Online Video Poker

The History of Video Poker | The advantage of playing online Video Poker | How to play online Video Poker | Variants of online Video Poker

The History of Video Poker

The game of video poker, although based on real poker, had to wait until the mid-1970’s (about the same time as the first PC’s) before technology caught up to the imagination and simple colour monitors could be hooked up to solid state central processing units. This meant that the first video poker machines looked nothing like their modern day online video poker counterparts.

During the 1980’s Video Poker came into its own with the introduction of Draw Poker and the fact that people found the Video Poker machines less intimidating than playing at the poker tables. The game also became very popular in Las Vegas casinos that were off the Las Vegas strip and frequented by locals.

From the late 90’s the power of the internet was used to bring the full force of online video poker to the fore and lovers of the game and casino operators have never looked back. As of January 2008 online Video Poker players have access to hundreds of variations of the game.

The advantage of playing online Video Poker

Just like online Blackjack, online Video Poker offers casino players the chance to play their favourite game in a less pressurised and less intimidating environment. They only need to play against the "dealer" and this offers more time for strategic thinking.

For more info on the types of Video Poker games that are available at JackpotCity.com online casino please go to our Video Poker games page.

How to play online Video Poker

Online Video Poker is a fairly easy game to play and is perfect for Poker novices and experts alike. Play begins when a player places their bet and clicks on the "Deal" button. They can then either keep or discard one or more of their cards in exchange for a new card. After the draw the software evaluates the hand and offers the player a payout if the hand matches one posted on the payout schedule.

Variants of online Video Poker

Since the introduction of Video Poker in the 1970,s there have been many variations of the game, but the most popular are:

Jacks or Better Video Poker

This is the most common form of Video Poker available and payoffs begin at a pair of jacks or better (as the name implies).

Tens or Better Video Poker

This is a variation of Jacks or Better Video Poker with a marked difference between the "full house" and "flush" payouts between the two games.

Deuces Wild Video Poker

This is a variation of Video Poker in which all the two’s are "wild". This means that a two card can substitute for any other card in the deck.

Bonus Video Poker

This form of Video Poker is also based on Jacks or Better, but Bonus Video Poker offers players a higher payout for four of a kind. There are multiple versions of Bonus Video Poker featuring different payouts based on the ranking of four of a kind.

Double Bonus Video Poker

This variant of Video Poker offers a bonus payout for four aces.

Double, Double Bonus Video Poker

This Video Poker game is also based on Jacks or Better and offers bonus payouts for different four of a kind hands.

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