Video poker is regarded as one of the first electronic games to have emerged in casinos back in the 1970s, before going on to be one of the pioneering digital games in the online casino world in the mid-90s. For much of the last two decades, it has been nothing more than an afterthought for many online casino players, deemed an entry level option for those wishing to learn table poker. However, live casino software providers are aiming to change all that with the advent of live video poker.
Evolution Gaming’s Video Poker Live and Playtech’s Who Wants to Be a Millionaire Video Poker Live are aiming to revitalise the game and set about bringing this dated, primitive casino gambling game into the modern era. Join Gamesbelt as we look at these two titles and explain how you can get started playing live video poker at online casinos today.
Why Play Live Video Poker Online?
Let’s briefly touch on why live video poker should tick your boxes below, with a quick look at the benefits of playing video poker with a live dealer. Here’s what you need to know:
- Easy for Newbies to Learn: Few online casino games are as straightforward to learn as video poker. Even with its new, live interface, as long as you understand the basic poker hand rankings, you’ll get to grips with live video poker rapidly. There are seldom any overly complicated rules involved, so rookies can pick up the game to play in minutes.
- Play for Free: Live casino games cannot be played for free in a demo mode. While playing RNG games gives you a rough idea of how live table games can be played, they aren’t a like-for-like comparison. However, the differences between RNG and live video poker games are exceptionally narrow, meaning that you can genuinely get a feel for the live dealer game by playing RNG video poker options for free.
- A Brand-New Game: Live video poker games are a new creation. They are exciting, vibrant and it’s fun to see them recreated as live dealer releases. If you’re on the hunt for a new live casino experience, playing video poker live could be the way to go.
How to Play Live Online Video Poker
With the inclusion of live video poker into the live dealer casino games fold, video poker is no longer a side game, an instant win release aimed solely at beginners. It has evolved. That said, playing live video poker isn’t much different to having a crack at the game as an RNG release, and we’ll explain how to play video poker live with a live dealer below.
Setting Up Your Bet
In live video poker, you’ll need to begin by placing your bets. You can use the chips on the screen to adjust the value of your bet and the number of “coins” you play with, so this is simple enough. Next, you need to decide how many hands you want to play with. Some live video poker games allow you to play with up to a hundred at once. When you’re ready, hit “bet” to begin. Remember that this is live video poker, so betting windows will be short.
Playing Live Video Poker
The real human dealer will deal five cards on the table. Every player will get to play with these five cards, and if you play with multiple hands, all your hands will start with the same cards. You can now decide which hands to keep and which to discard, and this is where the games will take on an RNG dealer.
An RNG dealer will then replace those discarded cards, ensuring that every player’s hand is now different from most other players. This will also be the case if you’re playing with multiple hands. Your complete five-card hand will now be compared to the live video poker paytable.
Prizes and Payouts
The exact prizes you’ll receive depend on the live video poker game you’re playing, as well as the value of your bet and the number of coins you wager per hand. Some live video poker variants have additional hands or bonus payouts. However, generally speaking, the more popular variants will typically feature paytables that aren’t too dissimilar to this:
| Hand | Jacks or Better | Deuces Wild | Bonus Poker | Tens or Better |
| Pair | 1:1 (Jacks) | Not Available | 1:1 | 1:1 (Tens) |
| Two Pair | 2:1 | Not Available | 2:1 | 2:1 |
| Three of a Kind | 3:1 | 1:1 | 3:1 | 3:1 |
| Straight | 4:1 | 2:1 | 4:1 | 4:1 |
| Flush | 6:1 | 3:1 | 5:1 | 5:1 |
| Full House | 9:1 | 4:1 | 8:1 | 6:1 |
| Four of a Kind | 25:1 | 4:1 | 25:1 | 20:1 |
| Four 2s, 3s or 4s | Not Available | Not Available | 40:1 | Not Available |
| Straight Flush | 50:1 | 9:1 | 50:1 | 50:1 |
| Four Aces | Not Available | Not Available | 80:1 | Not Available |
| Five of a Kind | Not Available | 15:1 | Not Available | Not Available |
| Wild Royal Flush | Not Available | 25:1 | Not Available | Not Available |
| Four Deuces | Not Available | 200:1 | Not Available | Not Available |
| Royal Flush | 800:1 | 800:1 | 800:1 | 800:1 |
The hands you can use to bag prizes will vary based on the variant you choose. Moreover, the presence of wild cards (jokers or deuces) will adjust the availability of hands and prizes for special hands, as you can see from the table above. Note that some variants may have alternative paytables, so always check these before playing.
Under the Spotlight: Live Video Poker Games at a Glance
At present, two live dealer video poker games stand out above the rest. These come from Evolution Gaming and Playtech. We’ll look more closely at these games right now.
Evolution Gaming’s Video Poker Live
Evolution Gaming’s Video Poker Live isn’t one game – it is five in one. This live dealer game allows you to choose from Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, Bonus Poker, Double Double Bonus Poker, and Tens or Better. Unlike many other Evolution Gaming-developed live casino games, this one doesn’t contain bonus mechanics. Playing up to 100 hands in Evolution’s Video Poker Live is certainly possible, too.
Playtech’s Who Wants to Be a Millionaire Video Poker Live
Playtech’s Who Wants to Be a Millionaire Video Poker Live game is, of course, themed on the famous television game show of the same name. It allows you to play with up to 100 hands. It allows you to choose from Jacks or Better, Tens or Better, Bonus, Double Double Poker, Deuces Wilds and Millionaire Aces. The latter is a bespoke game, offering you enhanced payouts when aces feature in winning hands. It also has a Millionaire Bonus that can be triggered when aces feature in the game. This round can offer prizes worth up to 2,000x.
Understanding Live Video Poker Variants
There are several live video poker variants already out there for you to choose from, and as mentioned, Evolution’s Video Poker Live lets you pick them in one game. Each has varying volatility levels, and some may be more suitable than others. Here’s what you can expect in each:
- Jacks or Better: This game is a staple of video poker, the template from which all others are built. It is the most commonly available game, and the one which is best-suited to newbies. It has an average RTP (return to player) rate of 99.5%.
- Deuces Wild: One of the primary differences between Deuces Wild and Jacks or Better is that the former introduces wild cards (all 2s). As a result, a series of unconventional hands become available. It has higher payouts but is more volatile, and the lowest-paying hand is a Three of a Kind. Expect a 98.9% RTP rate in this game.
- Tens or Better: This game features lower volatility than Jacks or Better. Because you can win with a lower hand (a pair of tens), the prizes for higher hands tend to be worth marginally less than in Jacks or Better. The RTP rate here is roughly 97.9%
- Bonus Poker: Bonus Poker is built on Jacks or Better but introduces bonus payouts for four aces, four 2s, four 3s, four 4s, or four 5s through kings. It is more volatile than Jacks or Better but offers increased prizes as a result. The RTP rate is roughly 99.1%.
- Double Double Bonus Poker: This variant simply magnifies the prizes you can win in Bonus Poker. It has exceptionally high volatility but delivers epic prizes for four-of-a-kind hands. You should expect an average RTP rate of 98.9% or thereabouts.
Strategies and Tips for Betting on Live Video Poker
Because of how video poker is played, any conventional poker casino game strategies you use for table poker can theoretically be used to play live video poker. That is, of course, assuming that it has been honed for Five Card Draw, which is what most internet video poker games are based on. For instance, the best strategies for playing Jacks or Better video poker should work well when playing live games. Aside from that, you may wish to take to heart the following tips:
- Always understand the hands for each variant. Learn what they mean and the best ways to acquire them based on what’s in your hand.
- Learn the specific rules for each variant. This includes which cards act as wilds, understanding RTP in video poker games, volatility levels, and which payouts feature enhanced winnings.
- We encourage you to play RNG video poker games. They are virtually the same as live dealer options, allowing you to practice for free and without risk.
- Stick to whatever budget you decide. Gamble responsibly, and don’t break your budget for anything.
- Always play with the maximum number of coins. This will result in the biggest prizes being available from the start.
Play Live Video Poker at Gamesbelt’s Top-Rated Casinos
If you’re new to playing live casino games online, don’t hesitate to read our live casino guide. Once you’re ready to start playing the new, evolved and reinvigorated form of live video poker, nip over to our trusted live online casinos to find the perfect venue and claim a tidy bonus for signing up as a new player today.
FAQ
Can I play live video poker games on my mobile?
Yes. Live video poker games, like most live casino titles, are optimised for mobile gameplay. In most cases, you can play on your smartphone or tablet using nothing more than a browser.
Can I bet with bonus rounds in live video poker?
That depends on what you play. Evolution’s Video Poker Live doesn’t feature bonus rounds, but Playtech’s Who Wants to Be a Millionaire Video Poker Live certainly does.
Which live casino software providers have video poker games?
For now, both Evolution Gaming and Playtech have developed live video poker games. We imagine that Pragmatic Play won’t be far behind.
Can I play live video poker for free?
No. However, live video poker games are mainly based on RNG video poker titles, so you can play those games for free. Your experience will be similar in terms of game rules.
Does live video poker feature RNG technology?
Yes. The first part of the game is played with a human dealer. As soon as you discard cards, the RNG dealer takes over the action to ensure randomness.
