If you are interested in bigger rewards, you should definitely give progressive video poker a try. It is just as fun as the regular Jacks or Better variant, but it provides a huge jackpot for players who manage to land a Royal Flush or another specific hand.
If you enjoy playing progressive slots, you should give progressive video poker a go. The difference between the two casino games is that, with video poker, players can actually affect the outcome of the game through their decisions. This automatically gives you a better chance of winning the growing reward for the highest-paying hand.
There are several things you should know before tackling the next progressive video poker machine you see at the casino or at an online gaming site. If you come across a variation of video poker that offers a progressive jackpot, do not waste your time; give the game a try. Compared to other casino options, video poker is definitely one of the best games that give you the opportunity to sweep a generous progressive jackpot.
Understanding Progressive Video Poker
The majority of progressive video poker variations will award the highest payout for a Royal Flush, but some versions may give the jackpot to players who manage to form a Straight Flush or a special type of Four of a Kind.
You will notice that the payouts for Full House and Flush are lower with progressive video poker variants. This is why, compared with the 9/6 payout of full-pay Jacks or Better, you will see that a Full House pays 8 to 1 and a Flush pays 5 to 1 when a progressive jackpot is included in the game.
One of the most advantageous aspects of progressive video poker is that as the progressive jackpot increases, the house edge drops, giving players a bigger advantage. In fact, at a certain point, the progressive reward can reach a point where the scales tilt in favor of the player, giving them an edge over the casino. This would mean that even if you are playing an 8/5 Jacks or Better with a progressive jackpot, at a certain point you can enjoy the same expected return as the one offered by the 9/6 full-pay variant.
As more players test their luck and skills on progressive video poker games, the prize increases with every failed attempt to land a Royal Flush or another hand that awards the jackpot.
Progressive Video Poker Additional TipsThe progressive jackpot can be won only if you bet the maximum number of coins, which is usually 5. Whether you are playing at a land-based casino or online, the progressive game you are betting on will be connected to a few other machines or games that share the same progressive jackpot. This is why the payout for the jackpot is rapidly changing and increasing due to the players who have contributed their bets.
While it is true that the payout of a progressive variant can match that of full-pay options, this does not mean you can use the same strategy for both variations. This is because progressive video poker offers lower payouts for the other hands, which gives the game a higher variance. Naturally, this requires a different video poker strategy to optimize your winnings.
With progressive video poker, there is also a “reset” moment. This is the point at which someone has won the jackpot for a Royal Flush and the meter of the cumulative reward starts increasing again. The starting point of the progressive jackpot is usually the standard payout for a Royal Flush on non-progressive video poker games.
Many progressive video poker machines are equipped with a 1% meter, which means that for every $1 players stake on the game, 1% of their wager is added to the progressive jackpot. This, however, is not necessarily the case with all progressive video poker games.
What is the Benefit of Playing Video Poker?
In most other casino games the house edge cannot be overcome, and players try to gain an advantage by claiming various promotions and incentives, but the video poker experience is quite different. When you play certain variations of video poker, you can gain a significant advantage, and even more so because if you play a progressive variant, the house edge continues to drop as the cumulative jackpot increases.
One of the most important tips for new video poker players is to always bet the maximum amount of coins. This is why betting on progressive variations makes sense, as you stand to receive an even larger payout if you form a Royal Flush. While the payout for other hands can be lower, video poker games with a progressive jackpot can definitely turn the tables and offer players a better advantage because the payout for a Royal Flush is constantly increasing.
While other casino games also offer progressive jackpots, those who chase the cumulative prize in video poker have a better chance of enjoying a fruitful outcome. As you already know, the player’s decisions play a huge role in the outcome of the game, so there is a great opportunity to form a Royal Flush when you use the right strategy. While chasing the progressive payout, you can still enjoy solid rewards for lower hands, but only if you apply the proper strategy. If you have already mastered that strategy and have chosen a progressive video poker game with generous payouts, you can definitely revel in fruitful gambling even if you do not win the jackpot.
The Odds of Winning a Progressive Jackpot on Video Poker
Since, generally speaking, the progressive jackpot on most video poker variations is won for a Royal Flush, it is obvious that the odds of hitting the jackpot are not that high. If you are wondering, we will let you know that the chances of landing this rare hand are estimated to be 1 in every 45,000 hands.
Of course, your chances are slim, but it is no surprise that the casino awards the progressive prize for this hand. If you happen to land a Royal Flush, however, you have the opportunity to boost your gaming balance by a significant amount of money.
One particularly attractive feature of video poker is that some variations have a very low house edge, and when one uses the right strategy, they can actually gain an advantage over the casino. Not only will you have the chance to improve your odds by using the perfect strategy, but with progressive video poker you will notice that the house edge decreases as the jackpot becomes higher.
There is one thing you should not underestimate when choosing the progressive video poker game you want to play, and that is the meter rise. As mentioned earlier, many machines use the 1% meter; however, there are some variations whose progressive jackpots increase at a faster pace. For instance, 5/6 Jacks or Better is one of the worst-paying variations of the game, with a payout of only 6 to 1 for a Full House and 5 to 1 for a Flush, and its expected return is estimated at 94.99%. However, when you add a 4.5% meter to the game, it becomes one of the best progressive video poker options you can play.
The Odds of Winning a Progressive Jackpot on Video Poker Additional TipsThe amount of the meter rise on a progressive video poker machine can be determined easily when no one is playing the game. If you make a bet of $10, you should take a look at the difference in the jackpot following your contribution. After that, simply divide the size of the progression by the size of the bet you have made. Let us assume that the progressive jackpot has increased by ¢10 after your wager of $10. When you divide 0.10 by 10, you will get 1%, which will be the meter rate.
The great thing about progressive video poker games is that they do not have a fixed RTP, and the bigger the jackpot becomes, the better your chances of sweeping a massive win.
When You Should Play Progressive Video Poker?
Keeping in mind that the house edge of progressive video poker games is constantly changing, it is clear that there are certain times when it is more beneficial to refrain from playing. While with jackpot slots it is not possible to determine when the expected value (EV) has surpassed 100%, the experience with progressive video poker is completely different.
You should know that when the jackpot is close to the typical payout for a Royal Flush, the EV of the game is below 100%, and it is not worth playing. The standard payout for Royal Flush on Jacks or Better is 4,000 credits for staking 5 coins, and even if the payout on a progressive variation has reached 6,000 credits, the EV still has not surpassed 100%.
By knowing the “break-even” point, you can determine the best time to play a particular progressive video poker game. Simply put, this is the moment when the expected return reaches 100%, and playing before the break-even point is simply not beneficial for you.
If you come across a progressive variant of 9/6 Jacks or Better with a denomination of ¢25, the break-even point is around $1,220.00, while for the 9/5 variant a 100% EV is achieved with a jackpot of $1,696.00. More often than not, the progressive version of Jacks or Better offers a payout of 8 to 1 for a Full House and 5 to 1 for a Flush. In this case, the break-even point is at a jackpot of $2,166.50. The moment when the EV reaches 100% on a ¢25 Double Double Bonus machine with a 9/6 payout is at a jackpot of $1,460.50. The 9/5 variant reaches the break-even point at $1,943.75, while for the 8/5 Double Double Bonus machine the EV is at 100% when the jackpot is $2,378.75. It is obvious that if the progressive reward is below these points, it is really not worth playing the game.
Tips to Know When Playing Progressive Video Poker
If you are ready to play progressive video poker, you might want to keep a few tips in mind. They will help you enjoy a rewarding outcome whenever you embark on such gambling adventures.
One of the first things to do is check whether a game is worth playing at the moment. For this, you will have to check the current jackpot of the specific video poker game and determine whether it has reached its break-even point. On the same note, you should also be careful not to wait too long.
While you are advised to start playing progressive video poker when the jackpot has come close to its break-even point, you should also remember that you are not the only player paying attention to the cumulative prize. This is why you should be careful not to miss your chance to play before the “reset” of the meter.
If you are determined to start playing progressive video poker at a certain payout for a Royal Flush, then you have to be ready to set a bigger budget. Before you start betting your money, you should be well aware of your funds and determine how much you are willing to spend. One of the most important things is to set a spending limit and stick to it. While you might hit the jackpot after just a few hands, you may also play more hands than anticipated. This is why it is important to have a budget that will allow you to pursue the progressive reward.
One thing you need to keep in mind is that you will have to switch your strategy as the progressive jackpot increases. As mentioned earlier, as the cumulative payout becomes larger, the house edge drops and you have a better chance to land a Royal Flush. This means that your strategy also needs to shift more toward making a Royal Flush rather than another hand.
Popular Progressive Video Poker Games
While you may encounter various video poker games that offer progressive jackpots, there are several we think will provide the needed level of excitement and enough opportunities for landing the massive payout.
Jacks or Better 10 Lines
One very intriguing game in this genre is the multiline variant of Jacks or Better powered by Playtech. It allows you to bet on 10 lines at the same time, and on top of that, it offers a generous progressive jackpot that can boost your gaming balance significantly. This is a 9/6 variant of Jacks or Better, which means that the payout for a Full House is 9 to 1, while a Flush pays 6 to 1. If you are lucky enough to land a Royal Flush on the initial draw, you will enjoy the progressive reward of the game. In addition to the chance to hit a generous jackpot, playing with 10 hands at once allows you to enjoy great payouts even for lower-valued hands. The game flaunts a simple yet fun design, and it incorporates various features to make your video poker experience even more fruitful. There is also the option to double up on your winning hands and choose to pursue better hands.
| Jacks or Better 10 Lines | |
|---|---|
| Provider | Playtech |
| Bet Limits | €0.25 – N/A |
| Number of Hands | 10 hands |
| Average RTP | 98.1% |
| Average Jackpot Size | €9,515 |
| Chances of Winning the Jackpot | 1 in 40,172 |
| Seed Amount | €1,000 |
| Winning Criteria for Jackpot | Royal Flush on the Jackpot hand |
SupaJax Video Poker
This is a rather interesting variation of video poker that offers players a wonderful progressive jackpot. It is powered by Microgaming and has a certain appeal that will definitely attract fans of the game. It incorporates 53 cards, adding the “SupaJax” as a wild card. The progressive prize is given when a player lands a Four of a Kind with four Jacks and the SupaJax as the fifth card.
In order to be eligible to receive the progressive jackpot, you must bet the maximum amount of coins, which is 5. This will automatically decrease the house edge to a negative percentage, giving you an advantage over the casino. As you know, the higher the progressive jackpot is, the lower the house edge becomes. If you want to make sure that you are playing SupaJax Video Poker after the break-even point, you need to ensure that the payout for the special Four of a Kind with a SupaJax is 52,400 coins.
Another great feature of the game is that you have the chance to make a Double or Nothing bet every time you land a winning hand on the initial draw. If you take the risk, you will have to beat the dealer’s card, which will allow you to double your previous win.
| SupaJax | |
|---|---|
| Provider | Microgaming |
| Bet Limits | €1 |
| Number of Hands | 1 |
| Average RTP | 94.9% |
| Average Jackpot Size | €49,795 |
| Chances of Winning the Jackpot | 1 in 109,510 |
| Seed Amount | €5,000 |
| Winning Criteria for Jackpot | Four Jacks and the SupaJax card |
Jackpot Deuces
Yet another progressive video poker variation from Microgaming is Jackpot Deuces, which is based on the rules of Deuces Wild. Here, the deuces act as wild cards, substituting any rank or suit. This is a great opportunity to form a winning hand more easily and enjoy great payouts. In addition to that, you can grab a generous progressive jackpot if you form a Royal Flush. There is, however, the condition that it has to be a Natural Royal Flush, meaning there should be no deuces and the hand’s suit must be diamonds.
You will have to make a maximum bet in order to be eligible to win the progressive jackpot. Having the deuces act as wilds, however, has made some changes to the paytable, and the lowest-paying hand is Three of a Kind. That being said, thanks to the wild cards, even if you do not form a diamond Royal Flush, you can still receive generous payouts for other winning hands. This is why Jackpot Deuces is a progressive video poker game that is definitely worth playing.
| Jackpot Deuces | |
|---|---|
| Provider | Microgaming |
| Bet Limits | €1 – €5 |
| Number of Hands | 1 |
| Average RTP | 96.5% |
| Average Jackpot Size | €35,062 |
| Chances of Winning the Jackpot | 1 in 176,672 |
| Seed Amount | €5,000 |
| Winning Criteria for Jackpot | Natural Royal Flush |