Il video poker è un gioco divertente ed emozionante creato negli anni ’80. Sebbene offra rendimenti attesi più alti rispetto alle slot e alla maggior parte dei giochi da casinò, non gode però della stessa popolarità di slot machine e roulette. Gli esperti di casinò sanno bene, tuttavia, che il video poker è probabilmente il modo migliore per scommettere sia nei casinò reali che nei casinò online.
È sorprendente quante persone preferiscono invece giochi basati totalmente sul caso, dove tutto va contro di loro e la probabilità di realizzare un profitto è piuttosto bassa. In confronto, il video poker comporta tanta fortuna ma richiede anche molta abilità ed è proprio il fatto di dover avere una conoscenza di base e delle abilità che spaventa così tanto i principianti. Ma il video poker è così difficile da giocare?
La risposta è un clamoroso No, soprattutto se giochiamo a video poker online, un gioco dove abbiamo un facile accesso alle regole e ai pagamenti, dove possiamo esercitarci prima di rischiare soldi veri e dove possiamo scegliere tra dozzine di varianti differenti. Il seguente articolo si concentra sul video poker online: come si gioca, quali opzioni abbiamo a disposizione e quali dovrebbero essere i suggerimenti essenziali per i principianti.
Software e funzionalità del video poker online
Video poker originated as a computer game played on a video screen, which is why the online version does not differ much from the video poker machines found in land-based casinos. Online players, however, usually have a wider selection of video poker variants; in fact, there are well over a hundred titles available at Internet-based casinos.
They can also open every game in demo mode without wagering real money. Land-based casinos, by contrast, would never let you sit at a machine without putting money in first. The convenience of online video poker is another highlight: you can play in multiple currencies, from a desktop computer or a mobile device, without having to set foot in a brick-and-mortar casino.
The rules of online video poker and the underlying software features are almost identical to what you see on physical machines. In essence, the game plays the same no matter where you are. Still, the online version is often far more interactive and packed with extra features than its land-based counterpart.
Numero di monete e dimensioni delle monete/coins
Deal / Draw - Distribuisci / Pesca e altri pulsanti
Tabella dei pagamenti
Funzione gamble
Numero di monete e dimensioni delle monete/coins
Video poker is generally played with 1–5 coins of various denominations. The number of coins is particularly important because it influences the payouts for the different winning hands. Playing with the maximum number of coins increases the potential reward for the game’s highest-paying hand, the Royal Flush. Coin denominations usually range from €0.10 to €5.00 or even higher.
Deal / Draw - Distribuisci / Pesca e altri pulsanti
Game controls are fairly easy to understand, with several buttons that appear in every video poker variant. They are usually located at the bottom of the screen, alongside boxes that show the player’s Balance, Total Bet, and Win. You may also see Bet One and Bet Max buttons, which wager 1 and 5 coins respectively. After players select their stake size, they can click the Deal button (sometimes labeled Draw, Distribuisci, or Pesca).
Five cards then appear above the main buttons, and players can choose to hold or discard them. Clicking on a card marks it as held for the second phase of the game. You may hold any number of cards, from all five to none at all. Once you have made your decision, pressing the Deal/Draw button prompts the computer to deal new cards automatically, replacing every card you discarded.
Tabella dei pagamenti
Traditionally, the main game screen also displays the paytable, which is one of the most important things to examine when playing video poker. It appears above the five cards and lists every winning hand in descending order, starting with the Royal Flush, the highest-paying hand in the game. Next to each hand you will see the corresponding payout for 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 coins. Some games show the paytable on a separate screen, but the information is the same.
Players should pay close attention to the payouts assigned to each hand. The first thing to look at is the payout for a Royal Flush; as mentioned, it increases when you wager five coins. Normally, a one-coin Royal Flush pays 250 coins (250 times the coin value). If you bet two coins you win 500 coins, three coins pays 750, and a four-coin bet awards 1,000 coins. Using that formula we would expect 1,250 coins for a five-coin bet, yet the standard payout for a five-coin Royal Flush is 4,000 coins.
Video poker players should also remember that paytables can differ significantly between online casinos and game variants. All winning hands match the standard poker hands you see in table poker, except for Jacks or Better. That is a hand containing a pair of Jacks, Queens, Kings, or Aces, hence the name Jacks or Better.
| Mani del poker |
1 moneta |
2 monete |
3 monete |
4 monete |
5 monete |
| Scala reale |
250 |
500 |
750 |
1 |
4 |
| Scala colore |
50 |
100 |
150 |
200 |
250 |
| Poker o four of a kind |
25 |
50 |
75 |
100 |
125 |
| Full |
9 |
18 |
27 |
36 |
45 |
| Colore |
6 |
12 |
18 |
24 |
30 |
| Scala |
4 |
8 |
12 |
16 |
20 |
| Tris |
3 |
6 |
9 |
12 |
15 |
| Doppia coppia |
2 |
4 |
6 |
8 |
10 |
| Jacks or better |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
Funzione gamble
Many versions of video poker also include a Gamble feature that appears after every winning round. It is sometimes labeled Double or Double Down. Whatever the name, the Gamble button serves the same purpose: it lets players wager the winnings from the current round.
The feature usually opens a secondary screen where players see one face-up card, the computer’s card, and four face-down cards. They must select one of the four, and if their chosen card is higher than the computer’s card they win the Gamble and their round winnings are doubled. If their card is lower, they lose all winnings. Some Gamble variants also allow players to guess the color of a face-down card, once again offering a chance to double or lose their payout.
This feature can appear multiple times after a winning round, and every time players may stake the amount they have just won. Of course, you can quit the feature and return to the main game screen at any point by clicking the Collect button.
Giocare al video poker multi-mano - Multi-hand
Multi-hand video poker is especially popular with casino players who want to play several rounds at once. In these games you can wager on up to 100 hands simultaneously, allowing you to play at a much faster pace. At the same time, multi-hand video poker is not recommended for beginners because it requires significantly higher bets.
Come funziona il video poker multi-mano
Regolazione della dimensione della scommessa
Rischi del video poker multi-mano
Come funziona il video poker multi-mano
Multi-hand video poker may look complicated and even intimidating, but it actually works in a very straightforward way. It follows the same rules as the single-hand version, offers the same payouts, and provides the same average return. However, it lets you play 3, 5, 10, 20, 25, 50, or even 100 hands at once. The game begins with one five-card hand dealt from a standard 52-card deck. Players must decide which cards to hold and which to discard.
After clicking the Deal/Draw button, new cards are dealt to every hand you are betting on. Suppose you are playing 10 hands; alongside your initial five cards you have nine additional hands, each with its own 52-card deck. The cards you choose to hold appear in the same positions in all nine extra hands. Once the second batch of cards is dealt, each hand forms a different combination and you receive a separate payout for every winning hand.
It is important to note that the cards in each hand are dealt from an independent deck, which means the odds for every hand are identical. The number of hands you select does not affect the house edge or the expected return. There are, however, some things players should pay extra attention to if they do not want to drain their entire bankroll in just a few rounds.
Regolazione della dimensione della scommessa
Probably the most important factor to consider when playing multi-hand video poker is the size of your bets. The wager you choose at the start of the game is multiplied by every hand you play; the Total Bet box shows not only the number of coins and the denomination you selected, but also applies those numbers to the total hands you are betting on.
Using the earlier example, if you play 10 hands and select the maximum of 5 coins at a €0.10 denomination, you are staking €0.50 per hand, so your total wager is €5.00 per round. If you choose to play 50 hands the stake rises to €25, and at 100 hands it jumps to €50 per round.
If you pick a higher coin value the total bet can increase dramatically; for instance, playing 100 hands with 5 coins at €1 each requires a €500 stake every round. As you can see, certain multi-hand variants can be quite expensive, so players should manage their bet size carefully before they start playing.
Rischi del video poker multi-mano
Losing large sums of money is a significant risk associated with playing online multi-hand video poker variants. This is why such games should be approached with caution: players need a solid understanding of the rules and must be able to adjust their wagers properly according to their bankroll and risk tolerance. There is, however, another risk beyond the purely financial aspect of the game, and it is linked to the theoretical return to player.
Some casino patrons with little video poker experience may be immediately attracted to the low house edge these games offer. The standard and most common version, Jacks or Better, carries a house edge of only 0.46%. By comparison, most casino games run with a house edge over 2%, and the only real exception is blackjack, where the house edge can be around 0.5% or even lower.
Playing multiple hands at once does not change the odds of winning or the house edge. What you gain by choosing a multi-hand version over a single-hand game is the ability to reach the expected return much more quickly. If the house edge is 0.46%, in theory, you can expect to lose €0.46 for every €100 wagered, but that figure is an average applied across thousands or even millions of hands.
You could still end up winning €30 in a real playing session, and the more hands you play, the closer you get to the theoretical expectations. Even though the house edge is indeed very low, it still implies that you are likely to lose in the long run. Trying to rush things is therefore far from ideal.
Cosa cercare in un gioco di video poker
Compared with slots and other casino games based purely on chance, video poker is truly a profitable and exciting alternative. The skill element makes it far more engaging, as every decision you make directly affects the outcome of each round. However, not all video poker variants are the same, and beginners should consider several factors when looking for a good online video poker game.
First, they need to make sure they play at a licensed and reliable casino where payouts are fast and customer support is available around the clock. Then they must confirm that they have chosen the right video poker variant.
Giochi a pagamento pieno (full pay)
Comprendere il rendimento atteso
Modalità demo
Compatibilità con dispositivi mobili
Giochi a pagamento pieno (full pay)
A major advantage of playing video poker online is that you can easily check the return percentages and paytables and compare them with other games on the internet. By examining different payouts, players can quickly notice that there are often variations among video poker games. The paytable we showed above can be found in standard Jacks or Better versions, but many variants offer lower payouts for a Full House and a Flush.
In the standard paytable, these two winning hands pay nine and six times your stake, respectively. Such games are known as full-pay versions, or 9/6 Jacks or Better. Some online casinos, however, offer Jacks or Better that pays 8 to 1 and 5 to 1 for a Full House and a Flush. Called 8/5 Jacks or Better, this game clearly comes with a higher house edge. If that is the only difference, the house edge jumps to 2.70% and the return to player drops to 97.30%, compared with an RTP of 99.54% for a full-pay Jacks or Better.
Comprendere il rendimento atteso
The next factor to consider is the expected return. Also called the expected value, payback percentage, or return to player (RTP), it is the most important metric to look for in any form of gambling. It shows the percentage of stakes that is paid back to players over the long term for a specific game. This figure is theoretical and should not be applied to any real-life gaming session because it holds true only over millions of rounds.
Still, it is generally used to explain how a game performs over time and whether it is worth playing. Players must understand that, realistically, they are likely to lose, as the house always wins in all casino games. That would suggest that all games have an RTP below 100%, yet with optimal strategy, standard Jacks or Better averages 99.54%. Most of the time, the game will display this RTP or a number very close to it.
However, that does not mean every round or session will return that percentage. As noted, the short-term returns of a real session can be very different from the theoretical expectation. Overall, the higher the RTP, the better.
Modalità demo
Players who are just starting with online video poker should also consider playing their preferred variant in demo mode. Nearly every online casino offers its games in this demo format, where you wager virtual credits instead of real money. The rest of the gameplay is identical to the real-money version, which makes demo play an excellent option for beginners who want to practice. They can play as long as they like, try different video poker variants, refine their skills, or test a new strategy.
Compatibilità con dispositivi mobili
Nowadays, mobile compatibility is also a key factor when it comes to online gambling. Most web casinos provide mobile versions of at least some of their games, and before signing up and depositing funds, players should review the operator’s mobile offering. The truth is that casinos usually focus on slots, and only a few provide a solid selection of mobile video poker titles.
Players should also check whether the video poker games can be played directly in their device’s browser or if they need to download a native app. Some casinos offer apps only for iPhone or Android devices. The good news is that these applications are generally free and do not take up much storage space.
Suggerimenti per i principianti
As noted earlier, online video poker does not differ much from its land-based counterpart. The two are almost identical, yet there are some advantages to playing online that everyone should know. People who play video poker on the internet can research and select the best casino and the best available variant. They can also use strategy charts for every possible move and apply a comprehensive bankroll management plan, which is nearly impossible inside a traditional casino.
Usare la strategia ottimale
Traccia il tuo bankroll
Video poker: Cose da fare e da non fare
Usare la strategia ottimale
Casino enthusiasts are well aware that winning can never be guaranteed in gambling. However, using optimal strategy in video poker greatly increases your chances of achieving the theoretical RTP. A “strategy” for this game is simply a set of rules: what to do in every single situation, which cards to hold, and which to discard, depending on the video poker variant you are playing.
In general, players should follow a few basic principles: they should never break up combinations such as a Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Four of a Kind, Full House, or Two Pair. When they have Three of a Kind, they should hold it but discard the other two cards to try for a better hand. In addition, not every winning hand should be kept, and players must know where the exceptions lie. For example, it is usually better to take the risk and break a straight or a flush if you have four cards to a Royal Flush.
Traccia il tuo bankroll
Money management is critical whether you play video poker, slots, or blackjack. Beginners should learn to track their bankroll and use different tactics to make it last as long as possible. This process starts by determining the basic betting unit: dividing the bankroll into 100 units is a common approach, but beginners might prefer to have 1,000 units available for their session. In other words, players with a €1,000 bankroll should not wager more than €1.00 per round.
This approach allows them to absorb losses and keep playing longer even after a losing streak. The idea is to manage the bankroll so that no single loss can be devastating. A rule of thumb many video poker players follow, and one that applies to all forms of gambling, is never play with more money than you can afford to lose. After all, those choosing to play online video poker are probably aiming to make a profit.
To do so, they should select variants with the highest RTP and apply optimal strategy while playing. Having a large bankroll relative to your base betting unit is also very important, as is sticking to lower denominations while wagering the maximum number of coins per round. Beginners should avoid progressive video poker and multi-hand variants and instead focus on slower-paced games with lower variance.
Video poker: Cose da fare e da non fare
- Do: choose the best games and full-pay variants with the highest RTP.
- Don’t: play reduced-value variants such as multi-hand games, progressive video poker, or titles with paytables you have not checked.
- Do: bet the maximum number of coins.
- Don’t: increase the coin denomination unless you can afford it.
- Do: learn the optimal strategy for the video poker variant you are playing.
- Don’t: play video poker without understanding the basics of optimal strategy.
- Do: have a bankroll management plan before you start playing video poker.
- Don’t: play very long sessions or use your credit card to gamble in an attempt to cover big losses.
- Do: be prepared to face substantial losses because gambling always involves risk.
- Don’t: assume that a couple of Royal Flushes will cover heavy losses.
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