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.

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.

Learn Video Poker

As with all games, the most important aspect of playing is that you need to know how to play. You’ll make more errors and lose the most if you simply start playing and don’t have any knowledge of the game itself. Learn the rules, practice through free websites or with casino deposit bonuses, and ensure that you are thoroughly at ease playing the game and using the software before you start dropping big bucks.

Minimize Your Errors

Winning when paying video poker is not necessarily about always gaining payouts, but by reducing the number of errors you make. Your bankroll can quickly become diminished if you consistently make mistakes. And these mistakes are the most costly of any online video poker loss because they could have easily been avoided if you’d been careful in the first place.

Play at Casinos with High Payback Rates

Ultimately, you are playing for real money, so no matter how stunning the graphics are, how engaging the music is, or how modern and fun the interface is, don’t be swayed to play at establishments which don’t offer good payback rates. Many online casinos won’t even offer 100% payback rates and, if is this is the case, do not play on the website. Instead, look at a variety of venues and choose the one with the highest odds of gaining good results.

Be Cautious and Watch Your Bankroll

It is important when playing video poker that you slow your game so that you can make considered choices whilst also keeping your bankroll in mind. Don’t start using maximum betting if your bankroll is small as you’ll find that your money is gone in no time at all. Instead, slow your game, use smaller bets, and enjoy online video poker for a longer period of play where you can make a small but steady number of wins to actually create profit from your poker game.

How to Access the Game

The first variant of the new format is in the Jacks or Better game which can be accessed within the video poker section of the Games Menu at any Microgaming-powered online casino. In the same section there is a separate tab for Reel Play Poker. In the game, players are required to choose the number of paylines, coins per payline and coin denomination. Jacks or Better Reel Play Poker features 20 paylines with wagers up to 20 coins per payline.

How to Play

Once the betting parameters are set, the player must click the “Deal” button. Below the primary reels, five cards are dealt from a regular deck. The software automatically marks the cards that should be held in conjunction with optimal strategy. Once the player has marked the card he chooses to hold, he is then required to click the “Spin” button which moves the game to the next phased on the main reels.

The Game Blueprint

These reels are outlined like a five reel slot game in there rows. Each reel corresponds to the cards initially held. The remaining reels are filled with other cards. The video poker hands are not evaluated horizontally; instead they are analyzed in all 20 paylines. In essence, the format is similar to a 20 hand video poker game with all hands working together. Hands are formed through the crisscrossing of paylines across the rows.

Payouts

Each payline is independently evaluated against a predetermined pay table based on the number of coins wagered per payline. Therefore, if a player has wagered 10 coins per payline, the pay table will be adjusted with payouts not being multiplied by the total number of coins. The winners from each line are accumulated and credited to the player’s casino balance.

The maximum payout in the game for a royal flush with 20 coins per line is 16,000 coins. Therefore, if all 20 paylines have a royal flush, the maximum possible payout will be 320,000 coins. This new format is sure to draw online video poker and slot game enthusiasts to all Microgaming casinos.

Double Decker Poker

The game is based on the Jacks or Better pay structure and generates interest through four-of-a-kind hands. The highest paying hands include four aces, four twos, four threes and four fours. These all have special payouts depending on the fifth card in the hand. The highest payout is 400 Euros for four aces and a fifth card of two, three or four. This variant is a favorite amongst video poker enthusiasts.

Bonus Deuces Wild

On June 7^th, another winner took home 16,425 Euros by wagering on Bonus Deuces Wild which is based on the Deuces Wild pay structure. Two are the wild cards and three-of-a-kind starts the payout table. Also, there is a five-of-a-kind winning combination which includes the wild card. The higher payouts are awarded for four twos and an ace. The natural royal flush is the highest paying combination on the pay scale.

Joker Poker

Also at the beginning of June, one winner took home 9,810 Euros by participating in Joker Poker. This game is played with a 53-card deck, the extra card is the joker (wild card). The payouts start at a pair of kings or higher. The payout is the same as most other video poker games with the exception of a joker royal flush and five of a kind.

Joker Poker and Deuces

3,900 Euros was won on June 3^rd between Joker Poker and Deuces. The payouts began with a hand of three-of-a-kind. If all five wild cards appear in the dealt hand, Joker Poker and Deuces payout out a large 10,000 coins. Due to the combination of video poker variants, Joker Poker and Deuces is a popular game.

A Trend in Online Gaming

In the past, slots have boasted the biggest winners. However, in a rare occurrence during the beginning of June, video poker took home the dough. Perhaps this is a growing trend toward more individuals playing online video poker and thus winning larger pots. Ultimately, only the final numbers will tell at the end of the month.

$2,500 BB Guaranteed

The series of video poker online tournaments is known as “$2,500 BB Guaranteed.” These include 24 hour long tournaments available four days per week beginning at 8:00 PM. The next tournament of the series began on Tuesday, April 12^th, 2011 and used the game 100 Hand Joker Poker. The next tournament in line will occur on Thursday, April 14^th and will be played with the game Single Hand Deuces Wild.

The Entry Fees

Beginning April 16^th and April 17^th, the video poker competitions will begin with the designated game being Mega Multi Hand Deuces Wild and Multi Hand Aces and Faces. All video poker tournaments will be structured in the same manner. The entry fee is $1.99 for all competitions with an unlimited number of rebuys for $1.99 each. The starting designated chip amount is $100 while the rebuy amount is $175.

The total prize pool is valued at $2,500 which is distributed in bonuses known as Bonus Bucks. The top 500 players will share the prize pool with the leader receiving $350 and all subsequent players being awarded less.

Blackjack Pot Percentage

The online blackjack tournaments are known as “Blackjack Pot Percentage.” These are also 24 hour tournaments but are held three times per week beginning on Wednesday, April 13^th. The first game is Vegas Strip Blackjack. The next blackjack tournament will begin on Friday, April 15^th and be played on the Perfect Pairs game. The final blackjack game will start on Monday, April 18^th and utilize the Vegas Strip Blackjack game.

The Entry Fees

For the blackjack events the casino is not offering a guaranteed prize pool. The top 41 players will shared the total prize pool with the first place winner receiving 15 percent of the pot and second place collecting 10 percent. The entry fee for all blackjack tournaments is only $0.99 and the rebuy fee is $2.49.

These tournaments are expected to draw a large tournament crowd anxious to compete against their peers. The success of these tournaments could result in more competitions for higher prize pools in May 2011.

There are many advantages to playing at VIP Slots Casino including:

• Flash version of the casino available
• Robust, reliable software
• Strong promotions
• Plenty of games and tournaments

One advantage is the casino is available for download and on the internet in the form of Flash. This allows players to access the casino from any Flash-enabled browser. Also, the software is robust and reliable to ensure security. The downloadable and flash versions are easy to navigate and well-designed providing the player with an easy to use experience. The downloadable variant is a small file so it is a fast download.

With their motto being, “Our goal is to ensure that our VIP players always have the best experience possible, worthy of the red carpet,” VIP Slots has excellent promotions. Currently there is a $777 welcome bonus to new players and an aggressive VIP program to increase retention.

The final advantage is there are a large number of games and tournaments available. Surprisingly, this casino accommodates those that do not like to travel to find a selection of games. In addition to slot games, VIP Slots has four variants of blackjack, baccarat, Casino Hold’em, Let’em Ride, Tri-Card Poker, Red Dog, roulette and various specialty games. Also, there are daily and freeroll tournaments in slots, video poker, hold’em and blackjack.

There are a few disadvantages to playing at this casino including:

• Software only compatible with Windows
• No banking bonuses

First, software compatibility is a major issue in the casino industry. Since the entire experience is online, by only developing the software to be compatible with Windows, VIP Slots is removing all Mac users from their market. Second, there are no banking bonuses for depositing with specific methods. This is not a major issue but adds a nice touch to the player’s experience.

Overall, VIP Slots is off to an excellent start. They have included the most common features found at successful online gaming sites. As they continue to grow, VIP Slots will add features to greatly improve the online gaming experience.

Additional Variants

Another variant involves selecting one of the four suits in a deck of cards. If the correct suit is selected the player quadruples the payout. Once again, an incorrect guess equates to a loss of the wager. An additional format involves the dealer being dealt a card face-up and the player must choose one of the face-down cards. If the player’s card is higher, the payout is double or else they lose the stake.

Why add the Side Game?

There is no house edge to the gamble game, so there is no advantage to the player or casino. A question therefore arises as to why the software developer would add this into the game. The answer is simple, to make it more exciting. Since this is an optional game, there is no pressure to wager winnings.

To Play or Not to Play

Many players decide not to play the gamble game with their winnings. Since the objective is to play video poker, they choose to stick to that game. Many online gaming software providers allow players to disable the gamble game option. Those that do not intend to play should look into this feature.

On the other hand, many players feel as if it is a waste to not play the side game. In multi-hand video poker there is an option to play without overdoing it. In multi-hand video poker an identical hand is bet for every hand played. Therefore the gamble game can be utilized as a method to recoup the lost amount. If won, the player will receive a payout of $1, if lost they will lose all bets wagered.

Another game offered is the perfect gamble game which permits the player to collect half the payout and bet the other half. Therefore the player has the best of both worlds as they have collected a portion of winnings regardless of the outcome of the gamble game. Simultaneously they have the opportunity to multiply a part of those winnings. Of all gamble games, this is the best choice.

The gamble game is an interesting feature that is optional in most online video poker games. Whether to play or not is at the discretion of the player as there is no advantage or disadvantage from playing.

Standard Banking Methods

Microgaming and Playtech use the standard version found in some casino games. The player’s balance is temporarily based on the game in which they are playing. Once the player selects the specific betting amount, those chips are deducted from their in-game balance. Meanwhile, the total casino amount remains the same because the chips for each game are deducted once the game begins.

If the player closes out a game, the amount left in their temporary account appears back in the casino account. Therefore if it is less than the amount they began with, the player has lost; if it is more the player has won. However, once a bet is submitted within the game, that money cannot be refunded. The only way is to win or break even (only in some games).

Realtime Gaming Banking Methods

On the other hand, Realtime Gaming using a mechanism commonly found in live slot machines. The player’s balance is displayed on the screen but cannot be used to place wagers. Instead, players must purchase coins or credits and add them into the video poker game. For instance, if the player purchases $25 worth of tokens within the game, the casino balance decreases by $25. If the credits are worth $0.01 the player will receive 2500.

If the player decides not to play this game, they can cash out. Since 2500 credits is equal to $25, that money is transferred back into their account. The betting during the game has no effect on the overall casino balance only the in-game balance. When a player loses all credits or coins, they must transfer more from the casino balance in order to continue playing. If the casino balance is empty, the player must redeposit into their casino account then transfer that into their in-game account.

Financial management for all games is consistent within the specific casino. Although there are different methods, they all make it easy to deposit, withdraw and transfer money within the casino platform. Online gaming sites strive to make these transactions as easy as possible to all players.

The Psychological Toll

As a result of this difference, credit management is extremely important. One common question is, how much should I load into a game of video poker at a time? Although the short answer is it does not matter because you can always reload, it does play a psychological toll over time. Players tend to wager more than is necessary because they have a large bankroll in their game account (which is usually a huge portion of their total account balance).

Credit Management Methods

Instead, it is more practical and effective to adopt a rational money management approach. To do this, the player should have a wagering target for credits and time. For instance, if the player chooses 1,000 credits over 60 minutes, then they need to only load 1,000 credits. If the credits are lost prior to the 60 minutes then the player should end the game prematurely and not reload.

The primary downside to this method is that the player continues to wager with winnings. Ideally to combat this issue, the player should withdrawal after each win and keep the 1,000 credit reload in their account. Unfortunately this is not practical and efficient so withdrawing everyone once in a while may be more effective.

This balance can be met by setting target amounts for cashing out after each win. For example, the player loads 1,000 credits and sets the target at 200 won credits. If after 15 minutes the player reaches 1200 credits, they should then cash out and leave a pro rated amount for the remaining 45 minutes which would equate to 750 credits.

The final successful method for managing video poker credits is to wager half for the same time period. For instance, if the player has a target of 1,000 credits over 60 minutes then they should load only 500 credits. If they maintain that amount over 60 minutes, they have saved themselves 500 credits from not loading the initial 1,000. If the player exhausts the credits after 45 minutes then the reload should be pro rated at 250 credits.

Finding your Comfort Zone

The ideal strategy for money management is what is most comfortable for you. Perhaps it is one of the methods mentioned above, perhaps it is a hybrid of a few of them or you may have your own system. Whatever the method, it is important to have one to help you manage your credits at online casinos.

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.

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!