Video Poker & Video poker variations

Video Poker is played either online or at a casino by way of a video poker machine. Video Poker play is personal in nature, in that players do not compete against one another, nor do they accommodate more than one player per game.

While the method of playing video poker is essentially the same for each Video Poker variation, the rules and payouts vary by type of video poker game a player participates in.

Different Variations of Video Poker

The video poker game has several different variations in which gamblers can venture a play. Each variation of video poker has a slight modification in rules and payout, as some games have wild-cards, while others require a minimum hand to qualify. Other variations of video poker allow many hands to be played at once, while others are bonus video poker games.

Video Poker games with Wild Cards

In video poker games utilizing wild cards, a card designated as wild may be utilized in completing a video poker hand. Sometimes the hand pays differently depending on whether a wild card is present in forming the made hand or not. Joker Poker, Deuces Wild Video Poker, and Loose Deuces are examples of video poker games that utilize a wild card in making one’s hand.

Video Poker Games with Minimum Qualifying Hands

While every video poker game has a minimum qualifying hand they pay out, some set the bar higher than others do. For example, loose deuces do not pay out any paired hands. Jacks or Better Video poker and Bonus Poker adhere to the standards of jacks or higher in order to achieve payday.

Multiple Handed Video Poker

Many variations of video poker can be played with the use of multiple hands at once. In these multi-hand video poker games, a player is dealt five initial cards. Once selecting the cards he wishes to keep, the kept cards are transposed to each of the multiple hands. The cards not selected are redrawn to each hand. The player has paid however much he bet for each hand he is playing, and is compensated accordingly for each winning hand. Multi-handed poker is most readily available in Jacks or Better and Joker Poker variations.

Bonus Video Poker Games

In bonus video poker games, a higher payout or bonus is awarded for certain hands. Usually a player must play for maximum credits in order to reap the benefits of the bonus payout. Deuces Wild and Bonus Poker play in the bonus video poker variations, as does jackpot poker. Additionally, there is double bonus and double double bonus variations of video poker in which more bonuses are paid out. Overall, you should first ensure you have reviewed not only the rules but also the payouts for each game of video poker prior to playing.