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What do you get when you combine online slot games and poker? It's video poker, one of the most popular casino games in the world. Using a combination of luck and skill, you will need to create valuable poker hands to win. Unlike poker, you will not need to try and fool your opponent by bluffing or goading them into raising the stakes when you're holding nothing but an Ace high card.
OUR TOP RECOMMENDED VIDEO POKER GAMES IN THE UK
Game Name |
Description |
Deuces Wild |
All four of the "2" cards are wild, creating extra chances at winning. Deuces wild is available in both single and multi-line modes. |
Mega Jacks |
Try and win the progressive jackpot while you play video poker. |
Aces and Face |
The Aces and Faces cards have higher than average payouts. This game is available in both single and multi-line modes. |
10s or Better |
You will need at least a pair of 10s to win a payout. |
Jacks or Better |
You will need at least a pair of jacks to win. This game has the best payback at many online casinos. |
Joker Poker |
The game includes 2 wild joker cards in each deck. |
RULES: HOW TO PLAY VIDEO POKER?
While there are many different rule variations in video poker, there are essentially two types of games; single line and multi-line. In single-line games, you'll have one hand on the screen, and in multi-line games, you'll be dealt one main hand, and that will be the base for the remaining lines.
With both types of games, you will need to make an ante bet, and then you'll receive 5 face-up cards. The goal of the game is to end up with a hand that results in a payout. You can "Hold" up to 5 cards and then discard the others and receive new cards to replace them.
In multi-line video poker, the cards that you "Hold" will appear on every active line. Then each line, using a separate 52 card deck, will fill in the missing cards. If you "Hold" a winning hand, for example, 3 Kings, you will be guaranteed, at minimum, to win a 3-of-a-kind payout for each line. Of course, you'll have multiple chances to improve that hand with a full house or 4-of-a-kind.
The minimum winning hand and some of the odds and payouts differ based on the specific game you're playing. For example, Deuces Wild or Joker Poker, which have wild cards have lower payouts than a game such as Jacks or Better. For individual game rules, you can click on the Help Menu in each game and read up on the rules and payouts for your game.
ODDS AND PAYOUTS
While video poker doesn't require the same skill and strategy as poker, there is the element of strategy that can improve your odds of winning. It's important to know the different winning hands and the payouts. This way, you'll be able to make an informed decision when deciding whether you should Hold on the pair of 3's or release them in hopes of a better win.
The payouts are reflected in the odds of winning each hand. The biggest payout is reserved for the rare Royal Flush, and a single pair is the least valuable hand.
In terms of the House Edge, Deuces Wild has the best odds of winning with an Edge of –0.75%, thanks in large part to 4 wild 2 cards in each deck. Most games that don't use a wild, such as 10s or better has a House Edge of 0.46%
BASIC STRATEGIES AND TIPS
Making the gut-wrenching decision to release a second K in the hopes of getting a Royal Flush is just one of the decisions that might have to make when playing video poker. So how do you when to hold a card and when to release it? Part of this decision should be based on the number of active lines in your hand. The odds are much lower in a single line game, and therefore, if you already have a decent winning hand, it makes sense to keep the winning cards and try to build on it. However, if you're a card or two away from a big win, and you're playing a 10 or 25 line game, it can be worth the risk to drop the winning hand in hopes of being dealt the missing card or two in one or more of your hands.
One of the factors to look at is the potential payouts. If you have a winning hand in all the lines from the initial deal, what will your winnings be? Then compare that with one or two hands that might pay off big, should get you the cards you need to complete the win with bigger payouts. It's always a tough choice to leave guaranteed money on the table, but sometimes it's worth the gamble if the potential payout is much greater.
Regardless of which variation you're playing or how many the game has, it's always a good idea to look at the paytable. This will let you know if you need a pair of 10s or better for a win or if an Ace high will let you win back some of your ante bet. Knowing this will help guide you as you decide which cards to hold or release. One of the toughest decisions you'll have to make is whether you should hold onto 2,3, or 4 cards that have nothing in common other than the suit. The more lines that are in your game will increase your odds of getting a flush in at least one of them.
For players unfamiliar with the standard winning video poker hands, use the chart below as a reference. If you have any questions, refer to the help section below.
Hand Type |
Cards |
Description |
Royal Flush |
A, K, Q, J, 10 |
Also known as a Royal Straight Flush, you'll need all 5 cards with the same suit from 10- A |
Straight Flush |
2, 3, 4, 5, 6 |
Five cards in a row, all with the same suit |
Four of a Kind |
7,7,7,7 |
Four of the five cards are matching |
Full House |
K, K, Q, Q, Q |
When you have three of a kind and a pair in a single hand |
Flush |
2, 5, 7, 10, Q |
All the cards in your hand must be the same suit |
Straight |
7, 8, 9, 10, J |
A run of five consecutive numbers, the suits don't have to match |
Three of a Kind |
5, 5, 5 |
Three matching numbers |
Two Pair |
A, A, 9, 9 |
Two sets of matching numbers |
One Pair |
5, 5 |
A single pair of matching numbers |
High Card |
A |
A single high card |
VIDEO POKER BONUSES AND PROMOTIONS
Take advantage of bonuses and promotions and minimize your risk as you start playing video poker for real money. It starts with the Welcome Bonus, which you can claim with your first deposit after creating your online casino account.
While the specifics of the bonus money is always being refreshed, it usually includes money that can be used when playing video poker.
There are also adding promotions and bonus offers for active players that are available throughout the year. For all the current offers, check out the Promotions page today.
GLOSSARY
Action – This term refers to playing the game for real money.
Credit – In a traditional video poker machine, you would have to either use chips or a game card, similar to a credit card, to play. The credit refers to how many coins are deposited in the machine. If a game costs 1 credit and you deposit 10 credits in the machine, you'll be able to play 9 additional games before using up your credits.
Discard – The cards that you didn't hold onto will be removed from your hand.
Draw - After the discard, you will receive new cards to complete your hand with 5 cards.
Hold – if you have a card or cards that you don't want to discard, you can come to keep them in your hand while discarding the others.
Face card – High-value cards with a picture if the king (K), queen (Q), and jack (J).
Ace-high – When you don't even have a matching pair of cards, but rather the best card you have is an Ace.
House edge – The mathematical advantage the online casino had over the player.
Max bet – The biggest possible bet you can place per line.
Multi-line – Each line represents a different set of 5 cards. However, any cards that you hold after the initial deal will also be held for each line. Each line is played with a separate deck of cards.
Paytable – This is where you'll see all the different payouts for the different possible winning combinations of cards.
Pat hand – When you decide to hold all 5 cards from the initial deal.
Payback – Similar to the RTP in online slot games, the payback is the expected return a player can expect over a large number of games. For example, if a game has a payback of 98.6%, a player who bets £100 will walk away from the table with £98.60. It's important to note that the payback is calculated during thousands of games, not 100.
MOBILE EXPERIENCE
Many video poker games are optimized to work on all screens, regardless of size. Whether you prefer to hold your phone in landscape or portrait mode, the game will display beautifully. You may notice minor cosmetic changes based on how you hold the game; it can be as small as the Deal button being moved to a different location or having to clock on the menu button to see the paytable.
Some casinos require you to downloaded their dedicated mobile app to enjoy video poker games from your phone, whereas others allow you to play directly from your phone’s web browser.
HELP
Online video poker is an entertaining casino game, with a touch of strategy added in. It isn't a difficult game to learn, and once you get the hang of it, it can be enjoyed for hours. However, should you have any questions about the game there are several ways to get the answers you need quickly.
- In-Game Help Menu: Every video poker game has slight rule changes, winning hands, and payouts. To keep things organized and prevent confusion as to what cards are considered a win, every game has a built-in help menu that details the payouts, odds, rules, and more.
- Customer Support: All of our recommended online casinos have a dedicated customer support staff that can be reached 24/7 via telephone, live chat, or email. They can help you get answers to any questions you might have about your account, deposits, bonuses, and more.
FAQ
Is online video poker legal?
There are no laws against playing video poker in the UK. For your safety, you should only play in a regulated online casino or an established casino.
Can I use my Welcome Bonus to play video poker?
The answer to this will depend on the specific Welcome Bonus that you claim. While some give general bonus money that can be redeemed at any game, some bonuses are built specifically for a selection of games. Make sure to read the Terms and Conditions of the Welcome Bonus before claiming it so there won't be any surprises.
How do you beat video poker machines?
The best way to beat the video poker machine is to make smart decisions about which cards to hold or discard. However, it's important to point out that unlike traditional poker, you are trying to beat the house or another player. Video poker is a game where you can win by simply having a winning hand.
Do I need special software to play?
It doesn't matter if you're playing on a Windows, Mac, iPhone, or Android, you won't have to download any software or apps. Simply log in to your account and begin playing.
Is video poker better than slots?
This depends on whether you like to have some control of the outcome of each hand or rely on the luck of the spin. One advantage that online slot games have over video poker is the variety of themes and bonus features that add an extra layer of excitement with each spin.
Are video poker machines rigged?
All casino games are strictly regulated at UK online casinos. This prevents any cheating or "rigging" of the video poker machines. You can check out the Payback or RTP for each game in the game's help menu.
PLAY VIDEO POKER FOR REAL MONEY
Whether you consider yourself a poker shark or you're just looking to learn and play a new casino game, video poker is an excellent option. Play all the different variants at our recommended online casinos and discover which one is your favourite. You will need to register your online casino account and make a deposit to get started. Then, claim your Welcome Bonus and see if you can pull down that elusive Royal Flush and win some real money.
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