Online Casino Spotlight

A unique modern gaming version of traditional card poker is Video Poker. Video poker is played using a computer gaming system, similar to the advanced slot machines. In video poker, there is no dealer and no other players; just you playing against the computer. The computer will deal the cards and you will click your way in to the hand.

Video poker has become popular in recent years. You can find video poker machines at most casinos and other gambling establishments.

A Closer Look at Jacks or Better Video Poker

Jacks or Better is a five card game that follows the traditional poker high hand limits. However, in Jacks or Better a player has to have a least a pair of Jacks to qualify for the hand. Any lesser combination results in a loss for the player.

Playing Jacks or Better Video Poker

In Jacks or Better, the computer, acting as the dealer, will deal out five cards to the player to start the hand. Much like traditional poker, the player will decide to raise or fold based on their hand. If the player chooses to raise their Ante bet rather then fold, they are then allowed to discard up to four cards from their original hand. The dealer will then deal the requested amount of new cards to the player. After the second draw the player will try to make a Jacks or higher hand from the cards they were dealt. If the player has a hand with a pair of Jacks or higher, they are paid out for that hand based on a pay structure determine by the video poker machine.

Betting Options in Jacks or Better Video Poker?

In Jacks or Better video poker, a player must place an Ante bet at the beginning of each round to buy in to the hand. The Ante bet often has a minimum amount that will be listed on the video poker machine. After the Ante bet is placed and the cards are dealt, the player will have one chance to raise their Ante bet and move on to the next part of the round.

If the player placed, and raised, and Ante bet they will play through that round of Jacks or Better. If they end up with a hand showing at least a pair of Jacks, the player is paid out based on a pay structure. Pay structures for most video poker games are listed on the poker machine itself and the payouts ma be quite lucrative.

Rival Gaming has quickly become a name in the online casino software field since being formed in 2006. With dozens of games and some of the best technology in the industry, Rival figures to be a major player in the development of some more vital casino software into the next decade and beyond. The company is based in Cyprus.

Games

Rival has a vast amount of casino games that are available to their clients. Table games, slots, video poker and specialty games are among the category of games that Rival has developed software for. Blackjack, craps, roulette and baccarat are some of the table games featured at Rival. Keno is one of the specialty games at the site. There are several video poker games available, including deuces wild poker.

Slot games have been the primary focus of Rival’s casino games software. There are numerous 3-wheel and 5-wheel slot games to download at the site. Major Moolah, Strike Gold and One Million Reels BC are the main progressive slot games produced by Rival.

The company’s I-Slots games are quite unique in the industry. When players start an I-Slot game, they are introduced to a creative world with its own unique characters via a video animation clip. As the player moves forward, each level greets them with additional video clips, along with fun features and engaging mini-games. The I-Slots games combine the enjoyment of classic slots with an entertainment experience that’s part film and part video game.

Backend system

The company’s RivalPro technology is a vital tool for casino operators. The backend system enables casino operators to instantly access important information while providing some of the most secure technological software. RivalPro can track and sort players into convenient categories while providing specific info to use in marketing and advertising. The security technologies are also some of the most advanced in the industry.

Rival’s InTouch tool enables casino operators to quickly access a variety of important reports through a Blackberry or PDA device.

Rival Gaming news

In the first quarter of 2009, Rival announced the launch of their latest licensee in Vegas Regal Casino. During the spring, the company engineered some other important deals. The Rival-powered FortuneReel.com casino was launched. An even more significant deal was initiated in the middle of May. Rival was chosen to power a casino property at BetUs.com, one of the leading online casino sports books in the industry.

Fixer Upper is newest I-Slot game

The newest release from Rival is the I-Slot game Fixer Upper. The game has 5-reels and 20-lines with a theme based around home improvements. The object of the game is to fix up houses while trying to win payouts. The coin variations are 0.01, 0.05 and 0.10 and can be wagered up to 10 coins per payline. There is a max payout of 8888 coins or 8888.00 credits. The bonus round’s maximum payout is 1700.00 credits and there are several bonus rounds in the game.

In the business since 1997, Random Logic is one of the oldest online casino software providers on the scene.  While the gaming platform has been refined and improved over the years, this vendor’s approach to gaming has remained the same – simple and straightforward.  Random Logic does not have the largest selection of casino games, but offers more than enough to satisfy the needs of most players.

Blackjack

Random Logic’s blackjack tables gives off a similar look and feel of what you would find in Las Vegas’ more upscale casino establishments.  The table highlights your bets and neatly stacks all of your chips to the side.  The overall presentation and mechanics of gameplay are pleasant but there are also some other features that deserve mentioning.  For instance, if you want to make an overly risky move such as hitting on 19, the system will step in and recommend that you rethink your options.  Of course you are free to play as you wish, but it is nice to see that the gaming platform has your best interests at heart.  In addition to this, Random Logic offers a comprehensive tutorial available that provides basic rules and how to play the game as well a few blackjack strategies that might come in handy.

Slots

Random Logic slots are quite basic and conservative from a presentation aspect when compared to other offerings in the market.  Its classic slots will remind you of the machines found in a downtown casino, featuring sevens, bars and other common symbols.  There is also a nice selection of progressive slots, including the Millionaire Genie game that paid out more than $1.3 million to a single winner in April 2006.  Other fun progressive slots include Mega Gold, Treasure Twirl and Super Thundering 888.  Whether it is of the classic, progressive or video variety, Random Logic has more than enough slots to keep you busy for a long time.

Video Poker

You will find a nice selection of video poker games at Random Logic casinos.  Its software offers single hand, multi-hand and progressive games in variants such as Aces and Faces, Deuces Wild and Jacks or Better.  If you prefer multi-hand games, you can try your luck with the aforementioned games in 5, 10, 25 or 50 hand varieties.  The pay tables and game themselves are laid out well and comprehensive enough for the novice player to understand.  While Random Logic video poker will notify you of winning hands, they do not offer any strategy so you need to be on your Ps and Qs.

Random Logic casino games are not flashy, but offer sophistication and a quality presentation that mimics the luxurious rooms in Monte Carlo and Atlantic City.  Customers all over the world appreciate the gaming platform’s elegance and most importantly, the enjoyable gameplay.  If you love to play casino favorites like blackjack, craps, video poker and others, a Random Logic casino could be in the cards for you.

Deuces Wild is one of the most popular video poker variants.   As the name implies, twos act as wilds and can be substituted for any card to assemble a hand.     While the wild card give can certainly work to your advantage, having a little strategy can go a long way in making you a successful player.

Probable Hand Scenarios

An optimal Deuces Wild strategy involves holding your cards to maximize your payout, which is best understood based on the number of twos dealt in your initial hand.  For example, if you are dealt four deuces, you are assured a payout of 200 to 1.  In this scenario, you certainly want to keep all of your deuces because the fifth card is irrelevant.  If you are dealt three deuces, the best strategy would be to hold them  if the cards result in a royal flush or five –of-a-kind.  If not, you should hold your card with a value of 10 or higher and replace the others in attempt to assemble a wild royal flush.

If your initial hand reveals two deuces, you should analyze your hand to determine whether you have a four of a kind or higher.  If so, you definitely want to hold onto  those cards.  Another good strategy here would be to hold onto the  cards needed to assemble a royal flush or a straight flush with six as the lowest card.  It is necessary for lower straight flushes two use the deuce as a two, which essentially reduces its wild card value.  If none of these strategies are possible, you should hold the initial two deuces and replace the other three cards to come up with another combination.

If you are only dealt a single deuce in your initial hand, the Deuces Wild strategy gets a little more complex.  In this scenario, you should hold any hand that consists of a four of a kind or higher.  However, you may want to discard a lower paying hand in favor of a wild royal flush.  If neither of these instances occur and you are a dealt a full house, you should hold onto it.  Other hands you can try to assemble in order of importance include four to a straight flush with five as the lowest card, three of a kind, a straight, a flush, four to a low straight flush, three to a royal flush, and three to a straight flush with six as the lowest card.  If none of these combinations can be assembled, you should hold onto your once deuce and replace everything else.

Conclusion

Developing a sound strategy is critical for the player who wants to be successful at Deuces Wild as it can place the average payout ratio over 100% when betting with five coins.   If you bet five coins, a genuine royal flush pays out 800 to 1 rather than 250 to 1 when wagering with less coins.  A good strategy will also better the chances of not losing your money over the long haul.

Video poker is a universal favorite, extremely popular in casinos both on and offline.  This game is based on traditional Draw Poker but also offers some of the elements found in modern slot machines.  The best thing about video poker is that it is widely available online in free and real-money varieties.  Playing is easy.  All you have to do is get familiar with the basics.

Basic Video Poker Rules

The rules of video poker couldn’t be any more simple.  In most cases, you simply place your wager and hit the “Deal” or “Draw” button to receive your cards.  After analyzing the cards, select the ones you want to keep and hit the “Hold” button underneath them.  Press the button again to get more cards and continue this process until you win or lose.  If you win, receiving your payout is easy as pushing a button.

Video Poker Bonus

If you win a hand of video poker, most casinos give you an option to play a bonus round that allows you to double your initial winnings.  In the bonus round, one card is usually dealt face-down and another is dealt face-up.  Your job is to predict whether the subsequent card will be higher or lower than the original card.  If the card is higher, you win the bet and double your wager.  If it is lower, you lose your initial winnings.  If the value of the cards equal a tie, a “push” is the result and you neither win nor lose and get to keep your winnings.  Because the bonus round is optional, keep in mind that you generally have to click a button to initiate the bonus game.

Winning Combinations

When playing video poker online or in a land-based casino, the combinations for winning hands are ranked as follows:

Jacks or Better – A winning pair is only compromised of Jacks or higher.  Anything lower does not count as a winning hand.

Kings of Better – Similar to the combination above, this qualifies a winning pair as Kings or higher.

Two Pair - Two pairs of cards with the same value.

Three of a Kind - Three individual cards of the same value.

Four of a Kind – Four cards of the same value.

Five of a Kind – Four cards of the same value plus a Wild Card.

Straight - Five cards in sequential order but not of the same suit.

Flush – Five cards of the same suit in any order.

Straight Flush – Five sequential cards of the same suit.

Royal Flush – Five sequential cards of the same suit.  The first card must be a 10 and the last card an Ace.

Wild Royal Flush – A Royal Flush composed with a Wild Card.

There are a number of online casinos that offer huge progressive jackpots for Royal Flush hands and other rare winning combinations to entice new players.  If you are a video poker pro, this could be your opportunity to strike it big and claim a very healthy payout.

An online subsidiary of IGT (International Game Technology), WagerWorks is one of the premiere providers of online casino software.  In fact, the firm currently provides gaming solutions for most of the online casino operators in Britain.  Originally a subsidiary of acclaimed slot machine producer Silicon Gaming, WagerWorks was purchased by International Game Technology in 2005.  Since the acquisition, it has helped to revive the ITG brand and now has its games in some of the industry’s biggest and best online casinos.

Layout and Presentation

There are some casinos who attempt to portray realism with vividly custom designs and others that put an emphasis on their brand.  The approach WagerWorks takes is one that resonates with the player, helping to distinguish its casinos from all others.  Among its most popular casinos is 888.com, which instead of a menu bar, offers a circle of gaming icons flanked by a Flash movie in the center.  When selecting an icon, players are taken to the lobby area where all the available games are located.  From there, players can rotate their mouse over the icons to view a special preview and details of the game.   The comprehensive layout and presentation of the gaming interface are attributing factors to WagerWork’s success as an online casino software vendor.

In-Game Graphics and Sound

For those looking to indulge in video poker, WagerWorks casinos can assure you a truly unforgettable experience.  Its virtual video poker machines are a feast for the eyes, particularly the Power Poker game that allows you to try your luck with a full 50 hands at one time.  The vendor also offers an array of exciting slots options such as Spider Man and Knights and Maidens, all of which are complimented by brilliant animation and realistic sounds.  WagerWorks table games such as blackjack and roulette are pretty stellar in the graphics and sound department as well.  Though not quite as stunning as the slots options, they are rather impressive nevertheless.

Gaming Variety

WagerWorks casinos offer players a broad range of gaming options to choose from.  Slots is one of its specialities and aside from the aforementioned titles, other popular games include Gold Medal Mania, Fantastic Four and Treasure Twirl.  Its Video Poker option cover beloved favorites such as Deuces Wild and Jacks or Better as well as variants like Aces and Faces.  WagerWorks also has something for those who prefer table games with options ranging from craps and baccarat to Pai Gow Poker and virtually everything in between.  With exclusive gaming rights to world famous brands such as Baywatch, Monopoly and Wheel of Fortune, WagerWorks has the technology to ensure a smooth and unrivaled online gaming experience.

Conclusion

WagerWorks is currently one of the fastest growing online casino software providers in the industry.  The company is always developing and launching new games to keep the gaming experience fresh and entertaining.  With IGT being the largest slot machine maker in the world, WagerWorks has benefitted tremendously from the relationship and developed some of the best online casino games available.

Online casinos have been around for more than a decade now but really exploded over the last five years or so.  These web-based platforms present a dynamic virtual atmosphere that mimics the real-life casinos in Las Vegas and Atlantic City nearly to the tee.  Best of all, there are plenty of options for game play, thus finding your favorite game should be quite easy.  Here are some of the most popular casino games you have to choose from.

Baccarat

Though many people are not familiar with the game, baccarat is a major hit in online casinos.  The object of the game is to draw a hand with a face value as close to 9 as possible.  You begin with two cards, add their value and if they equal 10 or higher, the first digit is discarded.  From there, you play the hand against the dealer.  In baccarat, the winner isn’t necessarily based on who has the better hand.  Instead, you place a wager on who you think will win a particular round – you or the dealer.  Make the right choice and you get paid out at the odds, no matter whether you lose the hand or not.

Blackjack

Originated centuries ago in Europe, Blackjack is one of the most exciting and easiest casino games to play.  The object is simple – draw your cards until the face value adds up 21 or close as possible.  You start out with two cards and can be hit with more until you decide to stay or get busted.  The dealer than draws until they reach 17 or bust.  You generally get paid 1:1 odds if you win.

Roulette

Poker is huge, but roulette is crowned as the “King of Casino Games.”  What makes roulette so fun is that it is a game of pure chance with little to no skill involved.  The wheel consists of number slots, usually colored black or red.  You place your bet on the number or color you think will come up, the dealer spins and drops a silver ball into the wheel, which bounces about until it stops at one of the slots and reveals the winning number.  If it stops on the one you chose, you could win big.

Slots

Online slots are basically the same as those you would find in a real casino.  Simply place your bet, pull the virtual level and the drums go spinning.  Once they stop, the images are aligned and of course, different configurations result in different payouts.  The most exciting part about online slots is the progressive jackpots as they tend to mount up very quickly.  Some pots even climb into the millions.

Video Poker

Just like Saturday night poker at your buddy’s house, the goal of video poker is to build the most powerful hand you possibly can.  You place your bet and the virtual dealer gives you five cards.  If you get something good on the first try, click the buttons underneath your cards to hold them.  The dealer discards the ones you don’t choose and deals you more cards, which result in your final hand.  With a good casino, the payouts are increasingly higher the better your hand gets.  With poker being such a phenomenon right now, finding a casino that offers video poker should be a breeze.