About video poker
Video poker is one of the simplest online poker games you can play. The concept has been around for decades, and the beauty of it is that you don’t go head to head with the dealer, or any other players for that matter. When playing video poker online, you are only playing against yourself, in a bid to try to accumulate the best possible poker hand you can.
Starting out
Video poker games begin when a player determines how much they would like to wager. Generally, there is a counter at the bottom of the screen that allows a player to determine their stake per card. This stake will vastly alter the amounts that can be won on the paytable to the left. Once you are satisfied with your stake, click on deal to begin.
The hands
Players are allowed to hold or swap as many cards as they wish, but only once. Once the trade (if any) is complete, the hand is checked and any winnings will be paid out according to the paytable on the screen. Ideally, players are looking to build the best poker hand they can.
Depending on the video poker game in session, a pair of Jacks is the lowest hand accepted. Failing that, a two pair (two pairs of cards with the same value, for example two 2s and two 8s) is possible. In certain games (usually one that features wild cards), a three of a kind is the lowest permitted hand, which is three cards of the same numerical value. A straighttrumps that and it consists of having all 5 cards in numerical sequence. A flush will beat a straight, and this occurs when a player has all 5 cards in the same suit.
A full house will beat all of the previous hand and it involves having a pair of cards in one numerical value, and a trio of cards in another numerical value. Four of a kind is better than a full house, and involves having four cards of the same numerical value in your hand. If a gamer has a straight flush, they have the second highest standard hand, so they will have all 5 of their cards in numerical order and in the same suit. The highest typical hand in video poker is a royal flush, and a player has this when they have a 10, Jack, Queen, King, and Ace all in the same suit.
Variants
There are a couple of video poker variants out there that change the rules a little bit. For instance, when playing a Deuces Wild game of video poker, the 2s become wild cards, which can substitute themselves for any other card needed by the player.
What this means is that a few new hands open up, including a wild royal flush, consisting of an almost complete royal flush and a wild icon, and the fabled 5 of a kind; these hands are only possible in video poker games utilising wild cards.
Where to play video poker
Video poker can be found in virtually every online casino on the net, as well as at many sports betting sites. Video poker can also generally be played in online bingo and poker rooms too, as well as via mobile gambling applications.