Video Poker Game Variations Explained

Looking at all the different variations of online video poker available, from Jacks or Better to Caribbean Stud Poker and more.

Video poker is one of the most popular online casino games, and it’s easy to see why. Not only is it a simple way to play one of the world’s most popular card games, but its quickfire format means it can be enjoyed from anywhere at any time.

As with any popular online game, developers have got seriously innovative with their ideas in the genre. There are now countless options to choose from, each with its own unique features.

In this guide, we’ll run through a few of the main types of video poker games you’ll find online. We’ll also explain some of the options here at Casino.com. We hope this guide will help you decide which video poker game is right for you.

Some of the Video Poker Variants You’ll Encounter Online

The standard video poker machine is based on five-card draw, and your final hand will be the best that you can make with the five cards on the screen. You do this by pressing deal, holding the cards you want to keep, and then pressing deal again.

The way you play video poker games is usually the same in all the variants. The only difference is the unique features and return to player percentages of each. Don’t forget to always read the rules before you start playing. That way, you’ll know exactly what you’re getting yourself into. You can check out our guide on the betting odds and payouts to help you with your selection.

Multi-hand Poker RTP: 98.91%

Multi-hand poker allows you to choose a certain number of hands that you want to be dealt. Once you’ve selected, you’ll have to pay an ante on each of the hands. If you win on one or more of those hands, your returns will be paid out based on your stake and the payout odds of the hand you received.

 

Deuces Wild (RTP: 98.91%)

In Deuces Wild, all the two-value cards are classed as wilds. That means they can replace any other card to complete a hand. For example, if you need one card to complete a flush of diamonds and you land the two of spades, that card will become a diamond and complete the hand. That means you should always hold the deuces if you land them on the first deal.

 

Aces and Faces RTP: 99.20%

Aces and Faces plays like a standard video poker game, with the only difference being that the payouts for aces and face card combinations are higher than usual. That means that it has a great RTP that’s almost unrivalled by other video poker games.

 

Bonus Poker RTP: 98.98%

Bonus Poker is another simple video poker game that uses standard gameplay. It’s based on Jacks or Better, meaning that the lowest paying hands are pairs of jacks. The main difference is that this game offers higher bonus payouts when you hit four of a kind.

 

Joker Poker RTP: 98.47%

Joker Poker is an exciting twist on classic video poker as there’s a single joker added to the mix of 52 cards. This acts as a wild and can be used to complete or improve any hand. For example, it could act as the fifth card in a straight, or it could turn a pair into three of a kind.

 

Some of the Variants Available at Casino.com

Here at Casino.com, we’ve got plenty of great options for you to choose from in our video poker section. Check out the descriptions of each below to help you make your decision. All of these games are from Playtech, one of the world’s best online casino software providers.

Caribbean Stud Poker RTP 94.97%

Our Caribbean Stud Poker is slightly different from your traditional video poker games as it has a lucrative progressive jackpot feature. This means that you’ll have an extra decision to make when betting, as you have to pay into the normal game, but you can choose whether to place the side bet for the progressive jackpot offering. If you hit a royal flush, you win the big prize.

The RTP on this game is slightly lower than other video poker offerings because of the progressive jackpot. Indeed, you’ll notice that the RTP is 94.97% when you place both the ante bet and the side bet.

Deuces Wild Multi-Hand RTP 98.91%

Deuces Wild Multi-Hand is an action-packed offering for players who want to crank the thrills up. There are two key features to this game that make it stand out from others. The multi-hand aspect means you choose how many hands you want to be dealt at the start. Then, there’s also the fact that all the twos are wild – this means they can be used to complete any hand.

The RTP of this game is an impressive 98.91%, meaning there’s a high chance of returns.

Jacks or Better RTP 98.25%

Jacks or Better is one of the best-known video poker games out there. In this offering, pairs below jacks don’t pay out. It’s popular because it’s one of the oldest video poker games on the market and has the nostalgia factor working for it. It also has a good RTP of 98.25%

Jacks or Better Multi-Hand RTP 97.30%

There’s also the option to play the Jacks or Better format with multiple hands happening at the same time. The RTP of this one stands at 97.30%.

How Should You Choose Between These Fantastic Games?

You may be thinking that it’s hard to choose between all these great games, as they all have appealing aspects. The best option could be to try them all out and see which one you prefer. Read up on all the poker hands before you get started and remember to please gamble responsibly. Please be aware that you need to be over 18 to play these games.

Casino.com blog
Steve Bourie is the author of the American Casino Guide Book – the number one bestseller on casino gambling and travel for more than 25 years, which is now available in a digital format.

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