For thousands of players around the world, video poker is a relatively simple, highly lucrative, and very exciting way to gamble. While the game appeared in the mid-1970s, it gained popularity over the next couple of decades as it evolved into more modern variations and more diverse formats. Today, mobile gambling has grown into a multimillion-dollar industry, and a large part of this success can be attributed to mobile video poker and the fact that more and more casino players prefer to open their favorite games directly from their phones and tablets.
Video poker is an interesting hybrid between simple, random machine games and the much more complex game of poker, which requires a lot of skill and knowledge to win. Playing video poker, however, is not as difficult and offers higher returns compared with other automated casino games such as slots. Placing bets from a mobile device is even easier and makes gambling not only entertaining but also a comfortable and convenient activity that is no longer limited to traditional brick-and-mortar facilities or desktop-compatible online casinos. Today, you can have your favorite casino games, whether slots, video poker, or table games, in the palm of your hand. Moreover, you can place bets anytime and anywhere.
A large number of video poker games are available to mobile players, and there is hardly any difference from the traditional video poker gameplay. Versions such as Jacks or Better and Deuces Wild translate seamlessly to touchscreens and smaller devices thanks to their originally virtual nature. Mechanical poker machines also existed around the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, but they were precursors to slot machines rather than to video poker games, which appeared much later. Most players will find it extremely easy to navigate the mobile casino sites and the many apps that are being developed specifically for gambling on portable devices.
Some of the largest casino software developers are creating special mobile versions of their games. Other titles are built so that they can run on almost any platform and can be opened from any desktop or portable device. The number of mobile video poker games is constantly growing, and today you can find dozens, even hundreds, of video poker variations for mobile devices.
Joker Wild Video Poker Gameplay
Benefits of Playing Video Poker on Mobile
Playing video poker on a mobile phone or tablet is not that different from playing while sitting in front of a computer screen. It does, however, come with a number of benefits. It is far easier and more convenient to enjoy a game during a long commute, for instance, than to wait until you get home so you can play. It is also much simpler than actually going to a local casino or a gaming room. In many regions of the world, gambling facilities are illegal or have age-related or other restrictions. Online and mobile gambling, on the other hand, are permitted as long as you are playing at a legal, fully licensed online casino. But there is more to mobile play than just accessibility and convenience.
Many casino players spend hours on their favorite games when playing at a traditional desktop gambling site, not to mention those who wager all their money at land-based casinos. Playing slots and video poker can easily become a routine activity, and you can lose yourself in the enthralling music of the slot machines, the bright lights of the games, and the dark atmosphere of the casino. Gambling sites are designed in a similar way, and they can cloud your judgment and make you lose track of time. Mobile play helps prevent this, especially if you are playing on the go.
More Benefits of Playing Video Poker on MobileThe only thing mobile users should keep in mind when playing video poker is that they need to stay focused during their session. Unlike slot games, video poker is more than a game of chance, and to win you need to know the basic principles and follow the game. Failing to stick to the proper strategy for the particular video poker variation you are playing usually results in long-term losses.
Because of the limitations of mobile technology, mobile games tend to have lower-quality graphics than the versions available on desktop websites. However, video poker games are traditionally less graphically intense than video slots, since video poker is essentially played with only cards. There is no need for complex designs, high-quality animations, or 3D effects like those found in modern slots. As a result, most mobile video poker games are just as good and visually appealing as their desktop counterparts. In fact, their graphics are remarkable, especially considering that this technology was not available even a decade or two ago.
Mobile Video Poker Technology
In recent years, mobile technology has advanced so dramatically that we no longer need traditional computers for many daily activities, internet browsing, or entertainment. Mobile phones and tablets are now used for shopping, watching movies, social networking, and yes, gambling. Today’s portable devices have far more processing power and storage space and come with more advanced software than ever before. For this reason, casinos are able to offer their games on mobile devices.
There are two ways to play mobile video poker: through a mobile application or on the mobile-enabled site of a casino. In the beginning, online casinos offered only mobile versions of their sites, which performed poorly and included only basic features and a handful of games. With the development of native applications, video poker players can now enjoy better graphics, impressive sound effects, and a truly personalized experience.
Most apps are available for iOS devices and can be downloaded from the App Store, but some casinos also create applications for Android phones and tablets. Unlike iOS apps, Android applications are usually not found in the official Google Play Store because the company has a restrictive policy regarding gambling-related apps. They can, however, be installed directly from casino websites and are completely free. Users of Windows-powered phones, on the other hand, can play mobile games only in-browser.
Screen Fit and Touch Technology
One of the most important things for online casino operators is to ensure their pages display correctly across all devices and screen sizes. If not done properly, resizing may produce pages that are much larger than the screen of an average smartphone, which is around six inches.
Difference with Desktop Video Poker
The way you interact with mobile video poker games is quite similar to the traditional play in land-based casinos or online while sitting on a desktop computer. The reason for this is that originally, video poker was created as a virtual game, not a physical or a mechanical one, as it was with the first slot machines.
Gaming Experience
As mentioned above, playing video poker on a smartphone or tablet does not differ significantly from the desktop gaming experience. The goal remains the same: the player needs to win by getting the best hand possible with the five cards that are dealt. There are two draws, and after the first one the player chooses which cards to hold and which to change.
Screen Fit Additional TipsThere are also casino sites that, when opened on a portable device, display smaller text instead of being “shrunk to fit.” This is a common challenge online casinos face when moving to mobile.
Another characteristic of mobile casinos is that they are compatible with devices that have touchscreen capabilities. For many players, it is much easier to place bets from a touchscreen, where they can control all in-game features with a swipe of their fingers. Although this technology is relatively young, it has already gone through many improvements. Today, you can do practically everything from the display of your phone, whether shopping, reading, or playing casino games.
More Differences with Desktop Video PokerMoreover, you will find the same variations of video poker in brick-and-mortar facilities, on desktops, and on mobile devices. While there is no difference in the gameplay between mobile and desktop video poker, the graphics are not always equally good when you play on a handheld device. Screen size is certainly a factor, but the truth is that video poker generally does not feature complex graphics or elaborate animations. These games look rather simple compared with many modern video slots, which are much more colorful, complex, and interactive. As a result, mobile games often provide almost the same smooth, pleasant user experience that you would normally get when playing on a computer.
Gaming Experience Additional TipsAfter a new set of cards is dealt, the computer determines whether you have a winning hand. One thing every new player will notice immediately when opening a video poker game on a handheld device is that it automatically adjusts its size to the screen. In most cases, there is an auto-rotate feature, whether this function is activated on your phone or not. Usually, the Casino Lobby link and any menus appear as compact buttons in one of the corners of the screen so that you can enjoy the game more comfortably and without distractions.
Mobile Video Poker Casinos
Many modern online casinos offer their customers native mobile apps that are designed specifically for one purpose: playing on smartphones and tablets. Compared with mobile-compatible casino websites, these apps tend to perform better and include more interactive features and a larger number of games. This is not true for all mobile sites, however, as some are built with mobile use in mind. Such optimization is immediately noticeable because the site design resembles an application, featuring larger icons, easy Sign In/Register buttons, and more convenient menus.
Mobile Video Poker Casinos Additional TipsWhen choosing a mobile casino for video poker, players need to consider several things. Functionality is among the most important, along with security and user-friendliness. Before registering an account at a particular casino, players should choose a mobile site or application that offers a wide variety of games. In most cases, you will be able to play around a hundred slots, several video poker titles, and casino classics such as roulette, blackjack, and poker. Below, we have compiled a list of some of the safest and most convenient mobile casinos for real-money video poker.









