Video poker | Full guide to video poker games

Mixing a bit of slot machines and table games, the video poker games are the third main category of games offered in casinos. Easy to play, they offer generous jackpots that attract many online players. If you too are interested in this type of casino game and want to make sure you have the best odds for your next games, then this manual is exactly what you need. You will find the rules of the game, the different variants, the strategies that work, as well as all the information you need to play the video poker for free online. Follow the guide!

Video Poker casinoThe origins and evolution of the game up to the present day

Ubiquitous in casinos around the world today, video poker machines are very similar to slot machines. This is quite normal since these two types of games have common origins. Indeed, it all began at the end of the 19th century with the creation of the first slot machines by Sittman & Pitt. On this machine, there is no symbol, but rather cards that must create winning poker hands for the player to receive a payout.

Then, in 1901, Charles Frey, known as the inventor of the “Liberty Bell”, modified this card machine by adding an extra phase during which the player has the opportunity to change the cards in his initial hand and receive more cards in the hope of having a more interesting final hand. These machines, which are very similar to today’s video poker machines, have a lever to operate, just like the one-armed bandits. At the time, the prizes offered were cigarettes and drinks.

But it was at the end of the 1970s that the first real machine of video poker casinoIt is the work of William Redd (known as “Si Redd”), who takes the principle of the Sittman & Pitt machine and modernizes it by presenting it on a video screen with control buttons. Predicting the success of the game, he acquires the patent of video poker and starts the production of the machines with his company SIRCOMA which will later become IGT (International Game Technology).

Situated halfway between arcade and classic casino gaming, the video poker is rapidly becoming a success and is quickly becoming a must in casinos. Over the next few 2021s, the game took advantage of the development of new technologies to improve the overall gaming experience, better graphics and more attractive payouts

Then, with the development of the Internet, video poker games appeared in online casinos in the form of various variants. Suitable for both slot machine and poker players, video poker games have become popular among online gamblers due, among other things, to their interesting jackpots and rules that are much less complex than those of poker.

How to play video poker classic ? Rules of the game and game play

Whether it’s in a live casino or an online casino, the rules of the video poker classic are the same, since in all cases the game is played in front of a screen. Basically, here’s what you need to remember

The goal of the game

The goal for you is to make a 5-card hand that is one of the winning combinations in poker. The stronger the combination, the higher the payout offered. And if you manage to get the strongest combination in the game, you’ll walk away with the jackpot of the machine.

Winning hands at video poker

If there’s one thing you absolutely must know before you play the video pokeris the composition of the different paid combinations. If you already know how to play 5-card poker, you won’t have any difficulty since they are the same combinations. Here, there are 10 different combinations:

pair: Two cards of the same value. It should be noted, however, that not all pairs in video poker offer a payout. Depending on the variant you are playing, the minimum pair required may be a pair of tens or jacks. This means that if you make a hand with a pair of 9s or 6s, for example, you will not receive a payout;
double Pair: These are two separate pairs within the same 5-card hand;
three of a Kind: In classic poker, like video poker, three of a kind is a set of three cards of the same value;
straight: You have a straight when you have a five-card hand with consecutive values. This is the case for example if you have a 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10
flush: Here, your hand must consist of 5 cards of the same suit, regardless of their value. For example, it can be five spades or five hearts;
full house: To have a full house, your hand must consist of a three of a kind and a pair. For example, three tens and two jacks;
the four of a kind: four cards of the same value;
the Straight Flush: it is the combination of a straight and a colour. In other words, it is a hand consisting of a five-card straight of the same suit. For example, if you have a 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10, all of diamonds, hearts, spades or clubs.
royal Straight Flush: this is a straight flush consisting of an Ace, King, Queen, Jack and 10 of the same suit.

The ideal is to learn these combinations in order to be able to define and apply a game strategy. However, if you have difficulty retaining them or are confused, don’t worry. Paid combinations are always displayed on the screen of the video poker machines with the corresponding payment.

The sequence of the parts of video poker

Now that you know the basics of the game, let’s move on to how to play a game of video poker. And as you’ll see, it’s pretty simple and the games are pretty fast.

It all starts with the bets. As with other casino games, you first need to define the amount you wish to bet. To do this, simply use the buttons provided for this purpose. Whether you are playing in a live or online casino, this is done intuitively. However, before you start, make sure you know the minimum and maximum bet limits that are allowed on the machine. , keep in mind that the potential winnings you can achieve are simply proportional to the amount you bet. The more you bet, the more you can win.

Once your bet is validated, start the game with the “Deal” button. You will then receive 5 cards that make up your initial hand. As mentioned above, your goal is to get one of the combinations listed above. If this is the case, you can keep the cards that you use to pocket a win. If, on the other hand, your initial cards are not interesting, you have the possibility to change the ones you want. You can ask to change a single card or all of them. To do this, click on the cards you wish to keep, and then start the deal by clicking “Deal” again. This final hand determines the outcome of the game. If there is a winning combination in the final hand, you will receive the corresponding payout. Otherwise, you will simply lose your bet.

The double or nothing rule in video poker

This is a rule that you may have already encountered on video slots and is present in almost every variant of video poker. Indeed, if you manage to get a winning combination, the game will automatically offer you to put your winnings back into play, with the possibility of winning two or even four times that amount. To do this, you will be taken to a secondary screen where you will have to guess the colour of a hidden card or select a card that is stronger than the one randomly drawn by the computer. But beware! If you lose in this secondary game, you will also lose your initial winnings

What strategies should you use to optimize your chances on video poker games?

If you have read the rules of the game, you should have understood that to win you must make the right decisions to get the strongest possible combination in your final hand. In order to do this, you will need to use some common sense. But you can also apply a strategic scheme that maximizes your chances of winning and minimizes the casino advantage on the basis of probability.

The strategy scheme discussed here is usually presented in the form of a table which specifies the actions to be taken according to the nature of the cards you are dealt. It is important to note, however, that it is not exactly the same depending on which variant you are playing. Here, we will present you with the strategy to apply to the most popular variant of the video poker gamesthe Jacks Or Better. In this variant, a pair of jacks is the minimum combination required to hope to win. And to put all the odds on your side, here’s what you need to do:

your hand consists of a high card (face card or Ace) and a pair of low value cards: in this case, the best choice is to keep the high card and replace the other four cards in the hope of getting a pair of high cards. The odds of this outcome are higher than the odds of getting a double pair or three of a kind.
vur hand consists of two separate strong cards and three cards of various kinds: here, it is recommended to keep these two cards at all costs and replace the remaining three. This will give you a good chance to get a pair of strong cards from your new cards.
your hand contains three different high cards: the best option is to keep two of these cards and replace the other three. This will give you a better chance of getting a winning pair in the end.
your hand consists of a pair of aces and three cards that are the same suit as one of the two aces. In this case, you can either play the caution card and keep your pair of Aces or sacrifice an Ace in the hopes of getting a Flush, a combination that offers a much better payout.

Many other cases may also arise. They are summarized in various video poker strategy tables that you can find here and there online. In all cases, the principle remains basically the same: to favor as much as possible the option that offers you the highest probability of winning the final hand.

5 tips to make the most of your chances at the video poker

Despite its very simple rules, the video poker is a game that requires a good deal of thinking and a certain ability to project oneself in order to make the right decisions. Therefore, in addition to understanding how the game is played, it is important to play intelligently to maximize your winnings. In this context, we share with you 5 tips that will surely be very useful

1.Choose the right variant and the right machine

There are several variants of video poker that we will discuss in more detail in the rest of this article. Each of these variants has its own specificities and is itself offered in different games. The differences include not only the minimum combinations required to get a payout, but also the payouts offered on each combination. So before you start playing video poker, check the payout table to make sure you’re making the right choice.

2.Learn to understand the probabilities

If you’re serious about improving your chances of winning in video poker, it’s imperative that you understand the odds so you know which decisions are the wisest.

3.Follow your strategy to the letter

As mentioned above, there are several tables that summarize the best video poker strategy depending on the variant you are playing. You can print them out and use them during your online games, but only if you follow them to the letter. Otherwise, you risk losing money. Moreover, you will not be able to really judge the effectiveness of this strategy for your next games.

4.Manage your bankroll as well as possible

As in any gambling game, capital management is essential in video poker. Here, this involves starting with progressive bets. Do not start directly with the maximum bet. That could quickly start your bankroll. Above all, set limits on losses, winnings and play time, and stick to them.

5.One “yours” is usually better than two “you’ll get it”!

If you have cards in your initial hand that already form a winning combination, you must keep them, especially if you are playing Deuces Wild or Jacks or Better. This will help you avoid taking unnecessary risks and ensure that you can collect a payout, no matter how small.

The different variants of video poker

In online casinos as well as on online gaming platforms, you can choose from several variants of the video poker game. Here we present the most popular ones:

Jacks or Better

This is the most popular variation of the game. As the name implies, the minimum combination required to receive a payout is a pair of jacks. In this variant, the house advantage is below 1%; which means that the payout rate is over 99%.

Tens or Better

In this variant, you can expect to receive a win as soon as you get a pair of tens. The other rules are almost identical to the Jacks or Better rules. You can also apply the basic strategy presented above.

Deuces Wild Video Poker

This is undoubtedly one of the most advantageous variants of video poker for players. Here, the 2’s act as wild cards and can be substituted for any other card to complete a winning combination. On these machines, however, the lowest payout combination is a three of a kind.

Joker Poker

At Joker Poker, there is an extra card: the joker. The joker can replace any other card to complete your winning combinations. Note that here you will need at least a pair of kings to receive a payout.

All American

Also very popular in online casinos, All American machines are not really different from Jacks or Better machines. The rules are the same and payments are offered as soon as you have a pair of jacks. However, the payout table is very different. Some combinations pay more than Jacks or Better, while others pay less.

Again, these are just a few of the many variations of video poker that exist. The others, however, are all very similar to these and have only minor differences.

video poker deuces wild

Video poker onlinethe advantages of playing at a distance

In addition to the obvious advantages of playing in virtual casinos, such as the ability to play from anywhere at any time, playing video poker online gives you access to a wide range of tables. You will never find as many variations of the game in a hard casino as you will on a virtual platform.

In addition, games of online video poker offer the possibility of obtaining much more interesting payments. This is particularly the case with progressive jackpots machines, whose jackpot amounts can reach staggering levels.

Play the free video pokera godsend for online gamers

In addition to the advantages mentioned above, online gaming also offers another major advantage: the possibility of playing the free video poker. Like slot machines and other table games with RNG, video poker games are indeed offered in Demo mode in virtual casinos.

Why play free video poker?

Now you think you’re ready to play? Then free play is the next step we recommend. It’s the best way to make sure you’ve understood all the rules of the game, but it’s also the best way to test the different strategies described above in real life. And if you just want to play for fun, you don’t need to look any further.

Free video poker gamesthe benefits

The first benefit of free video poker gamesis the fact that they do not require any investment. So you can enjoy the pleasure of playing without risking losing a single cent. The other major advantage is that these games put you in the same conditions as in real money mode. It is therefore the ideal place to test and refine your game strategies before you bet your first euros to try and hit the jackpot.

Free video poker without registration and free video poker without download: where to play ?

Free video poker machines are available at most online casinos. They are mainly offered as games of free video poker without downloadThe software is accessible on all peripherals, both fixed and mobile. Lucky8, Azur Casino, Cresus Casino, Monte Cryptos Casino, WinOui or Unique Casino are some of the ideal addresses for this.

Some online casinos also offer you the opportunity to play for free and without having to register on their platform beforehand. But you can also play at free video poker without registration by downloading a mobile app like Video Poker Deluxe.

Video Pokerin conclusion

After this lengthy and detailed presentation, you should now be able to get started and start playing with confidence on your video poker favorite. If you still need a little time to fully understand the rules and strategies of the game, take as much time as you need; there’s no rush. As soon as you feel ready, select your casino and the most interesting video poker machine to start playing.

Now all we have to do is wish you good luck!

Video Poker FAQ

✅Comment play video poker?

To play video poker, you need to learn the rules of the game and understand how it works Visit our website for all the details

✅Comment win at video poker?

To win at video poker, you need to know the rules and learn the strategies we share with you thereupon. Then play on the free machines before switching to real money mode.

✅Quelle is the best variant of video poker?

There are several variants of video poker, the main ones of which are presented here. The most popular of them is Jacks or Better, whose rules and strategy can be found on our site.

✅Est-is it interesting to play in multi-handed mode?

Multi-hand mode has several advantages, as it allows up to 100 different hands to be played simultaneously. However, it requires a large budget to bet on each of these hands.

Did you like this page? Find our other sections :

Video Poker: learn how to play and win on these ultra-efficient machines

Top 3 Casinos to play Video Poker