How to Play Video Poker Online – A Complete Video Poker Guide
If you want to know how to play video poker, having a guide to the basics can be helpful. The game functions differently than live poker, and each variant involves different strategies. When approached optimally, video poker can be one of the highest return-to-player (RTP) percentage options in online casino games.
This detailed video poker guide explains the rules and how the game works to help you master the basics and play confidently. We’ll also detail the various video poker games, provide a comparison of RTPs between games, and discuss winning methods.
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How to Play Video Poker in 6 Easy Steps
Playing video poker online is fairly straightforward and typically involves the following six steps.
Step 1: Choose Your Video Poker Variant
Select your preferred video poker version from the available collection at your chosen online casino. Popular options include Deuces Wild, Joker Poker, and Jacks or Better.
Step 2: Place Your Bet
Place your main wager to start a new game. Bet limits vary but generally range between one and five coins, or about $0.05 to $5.00.
Step 3: Start Playing Video Poker Online
Select “Deal” to receive your first five cards.
Step 4: Select Which Cards to Hold
Select the card or cards that you wish to hold. Winning at video poker requires creating a suitable hand from the paytable.
Step 5: Draw New Cards
Any cards you decide to discard will be replaced with new ones from the deck.
Step 6: View the Result
If your hand matches one of the game’s winning hands, you’ll receive the corresponding payout automatically and can start a new game. If your hand doesn’t match, you’ll forfeit your wager and can play again.
A Closer Look at Winning Poker Hands
The most important part of learning how to play video poker and win is knowing the full list of winning poker hands. If you’ve previously played any form of poker, you are probably familiar with these.
1. Royal Flush
A five-card hand made out of cards of identical suit that are specifically 10, K, Q, A, and J in any other. In some games, creating a hand in a specific order or made up of a specific suit can pay out higher. This is the best hand you can get.
2. Straight Flush
Having a hand with five successive cards of the same suit, such as 4♠, 5♠, 6♠, 7♠, and 8♠.
3. Four of a Kind
Having a hand with four cards of the same rank, such as 5♠, 5♥, 5♣, and 5♦.
4. Full House
Having a hand that combines pair and a three of a kind, such as 6♠, 6♥, 6♦, K♣, and K♥.
5. Flush
Having a five-card hand with no specific sequential order made of of an identical suit, such as 3♦, 4♦, 8♦, 9♦, and J♦.
6. Straight
Having a hand with five sequential cards made up of different suits, such as 6♣, 7♦, 8♥, 9♠, and 10♦.
7. Three of a Kind
A hand that includes three cards featuring the same rank, such as Q♥, Q♠, and Q♣.
8. Two Pair
A hand with two different pairs, such as 3♠, 3♣, J♠, and J♥.
9. One Pair
A hand made up of two same-rank cards, such as 10♥ and 10♠.
10. High Card
A hand with no other value other than its highest card, such as K♦.
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Types of Video Poker Versions
To learn how to play video poker at a casino, you must first realize that there are different versions of this game. Just like regular poker has evolved into numerous variants, such as Hold’em, Omaha, 7-Card Stud, and so on, so too has this electronic version. Top offshore casinos normally offer a variety of these versions.
Jacks or Better
Learning how to play Jacks or Better video poker is the simplest, so most players start with this version. To win, you need to create one of the nine winning hands, the least valuable of which is simply having a J or higher in your hand. A Royal Flush, meanwhile, is the highest-paying hand ranking.
Deuces Wild
Once you have mastered Jacks or Better, learning how to play Deuces Wild video poker should not be a challenge. This game is played in a very similar way, but all 2s are wild and can substitute for any other cards. A three-of-a-kind is the least valuable hand, and the game introduces a special hand called 4 Deuces, or a four-of-a-kind made of 2s.
Joker Poker
This unique version of video poker uses a 53-card deck that includes a wild Joker that substitutes for any other card. You need a K or better to win any payout, and this variant features a Sequential Royal as its best hand. This hand consists of a 10, J, Q, K, and A in exact order.
Top tip: Just like with blackjack strategy, you can find charts that help you implement the best course of action in video poker games featuring jokers or other wild cards. Using these charts effectively can reduce the house edge but cannot guarantee a win. It is all but necessary if you want to optimize your RTP% to use one of these charts based on the specific game you are playing, at least until you have memorized optimal strategy.
Bonus Poker
Bonus Poker should be an easy segway after you’ve learned how to play Jacks or Better video poker. This version is very similar, with the main difference being special payouts for specific four-of-a-kind hands, such as four As. There are 11 ways to win this game, with a J or better guaranteeing a payout.
Double Bonus Poker
A sequel to Bonus Poker, Double Bonus Poker features even greater payouts for specific four-of-a-kind hands. These payouts, however, are compensated by lower-value prizes for other winning hands, including two pairs. This game has 11 winning hands, and the lowest-value one is a J or better.
Top tip: While the bonus payouts are attractive, it’s worth noting that this game has a slightly lower RTP than Bonus Poker and most other video poker variants.
Comparing Different Versions of Video Poker
The following table outlines average RTPs and the most valuable hand ranking for each variant. While you don’t need to know this to learn how to play video poker for beginners, it can help you decide which version to play next.
Video Poker Variant | Average RTP | Number of Winning Hands | Most Valuable Hand |
Jacks or Better | 99.54% | 9 | Royal Flush |
Deuces Wild | 99.73% | 10 | Royal Flush |
Joker Poker | 98.47% | 12 | Sequential Royal |
Bonus Poker | 99.17% | 11 | Royal Flush |
Double Bonus Poker | 99.11% | 11 | Royal Flush |
How to Play Video Poker and Win
While there is no betting system that guarantees a win, you can learn how to play video poker like a pro by implementing the following strategies.
Familiarize Yourself with the Game
There are many different types of video poker games, including single-hand and multi-hand variants. Winning hand rankings and special cards also vary, so by spending a few minutes familiarizing yourself with a specific game, you can avoid costly mistakes.
Handy Note: Many of the best sites and casino apps let you play their games for free in demo mode, allowing you to test different strategies without risking any money.
Learn to Hold the Best Cards
Deciding which cards to hold and which to discard is the most important part of learning how to play video poker. Strategy charts can help you, but ensure that you are following a chart that matches your chosen variant.
Handy Note: If you are learning how to play video poker for beginners, you should hold four cards that form a potential Royal Flush, a Straight, a Straight Flush, or a Flush. It’s also worth holding low pairs in Jacks or Better but breaking high pairs for a chance of creating a much stronger hand.
Bet the Maximum Credits
Part of learning how to play video poker like a pro is realizing that these players always bet the maximum number of coins or credits to take advantage of winning hands. While this is counter to learning how to win at slots, this strategy can help you maximize winning hand payouts. It is particularly important for video poker since Royal Flushes generally pay out a considerably higher relative amount to your bet if you bet the max.
Top tip: Practicing good bankroll management will not only allow you to play more rounds of video poker but can also support responsible gambling. It’s important not to get emotional while playing, so having a budget and spreading it across your gaming session can help you play logically.
Look Out for Eligible Casino Bonuses
While most promotions are designed for slots, several casino bonuses are suitable for video poker games. Taking advantage of these rewards can boost your bankroll and allow you to play more games using the maximum allowed credits.
Handy Note: Read through the bonus terms and conditions to ensure that video poker is included. Check that wagering requirements and all other terms are reasonable and that you can realistically fulfill them within the stipulated time frame.
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General Cheat Sheet for Video Poker
To learn how to play video poker and win more often, you should keep a cheat sheet handy. The following is a summarized version of popular sheets. Once again, exact optimal strategy will vary depending on the variant, but this will get you on a good basic track:
Hand Contains | Best Action |
A straight, flush, straight flush, full house, four of a kind, or a royal flush | Don’t discard any cards |
Four cards that could form part of the same royal flush | Hold the four and discard the fifth |
Pair (if applicable), two pair, or three of a kind | Hold winning combinations and discard the rest |
Four cards that could form part of the same straight flush | Hold the four and discard the fifth |
A pair of 10s or lower | Hold the pair and discard the rest |
Three cards that could form part of the same royal flush | Hold the three and discard the rest |
Four cards that could form part of the same flush | Hold the four and discard the fifth |
Anything lower than a pair | Discard all cards and draw new ones |
Tips for Playing Video Poker
No matter whether you’re learning how to play Deuces Wild video poker or any other variant, you should keep the following tips in mind:
- Practice with free games – Many online casinos offer free video poker games that you can use to practice without risking your money.
- Play with a clear head – Avoid playing video poker if you are drunk, tired, or otherwise distracted as this could lead to you to making avoidable mistakes.
- Know when to stop – Set limits on losses or wagers to avoid problem gambling and prevent emotions from taking over your decisions.
- Use casino bonuses – Appropriate promotions can boost your bankroll, allowing you to place higher-value bets or play more rounds without additional risk.
- Understand mathematical odds – While most video poker games have an RTP of 99% or higher, these mathematical odds are based on millions of perfectly played rounds.
Video Poker vs Casino Poker vs Regular Poker
Video poker is one of several poker variants based on the same winning hand rankings. Learning how to play video poker slot machines can help you play other variants, but it’s important to understand the differences between these games.
While video poker is a single-player electronic game, casino poker is a type of game where you play against the house, similar to blackjack. It’s available at many virtual and live casinos and includes a variety of versions. Popular versions of this game include Caribbean Stud, Three Card, and Pai Gow.
Regular poker is poker in the more traditional sense, where players play against each other. Texas Hold’em and Omaha are the most popular examples, but others include Seven-Card Stud and Five Card Draw Poker. These can be played as standalone cash games or in tournaments with or without pot limits.
The following table illustrates the key characteristics of these three types of online poker games:
Feature | Video Poker | Casino Poker | Regular Poker |
Competitors | No other video poker players or a dealer | Dealer / House | Other players |
Speed | Fast-paced with instant results | Moderate speed controlled by the player or the live dealer | Generally slowest with multiple rounds of betting |
Strategy | Based on mathematical probabilities | Based on fixed rules and odds | Involves reading opponents and bluffing |
Skill Level | Relatively simple to master | Less skill-intensive than regular poker | Requires advanced skills and experience |
Social Interaction | None | Low or no social interaction | High, with live interactions |
RTP | Varies, but sometimes above 99% | Lower than most online video poker games and in the range of 94% – 97% | No defined RTP since the outcome depends on many incalculable factors |
House Edge | Low, especially in Full Pay Deuces Wild | Higher house edge than video poker | No house edge as the casino’s earnings come from the rake |
Read Other Helpful Gambling Guides
Learn how to play other popular casino games online with our other detailed guides.
- Craps Strategy – Learn how to roll the dice to victory using our top tips.
- Blackjack Strategy – Beat the dealer using pro strategies.
- Gambler’s Fallacy – Avoid costly decisions by learning about this common fallacy.
- Roulette Bets and Payouts – Start playing roulette online like a pro in minutes.
- James Bond Roulette Strategy – Feel like a secret agent using this exclusive roulette betting system.
- Slots Tips and Tricks – Use our top tips to win slot games more often.
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