Understanding Video Poker in Online Casinos
In online casinos, video poker is based on draw poker games, where players can request replacements for cards from their dealt hand. The main difference is that, in video poker, the final hand is compared to a specific payout chart rather than against other players' hands.
The First Video Poker Games
The first video poker game was Jacks or Better, where payouts began with a pair of jacks. Over time, various game variations were introduced, including:
- Joker Poker: Introduced a joker as a wild card.
- Deuces Wild: Designated all twos as wild cards.
- Other Variations: Included splitting four-of-a-kind hands.
Multi-Hand Video Poker
Multi-hand video poker games allow players to play multiple hands simultaneously. This innovation speeds up gameplay by eliminating the need to start each new hand individually. Here’s how it works:
- Dealing Cards: One hand is dealt, and the cards selected to be held are used in all hands.
- Random Dealing: The remaining cards are randomly dealt in each hand.
- Independent Assessment: Each hand is assessed independently against the payout chart.
Microgaming branded its multi-hand video poker games as Power Poker, offering various versions for different numbers of hands. Other software providers also allow players to choose the number of hands within the same game.
Video Poker with a Progressive Jackpot
Progressive jackpot video poker games are popular in online casinos. A progressive jackpot is often won when a player gets a natural royal flush with a five-coin wager. In some games, the specific suit of the royal flush may also impact the jackpot.
Cryptologic Video Poker Games
Over Poker from Cryptologic introduces a unique twist. Instead of holding or discarding a card, players can choose to start a new level with the card and place a new bet each time they advance to a new level.
Video Poker by Microgaming
Microgaming has developed several innovative video poker formats:
Level Up Video Poker: Players place a stake for four video poker hands, each representing a level in the game. Winning a hand advances the player to a more advanced level, while losing a hand forfeits the opportunity to play higher levels, despite having already paid for them. Players receive doubled payouts at each advanced level if they win.
Reel Play Poker: This format combines video poker with slot game mechanics. Hands are created from the zigzagging paylines of a five-reel, three-row slot game, rather than being displayed as separate hands.
