Invented in 1980, video poker game grew extremely popular in the 1990s. This allows us to call this casino game relatively new in the gambling world. Simple rules and entertaining and exciting gameplay of video poker conquered online players’ hearts by storm. Impressions from playing online video poker are not a bit duller than from playing traditional poker. They may be even better: no noise, no smoking, no one peeks into your cards –and you can concentrate on your favorite game and give it your full attention.
By the way, you can play video poker online right on our website for free and without registration.
Video poker game follow the same basic rules as standard poker does. Players make a bet, and five cards appear on the screen. The player can hold every one of them. The cards not chosen to hold are replaced by new cards. If the player’s hand wins, they are paid money according to the table of payouts. Tables of payouts in different casinos and poker variations may vary. However, most of them pay a pair of Jacks and higher as 1:1. The higher the combination, the larger is the payout rate.
Online video poker may be combined with a progressive jackpot. Jackpot increases with every bet made by the player, regardless of the fact whether they won or lost. Moreover, nowadays you have the opportunity to play free video poker.
The most popular video poker games are Jacks of Better and Deuces Wild. Besides these two, there are many other variations of video poker games. It’s very important to choose the video poker game that would be right for you. In Jacks or Better, pairs of jacks, queens, kings, or aces stand for winning combinations, while pair of Tens or lower cards are non-winning combinations. In Deuces Wild, deuces can turn “wild” and substitute for any card. In this game, pairs don’t bring you any winnings.
Although video poker is not complicated at all, it is based on several functional strategies. The strategies have different levels of complexity. All of them – in one way or another – relate to the table of probabilities. Using the table of probabilities, players can take statistically grounded decisions. Thus, the optimal online video poker strategy is similar to blackjack basic strategy: players have to keep in mind large volumes of information.
When choosing the online casino to play video poker online for real money, you should pay attention to the table of payouts. While tables of payouts vary significantly among casinos, winning chances are the same. This is why the player’s edge – especially in the long run - mostly depends on how generous payouts are. Don’t be lazy and compare tables of payouts at different online casinos before making a decision. You can also play free video poker online before betting your own money.
Most online casinos offer real-money video poker games. However, at some casinos you are given the opportunity to practice in playing for virtual money. Even if your casino doesn’t offer the opportunity to play free video poker in order to gain some experience and improve skills, you won’t have any trouble finding this option somewhere else on the Internet. Fortunately for players, video poker is not difficult at all, and practice won’t take much of your time.