Why Video Poker Remains Popular to This Very Day
4 minutes
Posted by: David
Video poker is the second most popular casino game nowadays, standing right behind slots. Today, the game is available in almost every establishment around the world, and the players can’t seem to get enough of it.
The History of Poker Machines
The first machine was made back in the 19th century. This simple version got its first major upgrade at the beginning of the 20th century when Charles Fey, a famous inventor, added the ‘hold’ feature to it.
However, the old mechanical versions of the game are significantly different from the electronic ones that today’s players can enjoy. In fact, the first real video poker machine was launched in 1970, and the initial version immediately gained popularity.
During the next decade, the game took over Vegas, and in the 1990s, online video poker was invented.
What Makes Video Poker So Popular
Although it is definitely not the most modern game at the moment, video poker still remains the top choice for many players around the world.
Let’s go over some of the main reasons why video poker continues to hold a high spot in both land-based and online casinos:
Easy to Learn
There definitely is room for complex strategies, but the game itself is quite simple, and you don’t need to be a seasoned player in order to enjoy a game of video poker.
You will need some basic knowledge of the traditional game, but there are no additional difficulties. Just hit the deal button, pick the cards to keep, and of course, decide on the amount of money you’re willing to wager.
Some machines will even let you customize the speed, so you can choose to play faster or slower.
High RTP
RTP or the return to player, is a number that tells us about the overall win rate that the players can realistically expect.
Video poker is one of the casino games with the highest RTP stats, with a return higher than the one offered by slots.
However, the game comes in many different variations, and each of them has its own figures. Deuces Wild, Joker Wild (Kings or Better), and Double Bonus are the top three types when it comes to the RTP figures.
Also, many casinos offer great bonuses for video poker and many other game types. For example, on the PlayCasino website, you can see that the operators like Springbok casino offer amazing bonuses for various games, and you can easily check for code here and redeem the rewards early.
You can easily find many online casinos that will give you bonuses for this popular game, and let you enjoy, practice and win.
Many Variations
It is rare for a casino game to offer so many variations as video poker does. The variety is so wide that some versions like Jacks or Better even have subtypes.
IGT, the leading developer of video poker machines, came up with some incredible examples. For instance, Multi-Strike Poker lets players level up after winning hands, and each level they reach brings a win multiplier.
Super Triple Play is another interesting example that offers exciting bonuses with large payouts that are activated after a user has wagered the sixth coin per hand.
Great Payout
High percentage payouts are another great feature that video poker is known for. The payout percentage mostly depends on the pay table of each game type, and if winning big is your priority, you should make sure to choose one that offers decent odds.
Jacks or Better, for example, offers an approximate return of nearly 99.5%, and there are some variants where the expected return is higher than 100%.
There Is Room for Strategy
Although video poker is easy to learn, the outcome of each session is largely influenced by strategic thinking. The game is also affected by luck, but the players’ ability to strategize is a contributing factor as well.
Whatever your experience level is, it is always possible to learn and employ new techniques that can transform your results. Playing video poker is not only entertaining, but it can also serve as a great challenge for the mind.
You Can Play On Your Own
The option to play solo is one of the key criteria for many casino members, especially the beginners who feel uncomfortable joining real poker games.
That is another reason why punters love video poker. Whether they are located in a land-based venue or present on an online platform, the players can choose a game and play by themselves until they master the basics, or for as long as they like.
Video poker has been around for a long time, and even with the constant outbreak of new game types and special features, it is still one of the top choices for a large number of players worldwide.
Thanks to high RTP, large payouts, and many other tangible benefits, its popularity is unlikely to drop anytime soon.
