When searching for casino games , you will come across video poker as one of your options. At least one version of this game can be found in almost every casino. You can even learn, practice and play for free from VideoPokerPractice.com.
So, what’s the deal, and how popular is this casino game?
A Mixture of Slots and Poker
When playing video poker, the first thing you’ll notice is that it resembles a slot machine. This is because it is intended to be a fast-paced, simplified version of poker with fewer strategy requirements. All you have to do now is place your bet and press the deal button to begin playing.
You must try to get a winning poker hand such as a royal flush or four of a kind, which is where the poker element comes in. The more money you win, the stronger your card combination will be. You will lose on hands that do not match one of the paytable combinations.
Because it is a hybrid of two popular types of games, it may appeal to a wide range of players who enjoy either slots or poker. The rules are simple to grasp, and anyone can begin playing video poker right away, regardless of whether or not they have previously played poker.
Which Versions Are the Most Popular?
In a casino, you’ll usually find more slots than video poker games, but there’s usually enough variety to keep any poker fan happy. Although the basic gameplay of video poker remains the same (you are always dealt five cards and must make a winning hand), different rules are used to provide a variety of ways to play.
The paytable, which shows the various payouts for winning hands, is really the most noticeable difference between video poker versions. If the game is Deuces Wild, for example, you can expect higher payouts for sets of deuces, which are the 2s. These cards can also be used as wild cards to help complete other winning combinations.
Winning combinations in Jacks or Better titles pay out from a pair of Jacks upwards, meaning that any pair of face cards pays out. Certain hands, such as four-of-a-kind combinations, will have a higher payout value in bonus poker variants.
A quick glance at the paytable is usually enough to figure out how any version works, as this is where you’ll find all of the different winning hands and how much they’re worth. If you’re looking to learn more about playing video poker, the best place to do that for free is VideoPokerPractice.
Who Would Enjoy Playing Video Poker?
What kind of casino player would like to try their hand at video poker now that we’ve clarified what it is? Because it is so simple to get started on, this is a game that tends to attract people who want some fast and exciting action without any delays.
It might also appeal to someone who enjoys poker but doesn’t have the time to participate in full games right now. Video poker is a slicker, faster version of the game that might be ideal if you’re in a rush but still want to play a few hands.
What if you enjoy slot machines but prefer to have some control over the outcome of each game? Another reason to play video poker is that you can keep the cards you like while also asking for new ones if you prefer. This means you have more control over the game than with slots.
The Return on Investment (RTI) and the Odds of Winning
The return to player is the final factor to consider when it comes to video poker’s popularity (RTP). This figure indicates the total amount that all players can expect to win, but it does not guarantee that you will win this exact amount.
The fact that video poker has a higher RTP means that you have a better chance of winning money in theory. Video poker is one of the casino games with the highest RTPs, yielding a higher return than, say, slots.
Games that pay out on a large number of possible combinations will give you more regular wins. With Jacks or Better versions, for example, you should get paying pairs of cards fairly frequently. This makes it more like slots, where small, frequent wins are more common, rather than table games, where prizes may take longer to arrive.
Summary
Video poker is a popular casino game with a wide appeal to a variety of players. It’s easy to see why this is an online classic because it’s a quick way to play a game where you have some control over the outcome and pays out frequently.
