Unlike the standard video poker variants, which feature fixed prizes for different hands, progressive video poker offers jackpots for specific winning combinations. These games are generally linked between multiple casinos in order to boost their prize pools. They are also known as wide-area games. The main difference between progressive and standard video poker is the jackpot which is accumulated as a percentage of each bet placed on the machine. This amount can be quite substantial as it is often larger than the house edge of a normal video poker game.
It is important to understand the rules and probabilities of video poker when playing progressive versions of this game as these jackpots can grow rapidly. Those who have a thorough understanding of the game can make the best decisions about which cards to keep and discard. This can improve the player’s overall winning potential significantly. It is also a good idea to practice the strategy on a regular basis before visiting a casino to play this type of game.
There are many variations of video poker that offer a progressive jackpot but the most popular version is based on Jacks or Better. This game features the same winning combinations and pay table as a standard video poker game but it includes an extra card – the SupaJax – that can form part of a royal flush but cannot be used to create other winning combinations. Some of these games have a minimum payout of four jacks and others have a jackpot for lower winning combinations such as a Straight Flush.
The jackpot of a progressive video poker game can increase in size very quickly which means that players are likely to lose more often than they would with the non-progressive versions of the same game. The only way to avoid this is to incorporate a strategy that can help them beat the jackpot. This can be achieved by computing the frequency of each payoff against the odds of hitting that particular hand. Once this is done, the jackpot of a progressive video poker machine will reach a point where it becomes a positive expectation bet for the player.
In addition to practicing a solid strategy, players should check the pay tables of each progressive video poker game they consider playing. The pay table will provide them with information about the return at reset as well as at higher levels of the jackpot. This will allow them to determine if the game is worth their time.
While progressive video poker offers higher jackpots than the traditional slots, it is still not a good option for those who have poor bankroll management skills. The high volatility of these games can lead to major losses during a short period of time and it is crucial to have a well-planned budget and stick to it. Those who are not emotionally prepared for this should avoid playing progressive video poker at all costs. If they must, they should limit their stakes to a small percentage of the total amount they can afford to risk.