Poker

Video Poker

Video Poker is one of the most popular game modes for players across the world and is available at both physical and online casinos. It is normally a game of five-card poker which is widely considered to be one of the most straightforward variants of the game – this is why it is seen as an entry-level casino game that is easy to pick up.

Visually it is not too different to a slot game with bright graphics and simple button functions – this makes it open to a large number of players, though in order to maximise your chances of success, it is crucial to familiarize yourself with how the game works.

One of the best ways to do this is through free play. Almost every online casino will allow you to play Video Poker for free before you commit real cash. This will be in the form of a demo, with all features available to try out with a large virtual account balance, which is the ideal opportunity to play at your own pace and find what all the different functions mean.

Video Poker developers have made a real effort to ensure that their games work just as well on mobile casinos as they do on desktop computers. Even if your casino of choice does not have a dedicated app, you will still be able to play the game in a browser without any issues.

Some forms of Video Poker feature a progressive jackpot, which is one of the best ways to land a big cash prize. Sky Poker is one of the industry’s most popular games due to its range of tables and availability on mobile devices.

Video Poker Terms

Even though Video Poker is extremely easy to understand and play, it can certainly help to know the basic terms. Here are some of the most important in poker:

Ante: A mandatory bet for all players before the start of a round

Bet: To make an initial wager

Bluff: Giving the appearance of having a strong hand by betting or raising

Check: You pass the turn to the player on your left without wagering

Dealer: Also known as a croupier; the person in control of the cards

Fold: Ending your participation in that hand

Hand: The cards that you are dealt from the dealer

Lobby: In the case of live poker, the online room in which you are with other players

Pot: The winning amount once the hand is finished

Raise: Making a second wager

Playing at a table

If Video Poker is the most basic and common way of playing at online casinos then playing at a table offers the most authentic experience. Available in both online and offline lobbies, table games replicate the experience from a physical betting hall, complete with a dealer.

Texas hold ’em is an extremely popular version of poker, with each player being dealt two hole cards, with five community cards which are then faced up in three stages as the game progresses. The aim is for each player to build their best possible five-card hand using the cards on show, with rounds of betting taking place to make this a lively and potentially very profitable game mode.

Some casino lobbies will see each player represented by an animated avatar as they compete live against other players from around the world. For this and a few other poker variants, we suggest that you read our Unibet Poker review and see if it sounds like the right place for you to play – there are buy-in amounts to suit all budgets.

Live Casino Poker

Many major betting websites now boast a Live Casino due to a surge in popularity in recent years. The growth of technology and the convenience that it brings means that there are hundreds of different tables to choose from. The presence of a professional live dealer ensures that it really is just like stepping into a real-life betting hall; the presence of a live chat means that this is the most interactive poker game mode going and you can ask any questions in-between rounds of betting.

In truth, playing poker at a Live Casino is more methodical than Video Poker and so will only be appreciated by players that are well-versed in how that particular variant of the game goes. However, it does bring with it the chance to win some massive cash prizes and some casinos also have periodic tournaments – which may include a substantial buy-in amount – where you can battle against other players.

It is not all about playing for real money, though, as it is not uncommon for Live casinos to offer a free play option for you to check out their games – with several types of poker available, including high and low staking games. Evolution Gaming host some massively popular poker tables, which are available 24/7.

Video Poker Tricks

One of the main attractions of online poker – in whatever form – is that it, unlike slots, involves skill and is not simply down to luck. This can give extra satisfaction knowing that you have beaten other players, especially if a game has gone on for a substantial amount of time.

There are a few Video Poker tricks available to maximise your chances of winning the pot. The first thing to do – and this may sounds obvious – is research. Knowing what is taking place with the dealer and what happens next can give you the edge over your competitors and let you plan ahead.

Just playing Video Poker can give you a chance of claiming a decent payout as, in comparison to some other poker variants, the game offers a low house edge (that is the casino’s profit) but also some of the best odds.

It is also good to know the basics. After pressing “deal” you will be randomly dealt five cards; you will then have the option to replace some of these and knowing the most valuable cards to keep hold of is imperative. Each game will have information on each card’s value available at the bottom of the screen.

Finally, knowing which hands result in the best payout is really useful. The exact odds may vary from casino to casino but generally the royal flush, straight flush and 4 of a kind will see the best coin returns.

Video Poker Bonus

As we mentioned above, Video Poker is so readily available that casinos are competing to get you playing at their site. Therefore, you will have literally hundreds of options and if you are yet to sign up then you will be rewarded with a generous welcome offer. This will commonly be in the form of a deposit match, which will boost your balance and allow you to purchase more coins or chips. You are, of course, able to try several different sites to find the one that you prefer best.

Before playing for real money, we always recommend that you try a game’s demo and, when it comes to making a deposit, be sure to check the small print to see what you are signing up for.

FAQs

How do you play Video Poker?

Video Poker involves five cards and is focussed on speed when compared to the table version of the same game. The hand combination amounts are the same as in table poker and the aim is to build the best hand possible in order to win the hand.

What are the odds on Video Poker?

Each game will differ slightly but Video Poker is renowned for having a massively high RTP rate when compared to slots, with games above 97% the norm and even 99%+ not unheard of. Cards are drawn randomly from a deck of 52.

Video Poker also has a low house edge, which refers to the casino’s profit, so there is a better chance of winning a large amount.

How often do you get a royal flush in Video Poker?

The best possible hand in poker is the royal flush, which combines a Ten, a Jack, a Queen, a King, and an Ace from the same suit. Unsurprisingly, landing this is rare, but the payout for doing so will be massive – depending on how many coins you bet, you could be looking at odds of 800/1.

Is Video Poker better than slots?

This is, of course, a matter of taste. But in terms of winning potential, odds and general gameplay it is fair to say that Video Poker can be more enjoyable than slots – not least because it requires an element of skill and is, therefore, less repetitive.