Video poker has been a favorite pastime for casino enthusiasts for several decades. It combines the thrill of playing poker with the excitement of playing slots, making it a popular choice among players. Over the years, several variants of video poker have been introduced, each with its unique set of rules and gameplay. In this article, we will take a look at the most popular video poker game variants and what makes them stand out.
Jacks or Better
Jacks or Better is one of the most popular video poker games, and for a good reason. It is a simple game that is easy to understand and offers excellent odds to the player. In this game, the player is dealt five cards and must make the best hand possible. The minimum winning hand is a pair of jacks, hence the name of the game. Jacks or Better has a low house edge, making it an attractive option for players who want to play for a long time without risking too much money.
Here is how the game is played:
- The player places their bet, and five cards are dealt face down on the screen.
- The player selects which cards they wish to keep and which ones they want to discard.
- Once the player has selected the cards they want to keep, they click on the “draw” button, and the discarded cards are replaced with new ones.
- The final hand is then compared to the paytable, and if the player has a winning hand, they receive a payout.
The paytable for Jacks or Better is usually displayed on the screen, and it shows the payouts for each winning hand. The minimum winning hand is a pair of jacks, and the payouts increase with the strength of the hand. For example, a pair of jacks will usually pay 1x the bet, while a royal flush can pay out up to 800x the bet.
Jacks or Better has a relatively low house edge, which means that the odds of winning are better than many other casino games. However, like any casino game, there is still an element of luck involved.
One of the advantages of playing Jacks or Better is that it is a simple and easy-to-understand game. It is an excellent choice for beginners who are new to video poker or even casino gaming in general. The game is also available in different variations, including single hand and multi-hand versions, which can add even more excitement to the gameplay.
Jacks or Better is a classic and popular variant of video poker that is easy to understand and play. With a low house edge and the potential for significant payouts, it is a great choice for both beginners and experienced players alike.
Deuces Wild
Deuces Wild is another popular variant of video poker. In this game, all the twos in the deck act as wild cards, meaning they can substitute for any other card to make a winning hand. This dramatically increases the chances of hitting a winning hand, but it also means that the minimum winning hand is usually higher than in other games. Deuces Wild has a higher house edge than Jacks or Better, but it can be a very exciting game to play. This variant of video poker offers a high level of excitement and can be particularly attractive to players who enjoy games that offer more frequent payouts.
The Basics of Deuces Wild:
- The player places their bet, and five cards are dealt face down on the screen.
- The player selects which cards they wish to keep and which ones they want to discard.
- Once the player has selected the cards they want to keep, they click on the “draw” button, and the discarded cards are replaced with new ones.
- The final hand is then compared to the paytable, and if the player has a winning hand, they receive a payout.
Because all the twos act as wild cards, the minimum winning hand in Deuces Wild is usually higher than in other video poker variants. For example, in Jacks or Better, the minimum winning hand is a pair of jacks, while in Deuces Wild, the minimum winning hand is usually three of a kind.
Deuces Wild also offers additional payouts for specific hands that can be more challenging to achieve. These include:
- Five of a kind: This is when a player has a hand with all five cards of the same rank, including one or more deuces. This is a very rare hand, but it can pay out significantly more than other winning hands.
- Wild royal flush: This is a royal flush that includes one or more deuces. It can pay out significantly more than a regular royal flush.
- Four deuces: This is the highest-paying hand in Deuces Wild, and it can pay out up to 2000x the bet.
Deuces Wild can be played in different variations, including single hand and multi-hand versions. Multi-hand versions allow players to play multiple hands at once, which can increase the excitement and potential payouts.
Joker Poker
Joker Poker is a fun and exciting variant of video poker that is played with a 53-card deck. In this game, the joker acts as a wild card, just like in Deuces Wild. However, because there is an extra card in the deck, the minimum winning hand is higher. Joker Poker has a higher house edge than Jacks or Better, but the added excitement of the joker can make it a popular choice among players.
The game begins with the player making a bet, after which they are dealt five cards. The player then has the option to keep or discard any of the cards in their hand. If they choose to discard any cards, those cards are replaced with new ones from the remaining deck.
Once the player has made their final decision on which cards to keep and which to discard, the game evaluates their hand to determine if it is a winning hand. The minimum qualifying hand is usually a pair of Kings or better, but this can vary depending on the specific game variant.
The payouts for each winning hand in Joker Poker are typically displayed on the paytable on the game screen. The payouts can vary depending on the specific game variant, but common payouts for a maximum bet of five coins include:
- Natural Royal Flush: This is a hand that consists of the Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and 10 of the same suit, without the use of the joker. This hand typically pays out the highest amount, such as 4,000 coins.
- Five of a Kind: This is a hand that consists of four cards of the same rank and the joker. This hand typically pays out a high amount, such as 1,000 coins.
- Royal Flush with Joker: This is a hand that consists of the Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and 10 of the same suit, with the use of the joker. This hand typically pays out a lower amount than a natural Royal Flush, such as 200 coins.
- Straight Flush with Joker: This is a hand that consists of five consecutive cards of the same suit, with the use of the joker. This hand typically pays out a lower amount than a natural Straight Flush, such as 100 coins.
- Four of a Kind: This is a hand that consists of four cards of the same rank, without the use of the joker. This hand typically pays out a moderate amount, such as 50 coins.
- Full House: This is a hand that consists of three cards of the same rank, and two cards of another rank, without the use of the joker. This hand typically pays out a moderate amount, such as 35 coins.
- Flush: This is a hand that consists of five cards of the same suit, without any particular order. This hand typically pays out a low amount, such as 25 coins.
- Straight: This is a hand that consists of five consecutive cards of any suit. This hand typically pays out a low amount, such as 20 coins.
- Three of a Kind: This is a hand that consists of three cards of the same rank, without the use of the joker. This hand typically pays out a very low amount, such as 15 coins.
- Two Pair: This is a hand that consists of two cards of one rank, and two cards of another rank, without the use of the joker. This hand typically pays out a very low amount, such as 10 coins.
- Kings or Better: This is a hand that consists of a pair of Kings or higher cards, without the use of the joker. This hand typically pays out a very low amount, such as 5 coins.
Joker Poker is a simple and entertaining video poker game that is easy to learn and can offer players the chance to win big payouts with the help of the wild joker card.
Double Bonus Poker
Double Bonus Poker is a variant of Jacks or Better that offers higher payouts for four of a kind hands. The game offers bonus payouts for certain combinations of cards, hence the name “Double Bonus”.
In this game, the player can earn bonus payouts for four aces, four twos, threes or fours, and four fives through kings. This increases the excitement of the game, but it also means that the minimum winning hand is higher than in Jacks or Better. Double Bonus Poker has a higher house edge than Jacks or Better, but the increased payouts for four of a kind hands can make it a popular choice among players.
The game begins with the player inserting money or a ticket into the machine and selecting the denomination of the bet. The player is then dealt five cards face up, and can choose to hold or discard any of the cards. The goal is to make the best possible poker hand, with the highest possible payout.
Double Bonus Video Poker has a payout table that varies from machine to machine, but generally follows a similar pattern. The lowest paying hand is a pair of jacks or better, which pays out even money (1:1). The highest paying hand is a royal flush, which typically pays out 800 times the original bet.
One of the features that sets Double Bonus Video Poker apart from other variations of video poker is the bonus payouts it offers for certain hands. In addition to the standard payouts for each hand, there are bonus payouts for four of a kind hands, which are split into four different categories based on the rank of the cards.
The four categories of four of a kind hands in Double Bonus Video Poker are:
- Four Aces with a 2, 3, or 4 kicker – This hand pays out 160 times the original bet.
- Four 2s, 3s, or 4s with an Ace, 2, 3, or 4 kicker – This hand pays out 80 times the original bet.
- Four Aces without a kicker – This hand pays out 80 times the original bet.
- Four 2s, 3s, or 4s without a kicker – This hand pays out 40 times the original bet.
These bonus payouts make Double Bonus Video Poker an attractive option for players who are looking for a game with high payout potential.
In order to play Double Bonus Video Poker effectively, players must understand the basic strategy for the game. This involves knowing which cards to hold and which to discard in order to maximize the chances of making a winning hand. Many online resources and books are available that can help players learn the optimal strategy for Double Bonus Video Poker.
Overall, Double Bonus Video Poker is a fun and potentially lucrative variation of video poker that offers bonus payouts for certain hands. By understanding the rules and basic strategy of the game, players can improve their chances of winning and enjoy the excitement of playing video poker.
Aces and Eights
Aces and Eights is a variant of Jacks or Better that offers higher payouts for four of a kind hands made up of aces or eights. In this game, the player can earn bonus payouts for four aces, four eights, and four sevens. This variant offers an exciting twist on the traditional Jacks or Better game, but the increased payouts for specific hands mean that the house edge is higher.
In Aces and Eights, the name of the game comes from the fact that certain hands are given special payouts. Specifically, four of a kind hands that are made up of aces or eights will pay out at a higher rate than other four of a kind hands. This adds an element of strategy to the game, as players must decide whether to hold onto specific cards in order to try and make one of these special hands.
Here is a step-by-step breakdown of how to play Aces and Eights:
- Place your bet: The first step in any video poker game is to place your bet. This is done by selecting the coin size and the number of coins you want to bet. The number of coins you bet will determine the payout for certain hands, so it’s important to pay attention to this.
- Receive your cards: Once you’ve placed your bet, you’ll be dealt five cards face up. You’ll then have the opportunity to discard any cards you don’t want and receive new ones in their place. You can discard up to five cards if you want, but most players will only discard one or two.
- Decide which cards to keep: After you’ve received your new cards (if any), you’ll need to decide which ones to keep and which ones to discard. The goal is to create the best possible five-card poker hand, so you’ll want to keep any cards that are part of a strong hand and discard any that aren’t.
- Receive your payout: Once you’ve made your final decision on which cards to keep, your hand will be evaluated to determine whether you’ve won a payout. If you have a winning hand, you’ll receive a payout based on the paytable for the game. As mentioned earlier, certain four of a kind hands (specifically those made up of aces or eights) will pay out at a higher rate than other four of a kind hands.
Quick tips for playing Aces and Eight:
- Always bet the maximum number of coins in order to take advantage of the special payouts for four of a kind hands.
- Hold onto any aces or eights you receive, as these cards can help you make one of the special four of a kind hands.
- Pay attention to the paytable for the game you’re playing, as different versions of Aces and Eights may have slightly different payouts for certain hands.
- Practice proper video poker strategy, such as holding onto high cards and discarding low ones, in order to increase your chances of winning.
In Conclusion
These are the five most popular video poker game variants. Each game has its unique set of rules and gameplay, and it is up to the player to choose the variant that suits their playing style and bankroll.
Jacks or Better is a great choice for beginners, while Deuces Wild and Joker Poker offer more excitement with their wild cards. Double Bonus Poker and Aces and Eights offer higher payouts for specific hands, making them an attractive option for players who are looking for a little more risk and reward. No matter which variant you choose, video poker is a fun and exciting game that can provide hours of entertainment.