Video Poker was believed to have been introduced a century ago when coin operated machines displayed playing cards on reels, this simple game evolved into the exhilarating video poker game which is now available at online casinos. The variations are mind-blowing and if you are a poker fan then you will enjoy the mix of a slot machine with that of a poker hand.
The game has become extremely popular over a short period of time and is available at all online casinos. As you know in a slot machine you can’t really adopt a structured strategy as the reels determine the outcome, but in a game of video poker your poker skills can be put to good use and a strategic approach can help facilitate the best five card poker hand.
Casino video poker is an entertaining pastime that combines the thrill of a slot machine with basics of traditional poker. Proper bankroll management and a wagering budget should be considered before indulging in this engaging game, as the last thing you want is to wager more than the amount you had earmarked for the entertainment.
Once you have selected your particular video poker game, you could proceed to place your bet at the selected machine. It is imperative that you are fully aware of the rules that govern the game along with complete information on the payout table before wagering. Once you have placed your wager you can activate the ‘deal’ button and receive your first cards.
At this stage your poker skills are put to test to help you decide which cards to hold and which ones to discard. Activating the ‘deal’ button will replace cards that you have discarded and winnings will be automatically credited. The best five card hands in a game of video poker are royal flush, straight flush, four of a kind, full house, straight, three of a kind, two pairs and one pair these are mentioned in descending order.
There are different types of video poker games nowadays and the majority of these online casino games are played with a pack of 52 cards. The game is played between the gamer and the machine, as in blackjack where the players play against the dealer.
Progressive video poker is another exciting variant and the jackpots grow to incredible sizes similar to progressive slots where a percentage of each wager contributes to the progressive jackpot be it a stand alone or may be linked to other similar machines running on the same software. The progressive jackpots have been in the news recently regarding other varieties of casino games, and are soon catching up in the video poker world too. Some of the common types of video poker are:-
Jacks or Better – this is the most common of all and the player is expected to get at least a pair of jacks in order to obtain a winning combination in video poker Jacks or Better.
Deuces Wild – in this version the two (deuces) act as wild cards and the player is expected to get at least three of a kind in order to achieve a winning combination.
Jokers Wild – the jokers are wild cards in this game and a player is expected to obtain at least two pairs in order to obtain a winning combination.
Aces and Faces – as the name indicates, the highest payouts are made for aces and face cards and this game resembles jacks or better in a way. The highest payouts are done on four aces as they are regarded superior to even a straight flush, and a hand with four kings, queens or jacks is preferred over a lower valued four of a kind.
Aces and Eights - in this hand having four of a kind attract a higher payout than in any other video poker game.
Tens or Better – in this hand the winning combination comprises of a pair of tens, so the objective should be to obtain this combination.
Joker Poker – in this hand the objective is to get a five-card poker hand that includes a winning combination. The payout is directly proportionate to your hand so the better your hand the better the payout would be, and in this game you are allowed to replace your cards just a single time. The game has wild jokers which effectively mean that it can substitute for any card.
Bonus Video Poker – is played with a pack of 52 cards and known for its graphics and exceptional speed, and is also a favorite among gambling video poker fans. The game has an autohold feature and offers a maximum jackpot of 4000 coins and wagering limits range from 1 to 5 coins.
A game of video poker can be engaging and quite challenging too and we recommend you play a number of free games to get acquainted with the nuances of playing video poker, before you play for real money. In a game of video poker proper management of bankroll is key to this game, and if your objective is to minimize the house edge then definitely only practice could make you perfect. The only way out to be fully conversant is to play a number of free games and learn the modus operandi in getting a winning combination ,while you hone your skills in video poker.
It is imperative to know the odds and effectively master the game as nearly 1% of hands played contain the same five cards received on the deal, and more than about 60% contain only two cards which go back into the draw. As you would agree proper knowledge of video poker odds is essential to a successful five card winning hand.
Though playing video poker appears simple there is clear demarcation between cutoff and unpaid hands, and you must always know when to throw away a paying hand and when not to! It is always advisable to play a game with the video poker basic strategy that you are comfortable with, than to adopt an unknown strategy which may prove detrimental to your game.
Strategies vary from game to game so cautious and judicious playing is key to a successful game of video poker. The rules may seem complex but once you have mastered them, it is a game which keeps you relaxed and yet involved. It is recommendable to choose a casino that suits you and one which you have played at before, you could sign on to any of the leading Real Time Gaming, Playtech or Microgaming software powered online casinos and rest assured that your gaming experience will be well worth the effort!