Are you a fan of video poker? Despite the high RTP of the game, many gamblers are reluctant to play video poker. They find it boring. I often thought so myself, but I still think it's a great game of chance.
General Description of Video Poker
Video poker is a type of pokie machine inspired by poker, offering a wide range of variations. This is one of the most popular games of chance, and as such, it can be found in almost all land-based and online casinos. Online versions of video poker do not differ significantly from their analog counterparts in brick-and-mortar clubs.
In this article on Casinoz, I will discuss the basic rules that are traditional for all types of video poker.
The aim of playing video poker is to collect a paid poker combination.
Opponents and partners are absent, so there is no need to compare hands. It is enough to collect a hand from the paytable, and winning is guaranteed.
Winning Combinations in Video Poker
Video poker combinations are similar to the classic poker combinations:
- a pair,
- two pairs,
- three of a kind,
- straight,
- flush,
- full house,
- four of a kind,
- straight flush,
- and royal flush.
In different kinds of video poker, not all hands are valid and paid.
Joker is widely used in various kinds of video poker. This role can be played by a separate card or one of the standard cards. Natural hands (without jokers) are usually paid higher than wild ones (with jokers).
It is possible to clarify the list of all paid hands in the selected version of video poker in the paytable, which is always available in each pokie. Combinations in the paytable are usually arranged in ascending order.
You should also pay attention to the payout for each bet since these payouts can be disproportionate. So, it is more beneficial to collect some hands (usually the highest-ranking ones) that are more profitable than others.
Video Poker Gameplay
At the beginning of the game, you need to choose a bet and click on Deal. You will receive five cards. Evaluating the situation, you can hold the desired card by clicking on Hold located in front of it, and the remaining cards can be exchanged for free. If you have a paid hand after that, you will get a payout provided by the paytable.
However, most types of video poker offer a Double Up round. Five cards appear in front of the player. One of them is revealed. The player's task is to choose one of the dealt cards. If its rank is higher, the payout is doubled.
Otherwise, the player loses his bet. Having entered this mode, you can exit only after selecting one of the cards.
Some rules allow users to double the bet several times, and some casinos even pay special bonuses to those who have been able to do this ten times in a row.
Video Poker Options
There are also versions of multi-hand video poker. The valuable features worth noting include auto hold mode, which allows the video pokie to independently assess the situation and hold the cards that are most profitable according to the optimal strategy.
How to Play Video Poker Professionally?
If you want to play video poker skillfully and win often from casinos, you need to master a few critical points. Beginners should start with the basics.
- Understand the basic rules.
- Learn to select the most profitable versions of video poker with the highest RTP.
- Identify the most effective strategies for these variations.
- Practice your strategy skills.
Once you can confidently play video poker without cheat sheets, you can head to the casino.
Remember:
You can't play video poker by relying on intuition.
You should always follow the recommendations of a strategy designed specifically for the model you have chosen. This is the only way to maximize the theoretical return.
Where to Play Video Poker?
You can test the best online video poker games for free directly on Casinoz. The reviews section outlines the rules of all popular games from leading brands. They are accompanied by free demo versions that can be opened without registration.
To play video poker for real money, you must register with an online casino. The following are the well-known sites with good reviews.
| Casino | Bonuses | Editors rating | |||
| 100% to 1000 € x35 | Play | |||
| 100% to 200 $ x35 | Play | |||
| 200% to 49 € x25 | Play | |||
| 200% to 49 $ x25 | Play | |||
| 100% to 100 $ x40 | Play |
Personal Experience
I used to play video poker a lot. I liked the low mathematical advantage of casinos. However, I later started playing video poker less frequently. The main reason is the rules of online casino bonuses. Usually, they cannot be wagered on video poker. Loyalty programs also often have restrictions for fans of this game.
Are you a fan of this gambling game? Do you play video poker often? Do you gamble for money or for fun? Do you know how to play professionally? Share your experience in the comments on the article.
