Blackjack vs Video Poker – Which Skill-Based Game Is Better?

Video poker is one of the most played games among punters these days, and it is easy to see why. Experienced players will tell you there is no better feeling than chasing big wins with a good poker hand.

Video poker will allow you to experience these thrills by chasing a full house or flush. All these hands will surely get you a nice payday. Speaking of payday, it is the second reason why punters love video poker.

The payouts can be quite handsome, and if you bet big, you can aim for the biggest wins. There are some top prizes in games such as Jacks or Better, so big bets can get you some life-changing wins. Of course, there is a nice element of luck attached, but when you find yourself on a nice winning run, you will be in for a treat.

Which Versions of Video Poker are There?

There are several video poker variants that you can enjoy. We already mentioned Jacks or Better, which gives you the chance to secure nice payouts if you hit a pair of jacks or any better in your hand. There are also several versions of this game that you can find these days.

Next, we have Joker Poker, a game with wild jokers that are there to help you secure winning hands. Moreover, Bonus Deuces Wild offers wild 2s. This version is mostly for thrill-seekers.

Double Double Bonus is the next variant. Similarly, it allows punters to play double, or nothing after a win is secured. Here, players will be shown a dealer card, and they will need to select from four face-down cards to pick which one is higher than the dealer. If the card is a higher one, you will secure a double win; if not, you will end up with nothing.

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  Strategies in Video Poker

  If you get to master some video poker strategies, you will increase your chances of securing a win. Let’s see some strategies that we think can be quite helpful in your quest for a win.
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  Know Your Paytables

  One of the basic rules in video poker is that no two hands are the same. But if you play online, you will have a much easier time knowing the paytables, as they are displayed on the top of your screen.
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  Know When to Play Max Coins

  Once you know the basics of the game, it is time for you to get courage and see potential when you have it. If you have a good hand, then don’t hesitate to hit the max bet button.
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  Low Pairs over a Single High Card

  Should you get a par, make sure to hold it, no matter if they are low scoring. You are best advised to keep hold of a low-scoring hand rather than go along with the risk of winning nothing.
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  Learn when to Break Up a Straight or a Flush

  Should you have the possibility of getting a royal flush, we could advise you to break up a straight or a flush.

Similar to video poker, should you be on a nice run of luck, blackjack can have a massive payout potential. However, it can be argued that blackjack has a more stable payout structure, and some of the strategies may be a bit easier to learn.

Keep in mind that this doesn’t mean the game is straightforward. You need time to learn the strategies. You should know when to hit or stand, split, double down, take insurance, and surrender.

Which Versions of Blackjack are There?

Blackjack is among the games with plenty of versions, but the two most-played ones are Classical Blackjack and Double Deck Blackjack. The rules of the game are very simple – you need to have a hand as close as possible to 21 without going over.

The same can be said about Double Deck Blackjack. Once again, you need a higher score than the dealer without going over 21, but here two 52-card decks are shuffled together.

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  Strategies in Blackjack

  As explained above, there are different strategies you can use in blackjack to boost your chances of securing a win. Let’s take a look at some of the strategy tips we recommend if you play blackjack.
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  Surrender

  You are best advised to surrender a hard 16, but never 8s against 9, 10 or the dealer's ace. Moreover, we can advise you to surrender a hard 15 if the dealer has 10.
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  Split

  Next, you can split your aces and 8s, but don’t do that with 5s and 10s.
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  Double

  Next, our team advises you to double hard 9s against the dealer’s 3, 4, 5 or 6. Moreover, you can double hard 10 except against the dealer’s 10 or an ace.
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  Hit and Stand

  Lastly, you need to know when to hit or stand. As an example, we recommend you to hit on hard 11 or less but stand on hard 12 against the dealer's 4, 5, or 6.

Now that you know the main differences between video poker and blackjack, the next question is which one you should play? Well, this mainly depends on your preferences. There is no simple answer to which game is the better one, as different people will tell you different things.

There are big differences between video poker and blackjack, so check out the main rules and strategies explained above and decide which one better suits your character and preferences.