In this online Video Poker guide, you'll find a comprehensive overview of the game, including classic game rules, advanced variants, strategies, and terminology. We provide tips, free video poker games, and expert reviews of the best online casinos for real money video poker.
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Video poker is one of the most popular online casino games, due to its exciting gameplay and high return to the player. It combines elements of traditional five-card draw poker with the fast-paced action and thrill of a slot machine. You can find it at leading online casinos and it comes in different flavors, so there’s no risk of getting bored anytime soon. The standard game is played using a deck of 52 cards, but at online casinos, these are shuffled automatically, to mitigate the risks of card counting.
The objective of video poker is to make the best possible five-card poker hand. Depending on the version of the game chosen, you can use additional cards, such as jokers to create winning combinations, but the outcome is always the same. The payouts can also differ and this is why it is so important for players to undertake some research before playing on real money.
The game begins by placing a bet, and then the player is dealt five cards. The player has the option to hold any number of cards they want and discard the rest. The discarded cards are then replaced with new ones, and the player's final hand is evaluated against a pay table. The pay table determines the payouts for each winning hand, with the highest payout typically awarded for a royal flush.
Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, Joker Poker, and Bonus Poker are some of the most popular versions of the game, but there are dozens of other varieties. The main advantage of playing this game is that you compete against a low house edge, which can be further reduced by using proper strategy. Math can help you level the playing field, so punters are advised to rely more on science than instinct.
Video Poker’s is a combination of the oldest and newest in gambling. It is based on the classic card game of poker which has its roots in old Europe, but its rise began just a few decades ago in the 70s when computerised casino games were just beginning to be developed.
In the mid-70s, a Bally Technologies employee named Si Redd pitched Video Poker to company execs. They rejected his proposal, but thankfully Redd’s entrepreneurial spirit burned strong enough that he persisted with his project. He eventually formed his own business, Sircoma, which we know today by the name International Game Technology (IGT).
It took a few years for Redd’s investment to pay off, but by the mid-1980s Video Poker had well and truly arrived. This was the beginning of MTV era, when people were really beginning to understand the potential of video technology, and Video Poker was well-positioned to capture the Vegas public’s imagination.
Video Poker was originally based on Draw Poker, where the lowest possible hand is a two-pair. However, the version that became most popular in the early years was Jacks or Better, in which the player must achieve a pair of Jacks or Better from their five cards in order to win. This version remains the most popular today.
As with other casino games, Video Poker received a boost in global popularity thanks to the coming of the Internet age. The game is now a regular fixture at most online casinos, alongside regular table poker, roulette and blackjack.
Video Poker rules are relatively straightforward in comparison to other forms of poker. All forms of Video Poker are played with a regular 52-card deck (except for Joker Wild, which includes jokers). To begin, make a wager and press “deal” to have five cards dealt to you. You may “hold” or “discard” as many of the five cards as you like. The machine then replaced your discarded cards with more random cards. The five cards you are left with are your final hand, and you will be paid out (or not paid out) accordingly.
Cards are ranked by the same order in all forms of video poker, although the value of payouts varies between the different games. This is the standard order: Royal Flush; Straight Flush; Four of a Kind; Full House; Flush; Straight; Three of a Kind; Two Pair; One Pair of Jacks or Better.
There is no defined House advantage in this game. Payout percentages can vary from 97% to as high as 99.5%, but one rule applies to all versions of Video Poker: it is the player v. the machine and you can only win or lose.
As you would expect for a game with such simple rules, Video Poker only requires a fairly basic strategy. You only really have two choices after receiving your initial five-card hand – which cards to hold and which to discard. The following strategy applies to Jacks or Better, but you could easily adapt it to other forms of Video Poker.
Straight Flush: Hold all cards if this one comes out of the box. In fact, photograph the screen: this is rare, and in the case of a royal flush, you should get rich from the progressive jackpot.
For of a Kind: Hold all cards. Not only is this the second-best combo, but you can’t improve on it by discarding anything.
Full House: Hold all cards. Third-best combo, cannot be improved by discarding.
Flush: Hold all cards, can’t be improved.
Straight: Hold all cards, can’t be improved.
Three of a Kind: Keep the three of a kind and discard the other two cards.
Two Pairs: Keep the two pairs and discard the fifth card for a shot at a Full House.
Jacks or Better: Hold the pair and discard the other three cards.
Of course, you should discard all cards apart from Ace, King, Queen or Jacks if you don’t win anything off the initial hand.
Below are a few handy pieces of advice which should help you improve your Video Poker:
Video Poker’s terminology is a mix of regular poker terms and newer terms, as you would expect of a game that combines the old and the new.
Action: Total amount wagered by the player in a particular game.
Bet Max: Maximum Bet on a particular game. This is usually five coins per hand.
Discard: Card(s) the player chooses to throw away following the first deal.
Flush: Five-card hand in which all cards are from the same suit.
Four of a Kind: Hand in which four of the cards have the same value.
Full House: Hand containing three of a kind and a pair.
Hand: The five cards dealt to the player by the machine.
Hold: Card(s) that the player chooses to hold on to.
Jackpot: Maximum bonus possible, usually awarded for a royal flush.
Pair: Two cards of exact same value, i.e. two kings or two 4s.
Pay Back: Estimated payout percentage that game, based on data for millions of hands.
Payout: Amount paid out to player for one hand.
Pay Table: A list of payouts for each scenario, which is displayed on the screen.
Royal Flush: The best possible hand in Video Poker (or regular poker), consisting of an Ace-high flush of the same suit.
Straight: Five consecutive numbers, such as 4-8 or 8-King.
Straight Flush: A straight in which all five cards are from the same suit.
Winning Hand: Any hand that pays out a winning combination.
If you're looking to improve your video poker skills, we've compiled some helpful tips to assist you in progressing further.
Do so to qualify for the maximum payouts if you hit the winning combination.
Choose bonuses carefully but take advantage of these offers to mitigate the house edge.
Overview covering the most popular types of video poker games.
For players just starting their video poker journey, we've created a 5-step process that's easy to follow. Simply pay attention to the steps, and you'll be on your way in no time.
Don’t take chances with unlicensed operators, because there are plenty who are regulated.
Relying on math use the optimal strategy to maximize the odds of winning a video poker.
Don’t bet more than you can afford to lose and always exercise proper bankroll management.
Try the games in demo format before you sit down at real money tables.
Even if you are an experienced poker player you should start at low stakes and move up slowly.
Understanding the terminology used in the online video poker world can be challenging, but we've simplified the process by providing a list of glossary terms to help you make sense of the video poker arena. Study the terms and become comfortable with the jargon before diving in!
Video Poker GlossaryOverview covering the most popular types of video poker games.
The original video poker game is, played with a standard 52-card deck and players participate in a single hand, as they tried to make the best combination possible.
A variant of Jacks or Better, with higher payouts for hands containing Aces. It can be found at most online casinos and it is of the most popular versions.
A game that pays out extra for hands containing Aces or Eights. Both cards will contribute to bigger winnings, so it is worth holding them when dealt.
A fast-paced variant of video poker that lets you play multiple hands at the same time. It is recommended for players who have a lot of experience with this game.
A version of Deuces Wild that offers bonus payouts for certain hands. It is preferred by punters who have higher expectations in terms of possible winnings.
A game with higher payouts for Four-of-a-Kind hands, that can produce bigger payouts. The most lucrative hands are the ones that contain aces.
A game that uses two Jokers in addition to the standard 52-card deck. As a result, players have a better chance of creating a winning combination and claiming a payout.
The most popular variant of video poker, paying out only for hands containing a pair of Jacks or higher. Essentially, you need at least a pair of jacks to qualify.
A game similar to Jacks or Better, but paying out for hands containing a pair of Tens or higher. The two games are basically identical, so the learning curve is smooth.
A game in which twos act as wild cards and can substitute all the other cards to create winning combinations. As a result, they increase the chances of making a winning hand.
A variant of Jacks or Better with higher payouts for hands containing Aces or face cards. Just as the name suggests, jacks, queens, and kings are valuable in this game.
A game that offers bonus payouts for Four-of-a-Kind hands, so these are the sought-after cards. Aces also weigh heavily in the balance when used to create winning combinations.
A game that offers bonus payouts for Four-of-a-Kind hands, so these are the sought-after cards. Aces also weigh heavily in the balance when used to create winning combinations.
A variant of Jacks or Better with higher payouts for hands containing a specific card combination. You can find this game at many online casinos for free or real money.
A game that gives players a lot of freedom of choice, as it allows them to choose whether to hold or discard cards after each of three deals. It is a great game for experienced punters.
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As long as you play at a licensed and regulated casino you will enjoy safe online video poker.
Yes, many online casinos offer free video poker games and you only need to sign up for an account.
Online video poker is played against the house, while the traditional game pits you against your peers.
Players who use basic strategy improve the odds of winning and the tactics are straightforward.
If you play the real money version of the game you will be paid real money when beating the dealer.
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