Learning the Basics of Multi-Hand Video Poker

by Bodog Casino | Nov 17 2008

Video poker is known in most circles as one of the best money makers in the casino business. And why not, the house edge is low (return of 99.46 percent if optimal strategy is used in Jacks or Better), the payouts are high (payouts as high as 200,000-1), and it helps that it takes more strategy than pulling a leaver or pushing a button.

Most video poker games are similar to standard draw poker: you’re dealt five cards and given the opportunity to choose which cards you want to keep to make a winnable hand. The only difference is you get paid according to a pay table, not based how much cash your buddy is willing to fork over.

What keeps video poker from being more popular than your standard online casino game is the intimidating multi-hand games that have a chart more confusing than a stock-market ticker.

If you’re new to multi-hand video poker, allow us to explain what it all means:

Why play multi-hand poker?
You’ve seen the choices in Bodog’s video poker sections (located online or in the download casino): the opportunity to go from one-hand poker, to three, 10, 52, and 100.

How does that change the game? Rip it down to the nitty gritty and it’s all about more money and more chances to win.

As explained earlier, when playing video poker you’re trying to make a hand according to the pay chart on the left. Playing multi-hand poker gives you more chances to get the hand you need.

For example: if you’re playing one-hand Joker Poker and you happen to hold an ace, king, queen, and jack, you’ll be given only one shot to get that ten to make a straight. But if you play 100-hand Joker Poker the game will quickly flip 100 hands on your screen and pay accordingly if you hit that straight more than once.

Keep in mind that 100 hands means 100 credits you’ll have to risk, and that amounts to $25 a game on a $.25 machine.

How does that multi-hand pay table work?
The pay table is where your pockets are padded.

Every video poker game has its quirks when it comes to payouts.

Most games pay 1-1 odds if you get jacks or better. But in games like Joker Poker you need kings or better to get that 1-1 payout. Make sure you analyze the chart to the left to ensure you know which cards to hold and fold.

Now when it comes to how much money you’re getting, that all depends on how much you’re willing to put in. If you play one-hand, Jacks or Better a royal flush pays 250 credits for one coin, 500 for two coins, 750 for three, 1000 for four and 4000 for five.

Now if you play multi-hand, the cost and pay kicks it up a notch.

If you want to place a maximum bet playing 100-hand Jacks or Better at say... $1 a game, that’s going to cost you $500 a spin! However, if you’re lucky enough to hit the Sequential Royal Flush in the game the payout is a monstrous $200,000! That’s better than any slot machine jackpot we can think of.

Ready to play online video poker? Make your way over to the Bodog Casino.