Many people associate progressive jackpots with slots, but this is not to say that other casino games do not offer such life-changing prizes. Considering that video poker and slots share a number of common traits, it is anything but surprising that plenty of online casinos provide video poker fans with a range of progressive variations that boast huge winning potential.
It is true that the jackpots on video poker games rarely reach several million, like those on some wide-area slots, because the machines are usually linked to a local-area network, so the pools accumulate across a smaller number of machines.
However, this cannot be considered a major drawback, because players can turn progressive video poker from a negative into a positive-expectation game. This is achievable by calculating when the jackpot is large enough, using the respective game’s paytable as a guideline.
The Peculiarities of Progressive Video Poker
Before players try their luck at a progressive video poker variation, they should first familiarise themselves with the key aspects of the game, including the accumulation of the pools, the rules, the paytable, and the criteria for qualifying for the huge prize. Let us begin by explaining how the prize pools are generated.
Jackpot Pools Accumulation
In progressive video poker, the payout for the highest-ranking hand, the Royal Flush, is not fixed at a specific amount but constantly grows. The prize pools on progressive video poker accumulate in precisely the same manner as the pools on progressive slots do. The progressive jackpot normally starts at a predetermined amount, or seed, and continues to increase with every bet made on that particular game.
In other words, it is players who contribute to the pool’s accumulation, since a tiny percentage of each bet is subtracted and goes towards the overall prize. The percentage players contribute to the pools ranges from one progressive game to another, but the amount generally hovers around a dollar or the currency equivalent. It is possible to keep track of how the pot “progresses” as the current amount is displayed in the game’s Jackpot metre.
There is no limit to the progressive jackpot’s size – it continues to escalate until someone forms the coveted Royal Flush. Once won, the pot is reset to the original seed amount and starts growing all over again. In the majority of cases, the seed coincides in size with the highest payout of regular video poker, which is typically 4,000 credits on games like Jacks or Better.
Because of this, the pools continually escalate until someone is lucky enough to form the highest-ranking hand that awards the progressive prize. What furthers the speedy accumulation of these pools is the fact that players are required to invest larger sums of money in order to qualify for the top prize.
Some progressive video poker games are linked between several casinos, which also helps to boost the size of their pools. These are known as wide-area games and are preferred by many fans of the genre because of their enhanced winning potential.
Playing Progressive Video Poker
The only difference between progressive and regular video poker is, in fact, the massive jackpot. If you have ever played standard video poker variations, you will hardly notice any deviations in terms of interface and gameplay.
The most popular type of progressive video poker is based on the Jacks or Better variation, but there is a twist, since the Royal Flush awards the jackpot instead of a standard, fixed prize. Progressive jackpot variants, however, rarely offer “full pay”, which means there are adjustments in the payouts for certain high-ranking hands.
Instead of paying 9 to 1 and 6 to 1 on full house and flush hands, progressive video poker variants usually offer 8 to 1 and 5 to 1 payouts for these two hands. This by no means should intimidate players or prevent them from trying their luck in such games.
As a matter of fact, progressive video poker can potentially become a positive-expectation game, provided that the jackpot has escalated to a specific amount and players incorporate an adequate strategy into their gameplay. As soon as the pot reaches a given figure, the progressive video poker game will start returning more than 100% to the player. Experienced players can easily identify precisely what the game’s target value is.
Typical 8/5 video poker variants come with a payback percentage of 97.3%, but when the jackpot reaches 8,665 credits on average, the return rate escalates to 100%, which is considered the break-even point.
A pot exceeding 8,700 credits for a Royal Flush will result in a positive expected value for players. The denominations of the coins also influence the cut-off point of the jackpot. Quarter machines typically offer positive expectation as soon as the pot grows to 2,166 credits.
Knowledgeable players can easily calculate the exact point at which a given progressive video poker game would offer them a positive expected value, because a standard 52-card deck is in play. The number of cards of each suit and rank is known, which enables players to determine accurately the probability of being dealt specific winning combinations as well as the game’s payback percentage.
The probability of being dealt a Royal Flush stands at 45,000 to 1, and this is precisely what allows seasoned players to calculate how high the progressive jackpot needs to be in order to tilt the odds in their favour.
There is another requirement players need to factor in if they are aiming to collect the progressive pot on a video poker game. Such video poker variations are normally more expensive, because players are required to bet the maximum number of credits in order to qualify for the jackpot. Other than that, the game follows the same rules and there are no differences as far as the ranking of the winning hands is concerned.
The jackpot is awarded to the player who succeeds in forming the best-ranking hand, the Royal Flush, which is a suited Ace-high straight flush, such as [A][K][Q][J][10], for instance. On some variants, there is an additional requirement – the Royal Flush should be of a specific suit, diamonds for example.
Tips on Playing Progressive Video Poker
Two advantages video poker players share are optimal play and the ability to calculate when a given progressive variation becomes a positive-expectation game. It is worth mentioning that the proper strategy on progressive games changes according to the jackpot amount.
When playing standard Jacks or Better, seasoned players would typically discard suited aces and tens after the deal, but on progressive games, holding these two cards is the smarter decision, provided that the jackpot has escalated to a given amount.
One essential thing players need to remember is that the probability of hitting a Royal Flush does not increase because the jackpot has reached a specific sum; it only makes the game worth their time and funds. Another important point is that players are advised to incorporate a more flexible strategy, as this would further increase their chances of collecting the pot.
The decisions and moves players make should be based on the jackpot’s current size. Aggressive play is recommended when the value of the Royal Flush increases. In other words, players should make more attempts at drawing to a Royal Flush than they would otherwise do in non-progressive video poker.
Each time players incorporate changes into their strategy, their chances of forming the Royal Flush increase, but it is also important to remember that they will lose money at a faster rate while waiting for the Royal Flush to hit. After all, a Royal Flush tends to appear once every 45,000 hands, which is to say progressive video poker is not a suitable option for those who lack patience and a bankroll big enough to sustain them while they wait for the highest-ranking hand.
In that vein, it is worth mentioning that volatility increases proportionately to the jackpot. Incorporating changes into their strategy would indeed increase players’ chances of hitting the massive jackpot, but at the same time, it would decrease the odds of winning on lower-ranking hands. In other words, progressive video poker players may win less often and lose more frequently while they are waiting for the big jackpot.
Another thing to bear in mind is that progressive video poker does not automatically translate into positive expected value for the player. It is impossible to place too much stress on the importance of checking a game’s paytable. It all depends on the payouts for flushes and full house hands.
A 6/5 progressive variation of Jacks or Better will give players a positive expected value only when the jackpot increases to 12,350 credits instead of the usual 8,665 credits on 8/5 games. This compensates for the lower payouts, but it also makes such games far more volatile.
Another thing to steer clear of is certain variants of progressive Tens or Better. Some games offer the full-pay profits of 9/6 on full house hands and flushes, but the further you progress towards the bottom of the paytable, the more unfavourable tendencies you will notice.
Such games pay even money on both two pairs and pairs of tens, which raises the break-even point to 4,600 credits on quarter machines. The expected loss rate on such variants while you are waiting to hit the Royal Flush is estimated to be around $75, which is enough to explain why these games drive seasoned players away.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Progressive Video Poker Games
Like most things in life, progressive video poker has both its pros and cons. One of the biggest perks of progressive video poker is that it offers a positive expectation at a given point. What further increases the game’s appeal is the fact it is possible and fairly easy for players to calculate what the cut-off point of the jackpot is. This enables them to start playing and invest their money at the right moment, when there are greater chances of collecting the pot with a Royal Flush.
On the downside, progressive video poker is not suitable for all types of players, especially those who have smaller bankrolls at their disposal. As mentioned previously, a Royal Flush is certainly difficult to get and occurs only once every 45,000 hands on average.
Players with insufficient funds will find themselves bitterly disappointed, as they would most likely end up with empty pockets before they hit the Royal Flush. What is more, one needs to bet the maximum number of credits to qualify for the large prize, and not everyone has the funds to do so.
Progressive video poker games come with increased volatility, which is to say players will lose more often, but when they win, they win big. However, some people consider this high variance a bit boring, which is to say progressive video poker is not for those who lack patience.
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Progressive Video Poker
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Should You Play Progressive Video Poker?
The choice of whether you should play progressive video poker or not depends on your personal preferences and budget. While some players consider the non-progressive options to be better, others believe that once a progressive variant reaches its break-even point, it is worth playing.
If you are willing to always bet the maximum number of coins and use a more aggressive strategy, then you will enjoy progressive video poker games. Keep in mind that when you are striving specifically to form a Royal Flush, the variance of the game increases significantly. As most of the payout is offered for a Royal Flush, the variance jumps from 19.32 to around 81.75.
Higher variance means that you will need a hefty bankroll when your goal is to get a Royal Flush. This is why progressive video poker games are more suitable for high-rollers.
As the progressive jackpot increases, you will need to change your strategy. The best approach is to be prepared with several strategies that evolve as the jackpot pool grows. With the progressive jackpot increasing, it is better to hold cards that can help you achieve a Royal Flush. You can look for different strategies online and set up trigger points for every change in strategy that needs to occur.
Even if you decide to play progressive video poker, make sure that the jackpot has increased enough to pass the game’s break-even point. This will be the best time to test your luck and try to sweep the generous progressive prize.
If you do not have the budget to take so many risks, you are advised to stick to non-progressive video poker. Keep in mind that even after the game has a positive expected value, the Royal Flush is still the hand that is the hardest to achieve. Moreover, if you have not prepared several strategies and do not know when to switch from one to another, you should avoid risking your money on progressive video poker options.
Royals-Only Strategy
As the name of this strategy implies, this approach requires you to hold only the cards that can help you land a Royal Flush. As you already know, however, the odds of getting this hand are very low, which means that you might end up losing a lot of money if you resort to this strategy.
While it is true that video poker progressive jackpots are won when players have a Royal Flush, it is still recommended to make the best out of every hand you are dealt. That being said, the Royals-Only strategy can still come in handy in certain situations.
When you are participating in a video poker tournament where the number of rounds is limited or the tournament lasts only a few minutes, you can resort to this tactic. Since you do not have the time to make use of intricate strategies, you will have the best chance to win the tournament if you always strive to achieve a Royal Flush.
This means that every round, you will need to discard all the cards that will not help you get a Royal Flush. While it is still a risky strategy, Royals-Only will give you better chances of winning a tournament where the game is played only for a set time.
Popular Video Poker Games with Progressive Jackpots
There are various progressive video poker variations that offer players the opportunity to end their betting sessions with a hefty payout, so players are often perplexed when it comes to choosing which variant to invest their funds in. If you experience the same difficulties, we recommend you check the three progressive video poker variations below.
10-Line Jacks or Better
| 10-Line Jacks or Better Key Information | |
|---|---|
| Software Provider | Playtech |
| Release Date | 2009 |
| Return to Player | 95.95% |
| Seed Amount | $1,000 |
| Break-Even Amount | $20,350 |
| Probability of Winning the Jackpot | 1 in 40,172 |
| Average Jackpot Drop Time | Every 3 weeks |
| Average Amount Won | $11,600 |
The game is indeed impressive when it comes to design, with strikingly rich graphics and an easy-to-understand interface. Yet, this Jacks or Better variation has more to offer than just visual appeal – the game comes with a twist, as players are able to bet on ten hands simultaneously.
The game boasts a number of great features, including the Auto Hold functionality, which automatically keeps the cards that make up winning combinations in case players fail to recognise them. The increasing jackpot and the player’s winnings are displayed on the screen at all times.
And finally, players will benefit from the popular Double functionality, which is activated on winning hands and enables them either to collect their profits immediately or to attempt to double their winnings. To do this, one simply needs to pick a card of higher value than that of the dealer.
SuperJax Video Poker
| SupaJax Video Poker Key Information | |
|---|---|
| Software Provider | Microgaming |
| Release Date | August 2000 |
| Return to Player | 90.43% (3% progressive pool contribution) |
| Seed Amount | $5,000 |
| Break-Even Amount | $52,400 |
| Probability of Winning the Jackpot | 1 in 109,510 |
| Average Jackpot Drop Time | 7 weeks |
| Average Amount Won | $50,180 |
One of the biggest peculiarities of this variation is that a 53-card deck is in play here, since there is an additional card, the so-called SupaJax. Interestingly enough, this card does not contribute to forming any of the standard qualifying poker hands except for one – four Jacks plus this particular card.
The latter is practically the highest-ranking hand in the game, since it awards players the huge progressive jackpot. Do not forget that, similarly to other progressive games, SupaJax pays the progressive jackpot only when all five credits are played.
Jackpot Deuces
| Jackpot Deuces Key Information | |
|---|---|
| Software Provider | Microgaming |
| Release Date | 2000 |
| Return to Player | 93.89% (4.50% progressive pool contribution) |
| Seed Amount | $5,000 |
| Break-Even Amount | $53,980 |
| Probability of Winning the Jackpot | 1 in 176,670 |
| Average Jackpot Drop Time | 4 weeks |
| Average Amount Won | $35,000 |
All twos in the deck act as wild cards, which means players may use them to substitute for other cards and thus create a qualifying winning hand. In order to collect the huge progressive prize, players are required to form not just any Royal Flush but the Royal Flush of diamonds, specifically. Royal Flushes that contain a wild card pay only 125 credits, while the remaining natural Royal Flushes of clubs, spades and hearts pay a fixed jackpot of 4,000 credits.