Classic Video Poker Games

Learn why online video poker could be the ticket for you, with our guide to video poker games in Ireland-based casino sites.

In a world filled with top casino games such as slots, table games and live dealer titles, who has time for video poker? Why would you opt to play video poker in Ireland when there are so many better-paying and more exhilarating games that you can choose to play? Oddly enough, there are plenty of reasons why you might want to give video poker a go. Let us explain some of them throughout this article.

The Simplest Form of Poker Around


Video poker is unquestionably one of the simplest casino games that you can play in Ireland. That does not necessarily mean that it is bad, or that is not worth your time. On the contrary, playing video poker makes for the ideal training ground for tackling more challenging poker games later. It is also easier for many pokier newbies to play. Playing video poker in Ireland sees you solely required to form the best hand possible. There is no computer dealer or other players to challenge you. This makes it ideal for simplistic, relaxed, and straightforward casino gaming in the Emerald Isle.

Playing Video Poker in Ireland

As mentioned, the sole purpose of the game is to form the best poker hand you possibly can do. When playing video poker in Ireland, you will be dealt a total of five cards. It is up to you how many of those cards you wish to keep, and how many you want to discard. You can make your decisions by using the on-screen buttons.

After choosing (hopefully wisely) which cards you want to keep, you can hit the deal button to replace those you do not want. New ones will take their place. Your hand is now back to five cards, and this is the hand which will be measured against the paytable. If one of your hands matches those listed in the paytable, you will win.

The Ranking (and Unofficial) Hands in Video Poker

Of course, it helps to get a good understanding of the different types of hands which are available. They include:

  • Pair: The lowest hand is usually a Pair of Jacks, or a Pair of Tens. This has a payout worth 1:1.

  • Two Pair: Basically, two pairs in the same hand. This will usually deliver wins worth 2:1.

  • Three-of-a-Kind: Land three cards of the same value to win a 3:1 prize.

  • Straight: Get all five cards in numerical order (but not the same suit) to win 4:1.

  • Flush: Having all five of your cards in the same suit (but not numerical value) offers a 6:1 payout.

  • Full House: If you have a pair, and a three-of-a-kind in your hand, a Full House prize worth 9:1 is yours.

  • Four-of-a-Kind: Get four cards of the same value in your hand to win 25:1.

  • Straight Flush: If you have all five cards in numerical order and the same suit, you will win a payout of 50:1 for your Straight Flush.

  • Royal Flush: Obtain a 10, Jack, Queen, King and Ace in the same suit to win 250:1.

When playing video poker variants in Ireland, a few more obscure, unnatural, and non-official hands may also appear in the paytable. These hands would never be accepted in the real poker world but are deemed acceptable for video poker variants. They can occur because a joker (or wild card) has been included in the deck, and consist of:

  • Five-of-a-Kind: A traditional four of a kind, with a joker/wild card thrown in to make a five-of-a-kind combo.

  • Unnatural Royal Flush: This hand is essentially a Royal Flush, but one which has been formed using at least one wild card or joker.

  • Four Deuces: This does not need a joker but is a bonus payout awarded when you have a four-of-a-kind consisting of all the twos (deuces) in a single deck.

There are other unnatural hands which can appear in some video poker variants, but you can explore these on your own, as there are many to cover. Note that the exact payouts for each of these hands may vary, depending on the video poker game you are trying, as well as the amount you bet. Each variant may adjust those payouts and see some payouts removed (or added) to the paytable, too.

Landing a Win Playing Video Poker in Ireland

As mentioned, playing video poker in Ireland is a solitary game. There is no dealer or opposing players to challenge you. Once you have landed one of the hands on the paytable, you will pocket a prize as displayed on that paytable. If you do not have anything, you will lose your bet. That is all there is to playing video poker in Ireland, really.

Why Play Video Poker in Ireland?

As you can see, video poker is not the most challenging game you can find in Irish online gambling sites. So, why would you consider playing it? Here are some excellent reasons why you may wish to consider giving it a go...

  • Video poker is a great game to learn the ins and outs of poker hands on, without the prospect of being beaten by a dealer or opposition players.

  • There are so many video poker games in Ireland that you are bound to find a variant which you like.

  • Video poker can be played for free, providing you with a training ground for real poker gameplay, before tackling the real thing.

  • Video poker offers very flexible wagers, making the game ideal for Irish players on all budgets.

  • You do not need any prior poker experience to play video poker. Merely knowing the ranking of the hands is enough to get you started.

Play Video Poker in Ireland at Online Casinos Today

It may not be the most popular casino game around, but there is no shortage of video poker games in Ireland for you to play. Virtually every major casino will carry a handful of these games. To ensure that you play with the most trusted and secure sites, head over to our Irish casino reviews. There you will find the cream of the crop when it comes to betting sites offering video poker in Ireland.