The Top 3 Most Common Variations of Video Poker

November 22, 2021
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Video poker is one of the most popular types of online casino game, but you may be surprised to see there are so many different versions of it.

How can you decide which of these variants to try? By taking a look at 3 of the most popular types of video poker, we can see the reasons why you might choose each one.


The Basics of Video Poker

Before looking at the differences between some popular versions of this game, it makes sense to cover the basic gameplay first of all. In all of these variants, you are dealt 5 cards and need to try and make up a winning hand.

You can hold onto the cards you like and discard others, but there is no other player or dealer for you to try and beat. It is all about getting a combination that is listed on the paytable, such as a straight, a full house, 2 pairs, and so on.


Jacks or Better

This version of video poker is interesting because of the way that it pays out on less powerful hands. The weakest hand you can win is one that contains 2 jacks or better, which means that you only need a couple of royal cards to win.

You will also often see that 2 pairs are rewarded with a small win on this version, which isn’t usually the case on other types of video poker. This combination of potential winning hands means that you should expect to get fairly frequent wins on this version, although a lot of them may be for modest amounts.

It also means that you need to work out what you want to do when you get your first 5 cards. Do you hold onto a pair of low cards to look for a couple of pairs, or do you keep a face card to try and get 2 matching royals?


Deuces Wild

There are also quite a lot of video poker games with the words ‘deuces wild’ in the title. In this case, deuces mean 2s and the title refers to the fact that these cards are jokers in this variant. This rule makes it a lot easier to complete a winning hand, due to the fact that a 2 can stand in for any other card.

The paytable might also contain some extra winning hands, such as a special payout for getting 2s and aces together.

This means that you have a better chance of hitting a big win with the type of hand that doesn’t pay so much on other versions.

As for the strategy needed on deuces wild games, you will want to hold onto any 2s bearing in mind their incredible versatility. After that, you will want to see what the rest of your cards are like and work out which ones are worth holding onto.


Joker Poker

This version of video poker also has wild cards, but in this case they are the traditional jokers rather than 2s. The idea is still the same though, as you can slot these jokers into any position on any hand to replace any other card.

You might also get a more impressive prize for special hands such as those that include royals plus a joker. The presence of the joker makes it an easier game to play, but you still need to look for many of the typical winning hands.

When the time comes to choose which cards to hold onto, the joker is one that you will want to keep on any hand where it has landed. Apart from that, take a look at the paytable to see what other cards might be worth keeping hold of.


Multihand Games and Other Versions

An interesting way to play any type of video poker is with multihand versions. These are games where you have several hands to work with at one time, with some of these games giving you as many as 10 simultaneous hands.

This makes it a faster, more volatile way of playing.

Other versions of video poker add in bonuses, jackpots, or special rules. It is always a good idea to quickly check the rules and paytable, to understand what you want to achieve on each version.

You can find all the ones mentioned before in Bovada video poker slots: www.bovada.lv/casino/video-poker


Which One Should You Choose?

There is no right or wrong answer when the time comes to choose a particular video poker game. Some people prefer a certain type or feel luckier on one kind of game than on others. It really just comes down to your personal preference and experience to date.

Each of the different types of video poker that we have looked at gives you a fast and fun way of playing an online card game. The varying rules and payouts mean that you get a different kind of game each time, so you might find that switching between works best for you.

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