Most of the variations of this classic gambling game were born from interpretations and modifications carried out by different casinos.
Poker, by itself, is already a game with a lot of history. Maybe that’s why it has so many different and subjective ways to be played. The best casinos usually impose their own rules or ways of playing, to add some “personality”. So, video poker turns out to be a game with very high levels of diversity and interactivity.
Jacks or Better
As already mentioned, this is one of the most traditional types of video poker. It can be found in both land-based and online casinos.
However, it is still important to mention that 9/6 games are not always available. Sometimes you will find variations of 8/6 or 8/5. These variations may not deliver as much return on investment, but they are highly sought after as they are “Jacks or Better” – the easiest type of video poker to understand and play online.
Deuces Wild
Deuces Wild is one of the most famous poker variations out there and, of course, one of the most played. If translated literally, it would be called “Two Savages”. This name is due to the fact that card 2 works as a Wild Card, that is, a card that can replace any other.
Because of this, winning combinations are much more common. However, to balance the House’s chances, the game eliminates the combination of pairs of jacks.
At the same time, Deuces Wild is a much more complex variation than other “video poker”. For this reason, it should be selected for those who already have some experience with other, more basic poker types.
Aces and Faces
Aces and Faces, or “Ases and figures”, in Portuguese, is a variation based on Jacks or Better. However, there are several changes to the paytable and, because of that, the game’s RTP also changes.
The name of the game refers to the biggest prizes given to combinations of courts, which are made up of Aces or face cards (Jack, Queen and King).
Pick’em Poker
This is another rather common variation offered by some casinos. It is known for being very simple and friendly to beginner players, which is why it is recommended as the first online poker game.
After placing the bet, the player will receive 2 cards face up on the left side of the screen. On the right side of your screen, the computer deals 2 groups of 3 cards each. However, only the top card in each of these 2 groups will be face up. The player must then choose one of the groups. Your card, or hand, will be formed with these 3 cards, plus the original 2.
You have or better
In Portuguese “Ten or Better”, this is a popular version of poker, again based on Jacks or Better.
The most significant difference is obvious from its name alone. In this variation, the 10 is the lowest value card, which can give you a prize in a round, instead of being the “Jack”. This, of course, will increase your chances of winning the round as there are now four more cards in the deck of 52, which can form a meld.
For this reason, the payments are also much lower than in the other variations, despite being more frequent. That is, the volatility of this “video poker” is lower.
Joker Poker
Video poker can greatly benefit the player, as long as the strategy used is the best. Now, Joker Poker is one of the variations where this is particularly notorious.
The difference with this variation is the Joker, of course, which is present in this casino game to help you create combinations more easily. For this reason, the minimum combination required to receive the round is a pair of kings. An important thing to note is that “natural cards” (cards without wilds) pay more than cards with wilds.
