Video Poker was introduced in Vegas in the early 70s as an alternative to the simpler online slot games, which although very popular with Vegas locals and visitors alike, didn’t appeal to many as they lacked a certain degree of interaction. It wasn’t long before Las Vegas Casino bosses commissioned the creation of a new game, the game of Video Poker, to satisfy the millions of gambling aficionados that wanted a slot game, something simple to play, but also something that could influence the outcome. Our carefully selected toplist lists the best online casinos to play online video poker.
Unlike the various slot machines that require nothing but a push of a button to play, video poker games require that you have a basic knowledge of the game of poker so you could pick the best hands to win. This interaction between the player and the game is what makes playing video poker so much fun and why the game became so popular.
How to Play Video Poker
There aren’t too many steps and rules to keep in mind when you play online video poker. You input the number of coins you wish to play and click on deal/draw, or click on the “Play Max Coins” button. You’re now dealt five cards as in five-card draw poker.
1. Place Your Bet
You’ll be able to place your bet by either clicking on ‘Bet One’, ‘Bet Max’ or by simply selecting the amount you’d like to bet using the arrows. Minimum and maximum bets will vary from one game to another.
2. Press the “Deal” Button
The “Deal button allows your cards to be dealt. Unless playing live poker, there’s no dealer present and your cards will be dealt out electronically.
3. Select/Discard Your Cards
Select which cards to keep and which to discard. Now, you’re faced with a decision: which cards to keep and which ones to discard.
4. Wait For Outcome
After you’ve drawn your new cards and performed all the necessary steps, you’ll get your final hand and the only thing left to do is to wait for the outcome.
The Basic Rules and Strategy of Online Video Poker
Video Poker, as its original name Poker Slots suggests, is a mix of poker and slot games. Like the various slot machines, the game is played on an electronic screen but instead of simple reels, rows, and paylines, you’re confronted by a poker hand. You will need some knowledge of the various poker hands to play as you will need to choose which cards to keep and which cards to discard.
That being said, it’s not even close to being the hardest game to play so it’s just as enjoyable for beginners and first-time players as it is and will be for seasoned pros who use a Video Poker Strategy. Like a game of poker, 5 cards are dealt to the player, you can then decide which cards you want to keep and which cards you want to discard. Once the decisions have been made, you will be dealt cards to replace the ones you discarded. Payouts will be calculated according to the quality of the hand you have left.
Video Poker Hand Rankings & Payouts
In Video Poker, hand rankings really matter. The better your hand ranks, the better your payout will be and the more money you’ll be able to pocket at the end of the game. So if you’ve never played Video Poker or the classic table game, Poker, we really recommend acquainting yourself with their hand rankings. Below we outline each hand ranking from best to worst. These hand rankings are the ones that pertain to Jacks or Better, the most well-known and widely played Video Poker variant. The strength of your hand depends on which type of Video Poker game you play. Different Video Poker variations have different payout structures. However, the payouts are always based on traditional poker hand rankings. Have a look below to find the different hand rankings.
| Hand | Description | Casino Payout |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Flush | A royal flush is definitely the best hand that you can have in Joker Poker Video Poker. Essentially, it consists of a Ten, Jack, Queen, King and Ace of the same suit (ie. Either diamonds, clubs, hearts or clovers). | 800 |
| Straight Flush | A straight flush is perhaps the second-best hand ranking you can possibly have in a game of Video Poker. It’s made up of 5 consecutive cards of the same suit. For example, 6,7,8,9,10. | 50 |
| Four of a Kind | As the name implies, 4 of a Kind implies that there are four cards of the same value. Each card belongs to a different suit. | 25 |
| Full House | A full house consists of any 3 cards carrying the same numerical value together with 1 pair. For example, you have 3 cards with 4s on them and two aces. | 9 |
| Flush | A flush consists of a poker hand made up of 5 suited cards that are not in consecutive order. | 6 |
| Straight | Five consecutive cards of mixed suits are known as a straight. | 4 |
| Three of a Kind | Two cards of different value together with three cards of equal value is known as three of a kind. | 3 |
| Two Pair | A two pair consists of a set of two cards that are of the same value or two other cards that are of different values. | 2 |
| Jacks or Better | Any single pair that’s either made up of Jacks or higher will win the hand. For example Js, Qs, Ks or As. | 1 |
As you can see from the paytable above, when it comes to Jacks or Better you need at least a pair of Jacks or Tens to be eligible for payout. Yet, in some other variants of the game, this might differ.
Some Video Poker variations have wild cards or jokers which makes it possible to create other hands such as five of a kind. There can also be different payouts for, say, a royal flush including a wild card and a natural royal flush. The key here is to always study the payout table before you start playing so you know how to play.
Facts About Video Poker:
- Video Poker is a game based on 5-card draw poker.
- This casino game is played on a computerized machine similar to that of slots at brick-and-mortar casinos.
- There are many different variants of the game, but the most popular one is Jacks or Better.
- If you play optimal video poker strategy you can make a very good profit.
Using Video Poker Strategy in Different Types of Video Poker
Like traditional poker, there are a few different types of video poker that you can play. There are different rules for the various games, and you will have to make sure you know what they are before you play, as the rules and the hand values will directly affect your winnings. There are also a few versions of video poker that do come with progressive jackpots, and depending on the size of the game or the casino involved, you could be looking at a million-dollar jackpot. If you do have some knowledge of poker, it’s always best to choose the version of video poker that resembles the game you know the closest. The variations include the likes of:
Jacks or Better Video Poker
If you feel like you may get lost within the numerous variants of video poker and just want one good and trusty one to go to, then all you need to do is stick to playing Jacks or Better Video Poker. If you have never played any video poker before you should get the hang of playing this one before moving on to any of the others. This is by far the most popular video poker there is. You may also find it in some online casinos as Draw Poker. In order to win in this game, as the name implies, all you need is jacks or better to get a payout. If you want to learn more about this game, read our in-depth article on Jacks or Better Video Poker.
Aces and Faces Video Poker
This is a variation of Jacks or Better. It is very similar, but the slight difference is that there is a higher payout for four-of-a-kind outcomes with aces and faces cards, hence the name of the game! It also uses the standardised 52-card deck like in Jacks or Better. If this sounds like a game you want to get in to go on over to our article on Aces and Faces Video Poker to learn all the rules and winnings combinations.
Deuces Wild Video Poker
In this fun version of online video poker, winning becomes a hell of a lot easier as the deuces become wild card. They can be any other card in the standard 52-card deck of your choosing in order for you to make a winning combination or hand. The payouts aren’t as great with this version, but if you are looking for something a little different and want to spice up the game this is for you. If you want to know all about this exciting game, visit our page on Deuces Wild Video Poker so you go into the game completely prepared to win and receive the payouts you want.
Joker Poker
This is a great game for those who like to use wild cards. Instead of a 52 pack of cards like other video poker games, this one uses 53 cards by including the Joker. In this variation the joker card acts as a wild card, so you can use it in order to make a winning combination with the cards you have been dealt. To discover all there is to know about the Joker Poker variation of Video Poker go to our dedicated page on Joker Poker so you will feel like a seasoned pro as you play.
Tens or Better Video Poker
The Tens or Better variation of Video Poker makes it pretty easy for any player to win some kind of payout, it will just be slightly smaller payouts in comparison to other games to accommodate for the larger amount of possibilities for players to win. It’s closely related to jacks or better, but in this case you only need tens or better in order to get winnings. If you want to really get a hang of this game read through our article on tens or better video poker so you know all the rules, winning hands, and playing tips to get you those payouts you really want.
Practice Your Video Poker Strategy by Playing Free Online Video Poker
For all the players who are new to this, or who want to have a feel for it before betting real money, you can always get a feel for the game by playing free video poker. You can get ahead of yourself if you are not prepared. If you haven’t played any form of poker and need to practice remembering the different winning poker hands, try out the free game first so you don’t make mistakes when discarding cards as you play.
The Main Strategy Tip: Find The Best Video Poker Online Casino
Video Poker online casinos are not difficult to find. The difficulty comes from finding the perfect one for you as a player. There are many criteria you might look for. Whether that is casino promotions, casino game selection, payment methods, or something else. We have handpicked our favorites and you can find them in the below toplist so make sure you check it out to see if there is one that suits your needs and then join them today and start having a more enjoyable video poker experience.
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Online Video Poker FAQs
How do you play video poker online?
Video poker is one of the casino games with the lowest house edge. You can make game-play choices that give you some control of the outcome of your played hands. In video poker, you have standard poker hands and you are dealt five cards. You can read our rules pages to learn more about what video poker is.
What is the best video poker game?
There are many video poker games out there. The most popular game by far is Jacks or Better where you need at least a pair of Jacks to get paid. You can find several video poker games on our toplist at the top of the page.
Where can I play free online video poker?
You can play free video poker on our site. Just go to the free Video Poker page and you can start playing for free. Alternatively, if you go to one of the casinos, you can try out the video poker games before playing for real money.
Can you play video poker online for money?
Yes, of course! Video poker is commonly found at online casinos. All the casinos featured here offer video poker games. Simply click to the site, create an account and start playing.
Is video poker better than slots?
There is much debate over these two classic casino games. Both have a very low house edge, simple to play and both are exciting games. The difference is that slots are more visually appealing games. On the other hand, video poker is better for those casino players who love poker and prefer having more control over gameplay options. If you want to find out more about slots, visit our slots online page.
Try this Simple & Brilliant Game Online Today!
If you’re looking for something that’s a little more exciting to play than the online slot game and if you want something that’s a little less technical and emotionally draining than Poker or Blackjack Online, you should play online video poker. It’s simple, it’s enjoyable and, most importantly, it can provide you with hours and hours of excitement. When you get more skilled, you’ll also begin to notice certain patterns and will soon begin to plot strategic moves that will help you win more. If it’s just money you’re interested in, then the progressive video poker games are definitely the ones for you, who knows, a simple royal flush and a lucky spin could help you walk away from the game a multimillionaire. If you want to play, have a look at the games found at the best online casinos and Mobile Casinos featured in our toplist.
