Video Poker - ▶️ Best Video Poker Casinos for Free & Real Money

On this page3 sections

How to Play Online Video Poker
Variations of Video Poker
Tips & Tricks

We’re writing this Player’s Guide to Video Poker because video poker remains one of the most enjoyed casino games around the world. The height of its popularity was during the 1980’s. Then, a huge increase in players again flared up when the game became available at online casinos. With easier and more convenient access video poker had an even bigger appeal to video slot players and poker players. Video poker dates back to the 1970’s style of play. It was first introduced by the gaming terminal, and it is believed that that the word ‘pokie’ used by New Zealand and Australian players for video slots actually came from video poker.

Players enjoy video poker since the game offers them more control over the results of each hand, which is believed to hugely contribute to its excellently high 99% payout percentage. The game offers a combination of the fundamentals of video slots and Texas Hold’em poker while featuring numerous options enjoyed by players. A wide selection of video poker variations is available. The game does not include bonus features like most video slots do. Some version of video poker do have a wild card feature, which does act as a bonus.

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How Online Video Poker is Played

Video Poker is a game that can’t be associated with any other casino game due to it actually mixing different gaming types. It could take a moment for players new to the game to get used to it. The game has simple rules and no difficult special features, which facilitates easy learning even for beginners. Basic knowledge of poker could come in handy although it can be learned while playing. But be warned: some knowledge of hands is still required.

Different Versions, Same Gameplay

Although there are different versions of video poker, once loaded the game will display the same variations. Some developers use different backgrounds, but the game remains the same. The paytable is displayed at the top of the screen and it’ll also display the payouts that can be achieved for different hands. Depending on the game the lower payouts are normally offered for a pair of jacks or better. Other versions of the game include Joker Poker – in this version the joker card is part of play.

In Joker Poker, the joker card has the same power as in a deck of cards and can represent any card. Joker cards do not feature in other versions of video poker such as Deuces Wild although cards displaying “two” acts as wild cards. Although it might sound complicated, each version’s paytable is modified to suit the game and its rules. For more information about the different versions of poker, check out the below table.

Video Poker Layout

Video poker is actually a very easy game to learn and winning is always a lot of fun.

Betting options are normally displayed at the bottom or in one of the lower corners. Most video poker games allow players to bet up to 5 coins. The paytable also displays five different payout columns, and the column corresponding to the bet places will be highlighted. After selecting a bet the deal button will reveal the first 5 cards dealt. From these cards, your aim is to keep the ones most likely to aid in forming a winning hand (much like the song indicates you have to know when to hold them and when to fold them). Cards you would like to hold will remain in their positions once the hold button below is selected. Other cards will be replaced when the deal button is pressed.

Winning hands light up and pay according to the pay table.

List of Online Video Poker Variations

JACKS OR BETTER	The most standard version of video poker is Jacks or Better. The game features a multitude of combo opportunities following standard hand rankings in poker. The minimum combination requirement is a pair of Jacks or higher. The maximum payout is awarded when a hand produces a combination consisting of a royal flush. The payout rate offered in Jacks or Better video poker is 95.54%, which is actually much higher than RTP percentages offered in most video slots.
TENS OR BETTER	Tens or Better video poker is not as popular as the Jacks or Better video poker version. It offers payouts for lower combinations and players have the option to accept lower payouts for bigger combinations or to aim for more significant combinations in order to enjoy advanced rewards.
JOKER POKER	Joker Poker video poker offers an added benefit via added Joker cards during play. Like playing with a deck of 52 cards, the game allows the two jokers to be included. This tremendously increases players’ chances to complete hand combinations. The game is essentially the same as Jacks or Better although the paytable is slightly different.
BONUS POKER	Another game based on the same principals as Jacks or Better is Bonus Poker, which offers higher payouts for four of a kind combinations. For players this means a change to enjoy increased payouts.
ALL AMERICAN	All American video poker offers increased payouts for a hand revealing a straight or flush although the game is also very close to Jacks or Better. It also offers slightly lower rewards for two pairs and full house combinations.
DOUBLE BONUS POKER	Similar to Bonus Poker, Double Bonus Poker includes higher rewards for four of the same kind hands, especially when aces are involved. During play, players require jacks or better for a win, although your bet is matched for 2 pair combinations.
DEUCES WILD	Deuces Wild is similar to Joker Poker. The one difference is that instead of adding additional joker cards, the game transforms all the 2 cards to wilds. The wild 2’s have the same powerful ability as what a joker has. Meaning, it can replace other cards in order to complete a hand combination. The difference is that in Deuces Wild there are four wilds available, which is the reason why the paytable is modified in several ways. The lowest combination requirement being three of a kind, while Deuces Wild has a payout rate of 99.7& up to 100.8%.
DOUBLE DOUBLE BONUS POKER	Basically a repeat in differences between Double Bonus Poker and Bonus Poker, Double Double Bonus Poker provides much higher winnings with four of kind combinations. The game still rewards jacks or better, although all the other lower combinations are rewarded with lower values. Double Double Bonus Poker offers a payout rate of 98.9% up to 100.1%.

Tips & Tricks for Playing Online Video Poker

The most tempting video poker versions are basically the games featuring a wild card. However, its payouts for combinations is not always the highest, and it is important to check if the game rewards for two of a kind or only higher combinations. A winning hand is the best feel and if you are dealt a hand that ensures a win be careful not to chase a higher hand combination too often as it might result in missing a win. Although some skill is required, video poker is still a game of chance that should be enjoyed as such and chasing wins are not recommended. The multi-hand play is super enthralling although it could deplete your budget a lot quicker and a great mid-way might be to play no more than ten hands at a time as multi-hand versions often lead to reduced payouts of winning hands.

Video poker is a very popular game since both poker players and slot enthusiasts enjoy the combination of skills and spinning enjoyment. Both of these are perfectly balanced to provide hours of play. The game has easy rules and a wide variety of betting options. It even has single hand games that allow players to get used to combinations before they tackle multi-hand versions. The wide variety of different versions continues to increase, and new modern video poker games are still launched regularly. Players are always sure to have exciting play and high percentage payouts to look forward on desktop and mobile devices.