Ever since poker was first introduced as a unique game in the 1800s, it has evolved and diversified. From the original 5 Card Draw version, poker has expanded, with different formats for betting, standing, taking hits and winning. Some games involve multiple decks of cards, some have limits on the number of cards that can be traded, some count certain combinations as wins which are not recognized in other variations, etc.
Regardless of whether you enjoy playing a specific poker variation or you like to try different types, you’ll find the poker adventure that suits your individual preferences and gaming style with the best online casino bonuses at Grande Vegas online casino.
Evolution of Poker
Since the early 19th century, the game of poker has captivated players with its blend of skill, strategy, and chance. Over time, the game has evolved and today there are diverse poker options that cater to various play styles and preferences. Some players settle into one particular version of poker but for others, the alternate versions enhance the overall gaming experience with dynamic challenges, options for social interaction and opportunities to score wins.
The origins of poker are traced back to several card games including those that derived from France, Persia and Germany. Historians have identified one of those games as “poque”, a French game that has similarities to modern poker. The first known variation was what is today known as 5 Card Draw. In this game, players are dealt 5 cards which they can then exchange (anywhere from one card to 5 cards) for others in an attempt to build a high-value hand. All of the variations recognize the same basic rankings – a hand with 1 pair, a hand with 2 pairs, a hand with 3-of-a-kind, a hand with a straight (5 cards numbered consecutively). a hand with a flush (5 cards of the same suit), a hand with a full house (pair plus 3-of-a-kind), a hand with 4-of-a-kind, a hand with a straight-flush (5 cards of the same suit consecutively numbered) and a hand with a royal flush (a ten, Jack, Queen, King and Ace of the same suit.
By the early 20th century, variations on 5-Card Draw began to emerge. The first variation was Texas Hold’em where the initial hand that the player was dealt was composed of five face-up cards and two face-down (hole) cards. Texas Hold’em was soon followed by Omaha poker in which the player receive 4 hole cards where 2 of the 4 hole cards must be used in combination with 3 of the 5 face-up cards to build a winning hand.
More poker variations were introduced when the online casino began to offer poker online in the 1990s. With video poker machines, it was possible to create games that could suit any gaming preference or playing style. Today, these video poker options are easily accessible to all poker players with betting options for both high-stakes VIP gamers and budget players.
Some of the top poker alternatives include:
Aces and Eights
Aces and Eights is played with a conventional 52-card deck. The game follows standard 5-card draw rules. Your aim involves building the strongest hand. special bonuses or payouts for two specific hands: a pair of aces or a pair of eights. There are two main differences between 5 Card Draw Poker and Aces and Eights. For one thing, you will be dealt seven cards but you make your poker hand with 5 of those cards. Some cards are face-up and others are face-down hole cards. Your final hand must include both face-up cards and hole cards. In addition, there are special side payouts for pairs of aces or pairs of eights.
Many players prefer Aces and Eights Poker because the Return to Player percentage is especially high – 99%.
All American Poker
All American Poker is also similar to traditional 5-Card Draw poker but the betting structure is different (there aren’t any rounds of betting after the initial bet and the payout structure differs (the hand rankings are different, especially for higher-value hands like flushes, straights and full houses. The Royal Flush, Three-of-a-Kind and Jacks or Better offer standard payouts while Royal Flushes, Straight Flushes and Straights deliver higher payouts. Full Houses and Two Pairs pay out at a lower-than-standard rate in All American Poker.
Bonus Poker
In bonus poker both you and the dealer make their best five-card poker hand from the two cards that you have been dealt and the five board cards that are viewable and available to both you and the dealer. If the dealer's hand beats yours, you lose all bets (except the bonus bet) If the dealer's hand ties with your hand, the dealer wins.
There’s one betting round in this poker variation so you either wager on your initial hand or cash out after the draw based on the paytable.
The paytable is similar to a 5-Card Draw paytable with the addition of 4 Aces, 4 cards 2-4 and 4 cards 5-King just prior to a Straight Flush.
Double Bonus Poker
Like Bonus Poker, playing Double Bonus involves both you and the dealer making the best possible five-card poker hand from your own two cards and five board cards that are accessible to you both. In case of a tie, the dealer’s hand wins. The difference between Bonus Poker and Double Bonus Poker is that some payouts pay double.
Explore poker entertainment with poker variations at the online casino.
