If you are an avid virtual casino player, you have probably come across numerous tournaments featuring different casino games. Slots and classic table games are common options that can be played in tournaments where many players compete. That said, when playing online, you might also come across video poker tournaments.
If you are wondering about the difference between video poker and other casino games, keep in mind that in video poker, skill plays a major role in the outcome of betting. This is why tournaments where players bet on video poker are slightly different from other casino events, as participants can use strategies and significantly improve their winning chances.
There are several types of tournaments that fans of the game can find online. Depending on the games included in the tournament, players can also utilize strategies that will help them snag great prizes.
The Basics of Video Poker Tournaments
To participate in video poker sweepstakes, you need to know the elements that make up such tournaments. Although this is not always the case, more often than not, players must pay a certain sum to enter the tournament. This sum is known as the buy-in and allows you to compete in the video poker sweepstakes organized by the casino where you play. The buy-in might be around $22, where $20 contributes to the prize pool and $2 is the surcharge you pay to the casino.
The reason why many casino members are tempted to participate in video poker tournaments is the prize pools that are offered. There are two types of prize pools that a video poker tourney may offer. The first one is a guaranteed prize pool, and, as its name suggests, it offers a set prize the winner is guaranteed to receive. It is announced before the tournament begins and does not change during the event. The second type of prize pool seen in video poker tournaments is variable. Its amount depends on the number of players who have bought into the event.
Video Poker Tournaments Additional TipsThere is a clear difference between the two types of prize pools. If you join a tourney with a guaranteed prize, the casino is responsible for covering any amount needed to reach the originally stated prize pool. Let us assume that a certain virtual casino has stated that the prize pool for the video poker tournament is $4,000. If the prize pool has reached only $3,200, the remaining $800 will be covered by the casino.
As stated earlier, the variable prize pool depends on the number of players who have bought into the tournament. For instance, if 300 participants have paid a $20+$2 buy-in, then the prize pool will be $6,000 (300 × $20).
Just as with other casino tournaments, in video poker events, the prizes for the top players are the most rewarding. A simple example of the distribution of a prize pool of $5,000 can be:
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st place | $2,500 |
| 2nd place | $1,250 |
| 3rd place | $750 |
| 4th place | $500 |
Every video poker enthusiast knows that there are numerous variants of the game, which is why many different video poker options can be included in casino tournaments. While this is true, the three most commonly used games are Deuces Wild, Double Bonus, and Jacks or Better. Most players are familiar with the rules and gameplay of these three variations.
Formats of Video Poker Tournaments
The two common formats familiar to video poker players are timed and hand-based tournaments. The first format includes sweepstakes that last for a set period determined in advance. Winners are the players with the highest score at the end of the tournament.
A typical example of a timed tournament would be an event where players are given 1,000 credits to use within a 20-minute time limit. Every time they play a hand, they stake 5 credits. A meter reflects the amount players gain with every winning combination. Credits that are not used do not count toward the points players have won. Therefore, the best scenario is to use all, or as many as possible, of the 1,000 credits within the set timeframe.
Formats of Video Poker Tournaments – Additional TipsThe difference with hand-based tournaments is that players are restricted not by time but by the number of hands they bet on. Here, winners are the players with the highest score after the limited number of hands have been played. For example, if the maximum number of hands during the tournament is capped at 400, the tourney ends once all participants have played 400 hands.
Usually, most virtual casinos use the time-based format for their video poker tournaments, but you can still come across gaming sites that use the hand-based format. It should be noted that some tournaments can last several days, which means that players must continue buying into the tourney to increase their scores and, hopefully, rank in the top positions.
Types of Video Poker Tournaments
Earlier, we mentioned that players must pay a buy-in to participate in video poker tournaments. However, there are also other types of tourneys that function differently.
Buy-In Video Poker Tournaments
Buy-in tournaments are quite common at online casinos because they allow the casino to earn money from video poker players. When players buy into a tournament, they pay a surcharge; this additional fee goes directly to the casino. Compared to a standard game of video poker, buy-in tournaments have the advantage that you risk only the sum you paid to participate if you do not win. In a typical game of video poker, there is no limit to the amount you can lose. Of course, you may decide to buy into tournaments several times, which would mean the potential loss of more funds.
Usually, there are two types of buy-in tournaments you can encounter while playing online. The first includes an additional fee to the sum you pay to enter. For example, if the buy-in is $20 + $2, the $2 is the surcharge for the casino, and the $20 contributes to the prize pool. Alternatively, you might see a no-fee buy-in tournament. In that case, you pay only the amount needed to join, and 100% of your buy-in counts toward the prize pool.
Freerolls
This type of tournament does not require players to pay any money to participate. However, the prize pool for such tourneys is often not very impressive. Virtual casinos generally organize two types of freerolls. The first is an open tournament, which means any player can join and play video poker hoping to rank first. The benefit of this type of freeroll is that you can build your bankroll without risking your own funds. Since it is an open tournament, virtually anyone can join, so your chances of winning are slim because there will be many participants.
You may also come across a freeroll tournament that allows only players with a certain number of loyalty points. This is a much better option because you compete against fewer contestants and have better chances of winning the video poker event. The only catch is that you must earn a specific number of loyalty points before you can join the tourney.
Invitation Video Poker Events
The third type of video poker tournament found at interactive casinos is accessible only to an exclusive group of players. These events usually accept players with a certain VIP status who have received an exclusive invitation.
In a way, invitation events are very similar to loyalty freerolls because you compete against fewer players. However, you need to play for a long time and earn loyalty points to advance in the virtual casino’s VIP club.
Strategies You Can Use in Video Poker Tournaments
You might think that once you have mastered the strategy for a certain video poker game, you can easily use the same tactic in a tournament. However, that would leave you with slim chances of winning, and you would likely be disappointed by the result. Before you join a video poker event, it is important to know how to act, what details to consider, and which strategy can increase your chances of a massive win.
While the strategies we discuss can be used in timed tournaments, it is better to apply them in a hand-based video poker event. Players pressured to play quickly tend to make more mistakes and cannot fully benefit from perfect strategy.
A specific aspect of video poker tournaments is that players have either a limited time or a limited number of hands to play. This scenario requires a different strategy that maximizes winning chances. When you join a timed or hand-based event, it is best to use a strategy that favors high-paying hands. One option is the royals-only strategy, which is even more extreme, holding only hands that may lead to a Royal Flush.
If you choose the royals-only strategy, it does not matter which video poker variation you play in the tournament. If you opt for a strategy that also targets other high-paying hands, you must adjust your play according to the paytable of the chosen variation.
These are the high-paying hands for some popular video poker variations:
| Jacks or Better | |
|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 4,000 |
| Straight Flush | 250 |
| Four of a Kind | 125 |
| Bonus Poker | |
|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 4,000 |
| Four Aces | 400 |
| Straight Flush | 250 |
| Four 2s, 3s, or 4s | 200 |
| Four 5s through Ks | 125 |
| Double Bonus Poker | |
|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 4,000 |
| Four Aces | 800 |
| Four 2s, 3s, or 4s | 400 |
| Four 5s through Ks | 250 |
| Straight Flush | 250 |
| Double Double Bonus Poker | |
|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 4,000 |
| Four Aces with 2, 3, or 4 | 2,000 |
| Four 2s, 3s, or 4s with A, 2, 3, or 4 | 800 |
| Four Aces | 800 |
| Four 2s, 3s, or 4s | 400 |
| Four 5s through Ks | 250 |
| Straight Flush | 250 |
| Triple Double Bonus Poker | |
|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 4,000 |
| Four Aces | 1,200 |
| Four 2s, 3s, or 4s | 600 |
| Four 5s through Ks | 375 |
| Straight Flush | 250 |
Royal and Straight Flushes Only Strategy
If you wish to play for Royals and Straight Flushes, the appropriate strategy is as follows:
| Hand | Decision |
|---|---|
| Royal Flush | keep the hand |
| Straight Flush | keep the hand |
| Four cards to a Royal Flush | draw one card |
| Four cards to a Straight Flush | draw one card |
| Three cards to a Royal Flush | draw two cards |
| Three cards to a Straight Flush | draw two cards |
| J and 10, Q and J, Q and 10, K and Q, K and J, or K and 10 of the same suit | draw three cards |
| Two cards of an open Straight Flush | draw three cards |
| A and K, A and Q, A and J, or A and 10 of the same suit | draw three cards |
| Any two cards to a Straight Flush (one gap) | draw three cards |
| Any two cards to a Straight Flush (two gaps) | draw three cards |
| Any two cards to a Straight Flush (three gaps) | draw three cards |
| A, K, Q, or J | draw four cards |
This strategy is a bit more complicated, which is why it may be difficult to use in timed tournaments where you must play at a fast pace.
Royals, Straight Flushes, and Four of a Kind Strategy
Depending on the video poker game being played, you might also want to include Four of a Kind among the hands you aim for during the tournament. In that case, the strategy chart ranks the hands as follows:
| Hand | Decision |
|---|---|
| Royal Flush | keep the hand |
| Straight Flush | keep the hand |
| Four of a Kind | keep the hand |
| Four cards to a Royal Flush | draw one card |
| Four cards to a Straight Flush | draw one card |
| Three of a Kind | draw two cards |
| Three cards to a Royal Flush | draw two cards |
| Three cards of an open Straight Flush | draw two cards |
| Three cards of an inside Straight Flush (one gap) | draw two cards |
| Any pair | draw three cards |
| Two cards to a Royal Flush | draw three cards |
| Three cards to a Straight Flush (two gaps) | draw two cards |
| Two cards of an open Straight Flush | draw three cards |
| Jack | draw four cards |
| Two cards of an inside Straight Flush (one gap) | draw three cards |
| Q or A | draw four cards |
| Two cards of an inside Straight Flush (two gaps) | draw three cards |
Obviously, this strategy is even more complex, which explains why it is not very suitable for timed tournaments. However, if you are joining a hand-based video poker event, you can definitely improve your winning chances by using the strategy charts above.
Conclusion
As with other casino tournaments, video poker events provide players with the opportunity to compete against other contestants and possibly win a generous prize. Regarding rules, you will probably play one of the three most popular video poker variations: Jacks or Better, Bonus Poker, or Deuces Wild. This means the gameplay is familiar, and you will have no issue participating in such a tournament. The one thing you must change, however, is the strategy you use.
Since there are different formats and types of video poker tournaments, you must know what type of event the online casino has set up. That way, you will know whether you can use the right strategy and how many contestants you will face.
Before you join a tourney, check whether you are allowed to participate, whether there is a buy-in you must pay, and what the format of the event will be. These factors will tell you whether it is worth playing and if you will have good chances of ranking first.