Video Poker?
Live?
If that sounds like a contradiction in terms to you, you’re not alone. How can there be a live version of a game specifically designed to be played in a video format?
Up until very recently, there was way to enjoy video poker live…
… which is a shame!
It’s a somewhat lesser-known fact of modern casino gaming that video poker offers some of the best odds in the casino. In some (but not all) cases, they can meet or even surpass the more famously player-friendly odds of the classic table games of Baccarat and Blackjack (when played with proper strategy of course).
Fortunately, the bold team at Evolution Gaming has created Video Poker Live. As far as we can tell, this is the first offering of its kind – which means that now, for the first time, devotees of the live dealer craze can enjoy the excellent odds this game has to offer in their favorite format!
It’s a marriage of Live gaming with RNG-driven play, and the fruits of the union are easy to identify: the ultra-high of RTP of 99.54% easily blows just about any other game out of the water!
Beyond that newsworthy headline, there’s a lot more to like here.
The game is essentially a simulated poker machine where exactly one hand is dealt with real cards. Because the other hands are dealt via RNG, it’s possible to play up to 100 hands per betting round!
Players choose their wager size, the number of hands they wish to bet on, and even their preferred paytable.
(Although 5 payables are available, we recommend selecting Jacks or Better, as it presents the highest overall RTP.)
Then, cards are dealt – both virtual and real. For each 5-card hand, players have the option of keeping or replacing individual cards in their hand(s). Interestingly enough, if players don’t make any selection regarding holding cards or swapping them, the game will automatically do so… in a way that follows mathematically optimal strategy! This creates a powerful learning tool for new players: simply watch what moves the game makes, and build your sense of how to play from there.
Another important note for players new to this style of play!
Unlike traditional poker, video poker payouts do not depend on having a better hand than another player. Rather, payouts are awarded based on the paytable. As such, betting strategy doesn’t really vary much from one betting round to another… in this way, strategy is closer to what an advanced player would do in Roulette than to a skilled approach to Blackjack or traditional poker.
From where we’re sitting, it looks like the union of video poker and live gaming is a smash success! And it’s only appropriate that Evolution should be the design firm to break this barrier.
They have been releasing some serious bangers of late, including their innovative classic Cash or Crash Live. They’ve also made major acquisition moves in the industry, solidifying their position as a true blue-chip company. We’re thrilled to see this excellent organization’s success, and can’t wait to see what they cook up next!
