How to Play Video Poker 2023

Chris | January 20, 2023 | Updated on: January 30th, 2023

Video poker is a fun, interactive casino game that is a combination of basic 5 card poker and slot machines. Video poker machines that have a return to player (RTP) that is over 100%. There are several variations of video poker to choose from, including popular jacks or better, Deuces Wild, and Joker Poker. This is a guide that will highlight how to play video poker, how it works, different variants, and what makes a winning hand. Therefore, get ready to play video poker for free or real money online.

Best Online Video Poker Casinos in the US

What is Video Poker?

There are many casino games to choose from at online casinos, but the most sought-after games are video poker. Video poker is a casino game that combines the basic 5 card poker and slots. The main goal is to assemble the strongest possible poker combination by choosing whether to draw different cards or hold on to the cards they already have. The better the poker hand, the money you may win. Players wager a certain amount of money and are paid depending on the strength of the poker hand assembled.

How to Play Video Poker

There are different variants of video poker like Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild and Double Bonus Poker. They may be different, but they all work almost the same. This is a step-by-step guide on how to play video poker.

Step 1 – Select Your Bet Size

You should choose how much you want to bet. Video poker makes use of coins, also known as credits. Following this, you will have to choose how many credits you want to bet on each hand. There are buttons that allow you to automatically bet one credit or bet max credits (five). The paytable will be displayed on top of the game screen and will alert you on which hand won and how much it pays out, depending on the number of credits you bet.

Step 2 – First Cards Drawn

After choosing the bet size, press the Deal button to receive your cards. Some card games are dealt one by one faced down before turning over at the same time. While other games will deal the cards faced up.

Step 3 – Hold Your Cards

The next step, you should select which cards you want to hold on to. Use the Hold buttons under each card to select the cards you want to keep. The left-over cards will be exchanged for new cards to make the best possible poker hand.

Step 4 – Second Cards Drawn

After selecting the cards, you are holding, press the Draw button and all the cards you didn’t choose will disappear and be replaced with new ones. The five cards you hold will represent your final poker hand.

Step 5 – Outcome and Payout

If you have trouble figuring out your poker hand, the game will let you know the best possible hand you may have with your five cards by highlighting it in the paytable at the top of the screen. The bigger the poker hand, the more money you’ll win.

Video Poker Real Money

Most video poker machines are variations of a 5-card draw. Even though hand ranks are very similar to Texas Hold’em or seven-card stud, they are not created equally. When playing real money video poker, it is important to shop around for the highest paying game. Video poker rules, paytables and bonus rounds vary from machine to machine, which may affect return to player (RTP).

Tips to Win at Video Poker

There are few tips that you may keep in mind when looking to win big with video poker and playing the different game variations with real money.

• Learn the rules – Learning the games and how to read paytables will help give you a leg up.
• Use basic strategy – Every video poker machine has strategy of the best moves that you may use.
• Practice makes perfect – Most online casinos allow players to play for free before risking their real money.
• Don’t chase the royal flush – Royal flush payout is massive, but it only hits once every 40 000 hands or so.
• Jackpots do happen – You more likely to win the jackpot when playing real money video poker than in most slot games.

Difference Between Video Poker and Poker

There are a few differences between video poker and standard poker. The first difference is that video poker is played against the computer rather than a real live dealer or other players. This means that you won t be able to read your opponent’s face or discern tells. Also, you wont worry about putting together a great hand only to have another player beat it with something even better.

In video poker, your hand is the only one that matters, unlike in other poker games like Texas Hold’em or Three Card Poker. Video poker is more accessible than having to play at a brick or mortar gambling venue or a standard online poker. It also allows you to play video poker as quickly or slowly as you choose.

Video Poker Variants

There are different online video poker variants available. Some online casinos have ten different variants of video poker available based on the same core gameplay. Normally, the difference between the video poker variants may be minor. Players are bound to find their favorite video poker game and it is important to take note of the payouts.

Jacks or Better

This is the most common variant of video poker and is great for new online gamblers. Jacks or better pays out on any hand that has a pair of jacks or better. The payout percentage of acks or Better is 99.5%.

Deuces Wild

As the name suggests, all two’s that appear are wild. This means that the lowest paying hand is three of a kind. The payout version of Deuces Wild has a payout percentage of 100.8%.

Double Bonus Poker

This is another variation of acks or Better, that offers players a bonus payout for four aces. Double bonus poker is virtually identical to Jacks or Better, except the payout percentage is 100.2%.

Aces and Eights

This is another video poker variant that’s like Jacks or Better. However, it has high payouts on four 7s, aces or 8s. The payout percentage is 99.78% on the full pay version.

Free Video Poker vs. Real Money Video Poker

Free Video Poker games allow online casino players to play the game without risking any money. This allows them to learn and understand the game. No deposit and free play bonus offer allow players to test the site and the game. However, there are rollover and wagering requirements before you may withdraw any winnings.

After making a cash deposit to an online casino, you may take advantage of the welcome bonuses and other promotions. These offers normally double up your bankroll and have reasonable terms and conditions.

Real Money Video Poker	Free Video Poker
Access the best casinos and games	No setup or registration
Keep all prizes, jackpots, and free spins	Practice games and strategies
Use deposit and welcome bonuses	Have hours of free fun
Better wagering requirements	Don’t get to keep the winnings or jackpots
Low-limit games are available	Strict terms on no deposit offers
Promotions and casino tournaments	Limited casino and game selection

 

Online Video Poker FAQ:

Is playing video poker safe?

Yes, online video poker is safe if you are playing at our recommended best online casinos. You shouldn’t have a problem with playing any video poker variant and depositing and withdrawing money.

How do I win at online video poker?

There is no way to fully guarantee you a win. However, there are tips and strategies to help win the best out of a video poker variant. Strategies help improve your chances of winning.

Do you play online video poker the same way you play real life video poker?

They may have the same name, but the two games are very different. Online video poker is played solo and not against other players. Real life poker involves you playing against other players.

What is the best video poker game to play?

New players may prefer to begin playing Jacks or Better because this is the most common video poker variant. Then players move to play Dueces Wild. However, at the end of the day, this all depends on personal preference.

Which video poker game has the best payout?

Deuces Wild poker has the best odds and payout percentage of 100.8%.

Does video poker pay better than slots?

Video poker is more rewarding with regards to regular winnings because the paybacks are higher than those of slot games.

Can I play video poker on my mobile device?

Yes. Most software developers have designed video poker games to also work on smartphones or tablets.

Should I create an account to play free video poker?

No. Most online casinos allow you to play for free without creating an account.