There are dozens of video poker versions available online, most of which are quite standard and similar to one another, offering simple, single-hand play. One of the few games that allow players to bet on up to 100 hands at the same time is Bonus Poker Multihand by Betsoft. This poker variation can be played with bets starting at $/€0.05 for 5 hands and $/€1.00 for 100 hands.
Rules and Gameplay
Betsoft’s Bonus Poker Multihand follows the rules of regular video poker, but it can be played with 5, 10, 25, 50, or 100 hands simultaneously. Players choose the number of hands they want to bet on before the game starts, and then they must place 1 to 5 coins into the video poker machine in their preferred denomination ($/€0.01 – $/€1.00). They can also adjust the speed of the game or click the Max Bet button to place the maximum wager.
The game is played just like regular poker – players can keep or discard any cards they wish from the initial hand they receive. Once all discarded cards have been replaced with new ones during the second deal, all winning combinations are displayed on the screen. Players can collect their winnings or try to double them using the Gamble feature – to win, they simply need to pick one of several face-down cards and beat the dealer’s card.
Paytable and Specific Features
| Hand | 1 coin | 2 coins | 3 coins | 4 coins | 5 coins |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 800 | 1600 | 2400 | 3200 | 4000 |
| 4 Aces | 80 | 160 | 240 | 320 | 400 |
| Straight Flush | 50 | 100 | 150 | 200 | 250 |
| 4 of a Kind (2, 3 or 4) | 40 | 80 | 120 | 160 | 200 |
| 4 of a Kind (5-K) | 25 | 50 | 75 | 100 | 125 |
| Full House | 10 | 20 | 30 | 40 | 50 |
| Flush | 8 | 16 | 24 | 32 | 40 |
| Straight | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 |
| 3 of a Kind | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 |
| 2 Pair | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Jacks or Better | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Although this game may seem like a regular multi-hand Jacks or Better, one look at the paytable is enough to see that it offers something extra, namely bonus payouts for the different types of Four of a Kind hands. In regular video poker, Four of a Kind pays 25 times the bet, whereas in Betsoft’s Bonus Poker Multihand, the payout for four Aces is 80:1, and for four 2s, 3s, or 4s, it is 40:1.
The payouts for a full house and a flush are also slightly higher than in most variations of video poker. However, two-pair hands pay even money. Overall, the game is more generous than the majority of video poker versions available right now.
Conclusion
Bonus Poker Multihand by Betsoft is one of the most rewarding variations of online video poker, but players should proceed carefully if they decide to play 50 or 100 hands simultaneously. If they fail to stick to a solid strategy and a suitable bet size, they could end up losing their entire bankroll.
