Both blackjack and video poker are popular games in online casinos. You can find differences and similarities that make for fascinating comparisons. The objectives and overall gameplay are different. In blackjack, players have to beat the dealer without going bust. With video poker, the final hand of a player is compared against a payout table.
Popularity and High Returns
The explanation for the popularity of both these internet casino games may be identical. Both video poker and blackjack provide very high average returns to players. Most variations of these games provide a fantastic return of about 99.5%.
Skill Requirements
Online video poker and blackjack are skill games and the skill requirement is fairly complicated. Happily, the necessary abilities have been codified in different forms for straightforward implementation.
Strategy in Blackjack
In blackjack, this is done via strategy cards that come in tabular forms and are therefore very simple to follow. A few of the top software providers, such as Apricot (Microgaming), have even integrated them into Auto-Play so that players cannot create an error.
Strategy in Video Poker
The strategy for video poker is outlined in a sequential series of selections. It isn't as convenient as the blackjack strategy card to refer to whilst playing online. It increases results if memorized. Furthermore, software providers haven't included video poker optimum strategies in the games. Thus, memorizing the strategy is compulsory for serious players of video poker. It should be noted that some software providers mark the cards to be held within their video poker games, should they already consist of winning combinations. However, to mistake this for the integration of a total optimum strategy would be perilous and naive.
Payout Ratios in Blackjack vs. Video Poker
The crucial variation between video poker and blackjack relates to payout ratios. In traditional variations of online blackjack, based on the rules of land casinos, the standard bets payout even money, and blackjack win payout 3 to 2. Thus, accumulating big wins when playing blackjack is necessarily arduous. There are a few online blackjack variations that provide independent side bets with high payout ratios, however, the average return on these bets has become low, plus they can't be clubbed with the primary blackjack game.
The payouts in online video poker games start with even money, but there's significant variation in the high payouts. In Jacks or Better, which is regarded as the standard version, the payout for a royal flush with 5 coins bet is 800 to 1. Even the more probable outcomes of flush and straight payout are 6 to 1 and 4 to 1 respectively. Hence, large wins in specific hands are possible in video poker.
Conclusion
The final verdict that may be drawn is really as follows. With blackjack, the common returns will be around 99.5%, and the majority of players will be grouped below and above this level. With video poker, the common returns may also be around 99.5%, however, the variations around that average will be much larger. Thus, players with bigger risk-taking temperaments will like video poker, and the more cautious players will be drawn to blackjack.
