Video poker enjoyed its heyday from the 80's to the early 2000's. During this time, video poker machines equaled popular slots. However, fewer gamblers are playing video poker these days. They would prefer to try out the latest slot machines or play at the Baccarat Mini Table. One of the reasons why the popularity of video poker has declined is that it does not have much innovation. Instead, it looks like it always does - poker on a boring blue background. Compared to slot machines that offer high quality graphics, detailed bonuses and thousands of different formats, you can see the difference.
But if you ignore the missing technology, you will see that video poker should be far more popular than it is now. Here are nine reasons why this game should be at the forefront of gambling.
1. High RTP
Most casino games range from 1% to 6% House Edge. Slot machines in land-based casinos are even worse because they often have between 5% and 12% home advantage.
Video poker, on the other hand, gives you a strong chance to win through many variations.
For example:
The often available 9/6 Jacks or better offer 99.54% Return to Player (RTP). 9/6 refers to how this version pays nine coins for a full and six for a flash.
Even if you can't find this game, you should still have access to 8/5 Bonus Poker. This variation, which gives eight coins for a full and five for a flash, boasts 99.17% RTP.
At the local casino there may be no 8/5 Bonus poker. However, you can easily find the same games or better in online casinos.
For example, Microgaming offers an All Aces game that delivers up to 99.92% RTP. You can find options from other vendors that offer 99.60% to 99.90% return.
2. Video poker games with over 100% RTP
The only problem with the games covered above is that they still give a slight edge to the house. You can find even better variations by looking for video poker games that offer over 100% payout.
Such options are not widely available worldwide. However, in Las Vegas, you will find plenty of games with a positive Expected Value (+ EV).
You probably don't want to go to every casino in Vegas looking for one or more of these options. Fortunately, you can use a database site called vpFREE2 to find where these + EV video poker games are. We recommend you to choose one of our bookmakers, such as 10bet casino or betway casino.
3. Many + EV variations in Vegas
No other casino game except video poker gives you the opportunity to earn long-term winnings. And video poker offers not just one variation that pays over 100% RTP, but several.
Below you can see the various games that allow you to win over 100%:
- Deuces Wild = 100.76% RTP
- Joker Wild (Kings or Better) = 100.65%
- Aces and Eights = 100.25%
- Double Bonus = 100.17%
- Loose Deuces Wild = 100.15%
- Super Bonus Deuces Wild = 100.13%
- Double Bonus Plus = 100.08%
-
Double Double Bonus = 100.07%
The important thing to remember here is that you have to choose the full paid versions of these games. If you choose a double bonus game with a lower pay table, for example, then you will not be eligible for 100.17% RTP.
However, you should familiarize yourself with the pay table for one or more + EV (positive expected value) video poker machines before you search for them at Vegas casinos.
4. Make decent profits
You will not get rich with video poker. However, you can earn solid profits with the right variations.
The full paid Deuces Wild is your best chance to make a decent profit from video poker. Joker Wild and Aces and Eights also allow you to make a few bucks an hour.
Here are examples of the different winnings offered by these games:
- Deuces Wild - € 9.50 / hour
- Joker Wild - € 8.13 / hour
- Aces and Eights - € 3.13 / hour
5. Appropriate strategy
You may not find casino games like baccarat, craps or slots very stimulating due to lack of strategy. Video poker differs greatly in that it has a lot of strategy.
Every choice you make has a long-term effect on the house's advantage (or your advantage in some cases). The better decisions you make, the more chances you have of winning in the long run.
Of course, you can't use one perfect strategy if you don't know how. Therefore, you will need to take the time to study the right strategy for the variations you play.
8/5 Bonus Poker, for example, pays different amounts for certain hands than 9/6 Jacks or better. You need to learn its intricacies in order to maximize your chances of winning.
You can use both graphics (available for some games) and training programs to learn the right strategy for different variations. There are both free and paid training programs on the Internet.
6. Simple gameplay
Video poker can involve more complex strategies. However, it also boasts simple gameplay that lets you start playing right away. This game is nothing more than Five-Card Draw Poker at its core. You are dealt five cards and you have to decide which cards to save and discard during the draw round. Once you have made these decisions, your hand will be full and a payment will be made accordingly (if any).
You can apply video poker strategy as you like. Even if you choose not to perfect your video poker skills, you will find that it is very easy to play this game.
7. Big payouts
Video poker offers a unique combination of skill-based play and high payouts. Your focus should be on making the decisions that will lead to the highest expected value. With video poker, you can experience the thrill of winning big hands and winning big prizes.
For example:
Royal Flush redeems 4000 coins on a bet of 5.
Some bonus variants offer additional payouts of 1,000 coins or more. You need to concentrate on these options if you are serious about making money.
8. You control the action
One of the main advantages of slots is that they allow you to play alone. You don't have to sit at a table with a dealer and other bettors.
As a result, you can play at your own pace and take the time to learn strategy. There is no croupier that makes so he can deal more hands.
On the other hand, you can play as fast as you like. Assuming you are set for action, you can play from 800 to 1000 hands per hour.
Beyond the slots, few casino games give you the same degree of control as video poker. You choose the pace that suits you best.
9. Good compensation
In many cases, slots and video poker carry the same compensation. Most casinos offer you 0.1% compensation when playing video poker or slots.
This may not seem important at first. After all, it makes sense that casinos give you the same amount of rewards for slots and video poker.
However, you actually get a better compensating value for video poker, given that this game offers a higher RTP.
Imagine qualifying for a 0.1% bet on either 9/6 Jacks or better and a slot that brings a 7% home advantage. The Jacks or Better house's advantage is almost 13 times smaller than the slot (7 / 0.54), but still gives you the same amount of rewards.
Conclusion
Video poker will never enjoy the same fame it had until the early 2000s. However, there are definitely some qualities that make it worth playing.
For starters, video poker can pay better than any casino game. The fully paid Deuces Wild tops the charts with a 100.76% payout.
Assuming you do not have access to this game, you can find other + EV versions. In the worst case scenario you will find 9/6 Jacks or better (99.54% RTP) or 8/5 Bonus poker (99.17%) in many land based and online casinos.
You will also be able to earn a decent profit with this game. If you're ready to travel to Vegas, you can earn Deuces Wild, Joker Wild (100.65% RTP) and Aces and Eights (100.25%).
You need to learn the right strategy to get the most out of video poker games in betfair casino.
On the other hand, you can always just play this game for fun. Video poker is one of the easiest games in the casino. If you don't want to risk your own money to try, you can always try our selection of free video poker games.
Other benefits include great rewards, more control, and good offsetting value. Assuming these and many other benefits sound appealing, you should definitely spend more time playing video poker. You can try our section with free casino games including free video poker games.
