Microgaming is considered by many to be an absolute pioneer in the online gambling industry, with a history that spans more than twenty years of casino software development. The company is also highly praised for being the first to develop software for an online casino and to launch it.
Microgaming was founded back in 1994 but has come a long way since then. The range of its products has expanded tremendously, as nowadays the developer’s portfolio consists of award-winning virtual casino offerings, live-dealer games, a sportsbook, bingo and poker portals. Always the innovator in interactive gaming, Microgaming also paved the way for mobile gambling with the release of the first ever mobile casino collection in 2004. That being said, the company now offers over 350 mobile titles via its native app and in HTML5.
Microgaming is also the software developer that has created the most extensive library of video poker games. The company is responsible for an unprecedented variety of video poker titles, which will suffice to meet the needs of even the most fastidious players since Microgaming’s collection contains every imaginable variant one can think of as well as a few more obscure options. Players can choose from over twenty variants of the game, available across hundreds of casinos running on Microgaming’s platform, which is offered in download and Flash formats. Most varieties are available in single-hand and multi-hand modes.
Features of Microgaming’s Video Poker Games
The software developers at Microgaming have opted for simplicity when creating the video poker collection, and it truly shows in the design of the games. The video poker variations offered by the company stand out with clear-cut graphics that mimic those of the video poker terminals in land-based casinos many players are accustomed to. This is great news for those who insist on authenticity.
The pay-table in most variants occupies the upper half of the screen and lists all hands that qualify for a payout, as well as the number of credits players can potentially collect, depending on the winning combination’s ranking and the number of credits they have staked. Players can conveniently adjust the coin value they stake per round by using the small “+” and “−” buttons in the lower section of the screen. After the coin value is adjusted, one simply needs to click on one of the five columns in the pay-table to select the number of credits they want to wager per hand. The corresponding column and payouts will then be highlighted.
Players need to click Deal to receive their starting five-card hand. One feature of interest is the Auto Hold functionality. When the player is dealt a pair or a higher-ranking pat hand, the cards that constitute it are automatically held. The same applies to face cards, which are also held by the software after the initial deal. Please note that this Auto Hold feature can be activated only when one is playing the games in the so-called Expert Mode.
Once players decide which cards they wish to keep, they need to click the Draw button to receive replacements for the discards. If the final hand is listed in the game’s pay-table, the player can click on the Collect button to receive the corresponding payout.
Another feature of interest is what is known as the Double functionality. After a winning hand, players can attempt to double their profits instead of collecting them. The aim of the player is to draw a card that is higher in value than that of the virtual dealer. If the player succeeds, the winnings on the last hand will be doubled. If not, the entire amount will be lost.
With Microgaming video poker games, it is possible to continue doubling your profits until you draw a card of lesser rank than the dealer’s or until you reach the doubling limit set by the online casino with which you have registered. Note that the double limit varies between casinos, so if you want to confirm the exact figure, it is best to contact the support team.
Top Games in Microgaming’s Video Poker Collection
The video poker variations that bear the Microgaming brand can be grouped into three main categories – standard, multi-line and level-up poker. The standard category consists of games where players can bet on only a single hand at a time, which is the traditional form of video poker. The second category comprises titles where players are allowed to bet simultaneously on anywhere between four and one hundred hands.
The level-up category consists of games where it is possible to play up to four hands, but there is a condition – players must win the first hand in order to play the next one. The payout for the second hand will be twice as large as that of the first. The third and fourth levels bring payouts of 4x and 8x the initial stake. Below, we have covered the most popular Microgaming video poker games, which are typically available in the formats mentioned above.
Deuces Wild
Deuces Wild is among the most popular games in Microgaming’s video poker collection and is based on five-card draw poker, with the difference that the Deuces (the cards with a face value of 2) are all wild cards. Wilds automatically substitute for all other cards in the deck, which makes completing winning hands much easier. Because of this, certain changes have been introduced to the pay-table, where the lowest-ranking hand is Three of a Kind. The natural Royal Flush is followed by Four Deuces, the Deuces Royal Flush and Five of a Kind. The subsequent winning hands follow the standard poker ranking.
Bonus Poker Deluxe
Many players prefer Microgaming’s Bonus Poker Deluxe because, as the name implies, extra payouts are offered for completing a hand of Four of a Kind, which pays 80 to 1 and 400 credits for maximum bets. Other than that, the game follows the same rules as the popular Jacks or Better. The ranking of hands is the same, but there is a slight reduction in the payout for Two Pair, which pays even money instead of 2 to 1 as it normally would in other video poker varieties.
Jacks or Better
Jacks or Better is the single most popular video poker game in the world and is loved by millions of players. This makes sense, considering the variant has paved the way for the majority of other video poker games and is, in fact, their forefather. Microgaming’s take on Jacks or Better stands out with an exceptionally straightforward interface and game controls, but this actually works to the players’ advantage.
A standard deck of 52 cards is in play. There are no wild cards or jokers to aid players in forming winning combinations. The minimum stake per hand amounts to £1.25, while the maximum is set at £25. Microgaming’s variation also offers full pay, which is to say the Full House and the Flush earn players 9 and 6 credits per credit wagered. This corresponds to an exceptionally high payback percentage of 99.54%.
All Aces
All Aces is another outstanding Microgaming video poker variant, which impresses with simplified features and an easy-to-navigate interface. A standard 52-card deck is used, and the jokers are removed. The rules coincide with those in Jacks or Better, but the Aces in this game are indeed special because players are awarded extra-high payouts for Four Aces. The payouts for Four of a Kind with 2s through 4s and Four of a Kind with 5s through Kings are also higher than usual. Like in Bonus Poker Deluxe, Two Pair in All Aces Poker pays even money.
Deuces and Joker
Deuces and Joker is a video poker variation that is unique to Microgaming’s catalogue. The game is designed with the sole purpose of delivering a second-to-none video poker experience. Deuces and Joker is played with one deck of 53 cards, which are reshuffled after each hand. The game follows the standard video poker rules, with a few small deviations. For instance, the Deuces and the Joker act as wild cards in all hands, with the exception of the natural Royal Flush and Four Deuces.
Additionally, this variant offers a massive fixed jackpot of 10,000 credits to all players who bet the maximum number of coins and complete a hand consisting of Four Deuces and a Joker. Note that this hand ranks higher than the Royal Flush in value but does not pay anything for stakes lower than the maximum.
Aces and Faces
Aces and Faces’ design resembles that of other single-hand games from Microgaming’s video poker collection, which is to say the interface is rather plain and user-friendly. Players can again bet between £1.25 and £25 per hand, which makes the game a fitting option for all bankroll sizes. There are no wild cards or jokers, as the game implements the traditional rules of draw poker.
The difference here stems from the increased payouts for specific winning combinations, such as Four Aces, Four of a Kind with face cards, and Four of a Kind with cards ranked 4s through 10s. There is a reduction in the payouts for the Flush and the Full House, however, which translates into a player return percentage of 99.26% for this Microgaming video poker variant.
Louisiana Double
The name of this Microgaming video poker variant may sound unusual to some, but the truth of the matter is the game is quite standard in terms of rules. The twist here is that one deck of 53 cards is in play, and there is an additional “Double” card. This card, however, is not a wild card, as its purpose is not to help complete winning combinations but to double players’ winnings whenever it is displayed with a winning hand.
For example, if your hand consists of [3][5][5][5][D], it will still be considered a Three of a Kind, but you will collect twice the payout for your stake. Since the Double card boosts players’ profits when it is part of a winning hand, the payout for maximum-credit bets for Royal Flushes is reduced to 2,500 coins instead of the usual 4,000 coins.
Mobile Video Poker
Play Video Poker on iPhone
Play Video Poker on Android
Playtech Video Poker
Microgaming Video Poker
Where to Play Video Poker by Microgaming
As Microgaming is one of the oldest software providers in the interactive casino industry, the number of web-based gambling operators running on its platform is overwhelming to say the least. The majority of Microgaming casinos provide players with the option to choose between instant play and installing a downloadable client that is currently compatible with Windows OS.
Since Microgaming is one of the “founding fathers” of eCOGRA, an independent testing agency that also deals with player protection, most casinos using this software bear its seal of approval and are certified as fair and reliable. Check out the five Microgaming casinos we have reviewed below and see which one is the most suitable option at which to register and play video poker.
Hippodrome Casino
The Hippodrome has been associated with innovation and sophisticated entertainment ever since it first opened its doors to customers back in 1900. Yet being the biggest land-based casino in the UK was not enough, so the Hippodrome expanded its first-rate offering by launching its online casino in 2013. The online casino holds licences from the Malta Gaming Authority and the UK Gambling Commission. The website offers a mind-blowing collection of Microgaming titles, featuring the latest slots, various superb roulette and blackjack games, live-dealer games and a number of video poker variations.
Video poker fans flock to the Hippodrome to bet on some of the most popular Microgaming offerings, including Joker Poker, Deuces Wild, Double Bonus Poker and Jacks or Better. One of the variants, Jackpot Deuces, offers huge winning potential as it is attached to a progressive pool that increases at a rapid pace.
Since the Hippodrome is dedicated to doing everything within its means to deliver a premium gaming experience, players can expect exclusive loyalty rewards, excellent customer support, secure payments and lots of fantastic promotional offers.
Betway Casino
Betway Casino has been in operation since 2006 and has attracted an impressive player base since its launch. This success is certainly not hard to explain, as the casino is home to over 160 outstanding games created by the industry veteran Microgaming. These are available for instant play and range from various classic roulette variations through modern multi-line slots and other timeless classics like blackjack, craps and baccarat.
Players can also take on professional croupiers at one of the forty live-dealer tables, where the action is streamed in real time in high definition. As far as video poker is concerned, fans of the game are given the opportunity to enjoy a broad range of variants available in both single-hand and multi-line formats. If you experience any issues with the games, you can reach the dedicated support representatives via the live-chat facility, as they are always very quick to respond to players’ enquiries.
UK Casino Club
The UK Casino Club is the favourite online gaming destination of a huge number of players, as it provides a wealth of amazing promotional offers and a secure platform courtesy of Microgaming. Players can enjoy the games on their desktop computers as well as on their mobile devices, since the UK Casino Club runs seamlessly on a wide range of smartphones and tablets.
The gaming selection is impressive in size, comprising over 500 sophisticated games, including various blackjack and roulette titles, 3-reel and modern slot games, as well as many Microgaming video poker varieties such as Aces and Eights, Double Double Bonus Poker and Jacks or Better. Moreover, a progressive variant of Jacks or Better has also made its way into the portfolio. Newcomers can fund their accounts via one of the many convenient and secure payment methods available and then opt in for the generous Welcome Bonus of £700 in free casino credits.
Roxy Palace
Roxy Palace is among the leading online casinos in Europe and a favourite of many players from the United Kingdom. The fine reputation it enjoys is well-earned, as the casino offers over 500 Microgaming titles and enables players to bet on a broad selection of live-dealer games, advanced slots, 3-reel slots, table and casual games, as well as on many progressives and video poker variations. One can enjoy the games whilst on the go, since the casino is compatible with smartphones running on iOS and Android.
Yet diversity and increased convenience are not the only benefits Roxy Palace offers its loyal player community. The website is available in seven languages and supports over seven different currencies. Players who register there are guaranteed a transparent, safe and friendly environment. One of the biggest assets of Roxy Palace is the efficient customer service – the support agents provide prompt and courteous responses to all players’ questions.
32Red
Millions of players decide in favour of opening their real-money accounts at 32Red because the gaming operator has succeeded in cementing its reputation as a respected, fair and dependable brand. The casino is powered exclusively by Microgaming and features a fine selection of games with broad betting limits to suit every pocket. It matters not whether you prefer virtual table games and video slots or are willing to put your skills and knowledge to the test by playing against professional dealers in real time – in all cases, you will find something that corresponds to your interests and bankroll size at 32Red.
If video poker is your game of choice, you will find the collection at 32Red especially appealing, as it comprises quite a few variants, including Bonus Poker Deluxe, Deuces Wild, Jacks or Better and Tens or Better. Many of the games can be played in both single-hand and multi-hand formats. Other perks of registering at 32Red include multiple currencies and languages, tempting bonuses and promotions, and the casino’s mobile responsiveness.