Freeway Demo & Card Game Review

Freeway (Vibra Gaming) Game Review

Vibra Gaming is a provider with a fairly extensive library. And on August 8, 2020, it revealed Poker FreeWay, a title that deserves special attention. Although it is based on classic video poker mechanics, it has a few tricks up its sleeve. Here, we’re dealing with a single 52-card deck, and you can hold the cards you want and replace others to improve your chances of landing valuable hands. To eliminate any advantage gained through card counting, the title shuffles the deck after every round.

The RTP in Poker FreeWay isn’t particularly impressive, as it stands at 92%, significantly below the market average. But the maximum payout of x1,500 is intriguing, and it explains the relatively low theoretical return-to-player ratio. Your goal here is to form five-card hands according to standard poker rules. So make sure to brush up on them before playing for real money. The lowest-ranking hand here is two pairs, which pays out at a 2x multiplier. A straight flush can pay out 150x your bet, and this is the highest standard combo here.

Freeway Game

Before playing a round, decide on your bet size. Poker FreeWay is suitable even for low rollers, as the minimum bet is just €0.01. But you can raise it to €30, and if you win, you can hit a payout of €45,000, which is pretty good. There are no standard symbols here like in slots, so we’re dealing with card ranks. And the Freeway hand takes center stage here, as 10-J-Q-K-A of the same suit in strict ascending order can earn you a 1,500x multiplier.

Poker FreeWay Features

You’re probably used to video poker games that are limited to just the mechanics of dealing cards. But Poker FreeWay is different because it offers two very interesting bonus features. So if you’re willing to take a risk for the chance to win really big multipliers, start by learning about these features.

Double Up

After successfully using the “Hold” feature, you can assemble your desired hand and collect your prize. But instead of simply collecting the money, you can choose to “Double Up”. In this mode, you’ll see five face-up cards plus one additional card that remains hidden from you. Here, you can choose between three betting options:

• Big. This is essentially your bet that the face-down card is an 8 or higher. If your prediction is correct, you’ll receive double the prize amount.
• Small. Here, you can try to guess whether the face-down card is a 6 or lower. As in the first case, if your prediction is correct, you’ll receive double the standard payout.
• One Hit. This is perhaps the riskiest but also the most lucrative mode. You choose a specific suit and a specific value for the face-down card. If only the suit matches, you’ll receive a 1x bonus multiplier. If you manage to guess only the card’s value, your prize will be 5x the standard payout. And if you guess both the suit and the value, you’ll be rewarded with a 10x multiplier.

Freeway Win Screen

But the face-down card could turn out to be a 7. And in that case, the first two options won’t work. You will be offered the choice to either try Double Up again or collect your current winnings, so this works as a tie. Note that in Double Up mode, an Ace is valued at 1. If you are incorrect in your prediction, the bet goes to the house. However, a successfully played Double Up round gives you the chance to play it again or continue with the regular game.

Four of a Kind Bonus

If you’re this lucky to hit a four-of-a-kind, this mode will activate automatically. After a winning hand, the last card played remains visible. The game selects a random card from the bonus deck and compares the two. If they match either in suit or value, your prize will be 120x instead of 60x. And if it’s that rare case where both the suit and value of the two cards match, you’ll receive a payout with a x240 multiplier. But even if there are no matches, your standard x60 prize won’t go anywhere. So this is the part of the game that adds a pleasant sense of anticipation as you wait for the result.

Theme & Graphics

Let’s be honest right off the bat: the graphics are clearly not this game’s strongest point. So don’t expect a realistic deck or shiny cards that look like the real thing. Poker FreeWay is designed in the style of 8-16-bit retro arcades. So we see here pixelated fonts, a rich green border, and neon titles. This title captures the atmosphere of 1980s arcades, so it will appeal to many, especially those appreciating a retro vibe. With a minimalist interface and aesthetics that aren’t overloaded with animations, Poker FreeWay is a good option for those who don’t want to be distracted by secondary details. Despite this, it works well on mobiles. So you can enjoy it on your smartphone or tablet.

Poker FreeWay Free Play

Not everyone knows the rules of five-card poker. And a lot depends on your ability to choose the right cards to keep. So learn the rules first and try the Poker FreeWay free play version to make sure you’re doing everything right. The Poker FreeWay demo works exactly the same as the original game. The only difference is that you use free credits instead of real money, so winnings cannot be withdrawn to a card or e-wallet. We have a risk-free version of Poker FreeWay, so you can test it out from every angle right here on SlotCatalog.

Pros & Cons of the Poker FreeWay Game

Our Verdict

Although the deliberately low-quality graphics might put some players off, this is actually a solid, well-made video poker machine with a lot of character. The 92% RTP really becomes apparent during long-term sessions, as your bankroll dwindles faster here than in video poker games with a higher RTP. But there are several reasons for such a low theoretical return. First, there’s the unique Freeway combination, which can result in a 1,500x payout. Second, there’s the Double Up feature with three options to choose from, capable of increasing your base prize up to 10x.

Overall, this title is definitely a good fit for those who love classic video poker but wantsomething interesting like the Double Up and a rare super prize. Thanks to the low minimum bet of 0.01 euros, Poker FreeWay is suitable even for beginners and low rollers. So it is similar to classic Jacks or Better and Deuces Wild. But thanks to unique combinations and the Double Up feature, it feels a bit fresh. And if you’re willing to accept a slightly lower RTP for the sake of big winning potential, don’t pass this game by.