Understanding Playtech Online Pick ‘em Poker

Added: October 22, 2015

Usually online video poker games have a standard game play format and differ only in payout tables. Some video poker variants include wild cards. Therefore, the few structurally different online video poker games attract many players at online casinos. One such game is Pick ‘em Poker from the leading online casino software provider Playtech. It is a multi-hand online casino game that can be played with up to 100 hands at a time. This video poker variant is live at all Playtech online casinos such as Omni Casino and Mansion Casino.

Playtech Pick ‘em Poker is played as follows. As in online video poker variants, each hand is played with a single standard deck. After you place your wager, you will be dealt two cards face up. You will also be dealt two stacks of three cards each. Only the top card of these stacks will be exposed. You have to pick one of the two stacks, and this gives the game its name. The three cards in the chosen stack and the two cards initially dealt will make your five card hand.

The Playtech Pick ‘em Poker payout table has been adjusted so as to compensate for the greater uncertainty in the game. It starts paying with nines or better, instead of the usual jacks or better. Though the other hand rankings are the same, the payouts are materially different. The payouts for a wager of five coins are as follows. Nines or better pays 2 to 1. Two pair pays 3 to 1. Three of a kind pays 5 to 1. Straight pays 11 to 1. Flush pays 15 to 1. Full House pays 18 to 1. Four of a kind pays 120 to 1. Straight flush pays at 239.8 to 1. This odd figure comes from a payout of 1199 coins for 5 coins wagered. Royal flush pays at 1200 to 1. If you wager less than 5 coins then the top three payout ratios are lower, therefore it is more important to play with 5 coins.

The strategy is based on which top card of the two stacks will give a better chance of getting a higher poker hand with the two single cards. A ranked list of options is drawn up and you compare each stack against the list. You then choose the stack that gives the higher ranked combination. Only two paying combinations are certain. If you can make three of a kind then go for it. Nines or better will also pay, but optimum strategy says you try for straight flush or royal flush because of the higher payouts.