Video Poker is fast-paced, potentially lucrative, and a lot of fun. There are lots of different video poker variants like Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, and Aces & Eights. We’ll explore all of these in detail here.
This game guide, you’ll learn how to play video poker, what the best (and worst) bets to make are, and some tips to win video poker more often.
How to Play Video Poker Online
Video Poker can seem confusing to beginners, but if you learn the rules below and the ranking order of poker hands, you will master it in no time. Let’s begin with a quick look at how to play video poker. For this example, we’ll look at how to play Jacks or Better. Each video poker variant is slightly different, but they all follow the same basic idea.
First, select how much you want to bet. All video poker games give you the choice of betting between one and five coins. We recommend betting five coins – there’s usually a bonus for doing so if you win with a Royal Flush. See the “video poker tips” section below for more information on this.
Then, hit the “Deal/Draw” button on the screen. The Random Number Generator which controls the game will deal you five cards.
You can then choose to hold any of the cards you like. Pick the cards which you feel will give you a chance of making a high-ranking poker hand.
When you’ve selected the cards you want to hold (if any), click the “Deal/Draw” button again. The cards you didn’t hold will be discarded and new ones will replace them. The cards which you discarded can’t be dealt again.
You’ll be paid for the highest-ranking hand you make according to the video poker paytable at the top of the screen. The lowest hand you have to make for a payout depends on the game variant you are playing. For example, in Jacks or Better, you’ll need at least a pair of Jacks to win a payout.
Some video poker games will then give you the chance to go double or nothing on what you win. This is your choice and is optional. If you do play, a new hand will be dealt with one card face up. You need to pick one of the down-facing cards and hope that it’s of a higher value to the up-facing card to win.
Once payouts have been made, the cards are automatically re-shuffled by the Random Number Generator and a new round of betting begins.
If you understand the above, you understand how to play video poker. It’s an electronic version of poker. The aim is simply to make the highest-ranking hand possible. As poker players will know, the Royal Flush is the best poker hand, and in video poker, it pays the most.
Video Poker Variants
There are many different types of video poker. We’ll focus on the most played video poker variants in this section.
Please be aware that the payback percentages listed below are based on playing with a perfect video poker strategy.
Jacks or Better
This is a great video poker game for beginners. You’ll need at least a pair of Jacks to win a payout. The Jacks or Better RTP is 99.54% – that’s a tiny house edge.
Deuces Wild
All cards with a value of two are wild in this game. This means they can substitute for other cards. It’s possible to make five-of-a-kind combos and interesting hands like a wild Royal Flush. Consult the Deuces Wild paytable to see what these hands pay. Full Pay Deuces Wild has an RTP of 100.76%. Yes, you have a slight advantage over the video poker site in this game.
Bonus Deuces Wild
This is an extended version of the game above. It makes five of a kind wins possible and pays extra for four deuces and an Ace. These extra ways to win are attractive, but the RTP is 99.86% – lower than standard versions of Deuces Wild.
Aces & Eights
This game has three extra pays. They are four of a kind Aces, Eights, and Sevens. The Aces & Eights RTP is 99.78%. Payouts for Full House and Flush hands vary considerably from casino to casino, so try a few and find the best one.
Double Bonus
This variant is all about four of a kind wins. The biggest payouts come for four of a kind Aces. It’s known as one of the more volatile video poker variants. Full pay versions have an RTP of 100.17%.
Double Double Bonus
This is an advanced version of Double Bonus. It has two extra pays for four of a kind Aces with “kickers.” Four Aces and a two, three, or four as a kicker pays 2,000 coins – half of what a Royal Flush does. The RTP is 99.95%.
Jokers Wild
In this video poker version, the joker is included and it acts as a wild. This gives it the power to substitute for other cards and opens up the potential for five of a kind wins.
There are a few different variants of this game. The best one to play is the Kings or Better variant which has an RTP of 100.64%. Again, you have the advantage over the casino if you play this game.
Tens or Better
Tens or Better works the same way as Jacks or Better does, except that the minimum hand you need to win is a pair of 10s. However, you’re better off playing Jacks or Better – the RTP of this variant is only 99.13%. That’s one of the lowest paybacks for a video poker game.
This is not an overview of every single video poker variant there is. However, it’s enough to get you started. If you play and master the above video poker games, you’ll be familiar enough with the game to venture into some of the more exotic variants such as Louisiana Double.
Single vs Multi-Hand Video Poker
There are single hand and multi-hand versions of most video poker games. In multi-hand games, you play multiple games at once.
Which is better? There isn’t one answer to that question. Instead, let us show you the facts to consider and you can make your own mind up.
Costs – Obviously, playing multiple hands at once with the same stakes as you play single-hand games will cost more. Keep that in mind when considering your bankroll management strategy.
Odds – The odds of video poker don’t change just because you’re playing multiple hands at once. Refer to the payback percentages above. They’ll stay the same whether you’re playing one or 100 hands.
Paytables – There can be differences in the paytables, and they can be significant. You won’t find much difference between a single hand game and a three-hand game, but if you go all the way up to 50 or even 100 hands, you’ll start to notice the difference. It’s almost always best to stick with single hand games if you’re unsure how to read video poker paytables.
Video Poker Tips
So, now you’re armed with knowledge and are ready to play video poker for real money. Not so fast! Read the following video poker tips before you play for real. They won’t make you win video poker every time, but they will help you win more often.
Play Free Video Poker First – If you’re still learning the rules of video poker and how gameplay works, play for free. Most of our approved video poker casinos will let you play in demo mode until you get the hang of it. Even better, you can play with a no deposit bonus. This allows you to win any real money payouts while eliminating the risk to your own bankroll.
Play Single Hand Games to Start – Video poker can be confusing enough for beginners. The last thing you want to do is play multi-hand games when you’re still learning. Sticky to single-hand games if you’re a video poker beginner. Keep it simple when you’re still learning.
Always Play with Max Coins – It’s always better to play max coins when you get around to playing real money video poker. Why? Because if you manage to win with a Royal Flush, there’s usually a bonus. If you want to save time, make use of the “Max Bet” button. This will place that bet automatically.
Memorize Poker Hands – The payouts for the various hands are right there in front of you on the screen. However, that doesn’t help you win. You need to either memorize the video poker hands or print out a video poker cheat sheet. You should also learn the odds of video poker hands. For example, the odds of getting dealt a natural Royal Flush are 1 in 649,740. Knowing the odds will help you decide which cards to hold and which to discard.
Try Progressive Jackpot Games – If you’re like most people, you associate progressive jackpots with slot machines rather than video poker. However, there are progressive jackpot video poker games. They won’t be worth millions, but you could win thousands in an instant. Progressive jackpots are won in various ways in video poker, but most commonly, they are awarded to the player who gets a Royal Flush first.
Always Check the Paytables – Video poker paytables can vary considerably from casino to casino, even when we’re talking about the same game variant. Don’t be afraid to visit a few of our approved casino sites and play at the one with the most advantageous paytables.
Manage Your Bankroll – This is generic advice which covers a few different things. First, you should never risk your entire bankroll on one game. Some players live by the idea that you shouldn’t risk more than 1% of your bankroll on any one game. You also should never bet more than you can afford to lose, shouldn’t chase your losses, and you should always walk away when you hit your limit.
Capitalize on Video Poker Bonuses – We hate to state the obvious, but you should always take free casino cash when it’s on the table. You can’t lose when playing with house money. A 100% deposit match will buy you twice as many hands as your own bankroll alone will do. Sure, you’ll have to wager it, but that’s possible if you enjoy a big win or land a video poker progressive jackpot.