In my humble opinion, Multi-line Video Poker can be more fun and offer more excitement than single-line video poker. Yes, I know Video Poker purists feel that it’s got to be a single line, high denomination, with a full-pay paytable, or don’t play at all. Well, BREAKING NEWS – many players, even some of the best players, find single-line VP boring.
I get it. Of course, it is more profitable to approach playing video poker like the pros. However, whether it’s Ultimate X, Hot Roll, or Super Times Pay, the chance of big payouts on four-of-a-kind is exciting. So many new games have appeared in casinos over the past five years; trying them is fun.
Multi-Line Video Poker – Variance, Posts, and Advice.
Should You Play Multi-Line Video Poker?
Well, let’s see what the Wizard says at Wizard of Odds.com:
Given the same pay table the strategy is exactly the same for 1-play, 3-play, 100-play, and any-play. Personally I prefer the multi-play games if the pay tables are the same. However the multi-play games usually have stingier pay tables. The more the hands, the worse the pay table.
Michael Shackleford, Wizard of Odds
Let’s take a look at some of the facts above, as well as other factors involved.
Some Basics
Let’s review some important information.
To simplify, I will be using Expected Value for both paytables and returns. The important word here is “EXPECTED.”
Playing Multi-Line Games
Same Strategy
The game strategy remains the same. In a few games, such as Quick Quads and Ultimate X, there are modifications for advanced players, but the answer stays the same for the vast majority of us – use the best strategy for that particular game.
Lower EV (Expected Value) Paytables
Because of the potential for big wins, you will find a lower-paying paytable. Unlike Mr. Shackleford, I will play lower paytables to play a multi-line game. I usually lower my standards by five EV points. Here’s how I do it – It’s not a perfect process, but it works.
An easy way of determining the EV (Expected Value) of a Video Poker game is to first know the “Full Pay” paytable for that game (JOB, Deuces, DDB, etc.) “Full pay paytables” means the EV Then, for every number that either a full house or flush is decreased, the EV is decreased by one % point.
For example, full pay (let’s say 100% EV) for Double Double Bonus is 10/6. By decreasing one of the two numbers, the EV is lowered by one %.
| Full House/ Flush | Payout % (EV) |
|---|---|
| 10/6 | 100% |
| 9/6 | 99% |
| 9/5 | 98% |
| 8/5 | 97% |
| 7/5 | 96% |
Is the Expected Value (EV) the same if the paytables match?
This, too, is a simple answer. The EV (expected value) is the same, no matter how many hands you play simultaneously.
Is the Variance of Multi-line Video Poker Different from Single Line?
Variance in any casino game means the unpredictability of the game. A game with higher variance can produce a wild swing in a shorter time. Examples of low-variance video poker games include JOB or Bonus video poker. In single-line games, variance does not change.
However, this question about multi-hand games is tricky. With more hands played, the number of wild swings in profit and loss increases slightly. In other words, the more hands you play, the higher the variance. Over the long term, the expected value of a specific paytable is the same regardless of how many hands you’re playing at a time. However, the variance increases with the number of hands in the short term. Is the excitement involved worth the larger swings in loss or profit? That my friend, is up to you.
Related Post – Video Poker Analyzer
Top 5 Favorite Multi-line VP Games
This is also not a scientific survey. It’s based on my years of observation – but planning for a survey next year is a great idea!
1. Ultimate “X”
The most popular game on most casino floors in North America. Multipliers are earned based on ending hand results and awarded on the next hand. In Ultimate X Poker, each hand can be more exciting than the last. However, this is a very volatile game. Playing Bonus Poker, with two pairs paying x2, will lower the variance slightly and still get bonus pays for 2-4, and Aces. The important thing to remember is that IT’S ALL ABOUT THE MULTIPLIERS.
There are many variations of Ultimate X:
- ltimate X Gold – Ultimate X Gold takes multipliers to an entirely new level. Multipliers stay and grow on pay categories until won,
- Ultimate X Poker Bonus Streak – provides players with “streaks” of up to 5 multipliers in a row on winning hands,
- Ultimate X Spin Poker – Two successful games together in one game. Players are awarded consecutive multipliers on each of the nine lines of traditional Spin Poker.
Utimate X Gold- Ultimate X Bonus Streak
- Ultimate X Spin Poker
The most popular game on most casino floors in North America. Multipliers are earned based on ending hand results and awarded on the next hand. In Ultimate X Poker, each hand can be more exciting than the last. However, this is a very volatile game. Playing Bonus Poker, with two pairs paying x2, will lower the variance slightly and still get bonus pays for 2-4, and Aces. The important thing to remember is that IT’S ALL ABOUT THE MULTIPLIERS.
Ultimate X Quick Tip – there is always a strategy question when it comes to being dealt two pairs when one pair is Aces. Suggestion: count the number of active multipliers. If 8 or above, keep only the aces. Under that, keep the two pairs, since IT’S ALL ABOUT THE MULTIPLIERS.
2. Super Times Pay
Super Times Pay is a video poker variant in which random multipliers appear for the price of a sixth coin. According to the rules screen, the multiplier appears once every 15 games and the average multiplier is 4.05. Multipliers can be 2x,3x,4x,5x, 8x and 10x.
3 Multi-Strike Poker
One of the first multi-line variations along with Spin Poker. Play the first hand of up to four possible separate hands of video poker using the standard pay table. With a winning hand, a new deal from a fresh deck, and 2x the pay table on the second row above it. The same occurs for the third row above and finally, the fourth row when any hand wins. A no-win hand and you begin all over again.
4. Hot Roll Poker
Dice appear and roll randomly with possible multipliers up to 12X! With the Hot Roll feature enabled, multipliers can appear on the deal or draw.
5. Quick Quads
Turn a 3-of-a-kind hand into a 4-of-a-kind Quad winner. A sixth credit wagered funds the bonus without taking anything away from the standard paytable. After the draw, if the player’s hand is a 3-of-a-kind, the two non-matching cards – ace (1) through 9 – are added together. If the sum is equal to the rank of the 3-of-a-kind, the player is awarded the 4-of-a-kind pay. Only 3-of-a-kind 2s through 10s can be made 4-of-a-kind using the bonus feature. Deuces Wild is not an option in this game.
Summary
If you enjoy the excitement of higher-variance games, then multi-line video poker might interest you. But, as with all video poker, the better prepared with the base game’s best strategy, you will probably play longer and lose less. I say “probably” because, well, it is gambling after all.
The following posts have been kept for enjoyment and may help you play much more efficiently. A better strategy helps in lengthening that bankroll. Enjoy.
Don’t Rush the Royal Flush – Investigating the Big Video Poker Payout