Video poker is in some ways a cross between online slots and poker, perfect for those who can’t quite make up their minds. You have the exciting graphics and the autoplay function of slot machines, but with traditional poker payouts as well. The world of online video poker has exploded at the top online casinos. As one of the best RTP games, discover in this guide the tricks of the trade for playing better video poker.
What is Video Poker
As we mentioned, video poker is a combination, in fact, it popularized Five Card Draw poker, with slot machine capabilities. Compared to more established casino games like baccarat and roulette, video poker is still a relatively young game in terms of its history. The first video Draw Poker machine was produced in the mid-1970s, which would later become known as IGT, the developer of monster hit slot games like Cleopatra and The Wheel of Fortune.
People discovered that, contrary to popular belief, video poker was a game that involved skill, and the correct decisions could improve the odds. As the first online casinos were established in the mid-1990s, with software providers like Microgaming at the leading edge, video poker games were among their first games because of the more simple graphics. Being a popular game in land-based casinos and not requiring multiplayer capabilities, it was the perfect choice. The early games were simple, but they replicated the skill-based nature of the physical game and have quickly become the centerpiece of online casinos since then.
Some key features of video poker games include:
- You don’t have to wait for or find other players to start a game. You can play as slowly or quickly as you like. Unlike live poker, you are playing against the CPU.
- You won’t feel any pressure from other players, and it’s easy to concentrate on your strategy and how to play.
- Online and mobile versions make the game even more convenient.
- Winning hands and payouts are usually listed for each game and can vary wildely based on the game.
- After the initial deal, choose which cards to hold and which to replace until you have a complete hand.
Many video poker games are also among the highest RTP games available and very affordable to play.
The Art of the Video Poker Deal
The first step is to review the pay tables for each video poker game, because each variant pays differently. The pay table indicates which winning hands are available and how much they pay, allowing players to make strategic decisions about which hands to pursue.
The next step in the process involves dealing and holding cards. This begins by starting the dealing. Afterward, you can manually choose which cards to drop or let the autoplay feature handle it for you. This is the strategic part of the game as it involves the player carefully thinking through each decision.
Once you have decided which cards to hold, use the Draw feature to replace the cards you gave away and complete your final hand. This will be the outcome, based on the pay table, whether you have a winning hand or not.
The final draw is the most important phase in a game of video poker. Once you have made your selection on which cards to hold, you must use the Draw option to get new cards. Like traditional poker games, you can also win on straights and pairs, so you walk away with something.
The Most Popular Video Poker Games
Hopefully, it is clear now why video poker remains one of the quickest and most popular games to pick up. Below are the top video poker gaems available now:
Jacks or Better
Jacks or Better continues to roll as one of the best variants, and its main appeal is the simplicity and lucrative nature of the game. As one of the highest RTP games, Jacks or Better features an RTP of over 99%. Bonus features, such as a 2% progressive meter to the royal flush, can be added to the base game for promotional purposes.
Deuces Wild
Provides many fun opportunities with all twos acting as wild cards. Natural Royal Flush pays 800: 1 per credit, while Four Deuces can pay 200:1 on full-pay games. Hold pat hands of Five of a Kind or better; otherwise, hold any Deuce and discard other cards if you hold fewer than three. Deuces Wild is meant for advanced video poker games.
Double Bonus Poker
Double Bonus Poker features much bigger payouts for four-of-a-kind hands. The key difference between Double Bonus Poker and most other video poker games, such as Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, and enve Bonus Joker Poker, is in the pay table for four-of-a-kind hands, which can be worth up to 800 coins with a max bet, especially if the four-of-a-kind is aces.
Conclusion
Playing video poker seamless combines patience, bankroll management and a little bit of luck. Familiarizing yourself with different video poker variants including the Bonus Bonus variants, and using optimal strategies can also help you play the game more effectively and increase your winnings.
