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Video poker is a computerized poker game that allows players to play against a computer opponent that you can play for Bitcoin and other crypto. With a typical return rate of 97-99% or higher, video poker offers the potential for even higher payouts with the use of strategies and winning techniques.
Here, we'll explain what video poker is, highlighting the differences between online and real casino poker.
Video poker is a BTC poker game controlled by a computer. Players compete with the machine by creating poker hands with cards displayed on the monitor.
While traditional poker involves competing with other players at a dealer's table, video poker allows players to enjoy the game solo, creating high hands without opponents.
Widely introduced in many online casinos, it provides an opportunity for casual play in regions like Japan, where physical casinos are not yet established. Similar to the , it is user-friendly for poker beginners aiming to get accustomed to the game pace. It's also popular among high rollers and seasoned veterans.
The main differences between video poker and traditional poker lie in the absence of opponents and the handling of hands. In traditional poker, multiple players compete for the strength of a hand, but in video poker, you create your own strong hand. Video poker requires a different set of strategies as the psychological aspect of traditional poker is not present.
Regarding hands, the treatment of one pair differs. While any two cards from 2 to Ace can form a one-pair hand in traditional poker, video poker may not count as a one-pair hand unless there are at least two cards of 10 or higher (10 to Ace).
There are various types of video poker, and here we'll explain some representative ones included in the .
Jacks or Better is the most common video poker game, widely adopted in both land-based and online casinos. Payouts occur with a pair of Jacks (J) or higher, and be cautious as there are no returns for pairs like "2" or "10."
Deuces Wild is a rule in which a "2 (deuce)" acts as the wild card, regardless of the pattern of the cards. A three of a kind or better pays out.
The "2" can replace any card, but it is important to use it effectively in order to get a higher paying hand. Conversely, if you can make a natural hand that does not contain the "2" wild card, you will receive a higher payout.
All American is based on Jacks or Better, with the distinction that flushes and straights have higher payouts, while full houses and pairs have lower payouts.
Joker Wild incorporates a Joker as a wild card in the poker game. The Joker serves as a wild card, affecting the payouts for similar hands. Payouts are confirmed with a one pair of "Kings" or higher, and a natural hand without the Joker results in higher payouts.
Ace and Face poker has the same basic payout as other poker games, but only the four of a kind pays differently. A pair of "K" (King) or higher will pay out, and "A" (Ace) is the highest paying.
The payout depends on the number of four of a kind. Ace" and "8" four of a kind pay more than a straight flush, so you will need to think about your strategy.
Full and Low Pay is a rule where the payout is 9 times the wager on a full house and 6 times the wager on a flush. Most online casinos only offer full pay machines.
Low pay machines pay less (typically 8x on a full house and 5x on a flush), but have a higher house edge.
Tens or Better is a variation of Jacks or Better where a pair of "10s" or higher results in payouts. It's suitable for those looking for low-risk gameplay.
Double Bonus (Double Bonus) has the same rules as Jacks or Better, except that one pair of "K" or better pays out. Also, the four of a kind pays higher, and the strength of the four of a kind changes from "5-K" < "2-4" < "A".
The "A" four of a kind pays more than a flush, so it is recommended for advanced players who want to aim for higher payouts.
The name of this game type refers to the five cards each player receives in their hand. Players are then given the option of replacing those cards to improve their hand. The “draw” is made, and unwanted cards are thrown out of the hand, which are then replaced with new cards from the deck. Bets are placed both before and after the draw, with a showdown taking place for the final pot.
In this form of poker, the player is dealt seven cards, some of which will be face up and the others face down. The player must then assemble the best five-card hand they can from that initial seven card hand. Although like Texas hold’em, seven-card stud is differentiated as the cards are not shared by the table and belong to the individual.
Here, all 2s are wild. The payouts for four of a kind hands are much bigger in this version and will usually come up more often.
The rules for video poker are relatively easy. It is actually quite similar to Yahtzee in some ways, but with a significant amount of extra variety. When you first begin to play, your first step will be to choose your wager. Different games have different wager ranges, so depending on the game you choose to play, you may be placing high wagers or low wagers. Almost every video poker game uses a one to five coins wagering system, but some do have different values for the coins. This is how they allow for different wager ranges without having to undertake wholesale changes to the pay tables within the game. Once you have chosen your wager, you will be dealt your first hand.
Your first hand will be dealt randomly from a deck of 52 cards. Despite video poker being a computer program, it still uses an algorithm to ensure that the deck is both shuffled fairly and dealt out fairly. It actually offers a fairer shuffle than in real life due to the algorithm carrying out the shuffle without human error. Your first hand will contain five cards. Once you have received your cards, you can then choose which ones you would like to keep and which ones you would like to discard. You can keep as many as you like or discard as many as you like. Once you have chosen which cards you would like to keep or discard, you will be dealt out more cards from the deck to make sure that you have a hand of five cards. If you choose to discard no cards, then you will be dealt no additional cards. The cards are dealt from whatever is left in the deck – just because it is a computer dealing does not mean that the cards will just be random cards. They still come from the genuine cards that are remaining. The aim is to create the best possible poker hand. Depending on the pay table, you will then either be paid out depending on what your hand is, or you will not be paid at all if your hand is sufficiently bad.
The basic flow of a typical video poker game is as follows:
The objective of video poker is to create a stronger hand (combination of cards). After revealing the cards, if a valid hand is formed, you receive a payout. At this point, you can choose the Double Challenge option.
In the Double Challenge, you pick one card from four, and you must choose a card stronger than the face-up card. If successful, your payout is doubled; otherwise, you lose all winnings. This adds a higher level of gambling excitement to the game.
Compared to live casino poker or traditional casinos, the cycles are shorter, and the steps are fewer, making the game more efficient in determining wins and losses.
As more and more players have been drawn to the faster-paced play of video poker, casino game developers have come out with multi-hand games to add more excitement into the mix. In multi-hand video poker, you can bet on multiple lines at the same time. You can opt to bet on anywhere between three to 100 lines at once, although this will depend on the game type on offer.
Although the same basic game mechanics are present in both game types, once you enter into a game, the differences are stark. Most obviously, the pace of play changes from being a slower, slightly more methodical game to one that is fast-paced and, at times, frenetic. Also, the existence of multiple betting lines across numerous hands means that your strategy will need to adapt. In multi-hand games, you need to be a lot more aware of what types of bets you are making, how much you are betting, and the implications that your betting strategy might have across all the active hands. This makes multi-hand video poker a lot more demanding in terms of the level of concentration you need. However, don’t be put off by this, as this intense playing style is precisely what will keep you coming back for more.
The basic game mechanics in multi-hand video poker are, for the most part, the same as the single-hand variant. As a first step, you will simply select the number of hands you want to play. There is no requirement to play the maximum number of hands, although this will maximise your chances of winning but with an increased risk. You then place bets on each hand and initiates the game when you select the deal/draw button. You will then be dealt the base hand, which typically appears at the bottom of the screen. Cards in the other hands will remain face down at this stage, and then you select the number of cards in the open hand you wish to hold, which can be anywhere between zero and five.
The types of hands and their payouts may vary slightly depending on the game, but in general, video poker has nine common hands listed below in descending order of significance:
|
Hand |
Condition |
Example of cards |
|
High Card (No Hand) |
Highest single card determines the winner. |
― |
|
One Pair |
Two cards of the same rank. |
“2-2-5-6-7“ “5-8-10-10-K“ |
|
Two Pair |
Two sets of pairs, each with the same rank. |
“3-3-7-K-K“ “4-4-9-Q-Q“ |
|
Three of a Kind (Three Card) |
Three cards of the same rank. |
“5-5-5-10-K“ “2-4-J-J-J“ |
|
Straight |
Five consecutive cards of any suit. |
“10-J-Q-K-A“ “A-2-3-4-5“ |
|
Flush |
Five cards of the same suit, not in sequence. |
“6-3-5-8-4“ “4-K-6-3-7“ |
|
Full House |
Three cards of one rank and two cards of another rank. |
“2-2-3-3-3“ “9-9-J-J-J“ |
|
Four of a Kind (Four Card) |
Four cards of the same rank. |
“5-Q-Q-Q-Q“ “3-3-3-3-10“ |
|
Straight Flush |
Five consecutive cards of the same suit. |
“4-5-6-7-8“ “9-10-J-Q-K“ |
|
Royal Flush |
The highest straight flush, consisting of A, K, Q, J, 10 of the same suit. |
“10-J-Q-K-A“ |
Card rankings follow a hierarchy from the strongest, "A" (Ace), to "K" (King), "Q" (Queen), "J" (Jack), and down to the weakest, "2". Suits (hearts, spades, etc.) generally do not determine strength.
In case players have the same hand, the comparison is made based on the strength of the cards. If this still doesn't resolve the tie, non-hand cards are compared from the top down. Video poker payouts are determined based on the hand, and if multiple hands are formed, payouts accumulate.
There are numerous video poker strategies. There is no guarantee that you will win by following a winning strategy, but it will increase your chances of winning. Here are some ideas of strategies for beginners and advanced players, respectively.
If you are new to video poker, start with basic strategy. To begin with, it is important to choose a machine with a high payout percentage, such as Jacks or Better. The same game has different payouts for full houses and flushes on different machines, such as Jacks or Better 9/6 and Jacks or Better 8/5. Check the machine's payout and choose the one with the higher number.
When you are dealt a hand of cards, if you have already made a hand, play the cards as they are. If you do not have any cards in your hand, consider the following.
It may be difficult to judge by the cards in the hand when you are not used to it, but basically, the safest way is to aim for the highest paying hand by comparing the cards in your hand to the cards you have already played.
Advanced tactics for advanced video poker players are listed below.
Online video poker is all about improving your skills and knowledge, as well as choosing the right machine. Keep playing steadily and upgrade your strategy by improving your skills.
Using strategies with expertise, such as , can also help.
Everyone acquires skills through winning and losing. You can also learn a lot by reading books on poker strategy.
Tips and Techniques for Enjoying Video Poker
Poker, despite being a psychological game, can be challenging to delve into the opponent's mind
immediately. Start by betting small amounts to observe and develop a sense of the game gradually.
Additionally, it is crucial for beginners to be prepared for losses, even with strong hands like an Ace pair. Maintaining confidence despite unexpected losses is important.
Over the long term, you will gradually learn about hands that result in more wins. To succeed in poker, it's vital to play the actual game, master hands, and gain experience. Firmly grasp the basics and accumulate experience; anyone can improve.
Until your skills improve, be cautious and stick to small bets. Proper bankroll management is essential, as overspending or excessive losses should be avoided.
Avoid playing bad hands
The top tip for a winning video poker strategy. If you’re starting with a less-than-stellar hand, it's more than likely you will see a poor result. Make sure you can always justify why you are entering into a hand and playing a given round. Being honest with yourself will allow you to nip bad hands in the bud rather than letting them continue to generate low returns.
Evaluate the size of the pot
When playing poker online, you have the full value of the pot readily available. Take advantage of this by figuring out the best amount to bet in a given hand. This will help you avoid losses. After all, there’s no point losing more money than the pot is actually worth.
Practice self-control
One of the biggest issues facing players of all levels, but particularly video poker newbies, is self-control. Without self-control, even the most seasoned veteran can turn a winning hand into a loss.
Much of this is rooted in a lack of confidence in one’s own judgement. With that said, developing discipline when wagering can be the difference between breaking even and suffering a hefty loss. Of all the points to take from these video poker basics, let this be the one that you bear in mind most often.
For some, self-control will come over time as you gain more experience in online video poker, so practice as often as you can right here at . This will give you a better sense of when it’s time to fold and when it’s time to claim the table.
Playing more games will allow you to build up the experience and gain greater confidence in your playing decisions, naturally leading to better self-control and informed decisions. As part of this learning experience, take the opportunity to reflect on a bad hand and analyse whether your decision was the right one
Ignoring the table
New players often get so caught up in their own hands and the size of the pot that they forget to consider the table at all. To avoid this, keep yourself aware of what’s going on at the table. Who’s betting? When are they betting? How are they betting? These are all important things to consider and will help you make better-informed wagers
Not considering playing styles
Beginners often fail to consider either their own playing style, or their opponents, when making playing decisions. For example, if your opponent usually likes to play very tightly, making smaller bets but not quite bluffing, take note of this. This will help you get a better overall read of the table and avoid betting big when you should not. Similarly, you should try and develop an awareness of your own playing style. If you don’t, you might become too easily read by other players.
Underselling yourself
If you think you have an amazing hand, don’t be completely afraid to make strong bets. Needlessly bluffing with small bets when you have a strong hand sometimes simply helps your opponent lose less money. Don’t undersell yourself with small bets if you know you have a winning hand.
In the widely-played "Texas Hold'em" poker, payouts are uniformly set at 1x, determined by the strength of the hand.
Poker attracts attention as a competitive sport. Some individuals make a living as professional poker players, utilizing skills such as psychological warfare, analytical ability, probability assessment, and mastering standard strategies to maintain a high winning rate.
In poker, the player who forms the strongest hand among the participants is the winner. To receive payouts in video poker, you need to create a hand stronger than the computer program. Winning amounts vary depending on the game, hand, and bet amount.
Play for free in fun mode
Looking to play video poker for fun? Our range of video poker games also come with an option to play for free before you deposit. With a simple click once the game has loaded, your free mode is activated. It’s a great way to try out the game, get a feel of the experience and decide if you want to commit to placing a wager with cryptocurrency.
Practicing has never hurt anyone, especially if it’s your first time playing video poker in general or a specific version of the game you have never tried before. It will get you in the groove and maybe even have an advantage to win when you place your cryptocurrency bets after some practice.
With a fun, fast and fair experience being at the centre of what we do, free video poker games help us do this for you. You get to enjoy the game exactly the same as you would if you have placed a bet.
Looking for something fun and quirky, or maybe something a little more serious but engaging? Whatever type of video poker you’re in the mood for, we have it here at Bitcasino.io. Get into the groove with some American themed video poker from trusted platforms like Wazdan and Tangente, or try your hand at OneTouch’s Russian Poker.
We also have the addictive and fast-paced games like Three Card Rummy, Jacks Or Better, Tens or Better as well as Aces and Faces. You can come every day to try each of the games, or stick to one and play until you’ve mastered it online and are winning big. When you register at Bitcasino, you can play video poker using Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Cardano (ADA), Litecoin (LTC), TRON (TRX), Ripple (XRP) or Tether (USDT). We also accept Japanese Yen. Join us for the thrill of a lifetime when you play video poker at Bitcasino today.
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