Online Video Poker Guide & Best Video Poker Casinos

It seems that all the focus is on slots when you visit an online casino. However, it's easy to forget that there are other table and live casino games. One of the easiest and most fun is video poker.

Video poker online is modelled on a five-card draw variant, making it easy to learn and an excellent place to start if you want to learn about poker.

Video poker machines first surfaced in the 70s and grew in popularity in the 80s. It evolved into an online format where it can be found on mobile, tablet and desktop computers. These are often available at download casinos and instant play. You can play free video poker or for real money by making a casino deposit.

The game has a few benefits including its relatively wide availability and low house edge compared to other games such as slots. Variants exist that are all easy to learn.

Best online casinos with Video Poker Games in 2024

You can find a list of our Top video poker casinos where you can play a large selection of video poker games. These are licensed online casinos that pay winnings, and some are even new online casinos.

They offer a welcome bonus package to new players that may consist of free spins, a deposit bonus or no deposit bonus. You can also read about the casino bonus terms, casino payment methods accepted, details on games and more.

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Playing Video Poker

You can find video poker under its own category of games. Although there are multiple variants, the basic rules remain constant. You cannot play video poker with friends as this game is only played against the computer.

Typically, the game begins by setting your desired bet level. Ordinarily, the potential payout grows with your bet size. It can involve choosing the number of coins and the value of each coin. You then instruct the game to deal the cards by clicking on the 'Deal' button. A player is then dealt five playing cards, ordinarily from a deck of 52. The player then decides which card that he or she wants to hold, discarding the rest.

Often, the game will automatically hold cards that it determines you can use. Still, you can override the suggestion as you may disagree. It all comes down to your risk appetite.

The discarded cards are then replaced by new cards dealt from the stack. Ordinarily, you can only draw once a game.

The following is the possible winning hands in order of largest to smallest rank. As you might expect, the higher the hand, the harder it is to complete it, which is why it has a higher payout.

Poker Hand Description Sample Hand
Royal Flush The same suit: A, K, Q, J, 10 A♠ K♠ Q♠ J♠ 10♠
Straight Flush

Five cards in a sequence and of the same suit 4♦ 5♦ 6♦ 7♦ 8♦
4 of a Kind All four cards of the same rank A♥ A♦ A♠ A♣ K♠
Full house One pair and three of a kind 8♦ 8♥ 8♣ K♣ K♠
Flush Five cards of the same suit and in any order 10♣ 9♣ J♣ Q♣ 3♣
Straight Five cards in order, but not of an identical suit. 1♥ 2♣ 3♥ 4♥ 5♠
3 of a kind Three cards of the same rank 3♥ 3♣ 3♠ 1♦ 6♥
2 pair Two pairs of the same rank K♣ K♠ Q♦ Q♥ A♥
1 pair One pair of the same rank 9♣ 9♠ A♦ 3♦ 10♥
Video Poker

Video Poker Strategy

One of the characteristics of video poker is that there' no need to put on your best poker face or thinking about your next bluff to better your odds. You cannot observe players style of play to adapt your strategy according to whether they're aggressive bettors or conservative ones.

Although video poker is purely a game of chance, the smart player will choose a game with a higher RTP (theoretical return to player). An RTP of 97%, means that on average a player wins back $/£/€ 70 for every $/£/€ 100 wagered. RTP is a theoretical number based on a high number of games played, and anything can happen over the short to medium term.

Another thing you can do is to have a basic knowledge of probabilities. Conder the following two hands:

10♥ K♠ Q♠ J♠ 10♠ (one card shy of a Royal Flush)
K♣ K♠ Q♦ Q♥ A♥ (2 pair and also one card shy of a Full House)

In the first hand, consider that there is only one card (A♠) that can complete a Royal Flush.

In the second hand, Consider there are four cards (K♦ K♥ Q♣ Q♠) that can complete a Full House. The probability is, therefore, higher of completing the second hand.

Video Poker versus Video Slots

By now, you may think that video poker feels pretty similar to video slots since you are playing against a computer.

Also, as with class and video slots, such as ones with progressive jackpots, the cards dealt are determined by a random number generator (RNG). RNGs use an algorithm to generate numbers (outcomes) in a way that is impossible to predict.

Also, as with some slots, video poker games may offer a gamble feature, which is an optional side game. Here, you have a 50:50 chance to go double or nothing on your winnings.

Video Poker versus Online Poker

While video poker is mostly a game of chance, the game of poker also involves the use of strategies that can help better your odds. There is an advantage to be gained by learning to read players, which separate the experienced players from beginners. It can boost your returns by helping you to make the correct decision.

Before worrying about strategies, novice players might find it helpful first to learn video poker free online before moving up to the next level.

Playing Video Poker Variants

As with online and live poker, there are variants of video poker that are very similar except for small differences in the rules and mechanics. Variants can have different house edges that you'll want to consider also. We'll briefly introduce some of the more popular ones next.

10x Play Poker

While the idea of playing a hand may pique your interest, so what would you say when we tell you that you can play up to 100 hands at the same time? 10x Play Poker is not nearly as overwhelming since you only play with ten hands.

You begin with five cards dealt, and you can choose which to hold and which to return. The cards you hold remain identical for all hands, and the cards that you return are replaced by random cards from each hand's deck.

Video Poker

Jacks or Better

In this variant of video poker, the lowest possible hand is a pair of Jacks. It makes it a little more difficult as you cannot form a pair with anything less.

Deuces Wild

Deuces Wild is another variant where winning hands begin with 3 of a kind. In exchange, deuces act as wilds that substitute for all cards. 4 of a kind deuces has its own special payout.

Video Poker

All American Poker

All American Poker is not unlike Jacks or Better in the sense that the lowest possible winning hand is a pair of Jacks. The difference is that the stronger hands have higher payouts while the weaker hands have lower payouts than in Jacks or Better.

10's or Better

10's or Better is identical to Jacks or Better, except the lowest possible winning hand is two of a kind 10s.

Video Poker FAQ

Video poker is an online game that puts you against the computer. While there are variants, the basic idea is that you're dealt five cards from a deck of 52. You can hold the cards you want to, and return the cards you don't to replace them with new cards.

Yes, you can enjoy free play video poker at many online casinos giving you a chance to try the games. Remember that when you play video poker for real money, you get to keep your winnings, qualify for bonuses, and experience the highs and lows.

Yes, it is easy to play video poker since there are not a lot of rules. It is an excellent place to start if you want to learn how to play online poker or live poker because its more straightforward and you don't need a strategy.

Yes, as all the cards dealt are randomly decided by a random number generator (RNG). RNGs are certified as fair by independent third-party auditors at most online casinos.

Video poker is a game of chance, not unlike a slot machine. A random number generator determines the outcome of the cards dealt. Still, there are some things you can do to better your chances. Choose variants with a higher RTP that lower the house edge. Also, consider the likelihood of landing your missing cards based on the hand you're holding.

Video poker is available in most online casinos, but the number of variants can vary between them. We've put together a list of our 5 best video poker casinos, each of which is licensed.

Live casino is available at many operators but is not the same thing as video poker, although it shares similarities with it. A popular variant is Live Poker Hold'em which allows you to play alongside other players. It is streamed from a live studio from providers like Netent or Evolution Gaming to your desktop computer, tablet or mobile.

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