Online video poker is a five-card draw poker game that enjoys wide appeal in online casinos around the world. Before the predominant shift to online, video poker was played on a computerized console with space for coins or money to be inserted into the machine. Even though such consoles are still in many land-based casinos, they have been altered to reflect today’s gaming standards – all thanks to gaming innovations.
It is worthy of mention that the shift to online didn’t alter the interesting, scintillating, and exciting nature of video poker. Instead, it has completely replicated the same land-based casino experience and even adds much better perks that you can’t afford to overlook. For instance, online video poker has a lower house edge and better bonus offers than its traditional counterpart and most other casino games as well.
The whole gameplay remains the same, and the seamlessness of the gameplay is even more enhanced on the online video poker version. As one of the online casino games that pay, finding online video poker is not hard at all. After reading this review, you’ll grab all relevant information about online video poker and see which online casinos to play for free or for real money.
How Online Video Poker Works?
When we say online video poker is easy to play, we really mean it. It typically works with you selecting a quality online casino to play at and deciding what variant you would play. So, upon visiting the online casino, you select your bet, which is mostly in coins ranging from 1 through to 5.
You are to press the deal button, and five cards will be dealt to you, out of which you can hold or auto-hold, discard, or deal. The good thing about video poker is that you can discard all cards dealt to you, deal more cards and start playing. This is because all poker variants, including online video poker, require some level of strategy, so you would perfect your strategy as you play.
After the winning hand is paid out, a new round starts. Although the rules may differ slightly among different variants, the general gameplay idea of best video poker is the same. You can play online video poker variants such as Deuces Wild, Jack or Better, Joker’s Wild, Anything’s Wild, Sigma Flush Attack, Tens or Better, Bally’s All American, Bonus Poker, Multi-play Poker, and Progressive Jackpot Poker, among others.
Online video poker has an average house edge of 0.46%, while in some variants, the house edge appears far below that.
What is RNG and How it Works?
Random number generator (RNG) is one of the most popular phenomena in the online casino world. A random number generator (RNG) is a set of top-level computer algorithms that makes the process of shuffling and dealing cards to be outside the reach of one’s reasonable knowledge. What this means is that the video poker RNG works with a set of predetermined complex commands that produce initial thousands of numbers per minute.
These thousands of numbers are further introduced to a sophisticated seed that randomly turns them into millions and billions of numbers that continue running and replicating even without players placing bets. It is from these billions of numbers that cards are virtually shuffled and hands dealt by the machine. As a result, the winning hand is highly randomized, in such a manner that even the online casino cannot reasonably say or predict who can win.
This process of number duplication in multiple millions and billions precedes the player’s bet, which makes it possible for the computer system to produce results within milliseconds. Online casino RNGs may not be completely random per se. Still, their randomness is to the extent that absolute transparency is possible, provided you play at a legally regulated online casino. Online casinos like Betsafe, Casumo, Nomini, or JackpotCity are properly regulated with highly transparent and regularly audited RNGs.
What to Look at Best Online Video Poker?
Deciding which video poker game to play is an important factor when you are looking to play and enjoy this game. You have to pay close attention to the game’s RTP, as this number shows how large is the return to player rate that a casino will payout to players over a long period of time and across thousands or millions of rounds.
Just like other casino games, the RTP of any online video poker game is theoretical and only represents what the online casino will pay in the long run. And not necessarily that every player wins such amount, or will win it. The RTP of online video poker varies from one variant to another, but the average RTP comes at 99.54% if you adopt a smart strategy.
Another important thing to look at is variance. Variance in online video poker is the rate at which a game pays out high wins, low wins, or average wins in a round. Online video poker mostly comes with high, medium, or low variance, which is also referred to as volatility.
A game is highly volatile when it can award huge wins in a single round, but these wins eat deep into your bankroll and take time before they occur. Low variance, on the other hand, offers smaller wins that happen frequently. Medium variance is just a combination of highly random low and slightly big wins.
Lastly, you should look to register at a quality online casino. Those brands give you much-needed safety, as they are all legal and licensed. Additionally, the best online casinos often give their new players lucrative welcome bonus offers. Those bonuses and promotions can give you a head start and a better chance to win against casinos.
Online Video Poker for Free in Demo Mode
Most regulated online casinos offer the best free video poker demo version of the games on their library. A demo game is a free version that any player can check out to know exactly what the game offers in terms of RTP, variance, payout, house edge, designs, theme, actual gameplay, and a lot more. Since it’s a free version, many players use this demo version to acquaint themselves with the gameplay twists and turns before betting with real money.
Online video poker is anchored on creating or adopting a strategy that helps you land the best possible outcomes of play. And the best way to set up your strategy is to try out the demo version of that particular video poker variant you’d like to play. You will find a free demo version of all the best real money video poker games for your convenience on our website.
Online Video Poker Machine Myths
One of the most popular myths of video poker casino games is that there are cold and hot machines. The machines that might have paid some players a couple of times are called ‘hot’, while the ones that don’t really pay some players as often as they want are called ‘cold’. But this is only but a myth, as all video poker machines are controlled by an RNG that makes it impossible for the system to recognize and be biased in favor of anyone.
Another myth is that some machines deliver losing streaks when the traffic is big. This is untrue, as the machines are programmed to function the same way at every time of the day. You can lose all day and still sustain worse losses all night from a particular machine. Every game is regularly tested by independent companies, such as eCOGRA.
There’s also a popular myth that good players always win. Well, this isn’t correct. Even though a good strategy is a plus in online video poker, the element of luck and chance is also there. Also, variance can mess things up even for the greatest poker player.
Conclusion
We have taken a detailed look at several things that make up the online video poker game you play on different casinos. We highlighted a couple of popular variants that most players like to try out whether for free or real money play. RNGs are especially initiated into video poker machines to make gameplay results as random as possible.
The variance comes mostly in high, medium, or low – with various impacts on your gameplay, which calls for an understanding of the variant you would like to play. Online video poker presents a high RTP that averages at 99.10%, but with a good strategy, the average can be 99.54%. Some variants could also exceed 100%, giving you worthwhile gameplay. We have also debunked some myths that are peddled across gaming circles online and offline.
FAQ
Does variance really affect my gameplay?
Yes, it does. Variance represents the possibility that signs can happen to your bankroll, resulting in losses, or wins not up to your expectations or more. So it affects your gameplay.
Does online video poker offer a good RTP?
Yes. In fact, online video poker comes with one of the best RTPs you can get from any casino game online and offline. The average RTP on most variants is 99.10%, but if you are playing with a good strategy, this can rise to 99.54%.
Can I play a free demo in online casinos?
Yes, you can play the free demo version of online video poker on most casino sites. On our website, you will find all free games from different variants and enjoy before wagering real money.
Are online video poker games fair?
Yes, provided you play at well-regulated and duly licensed online casinos like the ones mentioned here. The RNG of a game makes the card shuffling and dealing really fair and transparent so that any player can emerge a winner.
What can I do to win real money?
To win real money on online video poker, you have to play with real money and use a couple of strategies. If your strategies combine with some luck, you could win.