Video Poker
The traction video poker has in the iGaming community is out-of-this-realm.
Hands-down, it ranks amongst the most enchanting casino games ever.
However, the two casino favorites often compare to each other.
Thats because initially, they had homogenous-looking playing machines.
Also, thats why youll find gamblers from particular regions referring to slot games as pokies.
Nonetheless, its a totally different game from slots.
While slots require little-to-no expertise, video poker needs tamed skill to win.
Also, in slot games, youre usually reeling in blind without knowing your odds of winning.
On the contrary, video poker (VP) has the best odds in any casino lobby.
Therefore, with the right strategy, you may decide your winning hand at VP.
Now back to our main event; video poker.
Its a card game played with a 52-deck card thats shuffled after every round.
it’s possible for you to play video pokers numerous variations at online casino platforms or brick-and-mortar terminals.
The rules are the same wherever you decide to play this iconic game.
However, most gaming is done online.
Therefore, you’re able to try playing atReal Money Video Pokersafter acquiring the basics of the game.
In this VP beginners guide, well explain the basic rules and strategies of the game.
Furthermore, well discuss the odds & payouts of different hands, where to play, and its history.
Video Poker: A Brief History
Lets roll back years before most of us were conceived.
Although video poker isnt an old guard among casino games, its origin is fascinating.
Sittman and Pitt Company innovatedthe first poker machinein 1891.
The machine had 5 drums or reels, and each reel had 10 playing cards.
For a Royal Flush, the card bell would pay a max of 20 coins.
That resulted in the first five-card draw machine.
Poker Matic was the first video poker machine developed by Dale Electronics in 1970.
Although it didnt hit the ground running, it came into fame around 1981, thanks to Si Redd.
The video poker machines were gradually accepted among gamblers in gambling houses.
In 1994, Microgaming, a well-known software publisher, was the first to develop online video poker games.
The games online versions garnered an immense liking from the fresh wave of Internet savvy players.
Online video poker rapidly became admirable among online gamblers.
The element of skill and possibility of holding some cards to better your hand made video poker an-industry-dynamite.
Steadily, physical casinos began losing video poker clients.
Globally accepted game providers like IGT, NetEnt, Microgaming, among others, make that possible.
Welcome to the 21st,where the game has completely morphed, revolutionizing the online gaming arena.
Now, you’ve got the option to enjoy playing the game anywhere you are.
Additionally, the online versions use the Random Number Generator software, which ensures all game outcomes are random.
Therefore, all game results arent fixed but are honest and fair.
With the best odds in any casino, video poker will offer you the best winning opportunities.
If youve not, the rules are quite straightforward.
For starters, video poker has quite a number of its variations.
Hence, youll need to choose the one that fits you.
That will come later in this guide, however.
For you to win at the game, you should probably have at least the lowest paying hand.
For example, if youre playing Jacks or Better, the lowest hands a pair of jacks.
Also, its important to note that the hands are arranged in descending order.
The Royal Flush is the most significant paying hand.
Well also learn about these hands later.
Some of the video poker variants also have a wild card feature.
The wild card is usually the Deuces (2) or the Joker.
For example, in Deuces Wild, 2 is the wild card.
Similarly, in Joker Wild, the wild card is the Joker card.
How to Play
Playing video poker is easy.
The holy grail is acquiring a unique batch of cards thatll give you a winning hand.
As a standard to all casino games, youll need to wager before the game begins.
Unlike other card games like Blackjack that need playing chips, video poker requires credits or coins to play.
In casinos, you might bet with up to 5 coins per hand.
The coins have different values, with some going as low as $0.20.
Some other platforms can also allow a minimum bet of $0.10.
After placing your ideal bet, press the deal button.
Based on the 5-card draw rule, youll receive 5 cards, randomly selected by the RNG software.
Depending on the cards and variation youre playing, you may decide to hold or discard some cards.
Well explain the payouts in the odds section of this guide.
The Different Video Poker Hands
Now you know the rules and how to play the game.
Next up arepopular hands in online video poker.
A hand in VP means the cards you hold that were dealt to you.
A round begins after you receive the cards and ends when you win the game or fold.
All these cards should belong to the same suit to have a Royal Flush hand.
For example, when the A, K, J, Q, and 10 cards are all diamonds.
Its the best hand you might get and automatically beats all other hands.
However, its a golden hand thats unimaginable to acquire.
This hand may activate the progressive jackpot feature in some games if theres that feature.
Straight Flush
It consists of five (5) successive cards in value.
These cards should belong to the same suit to have a Straight Flush hand.
Its also the 2ndbest hand you might have.
Also, it can be Aces (A) of any suit.
Flush
It consists of five (5) cards of a similar suit with no particular order.
Straight
A straight hand is the opposite of a Straight Flush.
For example, three 7s of any suit, such as hearts, clubs, diamonds, or spades.
Simply, it can be 7 clubs, 7 spades, and 7 diamonds.
Basic Video Poker Strategy
Theres no cheat sheet to winning at video poker online.
Even with the lowest house edge of all casino games, the casino always wins.
The strategies come down to whether youll discard or hold certain cards from the dealt first five cards.
Keeping certain cards will improve your hand, but it can also destroy it.
Moreover, by doing that, youll also have a chance of getting a full house hand.
If you get two pairs, we advise you to discard the 5thcard.
That way, youll have a likelihood of acquiring a full house hand.
These are the simple techniques for playing video poker.
Video Poker Variants/Variations
Statistically, there are about 100 variants of video poker on online gaming platforms.
Thats overwhelming for beginners trying to learn the game, primarily because each features multiple pay tables.
Therefore, we wont glut you with all these variations.
There are other versions of the game, such as Bonus Poker, which have a higher payout.
You may also find jackpot and multiplay variants of the game.
In multiplay versions, it’s possible for you to wager several hands simultaneously.
Thats because it has a more straightforward paytable compared to the other versions.
In addition, its a fan favorite, thus being played by most gamblers.
Its based on the 5-card draw poker and uses a single deck of 52 playing cards.
The minimum winning hand in this variation is a pair of Jacks or Better.
So, thats where the version draws its name.
Youll find others referring to the game as 9/6.
Deuces Wild
Also, amongst admirable VP games is Deuces Wild.
In this version, all 2s are wild.
However, in this version, a pair of jacks isnt a winning hand.
Additionally, the Deuces Wild pay table begins with a Three of a Kind.
The Deuces Royal Flush is the 2ndbest hand after normal/Natural Royal Flush.
Tens or Better
Tens or Better is a desired variation of Jacks or Better.
Here, a Four-of-a-Kind of either Eights or Aces will earn you more.
Its also played with a single deck of 52 playing cards.
The paytable is also similar to the Jacks or Better one.
Video Poker Odds & Payouts
We earlier discussed the different winning hands in video poker.
Here, well look at the payouts each winning hand will give you with bets ranging from 1-5 coins.
Every VP variant has a paytable that might differ from others.
In addition, depending on the software provider and the online casino operator, they may also vary.
Since full pay Jacks or Better is a well-liked variant, well look at its sample paytable.
As stated before, JoB is also known as 9/6 JoB.
Thats because the payout for a Full House and a Flush is 9 and 6 coins/credits, respectively.
The lowest hand here is the Jacks or Better and pays even money.
That means if you wager with 1 coin, youll receive one extra credit.
Similarly, if you wager with max credits (5), you earn an additional five coins.
With a max bet on the Royal Flush, you win a staggering 4,000 coins.
Thats why you should always bet with max coins.
The house edge for this paytable is a minute 0.46%- the lowest of all casino games.
The games are supplied by recognized game developers such as Revolver Gaming and RTG.
These games have high-definition video graphics that allow gaming across multiple devices.
There’s a generous bonus for all new players, and a myriad of deposit and speedy cashout options.
With a Royal Flush hand, you stand to win crazy sums of money.
Its a Hail Mary opportunity that knocks once, and you wouldnt want to miss out.
Th game has other multiple hands you could win with at our endorsed online casinos.
The best part about video poker is holding certain cards that may give you a winning hand.
In a similar fashion, you may also discard the ones not in your favor to improve your hand.
Our beginners guide has explicated every detail crucial to give you an edge against other players.
Sign up and live the thrill yourself.
Soon, youll be framing video poker and sticking it on the mantlepiece.
She has a special place in her heart for Sega and online poker.
