in various providers, among which stand out Red Rake, Play’n GO, BGaming, Betsoft and Playtech. The portfolios of these manufacturers contain more varieties of video poker compared to other studios.
Demo mode
It is better to choose online casinos that have demo modes. They allow you to test games without depositing funds, and sometimes without registering an account. In demo mode bets are paid for conditional chips. They are given for free – when you start the game, the user gets a virtual bankroll.
Demo allows you to personally assess the RTP, learn the coefficients in the payout table, understand the rules of formation of combinations and additional features. The training mode with conditional chips has two limitations: winnings cannot be exchanged for money or cashed out, and bets do not count towards the wager.
Strategies
There are a lot of different strategies. Some reduce the casino’s advantage to the player to a minimum of 0.1-0.2%. The basic strategy for the popular version of Jacks or Better is not complicated.
| Cards in the starting hand | Recommended action |
|---|---|
| Flush, Straight or Straight Flush | Don’t change anything |
| Kare, Two Pairs, 4 of a kind | Replace 1 remaining |
| Three of a kind | Replace the remaining 2 |
| A minor pair, a pair of jacks, ladies, kings or aces | Replace 3 remaining |
| Unpaired multi-size small cards | Full exchange |
| Tens and Jacks of the same suit | Replace all others |
| One-suit King-Dama-Wallet or Queen-Wallet-Ten | Swap all others |
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but not in all of its variants. The jackpot is found in versions such as Joker Poker and Progressive Jacks or Better.
The return rate depends on the version of the game – it is set by the provider. You can find out the exact RTP value in the built-in help of the machine or on the developer’s website.
In this version there is a higher probability of making winning combinations, but each hand requires a separate bet. It does not bring any obvious benefit.
No betting system will give an advantage over the casino. RTP is always on the side of the operator. The advantage of even 0.1% on a long distance works not in favor of the player.
For the game is used a standard 52-card deck. Some versions additionally use jokers.
About the Author
