SubscribePlaying online Video Poker is relatively easy and players of all levels enjoy the game.
Players only play against the “dealer” in a laid-back, yet exciting environment. It is similar to online Blackjack in that it gives players the opportunity and time to plan their strategy.
Video Poker hit the gaming scene around the same time as the first PC’s during the mid-1970’s, but it only really took off in the 1980’s. The game grew in popularity mainly because players experienced a lot less pressure whilst playing the machine, than at the poker tables.
When the internet took the world by storm in the late 1990’s online Video Poker leapt to the fore. Since then the game has developed rapidly and now offers hundreds of different variants, making it the popular choice for many online gamblers.
The rules of online Video Poker are fairly simple and play begins once the player places a bet followed by clicking on the “deal” button. The player must now decide whether to keep the card or to discard one or more of their cards in exchange for new ones. The machine will then evaluate the hand after the draw and will offer the player a payout should the hand match one posted on the payout schedule.
Possible winning hand combinations include the list below, but players should refer to the individual pay tables for their game of choice. Power poker for instance allows players to play a lot of hands at once (anything from 4 to 100). Each different hand is then played with a different set of cards. Power poker offers more chances to win and to win big!
Royal Flush: An ace through ten of the same suit
Straight Flush: Five cards in a row of the same suit
Four of a Kind: Four cards of the same value
Full House: Three cards of one value and two of another
Flush: Five cards of the same suit
Straight: Five cards in a row of any suit
Three of a Kind: Three cards of the same value
Two of a Pair: Two cards of one value and two of another value
One Pair: Two cards of the same value
For a much better chance at winning big players can develop different strategies for playing online Video Poker, but it’s even more important to have a full understanding of the rules. As mentioned before there are many different variants of the game. The most popular Video Poker games are:
Jacks or Better Video Poker: This one will test every aspect of your game as it offers a mathematical challenge mixed with pure chance. The game contains no wild cards and payoffs begin at a pair of jacks or better. Players can re-bet the winning amount which could double their money, but this will of course only happen if they draw the right card! Tip: When you have high cards in this game you should only hold Jack through Ace instead of 10.
Tens or Better Video Poker: This is only slightly different from Jacks or Better Video Poker with a marked difference between the “full house” and “flush” payouts.
Deuces Wild Video Poker: In this game a two card can substitute for any other card in the deck, so the two’s are referred to as “wild” cards. Top: As the lowest payout combination is three of a kind, players must not hold two pair.
Bonus Video Poker: This game is also similar to Jacks or Better, but players get a higher payout for four of a kind. There a lot of different versions of Bonus Video Poker featuring different payouts based on the four of a kind’s ranking.
Double Bonus Video Poker: Players get a bonus payout for four aces, so this game offers even more chances to win. It is one of the most popular games on the floor and has great features.
Double, Double Bonus Video Poker: Players get bonus payouts for different four of a kind hands. This game is also based on Jacks or Better.
Aces and Eights Video Poker: The Ace is now worth so much more as it is partnering with the mighty eight. This game can pay out big!
Aces and Faces Video Poker: In this game players strive to make the best possible combination by playing four identical hands of cards at the same time. There are no “wild” cards in the game and if you feel lucky you can double your money in just one second!