Video Poker
In this part of Gambling Zone’s continued guide on how to play poker, we are going to take an in-depth look at one of the most popular online poker variations: video poker. Video poker is a simulated version of poker where players attempt to land a hand to win predetermined prizes according to a paytable. In this guide, we will break down how the game works, popular variations, and more.
Playing Video Poker Step-by-Step Guide
One of the reasons video poker has become such a huge success is how easy it is to play. To play video poker online, you need to follow these simple steps:
Select the Game
The first thing you will need to do when you visit the video poker section of a top online casino is to choose the type of game you want to play. There are a lot of video poker variations available, each of which has its own unique selling points. Of course, the decision will ultimately come down to personal preference and the type of online poker you enjoy.
Select the Pay Table
Once you have chosen the game you want to play, you will need to load up the paytable to ensure you understand how the game is played. This will detail the value of each hand, and also explain any house rules that you might not know.
Select your Bet
Now you are sitting at your virtual table, you will need to choose how much you plan to wager. You can scroll through the betting options by using the +/- or equivalent buttons. The betting range will vary depending on which game you are playing and the casino you are playing it at.
Start Playing
You are all set! You can now hit the deal button and get the party started. The way the game will be played will be determined by the variation you are using. Once again, we encourage you to check the paytable to ensure you understand the ins and outs of the game.
Basic Rules of Video Poker
In this part of our guide on how to play video poker, we take a look at some of the game’s most important rules.
Initial Deal
Once all bets are placed, you will be dealt five cards. This is known as the initial deal.
Holding Cards
After your cards have been dealt, you should weigh up the quality of the cards and the possible hands they can make. You should then decide which ones you want to keep (hold) and which ones you want to discard.
Drawing Cards
Following the discarding process, more cards will need to be drawn to fill the hand. This process is known as drawing.
Final Hand Evaluation
Now you have a hand you are happy with, you can see if it matches any winning combinations in the paytable. If it does, you will be paid out at the rate displayed.
Winning Hands
The winning hands you encounter will depend on the version of video poker you are playing. Winning hands typically consist of the standard poker hand rankings. In some games, however, additional winning hands may be a part of the game.
Betting Limits
Every video poker game you play online will have a minimum and maximum betting limit. You should check the limits of a game to ensure it matches your budget before you begin playing.
Gamble Feature
Gamble features give players the chance to gamble their winnings by taking part in a mini-game.
Progressive Jackpots
Progressive jackpots are an extremely popular bonus in online slot games, and they have crossed into the world of video poker. These are jackpots that continue to grow in size until they are won. At which point, their value resets.
Types of Video Poker
Video poker comes in all different shapes and sizes. The following are the most popular types of video poker you are likely to encounter online.
Jacks or Better
Jacks or Better is probably the most common type of video poker on the market. One of the reasons for this is that it is very simple and provides an excellent way into the world of poker for players. The game’s name comes from the fact that the smallest winning hand is a pair of Jacks.
Deuces Wild
Deuces Wild is another extremely popular and fun variation of video poker. In Deuces Wild, all twos become Wild, which means that they can substitute for other cards to help players make a winning hand.
This video poker variation can provide some big winning opportunities. However, it is slightly more complex than games like Jacks or Better, so we advise reading through the paytable before you play for real money.
Bonus Deuces Poker
In Bonus Deuces Poker, players can enjoy Deuces Poker with some additional bonus features. This take on the game traditionally offers extra payouts for five-of-a-kind hands or for scoring four deuces (twos).
Double Bonus
Double Bonus Poker is a fun twist on Jacks or Better video poker. In the game, players can land extra winning combinations of four-of-a-kind matches for each cardThere is also the potential for much bigger payouts in the game.
Video Poker Types of Bets
As well as the types of video poker you can play, it is also essential that you understand the types of bets you can place when playing video poker online. The following are the main bet types you will encounter:
Single Coin Bet
A single coin bet is the smallest stake you can wager in video poker online. This is when you are betting just one unit (coin) of your stake. Most paytables will display payouts according to single coin stakes.
Multi Coin Bet
A multi-coin bet, as its name suggests, is when you are wagering multiple coins on one hand. This is often a bigger risk than playing a single coin bet.
Maximum Coin Bet
A maximum coin bet is when you have all coins active on a single bet. You should always check the minimum and maximum bets you can place on video poker before you commit to playing for real money.
Significance of the Video Poker Pay Table
One thing that is very different in video poker compared to standard poker is that the paytable is fixed. Your hand’s potential returns increase significantly with the strength of your hand. As such, taking the time to read through the paytable and understand how each variation works is essential.
It is also important to ensure you understand how the betting structure and payouts in the games work. You should check to see if the game pays out for total stakes or whether it is paying out per coin bet. In the latter case, you will also need to understand the different payouts for each subsequent coin staked.
Best Online Casinos to Play Video Poker
Video poker is extremely popular and different variations can be found at a range of top Canada online casinos. The following are Gambling Zone’s picks for the best poker sites.
Prime Casino
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