Video poker is a somewhat niche section of online casino gaming that has a dedicated fan base of players. Unlike traditional poker video poker is a solo game that is fun and easy to learn, and can be enjoyed 24/7 with a few clicks or taps of a screen. At Prime Casino, we offer a selection of the best video poker games in the UK. Read on to learn more about video poker gameplay.
Because it is a self-contained digital game (as it doesn’t require any additional or real-world features) developers of video poker games are able to get really creative and therefore, there are multiple popular variants of video poker which players can enjoy at the click of a button.
Another well-liked video poker variant that employs a single 52-card deck is called Deuces Wild. The fascinating thing is that the player can use all four of the Deuces, or Twos, as Wild Cards to complete a winning hand by substituting a Deuce for any card that has been dealt. Four Deuces is the second best hand after a Royal Flush, and Three of a Kind is the lowest hand on the pay chart, paying equally.
Because the Wilds usually raise the odds of having a winning hand greatly, most variations of this game have poor rewards because the casinos have to make up for this. A similar variant of this game is called Not-so-Ugly Deuces Wild.
The type of video poker that most novices begin with is Jacks or Better, which is frequently regarded as the standard version of video poker. The game gets its name from the fact that the lowest possible winning hand is a pair of Jacks and therefore the whole aim of the game is to literally achieve 'Jacks or Better'.
Because of its simple gameplay and favourable odds, Jacks or Better is a well-liked option for players of all skill levels. Its paytable is simple to comprehend, and compared to other variations, strategic choices are frequently made with greater transparency.
This video poker variant is quite similar to Jacks or Better; both games use the same deck and the order of winning hands is maintained. The lowest paying hand, though, is a pair of tens this time. As a result, the pay table is modified to provide smaller but more frequent rewards than Jacks or Better.
Because the payouts for Full House and Flush are only 6 and 5 times your wager, rather than 9 and 6 times seen in Jacks or Better, the full pay game is also referred to as 6/5 Jacks or Better. Additionally, if players win in the bonus game (by pressing the double button), Jacks or Better-style, they can double their winnings.
Joker Poker is a fun game that can be played by both experienced players and beginners. With 53 cards total—52 from a conventional deck plus the Joker, which acts as a Wild Card—the game is really straightforward. The gameplay of the game, sometimes known as Joker's Wild, is different from that of Jacks or Better.
Since the beginning winning hand in Joker Poker is Kings or Better, the odds of winning are considerably higher. In this game, a Five of a Kind hand ranks immediately after a Natural Royal Flush, which is a Royal Flush without any Wild cards. The extra Wild card allows for the formation of this hand. The Straight Flush, followed by a Joker and a Royal Flush, is the third-best hand.Players particularly like the 7/5 version of the game since it increases their chances of having a winning hand when compared to other video poker variants (a 6/5 version is also available). The full-pay Kings or Better variant of Joker Poker offers the biggest return but there are two other versions called Two Pairs or Better and Aces or Better.
A more intricate variation of video poker, Aces and Faces is derived from Jacks or Better. Payouts begin as low as a Jacks or Better hand, and the game is played with a standard 52-card deck. The distinction is that all Four of a Kind hands made up of Aces or Face Cards—Jacks, Queens, and Kings—will pay out more when using this strategy. Four Aces is ranked better in the normal 8/5 Aces and Faces game than a Straight Flush, and payouts are 80 to 1 as opposed to 50 to 1. A set of face cards will yield a 40 to 1 payout.
Aces and Faces is available in two alternate versions: a 7/6 game and a 7/5 game.
Although based on Jacks or Better, this variant pays out extra for Four of a Kind hands. Pairs of Jacks are the lowest winning hand; all other winning hands, aside from Four of a Kind hands, are ranked according to custom. For example, a hand with four aces will pay out 80 times your bet.
Bonus Poker's full pay variant is 8/5, meaning that a full house pays out eight times the wager, while a flush pays out five times the stake. Bonus Poker is also available in a 7/5 variant. Another well-liked variation of the game is double bonus poker.
Starting a new game or experimenting with a new online casino genre can be daunting, but with our top tips you can avoid rookie errors and game safely:
A variety of strategies may be utilised when playing video poker. Experimenting with these can not only change up your gaming experience but may be used to avoid rookie errors or manage your bankroll. Of course, it is important to note that no strategy can ever guarantee wins as video poker is a game of chance.
As we highlighted in the variants above, the same type of video poker game can have different payout odds. Think of this as similar to slots where the same game can have various RTP percentages. Therefore, always opt for the variant with the highest payouts.
As video poker is a solo game that is simple to play and fun, it can be easy to become sucked into the game and spend more money than you intended to, or play for more time than expected. Therefore, before playing video poker it is essential to make sure you set yourself a time limit and budget for the session. If you notice your mood start to sour or you’re feeling frustrated, step away, even if your time limit or budget hasn’t yet been reached.
As both are most commonly played at online casinos, new (and even sometimes seasoned) players can mistakenly use the terms video poker and live poker interchangeably when, in fact, they are two very different games. The table below compares live poker and video poker.
| Feature | Live Poker | Video Poker |
|---|---|---|
| Setting | Played in a physical casino, online casino (via live streaming), or at home (if played casually) | Played on electronic terminals at brick-and-mortar casinos, or at online casinos. |
| Interaction | Players interact with other players and the dealer. | Completely solo gameplay. Cards are dealt via RNG computer software. |
| Speed | Slower gameplay due to real-person interaction, and social strategy. | As gameplay is solo the player can dictate how fast they’d like gameplay to be. |
| Skill Level | Players of all skill levels can enjoy gameplay. In-game skill tends to be acquired over time by learning how to read players and knowledge of the likelihood of specific hands. | Incredibly beginner-friendly. Solo gameplay means players can take their time making decisions. The semi-automated user interface also helps clarify elements such as hand rankings. |
| Randomness | Cards are shuffled by a real-world croupier or host to ensure fairness. | Computer software using random number generation (RNG) is used. Games are also third-party tested to ensure fairness. |
| Mistakes | At real casinos, human error on the part of the deal is incredibly unlikely. However, players may make blunders by being overconfident in their hand or being out-bluffed by another player. | The automated gameplay means user error is unlikely. However, malfunction will void all plays and payments, so if not playing at a designated terminal, players need to ensure a stable WiFi connection. |
