Poker

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Article of: Isabelle Lort
Last updated: 21/10/2022

In short, video poker is based on the best of both worlds: the excitement of poker and the entertainment of the modern world. Moderna machines . Initially, the game was launched in the 70s at land-based casinos.

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Online video poker

The machines were met with great enthusiasm, not least because they were perceived as less discouraging than the traditional table games. Here you could sit in peace and enjoy the excitement and entertainment without having to deal with other people's poker faces. Today, video poker is firmly established in both land-based and online casinos.

In this article, we'll walk you through the rules of video poker, how to bluff and when to bluff, and the odds of video poker!

modern video poker

Playing video poker

Strategy is just as important in video poker as it is in blackjack. And just like in regular poker, a good strategy makes the difference between winning and losing in very many cases. In short: if you want to play video poker, we strongly recommend that you take some time to familiarize yourself with the game. It's easier said than done, but it pays off in the long run.

Want to audition? Then we recommend that you explore this spring free version of Jacks or Better .

casino school videopoker casino course

Casino school-video poker course for beginners

From a pile of cards, you are dealt five cards that are face up. Your goal, just like in regular poker, is to build up as good a hand as possible. After the initial card deal, you have the option to choose which cards to save and which to discard. Many times the machine will mark which Cards are strategically correct to keep. Your discarded cards will then be replaced by new ones in the second and final hand. The card hand you are currently sitting on is the current hand, and hopefully it is solid enough to give you a win.

However, before you start thinking about the optimal strategy in video poker, you need to understand the basics. It's also not very complicated to get started. Namely, there are a lot of different variations. A popular variant is Jacks or Better . It is also the variant that casinolist.co.nz prefers and generally recommends. The reason is simply that it has a good payback to the player and is free of unnecessary$anxiety.

Learn to play video poker

Video poker is in many ways a tough nut to crack. The fast, simple format makes many players think it's just honking and driving, much like when playing slots. However, the truth is that skill is incredibly important in video poker.

Join our fast and efficient casino school about video poker. Learn about poker hands, rules & basic strategies for the most common versions online.

Video poker (Jacks or Better) at a glance

  1. Each round starts with you determining a bet. Our first tip is: feel free to play with the maximum number of coins (usually 5). If you do not want to bet so much, it is better to reduce the coin value than the number of coins. This is because the maximum number of coins often gives a significantly better payout on a Royal Flush.
  2. When you have decided on a bet, Press ”give”. You are now dealt five cards, which are the beginning of your poker hand.
  3. Scan the cards and identify any winning cards. In Jacks or better, you need pairs of jacks or better to win. For example, a pair of 9s won't win.
  4. Click on the cards you may want to keep. Usually the game helps to mark winning cards, but keep in mind that the game does not really help you all the way – you have to think for yourself too!
  5. Once you have selected the cards you want to keep, click ”draw”. The cards you don't want to keep are now discarded and replaced with new ones.
  6. Now is the time – either you have a hand that gives you a profit, or you have lost the bet. When winning, you often have the opportunity to play ”kvitt or double”. Otherwise, the round is over, and it's time for the next one.

As it seems, the very basics of video poker are simple. Feel free to try out our free version of Jacks or better to get a practical feel for how it works. The road to success goes through both practice and theory – a bit like when you have to get a driver's license!

Poker hands

Even if you now have an overview of how the game actually goes, it is not enough if you do not have an overview of poker hands. In Jacks or better, there are 9 winning hands. Whether you are a complete beginner or just need to refresh your knowledge, learning them is pretty quick. Let's take a look at the hands you need to know in Jacks or better!

1 . Royal Flush

royal flush

6. Ladder

ladder

2. Straight Flush (Straight Flush)

color ladder

7. Triss

triss

3. Quads

quads

8. Twosome

2 pairs

4. Full house

full house

9. Par (Jack el. better)

couple

5. Color

color

No major oddities! If you've ever played poker, you know what it is. The trick is not to learn the hands-but to be adept at identifying what decisions to make to maximize your chances of building a good hand. If you are a cheerleader at poker, you have extremely good conditions from the start. And conversely, it really doesn't hurt to have played video poker if you want to take the step over to regular poker.

Video poker and optimal strategy

That's when it starts to get really interesting – we're going to go into optimal strategy in video poker! Let's say right away that many players do not have the patience to familiarize themselves with optimal strategy. But trust us when we say that the threshold is not really that high. Practice gives skill! In addition, it will definitely pay off in the long run to take a moment to familiarize yourself with our video poker strategy.

The strategy below applies specifically to Jacks or better from NetEnt – which has slightly higher theoretical payback than the corresponding variants from other game developers. Basically all of our recommended casinos have this game – keep an eye out for the NetEnt logo, and you'll know you've come to the right place.

Relatively few video poker players have the energy to put themselves into optimal strategy. You who take a moment to familiarize yourself with it thereby have a unique advantage. We recommend that you watch our video on optimal video poker strategy-it's usually easier to keep up when you see how it goes in practice.

Simple strategy – Jacks or Better (NetEnt)

Below you will find a slightly simplified version of the optimal strategy for Jacks or better video poker. Note that the table applies Jacks or better by NetEnt . This simplified variant is easier to learn. In return, you get marginally worse dividends purely statistically.

You turn to the table after receiving your first 5 cards. Look carefully at the cards, and see if any point in the table corresponds to your hand. As a beginner, it's just as well to be overly meticulous and go through the table all the way from top to bottom. Once you have played for a while, you will be able to work much faster, or even automatically. The higher up the table, the better the hand.

Let's take a quick example: say you have a hand consisting of hearts 5, spades 5, spades 2, spades 7 and spades Jack. Should you choose to bet on pairs of fives, or try to get the color? Look at the table – 4 to color is higher than the low pair. Thus, you should try to get color and throw hearts 5.

# Poker hand Cards to draw
1 Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Four Of A Kind* 0 (*1)
2 4th Royal Flush 1
3 Full House, Color, Ladder, Pulley* 0 (*1)
4 4 more colors 1
5 Two pairs 1
6 High par (JJ to AA) 3
7 3rd Royal Flush 2
8 4 more colors 1
9 4 to ladder (no gap) 1
10 Low Par (22 to 1010) 3
11 2 high Cards, same suit 3
12 3 more colors 2
13 2 high Cards, different suit (if more than two, keep the two lowest) 3
14 J10, Q10 or K10, same color 3
15 4 to Ladder (1 gap) 1
16 1 High card 4
17 Throw everyone 3

Terms:

4 to Royal Flush / color / etc : you have 4 of the cards that$are dealt for each hand

High par : JJ to AA

Low par : 22 to 1010

Gap : a card is missing in the middle of the hand, e.g. 2, 5, 6, 8, 9 (4 the ladder)

Advanced strategy – Jacks or Better (NetEnt)

This strategy has more variables and is therefore a bit more difficult to use. On the plus side, you will be extremely close to optimal strategy if you use it. The principle is exactly the same as for our simple approach. Examine your hand, compare it with the table and choose the option that is highest. It may take some time to get started, but it's worth it in the end!

# Poker hand Cards to draw
1 Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Four Of A Kind* 0 (*1)
2 4th Royal Flush 1
3 Full House, Color, Ladder, Pulley* 0 (*1)
4 4 more colors 1
5 Two pairs 1
6 High par (JJ to AA) 3
7 3rd Royal Flush 2
8 4 more colors 1
9 4 to ladder (no gap) 1
10 Low Par (22 to 1010) 3
11 3 to flush (number of high Cards >= number of gaps) 2
12 4 to straight (3 high cards, 1 hole) 1
13 2 high cards of the same suit 3
14 4 to Ladder, 2 high cards, 1 gap 1
15 3 to straight (number of high Cards-number of holes = -1 or low ace or 2-3-4) 2
16 KQJ, different colors 2
17 Qj, different colors 3
18 J10, same color 3
19 KQ/ KJ, different colors 3
20 4 to Ladder, 1 gap, 1 High card 1
21 Q10 / K10, same color 3
22 AK / AQ / AJ, different colors 3
23 1 High card 4
24 3 to flush, number of high Cards-number of gaps = -2 2
25 4 to straight, 1 hole, 0 High cards 1
26 Garbage-throw everyone 5

Terms :

  • 4 to Royal Flush / color / etc : you have 4 of the cards that$are dealt for each hand
  • High par : JJ to AA
  • Low par : 22 to 1010
  • Gap : a card is missing in the middle of the hand, e.g. 2, 5, 6, 8, 9 (4 the ladder)

Varieties of Video Poker

Although video poker takes many elements from regular poker, it is a game all its own. In video poker you do not play against other players as in regular poker, but instead you play exclusively against the House. We would also like to point out that this page is only a general introduction to video poker. You should therefore keep in mind that there are a large number of different video poker machines where the rules may differ slightly from the standard template.

There are also Games where you have the opportunity to win more with the help of jokers or a large progressive jackpot on casino . Different variants can also be combined, which gives new exciting and innovative games. Here is an overview of some of the most popular variants of the game, its rules and where to find the game you are looking for.

Jacks or Better Jacks or Better

This is probably the most common variant of video poker. The name Jacks or Better says a lot about what the game is about . In this game it is about hands with the value of pairs in jacks or better. So you don't win on pairs of tens, for example. Otherwise, the game goes exactly as you would expect and anyone who is familiar with the valid poker hands really knows everything that needs to be known. On the machine you play on, you will find a payout schedule that shows what different hands can give. Jacks or better is played with a standard deck of 52 cards.

joker poker Joker Poker

The first step in all types of video poker including Joker Poker is to decide which bet you want to use. You adjust this by changing the number of coins you want to play for, and determine the value of each coin. You can choose to play between anything from coffee money and up to a couple of hundred dollar per spin, with some reservation that different machines have different limits. The more you bet, the more you can win.

The name Joker Poker gives a hint about what primarily distinguishes this game from other types of video poker. Joker Poker is played with a deck of 53 cards, including a joker. The Joker is a wild card that can substitute for other cards and thus give you more and better combinations.

For example, if you have a hand of three kings and a joker, this means that you have managed to get four of a kind in Kings, since the Joker here gets the “role” of King. The Joker works in such a way that it always assumes the card value that is optimal for your card hand. Therefore, this is the most sought after Card in Joker Poker, and should always be kept. Since the Joker gives you an advantage in that it can give you more and better valid poker hands, there are fewer winning combinations in Joker Poker than in regular video poker. At the very least, you need to get pairs of Kings to win. Thus, other pairs do not bring any profit in Joker Poker.

Microgaming-deuces-wild Deucecs Wild

What mainly distinguishes the game compared to other types of video poker are the twos. The name "Deuces Wild" actually says a lot about how the game works. It is played with a standard deck of 52 cards. The deuces act as jokers, or wilds. This means that they can replace other cards and thus create winning combinations for you . In other words, if you sit on a hand with two 2s and two of any other card, you have a four.

The fact that the Deuces are jokers really improves your chances of good hands. In order to win in Deuces Wild, however, you must achieve three of a kind or better. Thus, no pair combinations pay out in this variant. Otherwise, the game works like regular video poker. You start by choosing your bet, then you are dealt 5 cards which you analyze and decide whether you want to keep or not. In most versions of Deuces Wild, you also have the choice to double or take the money.

Pay out in Deuces Wild

That said, the key difference between Deuces Wild and other video poker is that here you have access to four jokers or wilds. Since this makes it easier to get a valid poker hand, the winnings are adjusted downwards, so that, for example, a four of a kind gives less than it does in other variants. The smallest hand you can win on is three of a kind. The highest hand is just like the regular Royal Flush, simply because this is the best poker hand you can get.

Aces and Faces

The name of this variant of video poker reveals what the goal of the game is. Aces and Faces is played with a standard deck of 52 cards and your ultimate task is to get four aces and one face card (jack, queen or King). If you manage to get this card hand, you can look forward to a payout of 320:1.

Of course, other combinations also bring winnings. Read more in the current game's payout table as this may vary among different online casinos. Here below is a standard payout table for Aces and Faces.

Aces and Faces

Progressive video poker

Progressive jackpots are often associated with slot machines, but it may be helpful to know that they may also be available in other games. This type of jackpot can grow to huge sums, and it is not uncommon for the top prize to be at many millions of dollar. Here we go through and present the available progressive jackpots for the popular game form of video poker.

Definition of progressive jackpot

The video poker variants that make use of progressive jackpot are very popular. In progressive video poker, a small portion of each player's bet goes into a common prize pool that is constantly increasing in value. If a player manages to get the card hand that wins the jackpot, he or she is rewarded with the total progressive sum. Many times, this top profit can reach multi-million amounts. However, it should be borne in mind that progressive video poker$means that you play for the highest bet to compete for the jackpot. This, of course, entails a risk of relatively quick losses. If you still want to be in the fight for the jackpot, there is often a button that makes you automatically play for the highest bet.

The difference between regular and progressive video poker

A traditional video poker machine has a standardized paytable that gives you higher payouts the better poker hand you have. For example, a pair of jacks can give you a 1:1 win, while a four of a kind can give you 25:1. Progressive video poker basically works the same way. The crucial difference, however, is that an unusual and very strong hand, typically the Royal Flush, pays out the progressive jackpot, which can thus amount to huge amounts.

Advantages of progressive video poker

The main driving force for choosing progressive video poker over traditional variants is undeniably the chance to win amounts of millions of dollar. Of course, it is important to be aware that the chances of winning the jackpot are slim. Nevertheless, the chance is the same for everyone, and certainly the idea of being the one who manages to bring home those millions is attractive. One of the great advantages of a progressive jackpot is that it often grows at a breakneck pace. Since the jackpots are linked between different online casinos that have the game in their range, there are many players who contribute to the turnover and thus the jackpot. Even if someone has recently won the jackpot in progressive video poker, it rarely takes long before it is up to millions of dollars again.

Strategies for progressive video poker

There are those who claim that frequent play on one and the same progressive video poker machine increases the chances of winning. However, this is nothing more than a tenacious myth, and the probability of winning is always exactly the same on the eve of each spin. However, the odds of winning the top prize may differ between different games, so it is good to read the terms and conditions of the current game. In other words, the jackpot can appear anywhere and anytime. Also keep in mind that all video poker machines, even the progressive ones, offer loads of winnings in addition to the elusive top prize. Therefore, do not stare blindly at the jackpot, but weigh in on what the other winnings look like before choosing a game.

Further, you need to remember that check the$wager to qualify for the jackpot. The usual thing is that progressive video poker$E is that you play with the maximum bet to participate in the fight for the top prize. Last but not least, as always, you need to set a budget for the game. As progressive video poker, as I said, often has the maximum bet for the highest win, the money can disappear faster than quickly if you are not lucky. Set a limit and be sure to stick to it. When the money runs out, you wait until you have more money you know you can spare.

Play free video poker

A standing recommendation from us on the casino leaderboard is to take full advantage of free demo versions to master different games. This also applies to all types of video poker. By practicing your skills in a free version of the game at one of our recommended online casinos, you will become a sharper video poker player even in Sharp mode. Even if you don't win any money in the free versions, we can guarantee that practice will bring skill and that a seasoned player will do better than one who just takes a chance. Once you feel that you have mastered the video poker variant you have chosen, the step is never far to play for real money and further escalate the excitement. At most online casinos that offer video poker, it is usually possible to test play without paying.

Video poker strategies

Video poker belongs to the category of casino games where you as a player have a lot of control over the outcome. Of course, you cannot fully predict what will happen in the game because it is largely based on random outcomes. However, with the right strategy, you can influence your results over time. You don't have to be a genius to succeed at video poker, but you do need some patience and the ability to plan your gaming budget in a smart way. This gives you the opportunity to play longer and at the same time take advantage of the chances of winning.

royal flush

Strategic plan

A good start for those who want to start playing strategically is to look up a strategy chart. Such a scheme presents solutions for each individual scenario based on statistical calculations. This means that you get help with which response is most likely to give you a winning result. No strategy is 100% secure, and therefore a strategy chart can never guarantee profit. However, the schedule gives you a good indication of how you can best use the cards you have been assigned. There are many types of online video poker strategy schemes, and many online casinos also offer this service for their customers. Keep in mind that make sure that the strategy scheme you intend to use is really designed for the type of video poker you are playing . Different games have different strategies, and no strategy can be used on all games.

Hot tips

The basic principles of video poker are very simple. All you have to deal with is your own cards with the goal of building the best possible hand. In order to achieve this goal, it is of the utmost importance to know the value of different hands. If you already have a prior understanding of the basic aspects of the game, we recommend that you read through and carry with you the following tips for a successful and fun game.

Get to know the game

Playing online gives you a unique opportunity to try out different video poker machines completely free of charge before you start playing for your own money. Most online casinos give you a chance to try video poker for free before you start playing for real money. A good tip is to initially limit yourself to a few video poker machines that you are comfortable with. Quality takes precedence over quantity and usually also provides the best opportunities for dividends.

Stick to the strategy

Although the strategy you have chosen will of course bring both profits and losses, in the long run you will minimize your risks by following one and the same strategy. It is absolutely not recommended to switch between different strategies between time to time. This often leads to confusion and increased risk of losses. Instead, try to be patient, get to know your strategy, and play consistently.

Constant odds

In video poker, you only play against the machine. The odds of achieving a Royal flush, or any other combination, are therefore not affected by any other player. All card deals are strictly random and are controlled by random number generators that exist to ensure fair play for everyone.

Set up a budget

Last but not least comes this point which is perhaps the most important of all. Of course, different people have different amounts of money to spare, and you should think carefully about what a reasonably large gaming budget looks like for you. When you sit down and play, it is not good to go in with the expectation that you will win. Of course, there is always a good chance that you will leave the game with a nice win, but there can never be any guarantee of this. Therefore, think about how it would feel if your entire gaming budget was lost. If you feel uncomfortable, you need to adjust the amount or avoid playing. For those who can afford it, it may be good to play a larger number of times at the maximum bet, as this increases the chance of winning the top prize. For those who are inexperienced or have a more normal budget, it is often better to play for a little lower stakes, and thus get more entertainment for the money.

Bluffing in video poker

Although poker is a game that is based on much more than just luck, it is of course the case that chance determines which cards you get in your hand. Fortunately, as a player, you do not have to play only according to the hand you have been awarded. If you can only make your opponents think that you have good cards, it often doesn't matter what your poker hand actually looks like. Bluffing is an art form that requires both daring and restraint, and here we walk you through this noble art and some strategies to help you make a smarter strategic game.

What is a bluff in poker?

A bluff is simply put when you don't think you have a winning hand, but still play as if you did. Scams can be divided into two main categories, pure scam and semi-scam. A pure bluff is, as the name suggests, the ”purest” form of bluff, where the player is sitting with a bad hand that is unlikely to get better either. The prerequisite for such a bluff to pay off is that all opponents fold, so before you carry out a pure bluff, it is important to estimate how high the probability is that this actually occurs.

A semi-bluff, on the other hand, can be used in games with multiple betting rounds. The principle is that you bluff a round with the hope that the hand you are sitting on will improve in one of the next rounds. In order to win the given$, it is then either that all opponents fold or that the hand actually improves sufficiently the next betting round.

When should I bluff?

Although the bluff can often be an important and useful tool in poker, one must learn how and when it should be used. Many beginners tend to either Bluff a little too often, as they have heard that it can be a good method to make use of. Other less experienced players who have been advised against bluffing too often may instead tend to bluff too rarely, for fear of failing. Below are some guidelines that should definitely not be seen as carved in stone, but can be a help on the trot.

The fewer opponents , the less is generally the risk that the scam will appear.
- Keep track of the common cards. If it is conceivable that an opponent with the help of these has a really good hand, it may be wise to refrain from bluffing.
– This is a counterpoint to the last point. Depending on the appearance of the previous dealer, it can sometimes be possible to bluff if the cards on the table are good, as opponents can be fooled into thinking that you have a strong hand with the help of these cards.
- Note how your opponents have played in previous deals. Do they appear unusually often? Then it may be time to avoid bluffing.
How have you played in previous giveaways? If you have played consistently and ”honestly”, it is conceivable that your opponents are less likely to call your bluff.

We want to emphasize that practice brings skill, and no matter how many tips you read online, you need to gain experience in poker in order to best adapt your style of play. Different players have very different strategies, and only through practical experience can you start reading the game in an intuitive and smart way. One recommendation is that you either start with small stakes, or even practice the poker variant you are interested in on a free demo version at one of our recommended casinos. By increasing your understanding of the basics of the game, you will have better tools to determine when and how often it is appropriate to bluff.

Video poker bonus

A video poker bonus basically works like others casino bonuses . The difference lies in the fact that a video poker bonus – unlike General casino bonuses – is optimized for video poker. The problem with many casino bonuses is that there are different rules for how the money must be wagered before withdrawal is possible. This calls wagering requirements and in some cases, wagering through video poker does not count in full. A specific video poker bonus is then preferable, as it is adapted to that particular form of play and thus becomes easier to wager.

Video poker Odds

If you have experience in regular poker, you probably have some knowledge of the odds of, for example, three of a kind or two of a pair. This information you can partially take with you even when playing video poker. However, it is important to know that the odds differ, so it may be good to read about what it looks like for video poker.

Odds of the first card deal

The best hand in video poker is the Royal Flush. The odds of getting this hand right away are approximately 1 to 650,000 . Due to the nature of chance, an instant Royal Flush may not be available for a lifetime for some video poker players. Other players, but rude amounts of luck, can conversely get the Royal Flush the first time they play. A Straight Flush is relatively more likely than a Royal Flush, but occurs as rarely as 1 time per 72,000 hands played. As you understand, these hands are nothing to count on at the first dividend, and should you ever succeed, you can consider yourself enormously lucky.

Four of a kind can often be considered a dream hand in first-hand video poker, although this is not the best card hand. While Royal Flush and Straight Flush remain a pipe dream for many players, four of a kind is a little more achievable, with odds of 1 to 4000 . Then the odds are radically improved for each lower poker hand. The odds of Full House are 1 to 700 . Triss occurs on approximately 1 in 50 Hands , while pairs of two occur at 1 in 20 hands . For the most common and worst poker hand, par, you can expect odds of about 1 to 2.

Odds of improving card hands

Now that you have a better idea of the odds of getting a good card hand at the first deal, it can be helpful to know the odds of improving individual starting hands. If you get four of a kind, Full House, or similar high hands, the best advice is to do nothing at all. However, if you get a pair, two-pair, three-of-a-kind, straight or flush, you may have a pretty good chance of improving your hand.

Pair
If you are sitting with a pair, you have in practice three opportunities to improve your hand. The odds of getting three of a kind are roughly 1 to 9, while the odds of getting four of a kind are 1 to 360. However, you have the best chance of achieving two pairs, as the odds for this are 1 to 6.

Two pairs
If your first hand consists of two pairs, you have the highest probability of achieving full house. The odds of you succeeding in this are roughly 1 to 12.

Triss
If you sit with three of a kind after the first card deal, you have two possibilities. The first option is to bet on full house with odds of 1 to 16. As a second possibility, you can aim to get four of a kind, then with odds of 1 to 24. One would think that the odds of getting four of a kind should be lower than that. Then, however, it is important to remember that video poker is played with only one deck, and that three of the cards of the desired denomination are already included in your three of a kind.

Four cards for flush and straight
At four cards to a flush, the odds are roughly 1 to 5 for you to draw a card that complements your hand. For four cards to a straight, the odds are slightly different for different straights. For example, if you have 5, 6, 7, 8 and do not have a 4 or 9, the odds are 1 to 6. The odds will be slightly worse if you have a” gap " in your straight, for example 3, 5, 6, 7. Then, of course, there is only one denomination, in the example 4, which can complement the hand.

poker

Video poker tournament

Periodically, many online casinos arrange their own tournaments in video poker. Even more common is that these games are found as an integral part of a larger tournament with casino games in several genres. The advantage of tournaments is that they provide a unique opportunity to get the maximum out of your skills, because the winnings are often large. Of course, during the tournament you can win money as usual, even if you would not be lucky enough to win the tournament itself. However, there is some information you should be aware of before embarking on a tournament. We have therefore compiled a checklist with all the necessary information in this article.

  1. When is the tournament organized?
    To know when a tournament is arranged, you should always keep up to date on Current News at your online casino. The easiest way to do this is by frequently visiting the website, and$yssa because you want to receive newsletters by e-mail when you register with the casino. By keeping an eye out, you'll always be among the first to know when a new tournament or other exciting promotion comes up.
  2. What does the tournament cost?
    You should be aware and aware that some tournaments have a registration fee. This means that you have to spend money even before the game has started. Most times, however, it is free to join, and all you have to do is be a member at the online casino in question. Examine what's in the pot in the tournament, and think about whether you think it's worth paying to participate. Many times, the potential winnings can be so good that they compensate for the fee.
  3. Do you know the game?
    To begin with, Be sure to familiarize yourself with the video poker machine (s) that are current in the tournament. For example, it may be a good idea to practice strategies on a free demo version before the game really starts. Most online casinos today offer such free versions to their customers, and they represent a great opportunity to line up in the tournament in top form. As in any other context, it pays to get routine before competing.
  4. How is the winner crowned?
    The amount of money spent to win a tournament varies between different tournaments and online casinos. In some cases, the person who has taken home the highest win in a single game wins. In other tournaments, the player with the best payout percentage wins when the tournament period is over. Be sure to check your winnings before entering the tournament, so you always know what your goals are.
  5. Are there wagering requirements?
    In some cases, the tournament requires you to play with a certain coin value in order to qualify for tournament winnings. Also keep in mind that the bet you use can also indirectly affect your chances of winning the tournament. Larger bets usually mean higher winnings, and if the tournament is based on high win amounts, it can be difficult to win if you play too low bets.
  6. Are there game requirements?
    In some cases, the tournament requires you to play a certain number of hands before you become eligible to compete for the win. As a rule, such a wagering requirement is combined with a wagering requirement, so you need to play for a certain amount in a certain number of rounds in order to qualify. If so, you have to reckon with the fact that it will be more difficult and more expensive to qualify for winnings. Check what you can win and think about whether you think it is worth betting before participating in the tournament.

Glossary

All different forms of casino games tend to have their own expressions and special terms. Therefore, if you have not played video poker before, it may be a good idea to get an overview of the terminology that often comes up in connection with these games. Here we present the most commonly used terms and briefly explain what they mean.

  • Volatility – In video poker, volatility refers to the variation seen in the expected payouts in the game. For example, if it is difficult to win a jackpot, it means that the volatility of the machine is high.
  • Joker – In many variations of video poker, you play with jokers that can replace other cards. This means that your chances of getting a good hand of Cards increase, but in return, the potential winnings are also slightly adjusted down.
  • Rank – A rank describes the value of a card hand relative to other poker hands. For example, a Royal Flush is higher than a Straight Flush, which in turn is higher than four of a kind, and so on.
  • RNG – This abbreviation stands for randomized number generator and is a function that ensures that chance always controls, and that the game is therefore fair to the players. In video poker, RNG is used so that one cannot predict which cards can be dealt.
  • Short pay – A video poker machine with short pay offers less in payouts than a machine that uses full pay.
  • Push – A push is a result where the player neither wins nor loses money on the game.
  • Inside straight – An inside straight is a straight or straight that is completed by adding a card inside the sequence. For example, if you have 3, 4, 5 and 7, you get an inside straight if you are dealt a card with a value of 6.
  • Outside straight – An outside straight is a straight that is completed by adding a card to the outside of the sequence. For example, if you have cards 3, 4, 5, 6, 2 or 7 will give an outside straight.
  • Payback – Payback is expressed as a percentage and describes how much a machine pays out over a longer period of time. If a machine has a payback of 98%, over time it will pay out 98 cents for every$ona put in. Thus, this applies in the long term and, of course, cannot be applied to individual cases. The randomized number generator ensures that each individual hand cannot be predicted in any way. Therefore, the payback percentage is not a measure that can be used on individual rounds.
  • Payoff – Payoff is the payout you get for a given hand of Cards. For example, the payoff for pairs of jacks in Jacks or better is 1:1.
  • Kicker – A kicker is a high card that you save in the hope of winning. This card can be decisive if a situation arises where several players have the same value on their card hands.
  • Full pay – A machine that offers full pay provide the best possible payouts. However, it must be remembered that full pay is not the same as guaranteed payouts.
  • Hopper – A hopper is the place to collect coins won in a classic video poker machine.
  • House edge – House edge is an expression of the casino's statistical advantage and is usually expressed as a percentage.
  • Expert games – This involves playing with "perfect" strategy using statistical data.
  • Dressed cards – These are made up of the cards jack, queen and King.
  • Coin in – This is the amount you play for and is of crucial importance for the payout. The New Zealand word is "stake".
  • Comps – Comps stands for compensation and Means various benefits that you can get by being a loyal customer of a casino.
  • Bankroll – A bankroll is the same as a player account. In practical terms, it simply means how much money you have to play for.
  • Action – Action stands for the total amount of money you bet on a game.
  • 86 – is an expression that casinos have traditionally used to designate players who are not welcome. This is nothing to worry about at online casinos, as long as you do not abuse any service.

History

Many of us probably think of video poker as a relatively new and modern invention. Admittedly, this game form does not have quite as old ancestry as some other casino games, but the fact is that its history can be said to go back as far as the late 1800s. Some of the first slot machines were developed with the purpose of imitating poker. These could consist of a number of reels made up of images with different card denominations, and the player's goal was to manage to get combinations that corresponded to poker hands.

Video poker as we know it today may be more advanced and refined in many respects, but still the basics are actually the same as in the simple machines of over 100 years ago. Fortunately, video poker today is far more exciting, reliable and entertaining.

classic video poker

Close relative of the slot machine

In 1895, the first slot machine with a reasonably decent payout structure appeared on the market. The goal was to create a slot machine that could mimic poker, but as this proved easier said than done, D got what would first become automated poker instead became an ancestor of the modern slot machines, namely a slot with three reels and a set of symbols.Moderna The news spread quickly, and others soon became aware of the slot's potential, whereupon more advanced variants were soon put into mass production. It would be quite some time before good enough technology was developed to be able to start emulating poker properly. However, video poker shares many similarities with” regular " slot machines, so their stories are closely associated and interlinked.

The first video poker machine

It can be said that the development of video poker took off properly in connection with the first modern computers saw the light of day.Moderna This took place in the 1970s, and the company Dale Electronics actually released a machine called Poker-Matic. There was no immediate success, although the machine found its place in some casinos. Some players were skeptical about the game, because it was difficult to make sure that you were not deceived. The development continued constantly, but it would not be until the late 70s before videpoker became popular in earnest. Moderna was the first modern and proper video poker machine on the market. It was named Draw Poker and became an extremely popular feature at casinos around the United States.

Development

Video poker continued to be steadily transformed and improved along with new technological advancements. Variations of the original types of video poker soon appeared, and with the improved quality and reliability, even former skeptics were convinced. As with so many other casino games, the transition to the internet meant completely new opportunities and markets for video poker. Now that the internet has become such an obvious part of our everyday life, it is easy to forget how many doors were opened with the advent of the internet in every man's home. Nowadays, players who would otherwise never have set foot in a casino can enjoy video poker and other exciting games at online casinos whenever and wherever they want.

Summary

As mentioned above, the development of video poker is closely interrelated with the development of the slot machine. What started with mechanical spinning reels that were activated manually by means of a lever has now grown into sophisticated machines found in casinos around the world. The more accepted video poker became, the more the understanding of the game increased. Many mathematical calculations have been made to arrive at the optimal strategy in the game. What these strategies and reasoning look like is beyond this particular article, but you can find more information through the menu at the top of this page. However, one thing is certain: video poker has evolved into a popular, easy-to-grasp and appreciated game that is undoubtedly here to stay.

Garen has been writing casino reviews for many years. She is meticulous and detail-oriented. Among her favorites we find, among others online casino games with great game selection, casino bonuses with fair conditions and responsible gaming.