Evolution Brings Video Poker to Live Casino: Let’s Learn the Basics

Evolution didn’t get to their current level on brand name alone. Instead, the company relies on its innovative team to create live casino games no other software provider offers. That has given Evolution a twofold advantage. It made the developer the #1 name in live casinos and gave them the experience to produce new ingenious titles.

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These trump cards ensured the team was uniquely capable of making Video Poker, a live casino version of a popular classic. The game provides card holding and playing multiple hands while still retaining a real-world host. Join us as we explore how Evolution translated the darling of online casinos to a live dealer title.

The Basics of Video Poker

Evolution’s Video Poker uses a single 52-card deck, reshuffled at the start of every round. The goal of the game is to make the best five-card poker hand. You’re dealt five cards at the beginning and can choose to hold on to one or more of them. Cards you do not hold will be swapped out.

Those with prior video poker experience may ask what rules Evolution’s title uses. As it turns out, the developer leaves that choice in your hands. It defaults to the Jacks or Better paytable, but you can pick four other options. They are Tens or Better, Deuces Wild, Bonus Poker, and Double Double Bonus. All five paytables have an 800x top prize.

Video Poker Bonus Features

Evolution lets you play 99 additional hands in a single game round along with your initial hand. Each extra hand is purchased, increasing your total wager. They appear at the top of the screen. Unlike the initial five cards, they start the round face down. That’s because these hands remain empty until you decide what cards to hold. Held cards will appear in all extra hands, while the remaining cards are drawn from a virtual deck.

Video Poker Extra Functionality

Like most games by this developer, live chat is available for anyone who wants to use it. Through it, you can talk to other players and the host.

We also appreciate Evolution giving each winning combination its own colour code. It’s especially a lifesaver if you’re playing with several hands, as it tells you at a glance if you scored a two pair, three-of-a-kind, or flush.

Video Poker Strategy

We won’t go too in-depth here, as each Video Poker paytable has a slightly different strategy. Instead, we’ll only outline the right approach for Jacks or Better, as it offers the best return to player – 99.54%.

  • If your hand has a single high card, hold it and draw new cards for the rest.
  • Hold any pairs you get.
  • Only break a pair if you’re one card away from a straight or royal flush.
  • Always hold three-of-a-kind, straight, flush, and four-of-a-kind card combinations.
  • Break a flush or straight if you’re one card off from a royal flush.
  • If your highest cards are a suited 10 and Ace, only keep the Ace.

Is Video Poker Worth Playing?

Video Poker wouldn’t be possible without Evolution’s innovative nature. The team’s commitment to making elements using RNG paved the way for Video Poker to join the ranks of live casino games. Without it, it’d be impossible to replicate the excitement of playing 100 hands simultaneously or holding and swapping cards quickly.

That impressive feat by itself got us to try this title. However, it wasn’t why we stuck around for hours afterwards playing the game. We owe that to the five different paytables, numerous strategies, and entertaining gameplay Evolution’s Video Poker provides. If you’re in the market for a card game with one of the best RTPs, this title is for you. If it’s not your cup of tea, we recommend something like Russian Poker instead.

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