Ace Pokies presents the ultimate guide to online video poker. Explore the thrilling fusion of poker strategy and electronic gaming. Learn the basics, delve into different variants, and discover methods to boost your winnings.
We’ll also introduce you to top online casinos like AcePokies.com for an exceptional video poker experience. Join us on a journey where strategy meets entertainment in online video poker. Let’s begin!
What is Video Poker?
Video poker is a captivating blend of strategy and the fast-paced world of electronic gaming. In this section, we’ll introduce you to the basics of this exciting casino game.
Understanding the intricacies of video poker is the first step to becoming a successful player. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to sharpen your skills, this section will equip you with the knowledge you need. So, let’s dive into this exciting journey of strategy and entertainment!
Types of Video Poker Games
These are just a few exciting video poker variants available to players, each offering its unique twist on the video poker classic game. Whether you prefer wild cards, enhanced payouts, or traditional poker rules, there’s a video poker game to suit your preferences and strategy.
How to Play Video Poker
Video poker is a thrilling casino game that combines elements of poker strategy with the fast-paced nature of electronic gaming. To get started, follow these simple steps:
Video Poker Strategy
Disclaimer: Remember that no betting strategy can guarantee a profit in video poker, as it’s ultimately a game of skill and chance. Your choice of system should depend on your risk tolerance and bankroll. It’s crucial to play within your means, set limits, and practice responsible gambling. As you gain experience in video poker, you can refine your strategies to suit your play style and goals.
1. Basic Video Poker Strategy
- Start with the basics: Hold on to any winning hand, such as a pair of Jacks or better.
- Always hold four cards to a Royal Flush or a Straight Flush.
- Keep a high pair over three cards to a Royal Flush.
- Hold any four cards to a Flush.
- If you have four cards to a Straight, keep them unless you also have four cards to a Royal Flush.
2. Advanced Video Poker Strategy
- Consider the specific rules of the video poker variant you’re playing. Different games may require slight adjustments to your strategy.
- Learn to recognise “inside straights.” An inside straight is a missing card in the middle of a straight. For example, if you have 6-7-9-10, you should hold the 6-7 for a chance at an inside straight.
- Be cautious with low pairs (e.g., 2s through 10s). In many cases, it’s better to hold a single high card over a low pair.
- When dealt three cards to a Royal Flush, always hold them.
- Avoid breaking up made hands unless you’re aiming for a higher-value hand. For instance, if you have a Full House, don’t discard cards in search of a Four of a Kind.
3. Popular Betting Strategies
- The Martingale System: This strategy involves doubling your bet after every loss. It’s often used in other casino games but can be adapted for video poker. Be cautious, as it can lead to significant losses if you hit a losing streak.
- The Progressive Betting System: In this strategy, you increase your bet after a win and decrease it after a loss. For example, you might start with a base bet and double it after each win. It’s a more conservative approach compared to the Martingale system.
- Flat Betting: This strategy involves always betting the same amount, regardless of wins or losses. It’s a stable approach that can help you manage your bankroll effectively.
- The Kelly Criterion: A more mathematically advanced strategy, it aims to maximise your expected bankroll growth while minimising the risk of losing it all. It requires precise bankroll management and a deep understanding of probabilities.
- The 1-3-2-4 Betting System: This system is based on four bets. You start with one unit, and after each win, you progress to three units, then two units, and finally four units. If you lose at any stage, you go back to one unit. It’s a balanced approach that aims to capitalise on winning streaks.
Understanding Pay Tables in Online Video Poker
The pay table is a crucial component in video poker that displays the payouts for different poker hands based on your bet. Each video poker game has its unique pay table, and understanding it is essential for making informed decisions during gameplay.
Example Pay Tables for Jacks or Better Video Poker
Here’s an example pay table for the popular Jacks or Better video poker game:
| Hand | 1 Coin Payout | 2 Coin Payout | 3 Coin Payout | 4 Coin Payout | 5 Coin Payout |
| Royal Flush | 250 | 500 | 750 | 1,000 | 4,000 |
| Straight Flush | 50 | 100 | 150 | 200 | 250 |
| Four of a Kind | 25 | 50 | 75 | 100 | 125 |
| Full House | 9 | 18 | 27 | 36 | 45 |
| Flush | 6 | 12 | 18 | 24 | 30 |
| Straight | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 |
| Three-of-a-Kind | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 |
| Two Pair | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
| Jacks or Better | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Any Hand | – | – | – | – | – |
How to Interpret the Pay Table
- The pay table shows the payouts for various poker hands based on the number of coins wagered (usually 1 to 5).
- In the example above, if you bet 1 coin and hit a Royal Flush, you’d receive 250 coins. If you bet 5 coins and hit a Royal Flush, you’d win the maximum jackpot of 4,000 coins.
- Notice the significant jump in the Royal Flush payout when betting the maximum of 5 coins. This is known as the “Royal Flush bonus” and encourages players to bet the maximum for the highest potential payout.
Importance of the Pay Table
Understanding the pay table is a fundamental aspect of video poker strategy. It lets you make informed decisions about which cards to hold and which to discard, maximising your chances of winning and ensuring you get the best value for your bets.
- The pay table directly influences the game’s overall return to player (RTP) percentage. Playing video poker games with favourable pay tables is crucial to maximise your potential winnings.
- Pay attention to the payouts for specific hands like Royal Flush and Straight Flush, as they significantly impact your potential profits.
- Different video poker variants have varying pay tables, so familiarising yourself with the specific pay table for the game you’re playing is essential.
Odds and Probabilities in Video Poker Online
You aim to achieve specific poker hands in video poker to win payouts. The odds of getting these hands depend on the number of cards in the deck and the game’s rules. Let’s look at the probabilities of some essential poker hands in video poker:
1. Natural Royal Flush
Probability: Approximately 0.000154%
This is the highest-paying hand in most video poker games. It consists of the A-K-Q-J-10 of the same suit. The probability of hitting a natural Royal Flush is extremely low, but it offers the highest payout to win real money.
2. Straight Flush
Probability: Varies depending on the game’s rules (typically around 0.002%)
A Straight Flush is a sequence of five consecutive cards of the same suit. The odds of getting a Straight Flush are relatively low, but it pays well.
3. Four of a Kind
Probability: Approximately 0.024%
Achieving Four of a Kind involves getting four cards of the same rank. The chance is higher than Royal Flush or Straight Flush, but it’s still relatively rare. Different games may offer different payouts based on the Four of a Kind rank.
4. Full House
Probability: Around 0.144%
A Full House consists of three cards of one rank and two cards of another rank. It’s a more common hand than the ones mentioned earlier, offering moderate payouts.
5. Flush in Video Poker
Probability: Approximately 0.197%
A Flush includes any five cards of the same suit, not in sequential order. Flushes are more common and offer decent payouts, especially in high-paying games.
6. Straight in Video Poker
Probability: Roughly 0.392%
A Straight is a sequence of five consecutive cards of different suits. While more common than some top hands, it still provides a reasonable payout in most video poker games.
7. Three of a Kind
Probability: About 2.112%
Getting three cards of the same rank is a more frequent occurrence in video poker. It offers lower payouts but contributes to your overall winnings.
Understanding High-Paying Games
High-paying video poker games typically have favourable pay tables that increase the payouts for specific hands like Royal Flush, Straight Flush, and Four of a Kind. These games often have a higher overall return to player (RTP) percentage.
When playing high-paying games, it’s crucial to:
- Bet the maximum number of coins to qualify for the top payouts, especially for Royal Flush.
- Be aware that high-paying games may have a higher variance, meaning you might experience longer losing streaks before hitting significant wins.
- Choose your strategy carefully, as the odds and payouts can vary between different high-paying video poker variants.
In summary, understanding the odds and probabilities in video poker, especially in high-paying games, empowers you to make strategic decisions. While hitting the highest-paying hands is rare, knowing the odds helps you maximise your chances of success and potentially enjoy substantial winnings.
More Casino Games
Online Video Poker FAQs
Yes, you can play video poker games online for real money. All you need to do is sign up to an online casino, make a deposit, and begin playing your favourite video poker game.
The answer to this question depends on where you live and whether online gambling is legal in that area. In Australia, no laws prohibit online gambling, so video poker is legal.
Full-pay Deuces Wild is known to provide players with the best odds of winning. Essentially, you get the best possible gains (for a video poker game featuring a wild), and the game’s wild card provides you with additional chances of winning.
Video poker games tend to pay out more often than slot games. But if the odds of winning are not the focus of this question, the answer changes to everybody has their own favourite game. So, you cannot definitively say that one game is better than the other.
No, video poker machines are not rigged. The worst casinos can do is change the payouts for games. Believe us when we say that the risks of a casino being caught cheating are far greater than the gains. So, the games aren’t rigged just because you keep losing.
Your odds of hitting a royal flush in any video poker game is 1 in 649,740. So, this isn’t a hand we’d hold out to get.
