Understanding Video Poker Rules for Better Winnings

Friday, December 23rd, 2011

The rules in video poker can be far simpler than in many games, and it won’t take you long to grasp them. Understanding the rules can be vital for ensuring that you make correct judgments in betting and are not confused by play and payout systems. In addition, due to video poker being a slots game, understanding how slot titles work will offer you an even better grip on the game.

Video Poker Card Rankings

Card rankings in video poker are fairly easy to understand, and fall in line with many other games. There are no surprises here and a deck of cards is ranked lowest to highest by numerical value and then Jack, Queen, King. Meanwhile, the Ace can be both the highest and lowest card in the game, offering you possible winning hands of Ten, Jack, Queen, King, Ace or Ace, Two, Three, Four, Five.

Video Poker Hand Rankings

Whilst video poker does vary from one online casino to the next, most hand rankings normally fall within a specified range. Payouts will also vary, but there are many generalizations that can be used when you’re first learning the game. After the final five cards have been dealt, the video poker hands are judged, offering you the chance to see whether you’ve won or lost. If maximum bets have been placed, you can expect a Royal Flush to win around 2,000 points; a lucrative win if you’re lucky enough to get it. After this the points drop, with a Straight Flush expected to offer 250 points whilst Four of a Kind provides 125 points. At the lower end of the scale, Three of a Kind, Two Pair and a Pair normally offer 15, 10 and 5 points respectively.

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Betting and Progressive Jackpots

Video poker is part of a progressive jackpot game, allowing you the possibility to have a shot at winning millions of dollars. However, this requires that you play with maximum bets all the time; an option that many can’t afford. If your bankroll is less substantial, opt for fewer credit wagers and whilst you won’t be able to play for big jackpots, you could still note lucrative wins.

New Virgin Casino Website Unveiled

Wednesday, August 31st, 2011

Virgin Casino recently posted a link that states, “Try our new website and let us know what you think.” The current site is now known as their classic website. The new site has most of the same links that lead to the same games and promotions. The primary difference is easier navigation and a more modern appearance. Therefore, prior to finalizing the new site, Virgin Casino is requesting feedback from its players.

Difference in the Details

The broad layout and color scheme are the same due to the red which is commonly associated with Virgin products. The noticeable differences are in the details. For instance, instead of only a single MegaJackpots ticker, all progressive jackpots offered at the casino are displayed at the top of the homepage. Also, the list of the most recent winners is streamed onto the site. Furthermore, a search bar has been added to easily find specific games.

Category Icons

Additionally, with the old site, game categories were represented by a screenshot of the latest release. Therefore, it was immediately known by players that a new game had been launched. However, on the new site, icons for the categories are crafted in a more modern manner. Although attractive, they are not consistent with the rest of the site.

Preview and Launch Games

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The biggest advantage of the new website is it permits players to preview and launch games directly from the home page. There is a specific selection of games that appear in the default setting from the homepage. This represents all gaming categories offered by the casino. Also, there are two special categories: Las Vegas and Monopoly. Las Vegas contains the IGT land-based slot machines while Monopoly displays six branded Monopoly games.

Each previewed game offers three links: Demo Play, Play Now and Information. Demo Play is for play money, Play Now refers to real money wagering and Information displays the game rules, screenshots, an opportunity to bookmark the game and a summary of the game parameters. Furthermore, promotions can be access directly from the homepage without having to specifically click on the promotions page.

Virgin Casino is requesting all players to provide feedback with regards to their new website. Those who answer the survey will be given 100 V*Points and an entry into a lucky draw promotion for an iPad 2. This is also an excellent opportunity for players to provide their input into an important aspect of any online casino: their website.

Atlantic City Changes Jackpot Laws

Wednesday, April 20th, 2011

Progressive jackpots are popular at both online and land-based casinos. In Atlantic City, the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement regulates the rules for progressives’ at all land-based casinos. Recently, a new rule has been announced with regards to progressive jackpots which could potential hinder a player’s small advantage. Luckily, this rule does not apply to online progressive jackpots but could be used as a precedent in the future.

The Amended Law

The rule states that casinos have the ability to eliminate progressive jackpots at any time and retain the accrued money. However, there are a several conditions attached to the bill. First, casinos are required to notify the public 30 days prior to the termination of a progressive jackpot. If no player wins during that period, the casino has the right to remove the jackpot and keep the money.

Second, this rule only applies to progressive slot games within a single casino. Therefore, those games that a linked across several casinos cannot be terminated under this law. Therefore, players who add to the jackpot size may never have an opportunity to win the money after 30 days.

History of the Law

The policy was initially implemented in 1992. Within the first three months, Atlantic City casinos canceled a variety of jackpots totaling $16.6 million of which they retained. As a result, customers complained and the law was amended to require the casinos to transfer any remaining jackpot money other progressive slot games. Most players found this to be an acceptable arrangement. This also allowed the casinos to terminate games that did not bring in high traffic.

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Statements from Representatives

The Director of the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement explained to the public that the change was a small portion of new regulatory reforms recently passed in New Jersey. The goal of these reforms was to eliminate specific rules the casino operators felt were outdated. Therefore, this specific regulation gave casinos the flexibility to remove slot games that are no longer popular and replace them with newer and more exciting games.

The Director assured concerned players that casinos will not be permitted to allow the jackpots to build up, then be cancelled and then be added back to the gaming floor. This is not only an unethical practice but would also be illegal. It seems to be a coincidence that this reform comes at a time when the casino industry and State of New Jersey are struggling with financial crises.

Progressive Jackpots in Blackjack Games

Tuesday, March 15th, 2011

Almost all online gaming providers offer some variant of blackjack games that feature progressive jackpots which gives players the opportunity to win large payouts for a small wager. Many of these jackpots have reached record levels which are beginning to draw large crowds hoping for the chance of hitting the big one.

Currently, the largest progressive jackpot is featured at a Vegas Technology-powered casino in a game aptly named, “Progressive Blackjack.” The value has currently reached $140,575, slightly below the average winning size of $187,328. On average, the jackpot hits once per month with the maximum winnings ever being $259,342 which occurred 18 months ago. In the past year alone, Vegas Technology has paid out over $2 million. Progressive Blackjack is available at:

  • Go Casino
  • Online Vegas Casino
  • Millionaire Casino

The Cryptologic Progressive Blackjack game currently has a jackpot of $77,128. Unlike most other progressives, this is slowly moving and hits on around $135,000 once per year. The game hits when four aces of the same color are dealt. Therefore, it should be more popular than the Vegas Technology variant which requires four aces of the same suit. This game is available at popular casinos like InterCasino and VIP Casino.

The Playtech variant is also called Progressive Blackjack and currently boasts of jackpot of $69,007 which is slightly greater than the average amount to trigger the jackpot – $63,971. The jackpot hits 1 in every 10 days but was last hit 15 days ago so the system is due turn out a winner. Another trend is that the past 10 hits have been in the $60,000’s range. Therefore, the time is ripe for players to login and try their luck with the potential for winning big.

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The Playtech version of Progressive Blackjack is currently available at the following online gaming sites:

  • Omni Casino
  • Casino Tropez
  • Casino Del Rio

Although each of these online progressive blackjack games has the exact same name, they are different in their own regard. If you have to select one of the three, try the Vegas Technology version since it has a much higher payout than the other two and is hit once per month. This is the ideal balance between a large sum of winnings and the frequency of winning. This appears to the best time to place a wager and potentially win as all versions are at the cusp of hitting the jackpot.

Play like an All Star at All Star Slots Casino

Tuesday, December 7th, 2010

Owned and operated by EvoLogic Ltd., a subsidiary of All Star Group N.V., All Star Slots provides users with a complete range of online games including slots, video poker, specialty games and table games. Despite the name, there is a game available for every taste. All Star Slots was established in 2008 within the island Territory of Curacao and utilizes the latest software by industry-great Real Time Gaming.

There are many advantages to playing at All Star Slots Casino including:

  • A large library of games
  • Large payouts in progressive jackpots
  • Available to U.S. players
  • 24/7 live support
  • A plethora of welcome bonuses

One of the best features of All Star Slots Casino is the number of games available. With over 120 games (half are slots) the casino has something for everyone. Although primary a slots casino, other games like baccarat, blackjack, roulette, craps and poker games are also popular. The slot games feature three reel slots and video slots with some of the largest progressive jackpots in the industry.

For those in the United States you are welcome to join and play at the casino. Although most online gaming sites do not allow U.S.-based players to even signup due to the rigid gaming regulations of the country, All Star Slots welcomes these players with open arms. Also, the casino features top-notch customer support, available around the clock. The professional staff can be contacted through email within 24 hours.

Additionally, All Star Slots Casino offers an excellent welcome bonus with 100 percent matching up to $1500 over the first five deposits. Also, players can choose a 250 percent slots bonus up to $2000 or a 50 percent bonus that can be used at all games. Furthermore, the casino offers weekly bonuses and the Slots Club at All Star Slots.

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There is only one significant shortcoming of this casino: the Instant Play software is not as good as the downloadable application. For those that do not mind using the downloadable version you will be pleased with the software. However, those that only use the Instant Play may want to switch to the desktop application.

Overall this is an excellent casino to deposit money, especially for those who are slot players. With many games available, excellent payouts, the availability to U.S.-based players, top-notch customer service and several welcome bonus options, you cannot go wrong with All Star Slots Casino.

A Guide to Video Poker Rules

Monday, June 28th, 2010

Video poker is an electronic casino game that is based on five card draw. The program is placed into a small computerized compartment similar to a slot machine. The game is fairly simple to learn, but as with most games in a casino or online, the house has the advantage. Video poker can be found at almost all casinos and many have them near the drinking establishments on the operator’s property.

The Rules and the Video Poker Machine

Gameplay begins with the player inserting credits into the machine. This can be in the form of paper money or a player’s card. The player then proceeds to place a bet of one or multiple credits and pressing the deal button. The player is shown their hand and offered the chance to shed one or more cards to exchange them for new ones. This is known as the draw aspect of the game. These are all drawn from a virtual deck that represents a regular deck of cards.

Once the machine has issued new cards, it pays out if the hand played matches the listed winning combinations usually posted on the pay table on the video poker monitor.  These pay tables indicate the payout for various hands depending on their rarity. The rarer a hand is, the higher it pays out. For instance, a pair of jacks would pay even money. On the other hand, a royal flush (the rarest of all hands) would payout the maximum.

In addition to winning individual hands, there are other ways to profit. For instance, many video poker machines offer progressive jackpots or prizes. This entices the user to play more frequently and place higher wagers. Although the game is based on five card draw, the customer isn’t actually playing against another hand. Rather, they win by acquiring a specific combination of cards.

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Regulation

In order to keep the equipment validated, calibrated and fair, video poker machines are regulated by individual state or Indian gaming agency. These regulatory bodies mandate that machines deal random card values out of a virtual card deck. The Nevada Gaming Commission began this rule with other states following shortly thereafter. All video poker machines are tested prior to going live on the casino floor.

Video poker can provide entertainment for hours on end. Since every casino is in business to make money, the machines are set to slightly favor the house. Although skill is involved, it’s extremely difficult to be popular in the long run. Consequently, it’s best to enjoy the excitement and have fun!


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