Welcome to our complete guide to online poker! We're covering absolutely everything that you need to know about playing this game from the basics right up to the more complex topics. Stick with us to become an expert!
Sundays are always big on India's No. 1 Poker Site – Adda52 and this past Sunday was no exception. The poker site hosted its two major tournaments – 15 Lac GTD Big Slick and 25 Lac GTD Mega Suits. Big names and even bigger payouts are dominating the headlines right now as online poker sites embrace the current lockdown conditions. Steve O'Dwyer is among the recent big winners as the season of online majors reaches fever pitch.
Best Online Poker Sites UK
If you want to take our tips and start playing, then these are our top online poker sites UK for you to have a go on:
In online tournaments, you can see the stack sizes everyone has at all times (and subsequently determine the number of big blinds each player has at any given moment). You should ensure that you correctly size your opens - keeping in mind both the average table stack as well as the table's dynamics. Antonio Esfandiari Hits the Big One. Amount Won: $18,346,673. When: The Big One For One Drop. 2020's top 10 online poker tips to help you win money. Read our #1 guide for top 10 beginner and intermediate tips to become a winning online poker player!
mFortune
You can play your favourite mobile casino games at mFortune – including unique slots, blackjack, roulette & more! Play for free and keep your winnings! more ›
Visit website for full T&C's. Play Now »Dunder Casino
Enjoy 600 casino games from the leading gaming studios in the business with a welcome package worth £600 + 200 free spins! more ›
Visit website for full T&C's. Play Now »Cabal online bike slot. As with any advertised offer, it's a great idea to check the terms and conditions first.
What Bonuses Are Available On Online Poker Sites?
When you play on poker sites, you can expect to play with the following bonuses, as they're pretty common:
- No Deposit Bonuses – We love these bonuses as they allow us to play poker without any need for commitment. You will need to share your payment details to get them in most cases, though no cash will be taken from your account.
- Deposit Bonuses – These are au fait across the entire casino market, so you can also expect them on poker sites. Just watch out for games that you can't use bonus funds for, some live casino games are cash only for example.
- Free Hands and Bets – For sites that specialise in poker, it's common to get a free hand or bet. These can be entirely free or they could be a ‘no lose offer' this basically means that if your bet is unsuccessful then you will be credited with the value in bonus funds instead.
Which Poker Games And Variants Are Available On These Sites?
Poker is a really popular game and as such there are many variants. Each will change the game slightly and your chance of winning. Some of the most popular variants are:
- Texas Hold Em
- Omaha
- 7 Card Stud
- Razz
- 5 Card Draw
- HORSE
- Video Poker
These are all really straightforward and offer a twist on the classic game. Within each game, you will be able to find the return to player percentage (RTP) which will tell you exactly how often you can expect to win. It's important to remember that some of these gameplay changes will require you to change the strategy that you're using to be effective.
There are new poker variants being invented on a regular basis, the best sites will keep their poker offerings right up to date. They can include side bets or new features that make the game more rewarding. It's up to you if you'd like to play on new games or stick to the classics, we'd suggest going for the latter at first and then building your way up to the more complex games.
Is It Possible To Play Just For Fun, With No Real Money?
Most sites will offer you the chance to play games in a demo mode, without spending any money. This can be really helpful if you're trying a new variant or if you're just not confident with your online poker strategy just yet. The exception to this is live dealer games, as these don't generally allow you to play for free.
You can also look out for free bonuses and hands, which you can use to play for free but can actually win real money on. If you're playing in a demo mode then this won't be an option.
Online Poker Strategy
While you're playing poker, you want to win more often, using these top online poker tips you can do just that:
- Start with Lower Stakes – Before you go all in on high stakes games, test out the lower stakes tables. This allows you to play, build up a cushion of winnings and test your strategy before you go ahead and splash your cash. Poker is a game of skill and practice makes perfect, although beginners luck exists, being prepared is much more likely to grant you a win.
- Don't Get Distracted – Although you have the option to play on the go and on mobile, you should always make sure that you have a calm gaming environment for poker. This is a game that requires skill, so make sure that you can give it your full attention. You don't want to end up making silly mistakes that cost you real money.
- Keep Track of your Stats – Make sure you're keeping a track of your wins and losses on games. Then, you can assess which ones work for you and which ones don't. With poker, it's all about identifying winning strategies and having this data at the ready makes that a lot easier.
- Read Strategy Guides – In depth strategy guides can help you hone your skills and become a much better poker player. Many games have an instructional guide as well as basic strategy suggestions. Open these up and read before you play for a better success rate.
- Play Responsibly – The best way to enjoy playing online is to make sure that you're doing so responsibly. Just be aware of what you're spending, how you feel about the game and whether you may need a break. While poker can be fun, you don't want to let it overtake your life or use too much of your money.
Are My Personal Details Safe When Playing Online Poker?
When you consider playing poker online, you might feel a bit put off by the security aspect. As long as you're playing on a safe site then your details won't be going anywhere. Security on these sites is very strict, as they know their players are eager to play but want that extra reassurance.
The vast majority of sites out there are safe, as the Gambling Commission are very quick to remove illegal sites. There aren't many scam sites out there but you should still take steps to protect yourself where possible.
Deposit and Withdrawal Methods
If you want to take an additional step to keep your details safe then you can choose to use the following safe payment methods:
- PayPal – One of the largest alternate payment providers, PayPal is an eWallet service that makes it easy for players to deposit and withdraw. You don't share your details with the site and there's inbuilt fraud protection.
- Paysafecard – Keep yourself even safer by taking your payment methods off the grid. Just buy one of these vouchers in a shop then redeem it online and you won't need to share any details. Note that it can't be used for withdrawals though.
- Skrill – Similar to PayPal but accepted on even more sites, this eWallet makes things simple. Use the One Tap App to make payments with the touch of a button.
Is Poker Legal In The UK? What Are The Poker Laws In The UK?
It's perfectly safe and legal for you to play poker within the UK. There are some laws determining who can play (over 18s) and responsible gambling legislation too. As long as you're aware of these then there aren't many other laws that you need to be aware of.
How Can You Tell If A Site Is Licensed?
All sites offering real money gambling in the UK must have a valid licence. These are distributed by the UK Gambling Commission and they should be displayed on the homepage of a site. You can click through on these banners to go to the Gambling Commission and double check the licence if you want to be extra safe.
If you've been burned by a scam site then make sure you report it! Complaining to the commission will kick off an investigation and you might just save other players from falling into the same trap.
What Are The Taxation Policies For UK Poker?
If you win big on a game of poker then the good news is that you won't need to pay tax on your winnings. Sites pay a point of consumption and bonus tax on behalf of their players, so if you win this aspect is already taken care of. The onus is entirely on a site to make sure that this tax is paid.
Mobile Poker
It seems like just about every game is more convenient to play on mobile and the same goes for poker. As long as you're careful that you don't get too distracted then this is a great way to play.
Are There Any Devices That Are Better Suited For Playing Poker On The Go?
Poker and casino games in general don't take up a lot of processing power, so you really don't need a high powered device to game. That being said, if you want a better experience then you may want to use a more modern device. Top of the line Android and iOS devices will allow you to get online faster as their hardware is a lot more capable than some of the lower end devices.
Screen resolution can factor into the equation, if you want to play in style then you might want to play with a device that has an HD screen. This is a good option for players that enjoy great and immersive gaming experiences. This could be a tablet or a smartphone.
Older devices may not be totally up for all poker games though, as some rely on Flash to function. This is not compatible with every phone, especially the older ones, so you may be disappointed if you're using a really old one.
In this regard, we'd say that any modern device that you have will be suitable for poker, so there's no real need to splash out.
Is It Better To Play On Apps Or On Web-Based Poker Games?
These are the two main options for mobile poker players and there are pros to each. Check out the following lists to see which one would suit you:
Mobile Apps
- May allow you to play a wider range of games on the go.
- You can access it with just one tap and your logins can even be saved.
- They're specifically designed for your device so they can work a lot better.
- You can save all your payment methods and deposit quickly.
- You'll know that all games in the app are compatible.
Mobile Sites
- You don't need to download a bunch of software to your device.
- Can be useful if there's no app available for the site.
- You don't need to wait around for the initial download or any updates to install.
- Can be more secure if your device is lost or stolen, as you won't be logged into your account at all times.
It's entirely up to you which way you opt to play, just make sure that you properly vet any site or app that you want to use. Steer clear of sites offering sure wins or guaranteed money, as these will most likely be scams. If you see these apps, then report them to have them removed for good.
Poker is one of our favourite games of skill, as there's just so much fun to be had when you play it. With variants and bonuses, you will get to experience the best that the casino world has to offer. Try it out on one of the sites that are our recommendations for a fun experience and use our tips for big wins!
Play Poker Free Win Cash
Further Reading for Better Poker Knowledge
Big Win Poker video poker presents an interesting tradeoff for video poker players who are looking for something a little bit different than Jacks or Better-style gameplay. It takes away one of the most common winning hands of all by not paying anything out for two pair hands. But it compensates for this by giving you beefed up payouts on many other hands on the pay table.
When you play common video poker, you are essentially mimicking the gameplay of Five-Card Draw poker against the machine. Many people find video poker to be one of the most entertaining and stimulating forms of casino entertainment. Part of the draw is that the game can be separated into many variations which cater to your favorite style of play and your desired payout level.
For example, you can stick with the basic form of video poker, also known as Jacks or Better, because a pair of jacks is the easiest to hand to make that will get you some form of payback. But Jacks or Better pay tables sometimes frustrate players who are looking for bigger payouts in a short time. That's because it reserves its biggest payouts for hands such as the straight flush or royal flush that are extremely difficult to make, which means you have to grind out winnings.
Bonus pay tables then came along as a way to remedy this situation. But even Bonus Poker pay tables weighed their payoffs heavily toward four of a kind hands, which are still some of the tougher hands to acquire during gameplay. Big Win Poker video poker, on the other hand, actually boosts the payoffs for winning hands that you will likely achieve multiple times over the course of a common session of video poker.
You can expect Big Win Poker video poker to have increased payouts for difficult hands such as the royal flush, the straight flush, and the four of a kind. But it also gives increased payouts to the full house, the flush and, sometimes, the straight, when compared to common Jacks or Better machines. That means you have the chance to really see your winnings increase on hands you actually have a decent chance of achieving.
Yet no video poker game gives away extras on its pay table without taking something away, and Big Win Poker video poker proves no exception to this rule. When playing this game, you will receive no payback for a hand of two pair, a hand that usually pays off at 2 to 1 on most Jacks or Better video poker machines. Since that hand usually comes up relatively often during video poker gameplay, you will feel the sting of this discount if you can't achieve some of the other hands we've already mentioned to compensate.
In the following article, we'll go over everything you need to know about the game known as Big Win Poker video poker. We'll explain how to play at a machine or at your favorite website, and we'll also take a look at what the pay tables are like compared to other versions of the game. Finally, we'll look at what you can expect from the game in terms of payback as well as check out how you can learn to play the game with excellent strategy.
Why People Love Video Poker
You might have walked around casinos many times without ever really looking into video poker. It's easy for people to misinterpret the game, in large part, because it's often lumped in with slot machines. The two can generally be found in the same part of a casino. But video poker rises above slot machines in terms of its friendliness to gamblers, and it outdoes table games in a lot of ways.
In fact, many people play nothing but video poker when they enter a casino. Still, more devour the game on gambling websites and apps. After all, video poker makes a smoother transition to small screens than most other games in the casino.
But what is it about video poker, including Big Win Poker video poker, that makes it so beneficial? Well, it's kind of a hybrid of table games and slot machines. It takes the best elements of each and combines them into something that's extremely player-friendly.
From slot machines, video poker borrows the concept of playing against the machine. There are no interruptions from other gamblers or employees, and it also means you get to play at your own pace. For those who get a little nervous about knowing how to play table games or understanding the protocol of how you're supposed to act at the table, video poker removes all of those hassles.
But video poker borrows some of the strategic concepts of table games as well. When you're playing a slot machine, you really have no control over whether you win or lose. You just have to spin the reels and hope you get a little lucky.
While luck certainly plays a big part in Big Win Poker video poker as well, you have some control on the outcome of each hand. That comes when you make decisions about which cards to hold and which cards to discard in order to make the best hand. And those that make the best mathematical decisions, in terms of the probabilities of the cards you might draw, will usually garner the most winnings.
Probabilities represent another area where video poker separates itself from slot machines. When you're playing a slot machine, you have no way of knowing how often winning spins might show up when you play. Nor can you know what to expect in terms of the machine's average payback percentage.
Video poker removes those doubts. Due to the probabilities contained within a 52-card deck of cards, you'll know exactly what your chances are of attaining a winning hand at any time. And you can also combine that knowledge with information from the pay table to determine exactly what the payback will be for each machine you play.
When it comes to payback, video poker also stands tall. The average payback for a video poker machine towers over what you can expect from the average slot machine. And the most competitive video poker machines in terms of pay can hang right with the very best table games as well.
On top of all that, you can learn how to play Big Win Poker video poker in minutes. That time is reduced even more if you've played a little poker and know how to make winning hands. But even if not, you can grasp the concepts of video poker after a few hands and will be able to refine your play from there.
With all of those good things in mind, let's talk about how you play a hand of video poker. Once you've got that down, you can move on to see what separates Big Win Poker video poker from other video variations.
Playing a Hand of Video Poker
Step 1: Insert Your Money
You'll find a slot at the bottom of any video poker machine that will accept cash or a redemption ticket from the casino you're visiting. When you play video poker online, you'll need to open up an account with the website you want to use. That usually requires funding the account with a credit card or some other method.
Whatever money you put into the machine will be registered in terms of credits or coins. Each credit for Big Win Poker video poker equals a single unit of whatever denomination you have chosen to play. Many machines have the denomination, such as a quarter or a dollar, already predetermined. Although, you might be able to find some that let you choose the denomination on your own.
For example, let's say you've entered $10 into a machine with a denomination of 25 cents. That means you'll have 40 credits to play. You can figure out that number by dividing the amount of money that you inserted by the denomination (10 divided by .25 equals 40).
Free Poker Games Online
Step 2: Make Your Bet
You'll find that Big Win Poker video poker is similar to other basic types of video poker in that it allows you to bet between one and five credits. There are some video poker variations which allow you to bet more to enact a special feature, but this game isn't one of them.
Although you might not realize it, making a bet represents the first time you'll actually get a chance to display your strategy within the game.
Why is that the case? Well, many novice players think betting different credits each hand, based on when they expect to win, is the right way to go. In actuality, betting the maximum amount of credits every hand is the best strategy.
First of all, five credits wagered gives you the highest payback on the royal flush. You'll see that this is an even more pronounced facet of the game in Big Win Poker video poker, where the payback for the royal flush is a little bit higher than most Jacks or Better games. But that is only the case when you bet five coins, which allow you to return much better odds for a royal flush hand than if you were betting one through four coins.
Anyone who tries to base bets on when they think they're going to win is misunderstanding how video poker machines work. Each hand you play gives the same exact chance to win, no matter if it's the first hand you play at a machine or the thousandth. Video poker machines don't pay more or less based on any hands that have come before them, as each new deal and draw is completely random.
If you find that betting five coins per hand becomes too expensive for you, it's best to move to a machine with a lower denomination rather than betting less than maximum. At least if you move to a machine that costs less, you can play the max bet and still get the highest payback percentage possible. That means giving yourself the best chance at turning a profit on Big Win Poker video poker in the long run.
Step 3: Play Your Hand
Once you have decided upon your wager, five cards will appear on the screen. These five cards will come from a 52-card deck that is simulated within the machine and is constantly shuffling. The moment you hit the button for the deal, the top five cards in the simulated deck will be the ones that show up in your hand.
From those five cards, you'll be hoping to make a winning combination of cards as determined by the pay table. In most cases, the hands that represent winning hands will be the same from machine to machine, although we'll explain in a moment how Big Win Poker video poker differs slightly in that respect. For now, just know these are the combinations of cards that you'll be seeking:
- Pair of jacks or better
- Two pair
- Three of a kind
- Straight (five cards of consecutive rank, like 3-4-5-6-7)
- Flush (five cards of same suit)
- Full house (three of a kind and two pair in the same hand)
- Four of a kind
- Straight flush (straight with five cards of same suit)
- Royal flush (ten, jack, queen, king, and ace of the same suit)
The hands on the top of that list are the easiest ones to make and pay the least. As you move down the list, you'll come across hands that are tougher to achieve yet will pay out more. You may have a winning combination like the ones listed above right off the bat in your deal. If not, you'll still have a chance to win.
You will assess your cards and decide how you will play the draw. On the draw, you get to discard the cards you don't think are helping you (much as if you were playing Five-Card Draw at home). In their place will come cards from the top of that simulated deck that gave you the initial deal, only now it has only 47 cards remaining, since you already have five from the original 52 in your hand.
Making a decision about which cards to hold and which cards to discard requires assessing the probabilities of making a winning combination out of what you have and what you think you might draw. Big Win Poker video poker often comes down to deciding whether to try for a hand that is easy to achieve but might not pay that much against going for a hand that is hard to attain but will pay you a lot. In other words, you'll be balancing the risk against the potential reward.
Let's take a look at an example to illustrate. Imagine that you receive the following five cards on the deal.
In this hand, you don't have a winning combination right off the bat. But you do have several seeds of winning hands within your five cards. You'll have to decide which ones to pursue.
You can, for example, hold on the pair of fours and try to improve them. This will give you your best chance of making a winning hand of any kind, since you'll have three cards to draw. You might end up with a modest-paying three of a kind, or you could get lucky and maybe make a full house or four of a kind.
You'll also notice that you possess a four, five, six, and seven. That means you are one card short of a straight. If you chose to go down this avenue, you would discard one of the fours and hope to draw a three or an eight.
Finally, you might also immediately realize that you have three consecutive hearts in the hand, which are the building blocks for a possible straight flush. This won't be easy to achieve, as you'll have to draw just the right cards on the two chances that you have. But this represents the highest possible reward on the hand, as the straight flush is one of the highest-paying hands in the game.
Every Big Win Poker video poker hand requires decisions like this. In many cases, you'll find the choices much more obvious than this one. But this hand is a good example of how you have to balance the possibility of making a winning hand of some kind with the potential of how much each winning hand will pay.
Once you make that decision, you will push the buttons underneath the cards you want to hold. The machine will then make the replacements, and your hand will be complete. Credits will be added to your total based on whether or not you made a winning hand.
You can continue play in this manner as long as you have credits left by simply repeating the last two steps over and over again. At any point, you can redeem the credits you have for cash. And, if you run out of credits, you'll need to replenish your bankroll if you wish to continue.
Now that you know how to play basic video poker, it's time to look at what makes Big Win Poker video poker unique.
Pay Tables for Big Win Poker Video Poker
When you stop at a video poker machine like Big Win Poker video poker, you should check out the pay table before you do anything else. You can't find a more important piece of information than the pay table. Not only does it tell you what you can expect from each winning hand, but it also provides you with all you need to know about the style of play for the game and what you can expect in terms of payback.
Let's start by taking a look at a pay table for Big Win Poker video poker. This is the highest-paying version of the game, also known as the full-pay, that you will find in casinos or at online gambling sites. Take a look:
| Coins/Hand | 1 Coin | 2 Coin | 3 Coin | 4 Coin | 5 Coin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 250 | 500 | 750 | 1,000 | 4,000 |
| Straight Flush | 50 | 100 | 150 | 200 | 250 |
| Four of a Kind | 25 | 50 | 75 | 100 | 125 |
| Full House | 9 | 18 | 27 | 36 | 45 |
| Flush | 6 | 12 | 18 | 24 | 30 |
| Straight | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 |
| Three of a Kind | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 |
| Two Pairs | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jacks or Better | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
First, a note on how to read the pay table. Simply combine the column with winning hands on the left with the rows of bets on the top. For example, if you made a straight and bet five coins, you would receive 20 coins, which represents a 15-coin profit (20 coins minus the original five that were wagered).
Without any context, it might be difficult for the novice video poker to have any notion about why Big Win Poker video poker is a unique game. Let's provide that context then. Below is the full-pay version of the video poker variation known as Jacks or Better, which is played the same as Big Win Poker video poker but pays out its hands a little differently.
| Coins/Hand | 1 Coin | 2 Coin | 3 Coin | 4 Coin | 5 Coin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 250 | 500 | 750 | 1,000 | 4,000 |
| Straight Flush | 50 | 100 | 150 | 200 | 250 |
| Four of a Kind | 25 | 50 | 75 | 100 | 125 |
| Full House | 9 | 18 | 27 | 36 | 45 |
| Flush | 6 | 12 | 18 | 24 | 30 |
| Straight | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 |
| Three of a Kind | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 |
| Two Pairs | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
| Jacks or Better | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Let's compare the two. You'll probably notice that the Big Win Poker video poker table holds an advantage over the Jacks or Better machine in several hands. These hands range from ones that are pretty hard to achieve (royal flush, straight flush, four of a kind) to ones that you can expect to get at some point if you play the game for a decent length of time and rack up about a hundred hands or so (full house and flush).
Looking at it that way, you might immediately come to the conclusion that Big Win Poker video poker is the far superior game. But as you move down the pay table, you'll see that the two pair hand does not return anything to the player when playing Big Win Poker. By contrast, you'll get paid back 2 to 1 when playing Jacks or Better and achieving two pair.
Youtube Video Poker Wins
Why is that such a big deal? Well, when you play video poker, you can expect to get two pair about 10% of the time. In other words, one in every 10 hands (on average) will end up in two pair.
When you consider the frequency that hand appears, you realize that not getting anything back for it will really hurt. The payback percentage, which is an estimate of how much you can expect to return from a machine on an average session, for Jacks or Better is actually higher than it is for Big Win Poker video poker. The Jacks or Better machine stands at 99.54%, while Big Win Poker video poker comes in at around 99.03%.
Does that mean Jacks or Better is the better game? Well, if you're going to play video poker seriously on a long-term basis, you should always seek out machines that give you the highest possible payback. Jacks or Better certainly comes out on top in that department.
But we generally recommend you stick with video poker variations that come in at a payback percentage of over 99%, and Big Win Poker video poker does meet that threshold. Plus, if you're only playing a short session and are the type who prefers the chance at big payouts in a hurry, Big Win Poker actually rates out as a better game. You have a much better chance at a quick, significant score with it than you do with Jacks or Better.
One note on paybacks for Big Win Poker video poker: A two pair hand that includes a pair of jacks or higher will pay you back at even money. For example, imagine that you drew this hand.
Two pair pays nothing, but you do have a pair of jacks. The machine will also pay off the higher paying combination. As a result, you would get an even-money payback for that hand when playing Big Win Poker video poker.
The pay table that we showed you above represents the full-pay version of Big Win Poker video poker. Unfortunately, you might come upon other versions of the game in casinos or online. And the pay tables that you receive for these games will discount certain hands compared to the full-pay version.
As a result, you will see your payback percentages drop when you play these games. The following pay tables also can be found on Big Win Poker video poker machines. Each of these pay tables brings back a payback percentage under our 99% threshold, so we would not recommend these for a long-term play, although short-term, casual players can certainly give them a spin.
| Coins/Hand | 1 Coin | 2 Coin | 3 Coin | 4 Coin | 5 Coin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 250 | 500 | 750 | 1,000 | 5,000 |
| Straight Flush | 250 | 500 | 750 | 1000 | 1250 |
| Four of a Kind | 50 | 100 | 150 | 200 | 250 |
| Full House | 12 | 24 | 36 | 48 | 60 |
| Flush | 8 | 16 | 24 | 32 | 40 |
| Straight | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 |
| Three of a Kind | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 |
| Two Pairs | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jacks or Better | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Coins/Hand | 1 Coin | 2 Coin | 3 Coin | 4 Coin | 5 Coin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 250 | 500 | 750 | 1,000 | 5,000 |
| Straight Flush | 250 | 500 | 750 | 1000 | 1250 |
| Four of a Kind | 50 | 100 | 150 | 200 | 250 |
| Full House | 11 | 22 | 33 | 44 | 55 |
| Flush | 8 | 16 | 24 | 32 | 40 |
| Straight | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 |
| Three of a Kind | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 |
| Two Pairs | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jacks or Better | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Coins/Hand | 1 Coin | 2 Coin | 3 Coin | 4 Coin | 5 Coin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 250 | 500 | 750 | 1,000 | 5,000 |
| Straight Flush | 250 | 500 | 750 | 1000 | 1250 |
| Four of a Kind | 50 | 100 | 150 | 200 | 250 |
| Full House | 10 | 20 | 30 | 40 | 50 |
| Flush | 8 | 16 | 24 | 32 | 40 |
| Straight | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 |
| Three of a Kind | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 |
| Two Pairs | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jacks or Better | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Online Poker Big Wins Prizes
Strategy for Big Win Poker Video Poker
When playing Big Win Poker video poker, or any other variation of video poker for that matter, the players that utilize the best strategy will bring in more money. As a matter of fact, the only way that you maximize the payback percentages for each version of the game is to achieve perfect play. That means you need to make the right decision about what to hold and what to discard for every single hand.
What do we mean by the 'right' decision? It's the decision that brings the highest expected value to the hand. In other words, if it were played over and over again, a certain combination of holds and discards would bring the most money from the hand.
Learning that type of strategy for Big Win Poker video poker can be a little tricky because of the odd pay table. For example, take a look at the following hand:
In fact, many people play nothing but video poker when they enter a casino. Still, more devour the game on gambling websites and apps. After all, video poker makes a smoother transition to small screens than most other games in the casino.
But what is it about video poker, including Big Win Poker video poker, that makes it so beneficial? Well, it's kind of a hybrid of table games and slot machines. It takes the best elements of each and combines them into something that's extremely player-friendly.
From slot machines, video poker borrows the concept of playing against the machine. There are no interruptions from other gamblers or employees, and it also means you get to play at your own pace. For those who get a little nervous about knowing how to play table games or understanding the protocol of how you're supposed to act at the table, video poker removes all of those hassles.
But video poker borrows some of the strategic concepts of table games as well. When you're playing a slot machine, you really have no control over whether you win or lose. You just have to spin the reels and hope you get a little lucky.
While luck certainly plays a big part in Big Win Poker video poker as well, you have some control on the outcome of each hand. That comes when you make decisions about which cards to hold and which cards to discard in order to make the best hand. And those that make the best mathematical decisions, in terms of the probabilities of the cards you might draw, will usually garner the most winnings.
Probabilities represent another area where video poker separates itself from slot machines. When you're playing a slot machine, you have no way of knowing how often winning spins might show up when you play. Nor can you know what to expect in terms of the machine's average payback percentage.
Video poker removes those doubts. Due to the probabilities contained within a 52-card deck of cards, you'll know exactly what your chances are of attaining a winning hand at any time. And you can also combine that knowledge with information from the pay table to determine exactly what the payback will be for each machine you play.
When it comes to payback, video poker also stands tall. The average payback for a video poker machine towers over what you can expect from the average slot machine. And the most competitive video poker machines in terms of pay can hang right with the very best table games as well.
On top of all that, you can learn how to play Big Win Poker video poker in minutes. That time is reduced even more if you've played a little poker and know how to make winning hands. But even if not, you can grasp the concepts of video poker after a few hands and will be able to refine your play from there.
With all of those good things in mind, let's talk about how you play a hand of video poker. Once you've got that down, you can move on to see what separates Big Win Poker video poker from other video variations.
Playing a Hand of Video Poker
Step 1: Insert Your Money
You'll find a slot at the bottom of any video poker machine that will accept cash or a redemption ticket from the casino you're visiting. When you play video poker online, you'll need to open up an account with the website you want to use. That usually requires funding the account with a credit card or some other method.
Whatever money you put into the machine will be registered in terms of credits or coins. Each credit for Big Win Poker video poker equals a single unit of whatever denomination you have chosen to play. Many machines have the denomination, such as a quarter or a dollar, already predetermined. Although, you might be able to find some that let you choose the denomination on your own.
For example, let's say you've entered $10 into a machine with a denomination of 25 cents. That means you'll have 40 credits to play. You can figure out that number by dividing the amount of money that you inserted by the denomination (10 divided by .25 equals 40).
Free Poker Games Online
Step 2: Make Your Bet
You'll find that Big Win Poker video poker is similar to other basic types of video poker in that it allows you to bet between one and five credits. There are some video poker variations which allow you to bet more to enact a special feature, but this game isn't one of them.
Although you might not realize it, making a bet represents the first time you'll actually get a chance to display your strategy within the game.
Why is that the case? Well, many novice players think betting different credits each hand, based on when they expect to win, is the right way to go. In actuality, betting the maximum amount of credits every hand is the best strategy.
First of all, five credits wagered gives you the highest payback on the royal flush. You'll see that this is an even more pronounced facet of the game in Big Win Poker video poker, where the payback for the royal flush is a little bit higher than most Jacks or Better games. But that is only the case when you bet five coins, which allow you to return much better odds for a royal flush hand than if you were betting one through four coins.
Anyone who tries to base bets on when they think they're going to win is misunderstanding how video poker machines work. Each hand you play gives the same exact chance to win, no matter if it's the first hand you play at a machine or the thousandth. Video poker machines don't pay more or less based on any hands that have come before them, as each new deal and draw is completely random.
If you find that betting five coins per hand becomes too expensive for you, it's best to move to a machine with a lower denomination rather than betting less than maximum. At least if you move to a machine that costs less, you can play the max bet and still get the highest payback percentage possible. That means giving yourself the best chance at turning a profit on Big Win Poker video poker in the long run.
Step 3: Play Your Hand
Once you have decided upon your wager, five cards will appear on the screen. These five cards will come from a 52-card deck that is simulated within the machine and is constantly shuffling. The moment you hit the button for the deal, the top five cards in the simulated deck will be the ones that show up in your hand.
From those five cards, you'll be hoping to make a winning combination of cards as determined by the pay table. In most cases, the hands that represent winning hands will be the same from machine to machine, although we'll explain in a moment how Big Win Poker video poker differs slightly in that respect. For now, just know these are the combinations of cards that you'll be seeking:
- Pair of jacks or better
- Two pair
- Three of a kind
- Straight (five cards of consecutive rank, like 3-4-5-6-7)
- Flush (five cards of same suit)
- Full house (three of a kind and two pair in the same hand)
- Four of a kind
- Straight flush (straight with five cards of same suit)
- Royal flush (ten, jack, queen, king, and ace of the same suit)
The hands on the top of that list are the easiest ones to make and pay the least. As you move down the list, you'll come across hands that are tougher to achieve yet will pay out more. You may have a winning combination like the ones listed above right off the bat in your deal. If not, you'll still have a chance to win.
You will assess your cards and decide how you will play the draw. On the draw, you get to discard the cards you don't think are helping you (much as if you were playing Five-Card Draw at home). In their place will come cards from the top of that simulated deck that gave you the initial deal, only now it has only 47 cards remaining, since you already have five from the original 52 in your hand.
Making a decision about which cards to hold and which cards to discard requires assessing the probabilities of making a winning combination out of what you have and what you think you might draw. Big Win Poker video poker often comes down to deciding whether to try for a hand that is easy to achieve but might not pay that much against going for a hand that is hard to attain but will pay you a lot. In other words, you'll be balancing the risk against the potential reward.
Let's take a look at an example to illustrate. Imagine that you receive the following five cards on the deal.
In this hand, you don't have a winning combination right off the bat. But you do have several seeds of winning hands within your five cards. You'll have to decide which ones to pursue.
You can, for example, hold on the pair of fours and try to improve them. This will give you your best chance of making a winning hand of any kind, since you'll have three cards to draw. You might end up with a modest-paying three of a kind, or you could get lucky and maybe make a full house or four of a kind.
You'll also notice that you possess a four, five, six, and seven. That means you are one card short of a straight. If you chose to go down this avenue, you would discard one of the fours and hope to draw a three or an eight.
Finally, you might also immediately realize that you have three consecutive hearts in the hand, which are the building blocks for a possible straight flush. This won't be easy to achieve, as you'll have to draw just the right cards on the two chances that you have. But this represents the highest possible reward on the hand, as the straight flush is one of the highest-paying hands in the game.
Every Big Win Poker video poker hand requires decisions like this. In many cases, you'll find the choices much more obvious than this one. But this hand is a good example of how you have to balance the possibility of making a winning hand of some kind with the potential of how much each winning hand will pay.
Once you make that decision, you will push the buttons underneath the cards you want to hold. The machine will then make the replacements, and your hand will be complete. Credits will be added to your total based on whether or not you made a winning hand.
You can continue play in this manner as long as you have credits left by simply repeating the last two steps over and over again. At any point, you can redeem the credits you have for cash. And, if you run out of credits, you'll need to replenish your bankroll if you wish to continue.
Now that you know how to play basic video poker, it's time to look at what makes Big Win Poker video poker unique.
Pay Tables for Big Win Poker Video Poker
When you stop at a video poker machine like Big Win Poker video poker, you should check out the pay table before you do anything else. You can't find a more important piece of information than the pay table. Not only does it tell you what you can expect from each winning hand, but it also provides you with all you need to know about the style of play for the game and what you can expect in terms of payback.
Let's start by taking a look at a pay table for Big Win Poker video poker. This is the highest-paying version of the game, also known as the full-pay, that you will find in casinos or at online gambling sites. Take a look:
| Coins/Hand | 1 Coin | 2 Coin | 3 Coin | 4 Coin | 5 Coin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 250 | 500 | 750 | 1,000 | 4,000 |
| Straight Flush | 50 | 100 | 150 | 200 | 250 |
| Four of a Kind | 25 | 50 | 75 | 100 | 125 |
| Full House | 9 | 18 | 27 | 36 | 45 |
| Flush | 6 | 12 | 18 | 24 | 30 |
| Straight | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 |
| Three of a Kind | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 |
| Two Pairs | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jacks or Better | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
First, a note on how to read the pay table. Simply combine the column with winning hands on the left with the rows of bets on the top. For example, if you made a straight and bet five coins, you would receive 20 coins, which represents a 15-coin profit (20 coins minus the original five that were wagered).
Without any context, it might be difficult for the novice video poker to have any notion about why Big Win Poker video poker is a unique game. Let's provide that context then. Below is the full-pay version of the video poker variation known as Jacks or Better, which is played the same as Big Win Poker video poker but pays out its hands a little differently.
| Coins/Hand | 1 Coin | 2 Coin | 3 Coin | 4 Coin | 5 Coin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 250 | 500 | 750 | 1,000 | 4,000 |
| Straight Flush | 50 | 100 | 150 | 200 | 250 |
| Four of a Kind | 25 | 50 | 75 | 100 | 125 |
| Full House | 9 | 18 | 27 | 36 | 45 |
| Flush | 6 | 12 | 18 | 24 | 30 |
| Straight | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 |
| Three of a Kind | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 |
| Two Pairs | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
| Jacks or Better | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Let's compare the two. You'll probably notice that the Big Win Poker video poker table holds an advantage over the Jacks or Better machine in several hands. These hands range from ones that are pretty hard to achieve (royal flush, straight flush, four of a kind) to ones that you can expect to get at some point if you play the game for a decent length of time and rack up about a hundred hands or so (full house and flush).
Looking at it that way, you might immediately come to the conclusion that Big Win Poker video poker is the far superior game. But as you move down the pay table, you'll see that the two pair hand does not return anything to the player when playing Big Win Poker. By contrast, you'll get paid back 2 to 1 when playing Jacks or Better and achieving two pair.
Youtube Video Poker Wins
Why is that such a big deal? Well, when you play video poker, you can expect to get two pair about 10% of the time. In other words, one in every 10 hands (on average) will end up in two pair.
When you consider the frequency that hand appears, you realize that not getting anything back for it will really hurt. The payback percentage, which is an estimate of how much you can expect to return from a machine on an average session, for Jacks or Better is actually higher than it is for Big Win Poker video poker. The Jacks or Better machine stands at 99.54%, while Big Win Poker video poker comes in at around 99.03%.
Does that mean Jacks or Better is the better game? Well, if you're going to play video poker seriously on a long-term basis, you should always seek out machines that give you the highest possible payback. Jacks or Better certainly comes out on top in that department.
But we generally recommend you stick with video poker variations that come in at a payback percentage of over 99%, and Big Win Poker video poker does meet that threshold. Plus, if you're only playing a short session and are the type who prefers the chance at big payouts in a hurry, Big Win Poker actually rates out as a better game. You have a much better chance at a quick, significant score with it than you do with Jacks or Better.
One note on paybacks for Big Win Poker video poker: A two pair hand that includes a pair of jacks or higher will pay you back at even money. For example, imagine that you drew this hand.
Two pair pays nothing, but you do have a pair of jacks. The machine will also pay off the higher paying combination. As a result, you would get an even-money payback for that hand when playing Big Win Poker video poker.
The pay table that we showed you above represents the full-pay version of Big Win Poker video poker. Unfortunately, you might come upon other versions of the game in casinos or online. And the pay tables that you receive for these games will discount certain hands compared to the full-pay version.
As a result, you will see your payback percentages drop when you play these games. The following pay tables also can be found on Big Win Poker video poker machines. Each of these pay tables brings back a payback percentage under our 99% threshold, so we would not recommend these for a long-term play, although short-term, casual players can certainly give them a spin.
| Coins/Hand | 1 Coin | 2 Coin | 3 Coin | 4 Coin | 5 Coin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 250 | 500 | 750 | 1,000 | 5,000 |
| Straight Flush | 250 | 500 | 750 | 1000 | 1250 |
| Four of a Kind | 50 | 100 | 150 | 200 | 250 |
| Full House | 12 | 24 | 36 | 48 | 60 |
| Flush | 8 | 16 | 24 | 32 | 40 |
| Straight | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 |
| Three of a Kind | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 |
| Two Pairs | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jacks or Better | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Coins/Hand | 1 Coin | 2 Coin | 3 Coin | 4 Coin | 5 Coin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 250 | 500 | 750 | 1,000 | 5,000 |
| Straight Flush | 250 | 500 | 750 | 1000 | 1250 |
| Four of a Kind | 50 | 100 | 150 | 200 | 250 |
| Full House | 11 | 22 | 33 | 44 | 55 |
| Flush | 8 | 16 | 24 | 32 | 40 |
| Straight | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 |
| Three of a Kind | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 |
| Two Pairs | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jacks or Better | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Coins/Hand | 1 Coin | 2 Coin | 3 Coin | 4 Coin | 5 Coin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 250 | 500 | 750 | 1,000 | 5,000 |
| Straight Flush | 250 | 500 | 750 | 1000 | 1250 |
| Four of a Kind | 50 | 100 | 150 | 200 | 250 |
| Full House | 10 | 20 | 30 | 40 | 50 |
| Flush | 8 | 16 | 24 | 32 | 40 |
| Straight | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 |
| Three of a Kind | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 |
| Two Pairs | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jacks or Better | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Online Poker Big Wins Prizes
Strategy for Big Win Poker Video Poker
When playing Big Win Poker video poker, or any other variation of video poker for that matter, the players that utilize the best strategy will bring in more money. As a matter of fact, the only way that you maximize the payback percentages for each version of the game is to achieve perfect play. That means you need to make the right decision about what to hold and what to discard for every single hand.
What do we mean by the 'right' decision? It's the decision that brings the highest expected value to the hand. In other words, if it were played over and over again, a certain combination of holds and discards would bring the most money from the hand.
Learning that type of strategy for Big Win Poker video poker can be a little tricky because of the odd pay table. For example, take a look at the following hand:
If you were playing Jacks or Better, the obvious play would be to keep the two pair and hope to improve to the full house. But in the case of Big Win Poker video poker, you might have to consider dropping everything but the pair of queens, which would open up more possibilities for you. This unique brand of video poker offers quirks like that now and again, and you'll need to be ready for them.
Barring that, you can take advantage of two methods of video poker instruction which will allow you to play the game with perfect strategy. We recommend either one, although both have their advantages and disadvantages.
Video Poker Big Win
- Video Poker Training Software: If you use video poker training software over time, the right plays for each possible hand will be drilled into your head through sheer repetition. This software works by simulating play based on a specific pay table. When you make a mathematically incorrect decision about what to hold and what to discard, the software will notify you of your mistake.
- Strategy Charts: You can find strategy charts for just about every major form of video poker game, including Big Win Poker video poker, if you do a little online searching. Strategy charts list all the possible combinations of cards that you might receive on the deal to let you know which ones are the most advantageous to keep. Using strategy charts might provide you with a quicker fix than training software, but you'll have to memorize the chart first before you can take the knowledge with you into the casino.
Conclusion on Big Win Poker
Online Poker Win Real Money
Big Win Poker video poker, whether you find it in a casino or as part of a top gambling website, makes for an interesting spinoff of basic Jacks or Better play. It's one that might appeal to those who are tired of the same old payouts from certain winning hands. If you get a few of those winning hands where the payoffs are boosted from Jacks or Better, you might end up praising this game to the heavens. If, on the other hand, you keep getting two pair and coming up empty, you might find yourself running back to your nearest Jacks or Better machine before more damage can be done.
