Video poker was originally played on a computerised console, a little like a slot machine with a screen, in arcades and casinos. Nowadays however, online video poker is played by many from their own homes. It combines elements of both poker (traditionally 5-card poker) and slots, making it a popular choice with online gamers.
The game begins by players placing a bet of however many credits they wish and then hitting “deal”, at which point their cards are drawn. The player can then choose to keep or discard any of the cards in exchange for new cards (selected from the same deck). Once the cards have been drawn, the machine will reward credits for any winning combination of cards. This could be runs, flushes, three of a kind, royal flushes and so on.
The most important thing to remember when playing online video poker is that you want to finish the round with the strongest hand possible; thus winning the largest amount of money possible. Unlike many other online casino games, video poker does not just rely solely on luck. Because you have the chance to discard cards you don’t want in an attempt to get cards that will be of more use to you, the key strategy is to select the cards to discard in a way that gives you the best chance of the best type of winning hand.
Once your hand is dealt you should decide upon your strategy for the game and decide which cards to keep and which to disregard accordingly. You will decide this based upon what cards you have and what you think is the best you can make out of them.
The best strategy to employ when playing online video poker will change with each type of video poker you play. There are many variations of video poker, both online and offline, and so strategy is dependent on the game’s specific rules. The two most popular types of video poker are probably Deuces Wild and Jacks or Better. In Jacks or Better video poker, dealt hands bring very clear hold or draw options. If you had three of a kind and two random cards, for example, the most obvious and sensible move would be to hold on to the three of a kind and discard the two other cards.
This kind of single option is not the case in all online video poker variations however or indeed in all games of Jacks or Better and Deuces Wild. You will find that, in many games you play, your hand offers more than one hold/discard option. In this case, choose to go for the hand that will give you the most credits if achieved. The value of winning hand combinations will be displayed on your screen in video poker. If you think you can make three of a kind, but you can also make a royal flush, obviously try for the royal flush (if achievable) as it is worth more. Your best bet is also to always discard any one-off cards in your hand that are currently of no use, don’t hold on to them in the hope that something might come up to make them useful if you have other more valuable cards.
You can play online video poker at all major casinos we list.
Cryptologic Casinos: Littlewoods casino
Playtech Casinos: CasinoTropez
RTG Casinos: iNetbet
Microgaming Video Poker: Ladbrokes