One of the most popular online casino games in various parts of the world is undoubtedly roulette, especially with the advent of online casinos. Live dealer and online roulette remain games of interest for many online casino enthusiasts, sometimes leading to video poker often being overlooked. However, that doesn’t take away from the merits of video poker, which this blog will explore further.
What Is Video Poker?
Video poker is a variant of online poker derived from five-card draw poker — one of the world’s most popular casino table games. There are also different types of video poker that you can explore. It’s played on a computerized system that resembles a traditional slot machine. Because of this, some people have dubbed it “poker slots.” However, those who know how to play video poker will tell you it’s not played like other slot games. Find out how video poker ranks up against slot games.
Instead, you get five cards and a chance to choose which ones to keep and which ones to discard. In this type of poker, you can discard all five cards and get entirely new ones. After that, you get new cards to replace the discarded ones, making your final hand. Winnings are awarded according to your final hand.
Some find video poker machine games more entertaining than roulette for several reasons, like better odds, the skill element, and the potentially higher payout.
Let’s look at each of these in more detail below.
What Makes Video Poker Better Than Roulette?
Better Odds
Video poker odds are arguably better than roulette odds because it’s possible to have a higher RTP (return to player). The odds are better in this poker variant than even the safest bets in roulette. If you’re in it for the long run and are hoping to get a bigger payout than what you put in, then you have a better chance of doing so at video poker than roulette.
Potentially Higher Payout
Video poker odds are widely deemed better than roulette’s due to the relatively lower house edge. The house edge, simply put, is the odds advantage in favor of the casino; the lower the house edge is, the better for you as the player and vice versa. Because of the lower house edge, video poker payouts promise to be potentially higher, with variants like Jacks or Better known to have some of the highest-paying bets.
Skill Element
Many casino games are considered games of luck and chance, but some require a certain level of tact and strategy, which is the case with this poker variant. Unlike roulette, where you have no control over the final results, in video poker, you must apply some strategy and thought when deciding which cards to keep and which to let go of.
Although you never really know what you’ll end up with, the fact that you have some sort of influence over the final results makes this poker variant a bit more appealing. With roulette, on the other hand, you have very little to no control. You have to cross your fingers and hope the spin will see the ball landing on the numbers you’ve picked.
How To Play Video Poker More Seriously
Regardless of which game of poker you want to try your hand at, if you’re a beginner, there are always some useful tips that you should keep in mind. If you want to play video poker online and improve your chances of winning (which you have very little control over in roulette), here are a few other things to incorporate into your gameplay if you want to take it seriously.
Pick a Game
There are different types of video poker games that you can find at a casino, which means you can explore them all and ultimately pick the one you want to take seriously. After that, you can focus on developing a winning strategy.
Learn the Strategy
Because there are variants of this type of poker, that also means that the strategies for each differ. Depending on your chosen game, it’s crucial to develop a strategy once you understand the basics of the game. This will increase your chances of winning because you won’t be playing blindly and hoping for the best.
Understand Probabilities
You can gauge your chances of winning a casino game if you understand the probabilities. Take time to familiarize yourself with the potential outcomes in any given scenario.
Practice
The good news is that you can improve your gameplay by taking advantage of demo games to practice. The best way to get better at poker is by taking the time to practice and improve, unlike roulette, which is arguably more of a game of chance.
It’s a Personal Choice
While all the factors above point to video poker as the better game, the truth is that it’s an entirely personal choice at the end of the day. If you enjoy playing roulette more than poker, chances are you will get more entertainment out of it. That’s the great thing about online casinos; there’s something for everyone, and the sheer variety of games means you’ll never run out of options.
Discover Various Types of Poker at Borgata Online
Whether you’re looking to discover more poker variants or want to brush up on your current skills, you can do all this at Borgata Online Casino. To enjoy some of the best online video poker games, live dealer games, variety games slots, and more, register at Borgata Online to immerse yourself in the thrilling world of an online casino.
You can also check out the Borgata Online blog for tips and tricks, like the color that often lands in roulette, game reviews, and much more.