Triple Play Draw Poker
Video poker has never quite gained the level of popularity enjoyed by slot machines. But for a certain segment of the casino-loving population, it is the game of choice – and it is easy to see why. When played well, it offers the kinds of odds that can’t be matched by anything else in the casino gaming world. The level of strategy required keeps the game interesting for a long time, and with some rare machines even offering a player advantage when played perfectly, professional gamblers usually keep a close eye on these games.
It has also become a very popular game in the world of online gaming, where operators can easily spread a wide variety of different machines for their players. One great example of this is IGT’s Triple Play Draw Poker game, which combines several different variations into one game, putting a variety of popular choices right at your fingertips. It has already proved a big hit at a number of top New Jersey casino sites.
One Game, Nine Options
Available at sites that offer IGT games, Triple Play Draw Poker is a single game that features nine different variations of video poker in one package. Players can choose from any of these games at any time, and are free to switch between them at any time they like. A wide range of coin denominations are also available, allowing you to control how much you spend per hand.
However, all of these games do have something in common. In each case, you’ll be playing exactly three hands at a time: no more, no less. As in any multi-hand game, you’ll first decide which cards to hold, then watch as three different hands play out in front of you. You’ll pay for all three hands, and then each will be scored individually, allowing you to win up to three times on every round.
Most of the variants offered here will be familiar to any fan of the game, but here’s a quick rundown with short descriptions of each game, just in case a few are new to you:
- Jacks or Better: Perhaps the most popular machine in the world, this one requires you to (as the name suggests) make a pair of jacks or better to earn a prize, with a royal flush paying out at 800-1 odds.
- Bonus Poker: Once again, the goal is to make a pair of jacks or better, but the payouts have changed, with various types of four-of-a-kinds paying out different prizes (with four aces being the most valuable).
- Bonus Poker Deluxe: This time, all four-of-a-kind hands pay out at a premium, with the tradeoff being that two pair only earns you the same minimum prize as a single pair.
- Double Bonus: In this variant on the “bonus” theme, the prizes for four of a kind are once again large and varied, with aces earning an incredible 160-1 – though the payouts for two pair have once again been reduced.
- Double Double Bonus: Similar to Double Bonus but much more volatile, it’s now possible to earn an even bigger four-of-a-kind prize if you can also hit a low “kicker” with your fifth card. For instance, four aces and a two, three, or four will earn you 400-1.
- Triple Double Bonus: Just in case the previous game wasn’t enough, it’s now possible to hit a four of a kind that will pay out as much as a royal flush! However, the payouts for a three of a kind have also been reduced, making this a very wild and swingy game.
- Deuces Wild: In this game, all twos are wild, making it much easier to make big hands. However, you’ll need at least a three-of-a-kind in order to score a win.
- Deuces Wild Bonus: Like other bonus games, this one offers some additional payouts for special hands: this time, specific five-of-a-kind hands, as well as four deuces and an ace. To make up for these “bonuses,” you’ll notice that straights and full houses have had their payouts reduced, however.
- Joker Poker: In this game, the deuces are no longer wild, but there is a joker added to the deck, which can substitute for any other card. As a result, this game plays much more like jacks or better, with a notable exception: you’ll need at least a pair of kings to score a win on each hand.
Easy Gameplay
Playing each of these games is a snap. The interface is simple, with buttons below the screen allowing you to change your bet size, the speed of the game, or the game you are playing.
Once you’ve hit the “deal” button, your initial set of five cards will appear on the bottom row of the display. From there, you can choose which cards to hold in a variety of ways: you can click them, or use the number keys from 1-5, for instance. If you want to unselect a card, simply click it (or press its number) a second time.
After your decisions are locked in, hit the draw button to watch your three hands play out. Once they do, all payouts will be completed immediately, and you can move on to the next hand. Handy buttons also allow you to see complete rules and pay tables, or switch out to another game with just two clicks.
All in all, this is one of the better implementations of a “complete” video poker solution we’ve seen online. If you enjoy playing a variety of popular machines, and don’t need any added frills, then Triple Play Draw Poker is a fast and easy way to jump into the game.
