The Top 3 Poker Mini-Games You Can Still Play Today
Credit: @the_diamondcasino on Instagram
Poker is still the most popular card game in the world. A game of psychology and strategy, poker is celebrated for its exciting stakes and immersive gameplay.
In recent decades, it has also successfully transitioned to the digital sphere. According to a report by Research and Markets, the online poker industry is estimated to be worth nearly $194 billion by 2030. This represents a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.5%. This mirrors the growth seen in the bustling video game industry, whose global worth is reported to have increased by 13.4% within the same time period. Both these are largely the result of new tech adoptions that enhance the gameplay and player experience. Thanks to these similarities, the two have seen frequent crossovers, with poker now a popular mini-game in many video game titles.
So, if you’re interested in some of the best poker mini-games available in leading video games today, here are three you may want to try out:
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GTA Online
One of the most anticipated features of GTA Online is the Diamond Casino and Resort. Here, players can take part in a variety of activities, including actual casino games. Among the most popular of these is their three-hand poker. Given this variety, you’ll be going up against the dealer instead of other players. Currently, players who want to play a round of poker in GTA Online simply have to use their GTA$ to buy casino chips in the game. However, this may change upon the release of GTA VI.
According to reports on Screen Rant, the highly-anticipated next installment may start accepting cryptocurrencies as a form of payment for in-game purchases. While this is still rumored, this may include being able to buy the aforementioned casino chips. If this should push through, this crypto adoption follows in the footsteps of real-life online poker provider ACR Poker, which is the number one poker site in the US. The successful website uses digital coins as a form of currency. Since its inception in 2001, it has become an industry leader known for its digital advancements. Specifically, this includes allowing crypto tokens, such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Tether, among its secure banking methods. Should GTA VI truly follow suit, its poker games will offer even higher stakes, as some speculate that the crypto they earn in-game may even be traded in real life.
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Red Dead Redemption 2
Among the open-world games created in the last decade or so, Red Dead Redemption 2 (RDR2) is inarguably one of the most carefully crafted. As we previously discussed, the world and stories within it are dense and diverse, so there’s always something new to discover and experience with each playthrough. Amid the countless side missions you can take part in, though, the in-game poker games are among the most beloved.
Available at most saloons across the landscape, RDR2’s poker games are of the Texas Holdem variation. Since this is the most widely played type of poker, what with it being the version played in major tournaments like the World Series of Poker (WSOP), it’s familiar to most players. Aside from being a fun way to make some cash in-game, the poker games in RDR2 also allow you to learn more about the narrative. Depending on who you’re playing with, the other characters may provide critical tidbits about recent events, important people, and more. If you’re somebody who enjoys lore, this will allow you to piece together storylines that you may otherwise overlook. As such, if you’re crafty, money may not be the only valuable thing you earn from the table.
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Yakuza Kiwami
The Yakuza series is known for its many mini-games, which serve as a means to earn money and to build the atmosphere of the in-game universe. These include some more lighthearted ones like karaoke and cabaret, alongside more strategic ones like poker. In fact, there are multiple versions of poker that you can play in the franchise. From the Yakuza Kiwami installment, specifically, players can even try their hand at less popular versions of the classic card game.
For instance, you can choose to play Omaha Holdem. Although this type of poker is not as widely played in real life, it is still offered on many gambling platforms. This includes Resorts World Las Vegas, where they have a 29-table poker room. Here, one of the varieties they offer players is Pot Limit Omaha. That said, the Yakuza version does add its own twist by including a Royal Joker Card into the mix. Should you receive this card, it ensures that your next hand of cards is immediately better and will likely help you win. This additional feature helps tie the game back to the more fantastical reality that the Yakuza franchise has established.
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