Comparing Online Video Poker Variants: Which One Suits You?

Video poker has been a staple of both land-based and online poker (nettipokeri) casinos since the 1970s when the first machines were introduced. Today, it’s a classic choice for gamblers who love the combination of strategy and luck that the game offers. But with its increasing popularity and the advent of online gaming, the variety of video poker games has exploded. Each variant offers unique rules, paytables, and strategies, so it’s important to know which one best suits your preferences. In this article, we’ll take a look at three popular online video poker variants – Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, and Double Bonus Poker – to help you decide where to place your bets.

Jacks or Better

Jacks or Better, also known as Draw Poker, is the most common and widely available video poker game. This standard variant is the backbone of all video poker games, and if you’re new to the scene, it’s a great place to start. The concept is straightforward: you need to build a hand with a pair of jacks or better to win. While it may seem simple, the game’s simplicity leaves plenty of room for developing a solid poker strategy.

Jacks or Better typically offers a house edge of less than 1% if you play with optimal strategy. This low edge makes it one of the most player-friendly casino games available. The hands are ranked according to traditional poker hands, and the payouts for those hands are set at various multiples of the initial bet. A Royal Flush, the highest hand possible, usually pays out 800 times the bet, provided you bet the maximum number of credits.

Because of its favorable odds and strategic depth, Jacks or Better is the preferred game for many serious video poker players. If you enjoy strategic decision-making and a game with a lower volatility, Jacks or Better is likely your best bet.

Deuces Wild

For those who want a wild card thrown into the mix to spice things up, Deuces Wild is the game for you. In this variant, all the 2s (deuces) in the deck serve as wild cards, which means that they can substitute for any other card to form a winning hand. Because of this, the hand rankings are slightly altered compared to Jacks or Better.

Deuces Wild has some of the biggest swings in video poker due to the more significant role of wild cards, which can lead to larger wins but also more frequent losses. In Deuces Wild, a natural Royal Flush often pays more than a Royal in standard Jacks or Better. However, to balance out the wild card’s advantage, the minimum hand needed to win is typically higher, often Three of a Kind or higher.

The game’s wild nature makes for a thrilling, fast-paced experience that’s well-suited to those who enjoy higher volatility and the potential for big wins. Despite the increased volatility, Deuces Wild still offers a reasonable player return if you use suitable strategy, and it remains a popular choice among video poker enthusiasts.

Double Bonus Poker

Double Bonus Poker is similar to Jacks or Better but offers extra payouts for certain Four of a Kind hands. These additional payouts for Four Aces and Four 2s, 3s, or 4s (kickers) give the game its name and add a new layer to the strategy. Players need to weigh the value of seeking out these additional bonuses against the odds and potential value of other hands.

The game’s unique paytable makes it a bit more volatile than Jacks or Better, but potentially less so than Deuces Wild. The strategy for Double Bonus Poker can be quite complex, involving some distinctions that experienced players will appreciate. It’s not a game for a beginner, but for those looking to take their video poker skills to the next level, Double Bonus is worth exploring.

When deciding among the video poker variants, consider whether you value lower volatility (Jacks or Better), the potential for big wins (Deuces Wild), or a slightly more complicated but potentially more rewarding play (Double Bonus). All three options provide hours of entertainment and the chance to win big if you play your cards right.