In the heart-pounding realm of gambling, where the thrill of chance intertwines with the strategy of skill, video poker stands as a captivating fusion. Step into the exciting world of online casinos, and you'll encounter this digital version of the timeless Poker game, uniquely positioned as the intersection of innovation and tradition.
Video Poker, with its distinct rules, advantages, and strategic nuances, offers both seasoned players and newcomers a thrilling alternative to its classic counterpart. But where on earth will I find a guide where I can get information about all this, in a simple and condensed yet complete way, you may ask? Well look no further, keep reading and you’ll have a notion of everything you need to know to learn how to play and win at Video Poker.
The Essence of Video Poker: A Dance of Strategy and Luck
Picture a solo player seated before his/her computer or mobile gadget in the comfort of his/her home, staring at a screen adorned with cards. In Video Poker, the objective is to craft the strongest Poker hand possible and make it the winning hand, guided by the familiar hierarchy of Poker combinations – from a lowly pair to the heavenly royal flush. The magic lies in the fusion of skill and luck, in which players choose the cards to hold and the ones to discard, aiming to optimize their hands before the final draw.
At the core of Video Poker lies a straightforward set of rules, making it an approachable option for players seeking a mix of entertainment and strategy, much like its traditional version. The game typically starts with the player wagering a certain number of credits. After the initial bet, five cards are dealt on the screen. The player then decides which cards to retain by pressing the corresponding buttons typically beneath them. Once the selection is made, the discarded cards are replaced, finalizing the player's hand. Pretty simple, right?
Unlike Traditional Poker, where you face off against other players, Video Poker is a solitary endeavor. Here, you are matched against the machine's algorithm, which utilizes a random number generator (RNG) to simulate the unpredictability of card draws. This is essential to guarantee the randomness of the game while adding an element of suspense, as you attempt to outwit the machine's virtual hand.
The Pros and Cons of Video Poker vs. its Traditional Version
Video Poker carries a unique grouping of advantages that set it apart from Traditional Poker. First and foremost, the game is a solo venture, freeing players from the psychological warfare of facing live opponents. This grants a more relaxed atmosphere, perfect for those seeking a quieter gambling experience. Moreover, the pace of Video Poker is faster, providing instant gratification and enabling players to engage in multiple rounds within a shorter span.
Of course that this is a two-way street because, on the flip side, the absence of human opponents diminishes the sociable aspect that draws many gamblers to Traditional Poker. When playing Video Poker, there’s the absence of bluffing and reading opponents' tells, reducing the psychological intrigue, which is one of the holy grails of the traditional game played inside a brick-and-mortar casino. Additionally, the fixed odds of video poker can feel limiting, especially for players who thrive on the dynamics of betting against other humans.
This is Video Poker in a nutshell. Exciting way to play poker, isn’t it? Now it is important for you to figure out which are the main types of Video Poker available in the Natural8 online casino.
Video Poker Strategy Tips
Familiarizing yourself with key video poker strategy pointers will elevate your gameplay to its utmost potential. We have outlined four indispensable tips that hold the potential to guide you towards mastering the art of securing the video poker jackpot.
Know Your Pay Tables
Each hand in video poker is unique, underscoring the importance of acquainting yourself with the corresponding pay tables. The advantage of online play is that you needn't commit these tables to memory since they are conveniently showcased at the top of the screen.
Play Max Coins
Optimize your potential earnings by engaging the maximum bet option while partaking in online video poker. This strategic move ensures that landing a Royal Flush results in a substantial jackpot reward.
Low Pairs Over A Single High Card
When dealt a pair, it's prudent to retain them, even if their point value is modest. Safeguarding a hand with any scoring potential outweighs the risk of discarding a low pair in pursuit of a potentially superior scoring combination, thereby avoiding the possibility of yielding no winnings at all.
Understand When to Split a Straight or Flush
If you could get a Royal Flush, try for it even if it means giving up a straight or flush. But if that's not an option, stick with what you have.
Natural8’s Universe of Video Poker
At the moment, there are 10 different types of video poker games at the Natural8 online casino. The following is a list of the ones available:
Bonus Poker
Sevens Wild
Tens or Better
Double Double Bonus
Double Bonus
Aces & Faces
Aces & Eights
Deuces Wild
Joker Poker
Jacks or Better
The Different Rules of Video Poker Online
All 10 types are single-player games and have the possibility of choosing between the turbo and the 25-hand modes. By choosing the first one, the game is a single-hand game and the player has the possibility of turning the TURBO button on to make both the game speed and revelation of the cards faster. The 25-hand mode turns the game into a multi-hands game, in which the gambler plays the game with 25 hands, giving lots of opportunities to form strong hands like a straight flush or a full house.
When it comes to main rules and differences between types, and starting from the most basic Video Poker variation, Jacks or Better is played with a standard deck of 52 cards. It’s important to note that the deck is reshuffled before every new round. As usual, the goal of the game is to try and get the best hand you can with the five cards you’ve been dealt. The lowest paid hand is Jacks or Better, which is a pair of Jacks, Queens, Kings, or Aces. This variation is often chosen by the most recent, inexperienced players.
The Bonus Poker, Double Double Bonus, and Double Bonus variations have very similar logic to Jacks or Better, with the main difference residing in the Paytable combinations and odds. Tens or Better is also pretty similar, with the twist that, as you can imagine by the name, you can start getting paid back with just a pair of tens.
The Sevens Wild and Deuces Wild types are somewhat similar, with the nuance of all cards with a face value of 7 in the first type and 2 in the second, being Wild cards. These cards serve as a substitute for any other cards in the game.
On the other hand, Aces and Faces is a more complex variation deriving from the Jacks of Better. Here, the difference lies in the increased payouts for all the Four of a Kind hands, namely formed by Ace or Face cards (Queens, Jacks, and Kings). A similar game to Aces and Faces is the Aces and Eights, which has three tiers of increased payouts for Four-of-a Kind-hands composed of Aces or Eights, Sevens, and Others.
Last but not least, the Joker Poker variation, which is the only one played with a 53-card deck, composed of a standard 52-card deck plus a Joker. This card substitutes for any other card in the game.
Strategies to Win at Video Poker
Video poker strategies can vary based on the specific variant you're playing. Here are five crucial tips tailored to different scenarios you might come across during your online video poker sessions.
Jacks or Better, Bonus Poker, Double Bonus, and Double Double Bonus
Keep all four cards if you have a chance for a straight or flush.
Hold if you're just two cards away from a royal flush.
Always keep a pair; exchange the rest for three new cards.
Keep the cards for a straight flush if you already have three.
If none of the above apply, keep any jacks or higher cards.
Tens or Better
Hold onto any winning hand, unless pursuing a royal flush.
Always wager the maximum amount – never less.
Retain any pair, even if the value is low.
Familiarize yourself with the pay table to identify top-scoring hands.
Don't hesitate to replace all five cards if none hold value.
Seven Wild and Deuces Wild
Keep all four cards if you have four sevens/deuces.
Hold all your cards with three sevens/deuces if you can create a royal flush or five of a kind.
If you don't have any sevens/deuces, hold any winning hands.
Keep cards for a royal flush if you have three of them.
If none of the previous rules apply, hold onto any pairs you have.
Aces and Faces, and Aces and Eights
Use the maximum bet every time.
Keep both cards if you get a pair, regardless of their value.
Swap cards to aim for a royal flush if you're close.
Keep four cards to a flush.
Keep a dealt winning hand unless a royal flush is possible.
Joker Poker
Keep a set of three if you have it.
Hold cards for hands better than three of a kind.
Keep four cards of a high-paying combination.
If you have three high-payout cards and a joker, hold them.
Always go for the maximum bet.
Casino Royale Bonus
Another important note is that most of the variations have Casino Royale Bonus in which players can win considerable prizes in multiple bet ranges. It consists of a weekly leaderboard, with the sum of the bets deciding who dominated each leaderboard. There’s one leaderboard for slots, another one for casino, where Video Poker lies, and one for Live Casino.
Conclusion
Now that you have all the information you need to make the most out of your Video Poker experience, log into your Natural8 account and start winning real money to become a Video Poker machine!
