Playtech Video Poker

Design and Graphics

The majority of online video poker versions available today resemble the video poker terminals popularized in land-based casinos in the 1980s and 1990s. Playtech is one of the few studios that have chosen to deviate from these standardized, stereotypical looks, and its video poker games are unique, at least visually. They feature improved graphics, bright colors, and decorative details that you would be hard-pressed to find elsewhere.

Bet Size and Limits

The video poker variations from Playtech come with fixed limits that players should consider. Bets range from €0.01 to €50 per hand in single-play games, while the maximum amount that can be wagered in the Double Up/Gamble feature is €5,000. Players can choose from various coin denominations that may differ from one game to another. In most video poker versions, however, the coins are available in the following sizes: €0.01, €0.10, €0.50, €1.00, €2.00, and €5.00.

Main Buttons

The layout and interface of the games are highly interactive, making them easy to play even for novices. Several primary buttons let players control every aspect of the game: the plus and minus buttons at the bottom-left corner adjust the coin denomination, while the Bet 1 button selects the number of coins to wager.

The Bet Max button places the highest allowed bet (€50 in single-hand games) and automatically deals the 5 cards. The central Deal button distributes the initial hand and the second set of cards in each round.

Gamble Feature

Most Playtech video poker versions include a Gamble feature, available after every winning round. When players click the Gamble button they see two options, Double or Double Half, allowing them to risk all or half of their winnings. The feature reveals the dealer’s face-up card and four face-down cards.

Players pick one of the face-down cards. If the chosen card is higher than the dealer’s, they win and double the staked amount. If it is lower, they forfeit the winnings from the current round and return to the main screen. Players may choose Double or Double Half as many times as they keep winning. There is, however, a cap on winnings from the Gamble feature, usually €2,000 or €5,000.

Multi-Hand Play

Playtech also offers a wide range of multi-hand video poker games, most of which are versions of Jacks or Better. Depending on the title, players can choose to bet on 4, 10, 25, 50, or 100 hands simultaneously. Some variations feature a fixed number of hands, so players should verify this before betting.

• Aces & Faces 4 Hands
• Aces & Faces 10 Hands
• Deuces Wild 4 Line
• Jacks or Better 50 Line
• Jacks or Better Multi-Hand
• Joker Poker 50 Line
• Pick’em Poker Multihand

Customizable Settings

In terms of graphics and options, video poker is simpler than other casino games such as slots or roulette. It is also less customizable, so there is not much you can change or add. Still, Playtech allows players to skip the intro video or splash screen available in some games. Standard settings also include toggling game sounds on or off and adjusting the volume.

Deuces Wild

Playtech’s Deuces Wild features an appealing Wild West design. All Deuces (the four Twos) are wild and can substitute in winning hands. Players can wager between €0.05 and €5.00 per round, and the Double Up limit is €100. Unlike the classic video poker format, the lowest winning combination here is Three of a Kind, which pays even money. Full House and Four of a Kind pay 4 to 1. These changes result in a lower RTP of 98.91% for 5-coin play or 97.69% when fewer coins are staked.

Jacks or Better Multi-Hand

This is one of the most visually appealing video poker variations available. It offers crisp graphics, a straightforward layout, and fast gameplay, while its multi-hand format lets players opt for a safer style or pursue something more challenging. They can choose 1, 4, 10, 25, or 50 hands and then select both the number of coins and the coin denomination. In the Gamble feature, the maximum amount that can be won is €5,000.

Jacks or Better Multi-Hand is easy to play and adheres to the standard rules of video poker, making it perfect for beginners. Playing multiple hands simultaneously is certainly more exciting, but players should remember that this version includes reduced payouts for certain hands. Consequently, its theoretical return to player is only 97.30%, the same as single-zero roulette.

2 Ways Royal

2 Ways Royal is one of Playtech’s most distinctive video poker variations. With an RTP of 99.79%, it is also the studio’s most profitable title. The game stands out because it features two types of Royal Flush hands: the regular Hi Royal Flush and a Lo Royal Flush that pays the same. The Lo Royal Flush consists of 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 of the same suit. Below are the payouts for all hands based on 1-coin play. Both Royal Flushes pay 4,000 coins when players bet 5 coins.

• Hi Royal Flush – 250 coins
• Lo Royal Flush – 250 coins
• Straight Flush – 50 coins
• Four of a Kind – 40 coins
• Full House – 6 coins
• Flush – 5 coins
• Straight – 4 coins
• Three of a Kind – 3 coins
• Two Pair – 2 coins
• Jacks or Better – 1 coin

Aces and Faces Multi-Hand

This is another Playtech video poker variation that lets you play with multiple hands at once. Players can activate 1, 4, 10, or 25 hands, and the bet per hand ranges from €0.01 to €50.00. Please note that players cannot select the coin denomination and the number of coins separately.

The game is always played with a single coin, but the payout for a Royal Flush is significantly higher than usual: it is 800 to 1 instead of 250 to 1. Full House and Flush pay less, at 8 and 5 coins respectively. Because this is an Aces and Faces game, there are bonus payouts for four Aces and for four Jacks, Queens, or Kings, paying 80:1 and 40:1. Other Four of a Kind hands pay 25:1. The game’s average return is a solid 99.26%.

All American

All American features excellent graphics and a patriotic theme highlighted by the Statue of Liberty, the US Constitution, and the national flag in the background. Bets range from €0.05 to €25 per round, and the Double Up limit is €2,000. The game is very similar to standard Jacks or Better, except for its paytable, as the payouts for many hands differ, which affects the RTP. The return is 99.37%. Here is the paytable for this engaging version of video poker:

• Royal Flush – 250 coins
• Straight Flush – 200 coins
• Four of a Kind – 34 coins
• Full House – 8 coins
• Flush – 8 coins
• Straight – 8 coins
• Three of a Kind – 3 coins
• Two Pair – 1 coin
• Jacks or Better – 1 coin

Joker Poker

Joker Poker by Playtech is a compelling video poker variation recommended for experienced players who can adjust their strategy to a modified paytable. The paytable differs because of the addition of a Joker to the standard deck. The Joker is wild and substitutes for any other card in winning combinations.

This inclusion creates two extra hands: a Joker Royal Flush, which pays 100:1, and a Five of a Kind, which pays 200:1. The Natural Royal Flush pays even more at 750:1 on a 1-coin play. The game offers an RTP of 98.60% when played with the maximum 5 coins.

MegaJacks

MegaJacks is undoubtedly one of Playtech’s most exciting video poker versions. The reason is simple: the game features a progressive jackpot that is hit regularly, roughly every two or three weeks. The jackpot is awarded to players who land a Royal Flush while betting 5 coins.

The rest of the game follows the classic Jacks or Better format and even uses the same 9/6 paytable, which is rare for a progressive jackpot title. Typical progressive video poker games offer lower payouts, so compared with them, Playtech’s MegaJacks is hit more frequently and is generally more profitable. The RTP varies with the size of the jackpot and drops to 97.56% at its lowest point.