Microgaming is considered by many an absolute pioneer in the online gambling industry as its history spans over twenty years of experience in the field of casino software development. The company is also highly appraised for being the first one to develop software for an online casino and launch it.
Microgaming was founded back in 1994 but has gone 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 offering, live dealer games, a sportsbook, bingo and poker portals. Always the innovator in the field of 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 which 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 even of the most fastidious of players since Microgaming’s collection contains every imaginable variant one can possibly think of as well as a few more obscure options. Players are able to choose from over twenty variants of the game, available across hundreds of casinos running on Microgaming’s platform, which is available in download and flash formats. Most varieties are offered in single-hand and multi-hand mode.
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 which aim at mimicking those of the video poker terminals in landbased casinos many players are accustomed to. This is great news those who insist on authenticity.
The paytable in most variants of the game occupies the upper half of the screen and contains 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 paytable to select the number of credits they want to wager per hand. The corresponding column and the payouts will then become 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 which constitute it are automatically held. The same applies for 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 the replacements for the discards. If the final hand is listed in the game’s paytable, 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 in this venture, 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 that is of a lesser rank than the dealer’s or until you reach the doubling limit that is set by the online casino you have registered with. Note that the double limit ranges between casinos so if you want to make sure what it is, it would be best to contact the support team.
Top Games in Microgaming’s Video Poker Collection
The video poker variations that bear the brand name Microgaming can be grouped into three main categories – standard, multi-line, and level-up poker. The standard category consists of games where players can bet only on a single hand at a time, which is the traditional form of video poker. The second category comprises titles where players are allowed to simultaneously bet on anywhere between four and a 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 are required to win the first hand in order to play the next one. The payout for the second hand will be twice as big 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 above-mentioned formats.
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 wilds. Wilds automatically substitute for all other cards in the deck which renders completing winning hands much easier. Because of this, certain changes have been introduced to the paytable where the hand of the lowest ranking 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 ranking in poker.
Bonus Poker Deluxe
Many players prefer Microgaming’s Bonus Poker Deluxe because, as the name itself implies, there are extra payouts offered on 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 also coincides 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 variation 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 advantage of the players.
A standard deck of 52 cards is in play. There are no wild cards or jokers to aid players form winning combinations. The minimum stake per hand amounts to £1.25 while the maximum is set to £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 easy-to-navigate interface. A standard, 52-card deck is used and the jokers are removed. The rules coincide with these 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. Similarly to Bonus Poker Deluxe, Two Pairs in All Aces Poker have an even-money payout.
Deuces and Joker
Deuces and Joker is a video poker variations which 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 results 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 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, which currently is compatible with Windows OS.
Since Microgaming is one of the “founding fathers” of eCOGRA, an independent testing agency which 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 to register and play video poker at.
Hippodrome Casino
The Hippodrome has been associated with innovation and sophisticated entertainment ever since it first opened its doors to customers back in 1900. But being the biggest landbased 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 licenses from the Malta Gaming Authority and the UK Gambling Commission. The website offers a mind-blowing collection of Microgaming titles, which consists of 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, carries a huge winning potential as it is attached to a progressive pool which 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 most definitely 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 the 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’ inquiries.
UK Casino Club
The UK Casino Club is the favourite online gaming destination of a huge number of players since 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 widespread smartphones and tablets.
The gaming selection is impressive in size as it comprises over 500 sophisticated games, including various blackjack, roulette, and 3-reel and modern slots as well as many Microgaming video poker varieties, such as Aces and Eights, Double Double Bonus Poker, and Jacks or Better. Moreover, one progressive variant of Jacks or Better also made it to the portfolio. Newcomers can fund their new 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-reels, 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 has to offer to 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 of a respected, fair and dependable brand. The casino is powered exclusively by Microgaming and features a nice selection of games with broader 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 interest, you will find the collection of 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.