Video Poker At Gaming Club
Experience fast-paced fun and strategic thrills with video poker at Gaming Club’s online and mobile casino in New Zealand. It’s where skill meets chance, and every hand holds potential.
What is Video Poker?
Video poker is a unique casino game that blends the instant action of slot machines with the strategic depth of five-card draw poker. First introduced in land-based casinos in the 1970s, video poker became a hit with players seeking a solo alternative to traditional table poker.
Unlike slot games, video poker online requires decision-making. You’re not spinning reels – you’re playing cards. You get dealt a five-card hand, choose which cards to hold, and draw new ones, aiming for a winning poker combination. It's this mix of chance and skill that makes it a favourite among New Zealand casino players.
How to Play Video Poker
If you're new to video poker games, don't worry – the gameplay is straightforward and exciting. Once you’ve signed up at Gaming Club and logged in, the process is as follows:
- Place Your Bet: Select your stake, usually between 1 and 5 coins per hand.
- Deal the Cards: Hit 'Deal' to receive five cards from a virtual deck.
- Choose Your Cards: Decide which cards to hold and which to discard.
- Draw New Cards: Replace the discarded cards to complete your final hand.
- Get Paid: If your hand matches a winning combination based on the pay table, you win!
In online video poker, winning hands typically start from a pair of Jacks or Better. Bigger hands like a Royal Flush or Four of a Kind offer competitive odds and higher payouts. The more you bet, the more you can win – especially when playing max coins.
Popular Video Poker Variants
At Gaming Club, we offer some of the best video poker games to suit every playing style. Whether you’re after simple gameplay or exciting twists with wild cards and bonus payouts, there’s a version for you.
- Jacks or Better: The most classic and widely played video poker casino variant. Win with a pair of Jacks or Better. It offers straightforward gameplay and high RTP, making it perfect for beginners.
- Deuces Wild: A fast-paced game where all 2s (deuces) act as wild cards. This creates more chances for winning combinations, but the paytable is adjusted to reflect the increased odds. A top pick for experienced players looking for action.
- Joker Poker: This version adds a Joker as a wild card, increasing your chances of landing strong hands. Ideal for players who enjoy unpredictability and dynamic hands.
- Bonus Poker: Based on Jacks or Better but with bonus payouts for specific Four of a Kind hands. A great choice for those looking to mix strategy with bigger rewards.
- Double Double Bonus: An enhanced version of Bonus Poker with even higher payouts for certain Four of a Kind combinations. High volatility but rewarding for players with solid strategy.
You can play online video poker with these variations anytime, with both free video poker (demo mode) and real money options available.
Video Poker Rules
Understanding the rules of online video poker casino games is key to improving your chances.
Hand Rankings: Lowest To Highest
- Pair (Jacks or Better)
- Two Pair
- Three of a Kind
- Straight
- Flush
- Full House
- Four of a Kind
- Straight Flush
- Royal Flush
Paytables
Each video poker game online comes with its own paytable, showing the payout for each hand. Check the paytable before you play – it can impact your potential payouts significantly.
Wild Cards & Multipliers
Variants like Deuces Wild video poker introduce wild cards, which substitute for any card to create the best possible hand. Some games also include multipliers that increase payouts for specific hands or bonus rounds.
Video Poker Strategy
Unlike slot machines, casino video poker involves strategic decision-making. Following the right approach can improve your odds significantly.
Basic Strategy Tips
- Always bet the maximum coins if the game offers a bonus for a Royal Flush.
- Prioritise holding a high pair (Jacks or Better) over low pairs, unless game-specific strategy suggests otherwise.
- In Jacks or Better, discard all five cards if you don’t have at least a high card or pair.
Optimal Play Charts
Many video poker games have published strategy charts showing the mathematically best decisions for every possible hand. These can help maximise returns when you play video poker online.
Bankroll Management
Even the best video poker game to play won’t guarantee constant wins. Set a budget, stick to your limits, and remember to pace yourself. Choose low-denomination games if you're playing for longer sessions.
Video Poker Odds & RTP
One of the biggest advantages of video poker is the high Return to Player (RTP) compared to other casino games.
- Jacks or Better: Up to 99.54%
- Deuces Wild: Typically 96.77%
- Bonus Poker: Around 99.17%
- Joker Poker: Average of 98.60%
- Double Double Bonus: Up to 98.98%
That’s why many consider video poker online one of the best games for skilled players.
Volatility & Variance
Games like Deuces Wild and Double Double Bonus offer higher volatility – meaning bigger wins are possible but less frequent. Jacks or Better is more stable, ideal for conservative players.
NZ Players Ask, We Deal the Answers
- What is the easiest video poker to play?
Jacks or Better is widely regarded as the easiest. It has simple rules, a clear paytable, and a high RTP.
- Is there any strategy to video poker?
Yes. Unlike slots, video poker rewards strategic play. Learning hand rankings, using play charts, and knowing when to hold or discard is key.
- Is video poker truly random?
Yes. At Gaming Club, online video poker games use certified Random Number Generators (RNGs), simulating the randomness of shuffling a real deck.
- Should you hold a low pair in video poker?
Generally, yes – especially in games like Jacks or Better. A low pair gives you a chance at Three or Four of a Kind. However, strategies may differ in wild card games.
- How do you play video poker for beginners?
Start with free video poker to get a feel for the rules. Learn hand values, try Jacks or Better, and gradually move on to more advanced variants once you're confident.
- What is the goal of video poker?
The goal is to build the highest-ranking poker hand possible from five cards. With skill and the right choices, you can improve your chances of a payout each round.
