Your Ultimate Guide to Online Video Poker in 2023

Partake in one of the most breathtaking casino games ever with the help of our comprehensive video poker guide. Learn the ins and outs of video poker, starting from the basics and ending with complex strategies. Pick up video poker terms, insights, tips, and pointers towards the best video poker variants and online real money casinos based on the rankings and reviews of our industry experts.

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Overview

Before the age of video poker, there existed two worlds. The dimly lit backroom world of poker is filled with tension, intrigue, and skillful plays. And the vibrant and loud world of slots, with its countless bells, flashing lights, and button mashers. Online casino game developers saw a massive opportunity to merge these two worlds. They crafted a beautiful combination of slots and poker that turned out to be a winning combination.  

Your typical online video poker game follows elegant gameplay that is based on a five-card hand from a standard deck. These five cards then have to form the best possible poker hand, which you can influence by keeping (holding) or discarding certain cards. New cards can be drawn to replace discarded ones, hoping to improve your hand.

This gameplay is naturally slightly different in countless video poker variants. The undisputed kings of online video poker are Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, Joker Poker, and Double Double Bonus Poker. While the baseline mechanics stay the same, each variant has its own take on the rules and strategies. Moreover, they come in various themes, so your entertainment is guaranteed.

The gameplay nuances that differentiate online video poker games tend to be constrained to winning hands, bet sizes, payout tables, and RTP. The hand rankings of your chosen video poker title might differ substantially from conventional poker. Your bet sizes might be high-limit or low-limit, while the payout tables can be stingy or generous. Last but not least, RTP or return to player percentage can be the difference between your chosen game being incredible, mediocre, or a complete waste of time. Join us on this in-depth dive into the world of online video poker and learn more!

Pros & Cons

Pros
Very straightforward gameplay
Simple optimization strategies
A wide selection of variants
Plenty of exciting bonuses
Countless attractive themes
The potential for free play
Cons
You need a deep understanding of hand rankings
You do not have any social interactions
You need to place maximum bets to land jackpots

History

If you want to truly understand what makes online video poker tick, we have to start with its history. The latter shows us where the game came from and where the game is going, which can help us prepare for future gaming endeavors.

It all started in the mid-1970s when the first video poker machines appeared in brick-and-mortar casinos. These machines were shooting big, as nobody had combined the concept of poker with the automated nature of slot machines before. The video poker posterchild of this era was Draw Poker.

Video poker then branched into several themes and was consistently building an audience of avid punters. Games became computerized and more sophisticated, with an emphasis on better graphics and sounds.

The late 1990s and early 2000s saw an explosion in video poker gaming, which was propelled by a steep increase in online video poker titles. The fact that basic video poker was among the first online casino games fueled this rise immensely.

The game captivated the world, with new titles in various themes appearing on a monthly and then on a weekly basis. As smartphones and tablets became powerhouses, mobile gaming exploded. When a relatively recent idea of streaming live dealer video poker games hit the mobile market, there was nothing that could stop video poker.

Progressive jackpots were one of the greatest gems that appeared during video poker's evolution. These became notorious for offering the biggest wins in gaming, with each wager contributing to a growing jackpot. While we cannot say precisely what the future of video poker holds, we can predict that VR and AR gaming are going to start taking center stage. A revolution such as that of mobile gaming is upon us. Stay tuned to prepare your video poker knowledge and make the most of it!


Rules

Your objective in video poker is rather straightforward. You have to create the best possible poker hand using a standard 52-card deck. However, you need to be familiar with the gameplay that gets you there, which in this case includes:

  • Betting - You select a bet size by adjusting the coin denomination and number of coins.
  • Dealing - You click the “Deal” button and receive your first five face-up cards.
  • Choosing Cards - You take stock of your five-card hand and see which cards you want to keep (hold) and which you want to discard. The actual number of kept and discarded hands depends on the variant at hand.
  • Drawing - After you select your cards, you need to click the "Draw" button. Discarded cards will be replaced by new ones from the deck.
  • Final Hand - Your hand is now complete. You will receive a payout based on the game's paytable if it matches predefined winning hands.
  • Optional Gamble Feature - Some video poker gambles will allow you to risk your winnings in an attempt to double them. The feature is typically called “Gamble” or “Double Up”. Note that it is entirely optional.

You also ought to know the typical video poker hand ranking so that you are never left in the dark when payouts are dished out. Video poker hands typically ranked from highest to lowest are:

  • Royal Flush - A hand consisting of A, K, Q, J, and 10 of the same suit.
  • Straight Flush - Five consecutive cards of the same suit, such as 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 of hearts.
  • Four of a Kind - Four cards of the same rank, such as four Kings or four 3s.
  • Full House - Three cards of one rank and two cards of another rank, such as three Jacks and two 7s.
  • Flush - Five cards of the same suit that do not have to be in sequence, such as 2, 4, 6, 9, and K of spades.
  • Straight - Five consecutive cards of different suits, such as 3 of hearts, 4 of clubs, 5 of diamonds, 6 of spades, and 7 of hearts.
  • Three of a Kind - Three cards of the same rank, such as three 10s or three Queens.
  • Two Pair - Two cards of one rank and two cards of another rank, such as two 8s and two Jacks.
  • Jacks or Better - The lowest-ranked hand in most video poker games. It consists of a pair of Jacks, Queens, Kings, or Aces.

Strategy

The best strategy that we can showcase is one that gives you suggestions on how you should approach different hands. Knowing which cards to discard and which to hold can be game-changing, especially if you are a beginner. Check out the following recommendations:

  • Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Four of a Kind - Always hold these hands as they are the best around.
  • Full House, Flush, Straight - It is best to hold these hands as they are strong and can result in good payouts.
  • Three of a Kind - Hold Three of a Kind and discard any other two cards. This will put you in the running for Four of a Kind.
  • Two Pair - Keep both pairs and discard the fifth card. This sets you up for a Full House.
  • Pair of Jacks or Better - Hold the pair and discard any other three cards. This hand is the minimum you need to win in most video poker games.
  • High Cards with No Pairs - Keep the highest-ranked cards and discard the rest.
  • Four to a Royal Flush - If you have four cards towards a Royal Flush, so 10-J-Q-K or A of the same suit, hold these and discard the fifth card.
  • Four to a Straight Flush - If you have four cards towards a Straight Flush, hold those and discard the fifth.
  • Three to a Royal Flush - If you have three cards towards a Royal Flush, hold those and discard the other two.
  • Low Pair with Three Unmatched High Cards - Hold the low pair and discard the other three cards.

Popular Terms

Now that you are familiar with the gameplay, hand rankings, and optimal video poker strategies, it is time that you become familiar with video poker terms. The most popular ones include:

  • Action - The total amount of money wagered by a player during a session of video poker.
  • Bet Max - Betting the maximum number of coins allowed in video poker on a single hand. Note that this qualifies for the highest payouts, including jackpots.
  • Discard - Removing one or more cards from your initial deck is referred to as “discarding” in video poker.
  • Hand - The five cards that a player receives at the beginning of a video poker game.
  • Hold - When a player decides to keep cards and not discard them.
  • Jackpot - The highest possible payout, often given to those that hit a Royal Flush whilst betting maximum coins.
  • Payback - The percentage of bets that a video poker machine is destined to return to punters in the long run. It is more commonly known as RTP or return to player.
  • Payout - The money awarded to a player for winning a hand. It is based on the paytable and bet size.
  • Pay Table - A table that displays payout rates for possible video poker hands. Payouts are based on wagered coins.
  • Winning Hand - A hand that qualifies for a payout based on the respective game's rules and paytables.

Tips

We want you to have the best possible video poker experience, which is why we have prepared the following helpful selection of tips.

Kicking Things Off

Getting excited about online video poker is one thing, but actually partaking in it is an entirely different matter. Check out the following steps and dive into the world of video poker in minutes.

1 Pick a Reputable Casino

You should always stick to licensed, regulated, and audited online casinos. These guarantee your payouts and ensure an optimal gaming experience. Check out our recommended online video poker casinos to learn more.

2 Set a Bankroll

You should always set a budget before you even open your online casino account. Your budget should account for your average wager, the minimum deposit of a potential bonus, and the wagering requirements of said bonus.

3 Consider a Bonus

Online casinos offer plenty of exciting video poker bonuses that can help you boost your bankroll and prolong your gameplay. These range from welcome and deposit bonuses to reload and cashback promotions. Make sure to examine the terms and conditions of each bonus carefully.

4 Pick a Video Poker Variant

There are countless online video poker variants up for grabs at online gaming venues. Each one of them has its own rules, strategies, and gimmicks. While the popular ones include Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, Aces, and Faces, and Double Bonus, you can always choose to opt for one of the more obscure ones.

5 Have Fun

It is crucial that you perceive gambling as a fun hobby and not a way to make money. Your winnings depend entirely on luck, so focusing on them is silly. You should simply enjoy each spin for what it is.

Terminology

The worst possible scenario is starting an exciting online casino game and discovering that you are completely unfamiliar with the terms that are associated with your chosen game. What is more, you need to know slang and jargon in order to communicate on various forums, such as the one that we host. Check out the following video poker glossary to learn more.

Video Poker Glossary

Video Poker Variants

The internet is packed with incredible video poker games that cover every imaginable video poker type. The best online casinos usually feature all of these, with additional fun takes. Check out the following breakdown of the most popular video poker games to learn more.

Classic Video Poker

This is your typical video poker variant that boasts the rules of Jacks or Better and a recognized poker hand hierarchy. It is what you would typically encounter in the form of a slot machine-style game on a real-life casino floor.

All Aces

All Aces is renowned for its high payouts for four-of-a-kind hands, especially when max bets are in play. You can also expect enhanced payouts for four Aces.

Aces and Eights

Aces and Eights is very close to All Aces, with the pleasant introduction of eights that allows for unique payouts for four-of-a-kind hands that feature, well, Aces and Eights. Each player is given five cards and is free to discard whichever ones he sees fit.

High-Speed Poker

This fast-paced version of video poker is built for punters who crave quick gameplay. It features an exciting mechanic of several hands being played simultaneously, with three unique betting rounds. These include the Ante Bet, Play Bet, and Bonus Bet.

Bonus Deuces Wild

This variant has Deuces or 2s as the wild cards, which means that they can substitute any other card to form winning hands. The additional wiggle room of this feature gives you higher chances of getting good hands. There are also additional payouts for five-of-a-kind hands and any royal flush.

Double Double Bonus Poker

While the title of this video poker game might seem like a mistake, the gameplay is a true masterpiece. There are bonuses for certain four-of-a-kind hands, such as those with Aces and other specific combinations of cards.

Double Joker

Double Joker video poker features two Jokers as the wild cards, which increases your chances of winning hands. The other mechanics, including hand rankings, remain normal.

Jacks or Better

This is by far the most popular version of video poker, with the minimum winning hand being Jacks or Higher. Players are given five cards each; they can freely hold and discard them, and the other features and rules remain the same as in the traditional game.

Tens or Better

The minimum winning hand in Tens or Better is, well, a pair of Tens or higher. This video poker variant is very close to Jacks or Better.

Deuces Wild

The gameplay of Deuces Wild is practically identical to Bonus Deuces Wild, with the 2s being wild cards. They can take the place of any other card and form winning poker hands. Note that this comes at the cost of slightly lower payouts.

Aces and Faces

Aces and Faces is a video poker variant that has higher payouts for hands that contain Ace and Face cards, such as Kings, Queen, and Jacks. This can lead to some surprisingly high wins.

Bonus Poker

Bonus Poker takes payouts for various foud-of-a-kind hands to the next level by varying rewards based on the cards within a four-of-a-kind hand. In most respects, the game is very similar to Jacks or Better.

Joker’s Wild

Occasionally referred to as “Joker Poker”, this video poker variant has a single Joker card that acts as the wild card, which increases the likelihood of forming winning hands.

All American

The gameplay of All American is largely similar to conventional video poker and Jacks or Better, with the payouts of certain hands, such as straight flushes and flushes, being substantially larger.

Poker Pursuit

This is a simplified version of video poker that is played with fewer cards and focuses on landing specific hands. It is akin to high-stakes poker in terms of ante/raise stages.

SuperJax

This progressive jackpot video poker variant has players itching to win a sizeable jackpot. The prerequisite to landing it is having a certain hand, usually a Royal Flush. There is also an additional card called the SuperJax, which has to be part of said winning hand.

Mega Jacks

Another progressive jackpot video poker game that allows you to win big. This one does not feature any wild cards, and you need to stake maximum coins in order to compete for the progressive jackpot.

Louisiana Double Poker

Louisiana Double Poker introduces a unique card, the “Louisiana Double”, which adds opportunities for landing high-value hands. While the card is not wild, it does double your winnings. Note that the lowest winning combination is a pair of Jacks.

2-Ways Royal

2-Ways Royal is a version of video poker that features two ways to achieve a Royal Flush. You can either shoot for a high royal flush or a low royal flush.

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FAQ

Yes, you definitely can! Online casinos and gaming platforms offer plenty of mobile-friendly video poker games. Some venues have dedicated mobile apps, while others have mobile-optimized websites.

Yes, you definitely can! There are plenty of online casinos that offer free or demo video poker. What is more, various bonuses can get you free online video poker.

If you choose to play at licensed, regulated, and audited online video poker casinos, then it is not rigged. Casinos want to maintain community admiration and respect, which is why they are not keen on rigging any game. Check out our recommended online video poker casinos to join the best today.

You can find a wide range of online video poker bonuses that include deposit bonuses, free spins, and even specific video poker promotions. Remember to check out your bonus’s wagering requirements and eligible games before you claim it.

Some online video poker games boast a fixed or progressive jackpot, so you can definitely win one. However, you usually have to bet maximum coins and hit a Royal Flush to do so.

If you are a high roller who does not mind potentially losing a large deposit, sure! However, beginners and punters with smaller budgets should not risk their financial stability for high-limit online video poker gaming.

Yes, there are dozens of genres within the realm of online video poker, with hundreds of themes and countless titles in each of those genres. The most popular ones are Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, Aces and Faces, and Double Bonus.

That depends entirely on your personal preferences. However, beginners absolutely adore Jacks or Better because of its straightforward rules.

Most online video poker games follow the same hand rankings as conventional poker, with the Royal Flush being the highest-ranked hand. Note that each online video poker variant is slightly different in this regard.

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