Video Poker Guide
Video poker, that old casino favorite, is available online as well! If you're a video poker lover, that's great news. Even better is the fact that you'll find an incredibly low house edgewith online video poker.
Video poker offers you incredibly high RTP: in fact up to 99.73% RTP! It's also very easy to play.
Video poker and slots often compare because they’re the two most-popular forms of machine-based gaming. When it comes to video poker versus slot machines, the key distinction is that video poker features intricate strategy that influences the long-term outcome. In this video poker guide, you will be introduced to different poker hands, to the basic steps of playing, and to some useful tips to help you increase your bankroll. Get to know the poker hands In video poker, players must aim to form a hand in order to win. A hand basically means a combination of five cards that follow a hand ranking system.
In our Complete Guide to Online Video Poker, we'll cover everything you need to know (whether you play online or in a casino)
Which Video Poker Games Pay Out the Best?
Many online casinos offer video poker variations with some amazingly high Return to Player (RTP) percentages.
And by far, Game King's video poker is leading the pack here! Check out these high RTP values:
- Triple Play Draw Poker (playing Deuces Wild): 99.73% RTP
- Five Play Draw Poker (playing Deuces Wild): 99.73% RTP
- Jacks or Better: 99.54% RTP
- Double Double Bonus Poker: 99.51% RTP
- Bonus Poker: 99.16% RTP
- Double Bonus Poker: 98.98% RTP
Where to find Game King video poker?
You can find Game King video poker at these online casinos.
Virgin and Tropicana (New Jersey) were the first to bring Game King's great video poker games to the US.
In Pennsylvania, Hollywood and SugarHouse online casino has Game King's great video poker variations.
Of course, with the largest legal online game selection in the U.S., it's not surprising that Golden Nugget (New Jersey) has some of the best video poker you'll find.
Video Poker Software Providers
Even when you play at a land-based casino, video poker uses software that's very similar to what you'll find online. Some of the leading providers for online video poker software are:
- NetEnt
- Spin Games
- Game King/IGT
- 888
- Amaya Gaming
- Microgaming
- PlayTech Video Poker
- Vegas Technology Video Poker
Most software providers offer slightly different versions of the same games, but their payouts can be quite different. For example, Spin Games' Jacks or Better pays out less on a flush thanother versions.
Online casinos rarely offer games from more than 2 different providers. To find the name of the provider, you need to either 1) click on the Information icon on the game or 2) do a search byname of game provider.
Video Poker Selection at Online Casino
Some online casinos offer an enormous video poker selection. We've gathered some of the top contenders here.
Borgata and BetMGM
Borgata, the Atlantic City mega-casino, has an online casino, and they've also teamed up with BetMGM. They have great offerings for video poker lovers
- Bonus poker
- Double bonus poker
- Double double bonus poker
- Double double Regal poker
- Jacks or Better
- Game King Jacks or Better
- Ultimate Texas Holdem
- Destiny poker
- Deuces Wild
- Jester Poker
- Triple play Draw Poker Multi-hand
- Five play Draw Poker Multi-hand
- Texas Holdem Bonus poker
- Ultimate Texas Holdem
- Casino Holdem poker
Try Borgata or BetMGM with free bonus cash!
SugarHouse Video Poker (Pennsylvania and New Jersey)
SugarHouse also has an outstanding selection of video poker titles. Here's what you'll find:
- Bonus Poker (Game King)
- Double Bonus Poker (Game King)
- Double Double Bonus Poker (Game King)
- Jacks or Better (Game King)
- Triple Play Draw Poker (Game King)
- Five Play Draw Poker (Game King)
- Ten Play Draw Poker (Game King)
- DJ Wild (Shufflemaster Games)
- Mississippi Stud (Spin Games)
- Texas Hold'em Plus (Spin Games)
- Regal Poker (Spin Games)
- Double Regal Poker (Spin Games)
- Double Double Regal Poker (Spin Games)
- Regal Poker Delux (Spin Games)
- Jester Poker (Spin Games)
- Deuces Wild (Spin Games)
- Jacks or Better (Spin Games)
Golden Nugget online (New Jersey)
Golden Nugget also has nearly 20 video poker games. These include:
- Tens or Better
- Triple Play Draw Poker
- Bonus Poker
- Regal Poker
- Deuces Wild
- Aces and Faces
What is Online Video Poker?
Video poker is played with software that randomly deals you cards. You play against the computer, so to speak, not other people.
Just like in physical poker, there are many different kinds of poker you can play with video poker.
What is the difference between physical video poker and online?
The feel of online video poker is nearly identical to a physical machine. The rules are the same.
The main differences are in your favor: you can start out with a great bonus that gives you an edge up!
You can also find games with a much higher return to player than you'll ever find in a land-based casino.
How to Play Video Poker Games
Playing video poker is quite easy. For most games, you only have only two decisions to make:
- How much do you want to bet?
- Do you keep or discard any cards from your hand?
Generally, #1 is the same for all games; you can always choose your bet amount.
#2 may be different depending on which game you're playing. That is, some poker variations let you swap out more cards than others.
But some variations have additional bets. For example, the NetEnt has a version called Jacks or Better Double Up. This has a bonus bet opportunity built in called the Gamblefeature. Here, you can try to guess the color or suit of the next card. If you’re right, you 'double up' your winnings.
Play Jacks or Better Double Up at 888!
What is the difference between video poker and poker sites?
Video poker is played against a computer software. It has enhanced graphics and sound to give you that live-poker feeling.
Poker sites are usually more basic in their appearance. You play against other live players, not the computer.
Both kinds of poker use a random number generator to randomize the draw of the cards. It's the virtual equivalent of shuffling.
How Do I Find Video Poker?
To find a video poker game, find the Games tab on your online casino's page, and scroll down for video poker. (Some sites have a separate tab for video poker.)
Be sure to find 'video poker' if that's what you want to play (instead of at an online poker table). Sites like 888, Borgata, and PartyPoker that have both casino games and poker siteshave a tab that will take you to their poker site.
Here, clicking the Poker tab would take you to poker tables, not video poker.
On your screen, you'd click in the area circled in red to find video poker.
Online Video Poker Strategy
Your video poker strategy is simple: build the best hand you can. The order of best possible hands will depend slightly based on which game you are playing. But your only decision is whetheryou should hold or exchange your cards.
Video poker involves a lot more luck than strategy. You are not playing against other players, so you won't benefit from anyone else's bad decisions.
Also, the game uses a random number generator to select which cards are drawn. It is randomized with every dealing, which would be like playing with an infinite deck.
That means that card counting doesn't work with video poker. You only know that cards you can see and that you've discarded.
Types of Online Video Poker Games
There are over a dozen types of video poker. We'll review some of the most popular.
Deuces Wild
As the name suggests here, 2s are wild. That turns a losing hand toward some great possibilities. No wonder it has such an incredibly low house edge: 0.27%!
The great thing is that the game automatically calculates the best hand for you when you have those wild deuces. So you'll get the best possible hand automatically.
Play 'Deuces Wild' on Game King's Triple-Play and Five-Play poker for an unbeatable RTP: 99.73%! Available at these casinos:
- 888 (New Jersey)
- Borgata (New Jersey)
- Golden Nugget(New Jersey)
- SugarHouse (New Jersey and Pennsylvania)
- Hard Rock (New Jersey)
- BetMGM (New Jersey)
- Hollywood (Pennsylvania)
- PartyCasino (New Jersey)
- Virgin (New Jersey)
- Tropicana (New Jersey)
Jacks or Better
Jacks or Better is one of the most popular video poker games (although you have better odds with other versions). In this variation, only hands with at least a pair of jacks can play. Ifyou're the only one with a pair of jacks, you win!
As you might imagine, that cuts out a lot of action.
Jacks or Better, order of winning hands:
- Royal Flush
- Straight Flush
- Four of a Kind
- Full House
- Flush
- Straight
- Three of a Kind
- Two Pairr
Bonus Poker
Bonus Poker uses the same hands as Jacks or Better. However, the value of the cards is the opposite. In Bonus Poker, you want the lower cards. So, for example, four aces, 2’s,3’s, or 4’s are all very strong hands.
Why Play Online Video Poker?
While going to the land-based casino to play video poker may seem like the more appealing option, playing online will be a lot more beneficial short and long term.
Convenience
There is nothing worse than the hassle of having to travel hours just to find the closest land-based casino to play video poker. Playing video poker online has become increasingly morepopular for the big reason that you don't have to go anywhere to play.
If you live in a state where legal online casinos are offered, it only takes a few minutes to get started playing video poker. All you need is a stable internet connection and a device toplay on. Playing video poker online allows you to play when you want, wherever you want.
Bonuses
Something you will rarely see at the land-based venue is the chance to claim a bonus and use it on any games on the casino floor. Online video poker is one of the many choices of games youhave to use your casino bonus on.
Video Poker Beginner's Guide
Claim an offer just for signing up and use the bonus cash on video poker to get a hang of how it's played, but also potentially win some big cash prizes!
Game Selection
Your options for video poker are much larger online than at the land-based venue. Instead of a few machines on the casino floor, you have an almost unlimited video poker selection online.There are multiple available online video poker platforms, which you can access from the comfort of your own home minutes after creating a casino account.
Unlike at the brick and mortar casinos, you will never have to wait for a video poker online game to start due to too many people.
Where is Online Poker Legal?
The legality of online poker in the US is a tricky subject for those not well versed in the subject.
Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania are three states that have legalized both online casinos and online poker.
Nevada hasn’t legalized online casinos, but they do have legalized dedicated online poker rooms.
As of the time of writing, the only site that shares online poker players is 888. On this site, you can play alongside players from Nevada, New Jersey, and Delaware.
Michigan has recently legalized online poker, so players should expect to see legal poker rooms in Michigan in the very near future.
Can I Play Offshore Video Poker Rooms?
It’s always been possible to play video poker with offshore casinos. Offshore companies operate illegally in the U.S. Still, the nature of anti-gambling laws means the target is the operator,rather than the player.
However, now it is increasingly hard to find a way to deposit, much less withdraw, funds to an offshore account. Most major credit cards will not allow transactions with offshore casinos asthey operate illegally in the U.S.
You won’t get any help from US regulatory borders if you’re playing with a site based exclusively in Europe, for example.
Are Video Poker games rigged?
Legal, state-approved video poker games are definitely not rigged. The software is programmed with a random number generator.
The state's gaming division also monitors the games for fairness. Any casino caught rigging games would be fined very heavily.
Can you Play Video Poker Games for Free?
Yes, you can play nearly all the online video poker games online for free. You can take welcome bonus dollars and apply that to video poker at most casinos. Then, if you win, withdraw afteryou've met the wagering requirement.
You can also play in demo mode, but you can't make any money that way.
Video poker has such a low minimum bet that you can play for next to nothing online. We always like to put a little money down. You'll play more seriously even if you just have $0.25 in thegame.
Video Poker articles, videos and podcasts. Learn how to win at video poker. Find out the best strategies for playing video poker. Watch, read and listen to interviews with video poker expertsthat tell you the best tips for winning at video poker.
- Video Podcast – How to Become a Winning Video Poker Player with H. Tamburin
- Video Podcast – All about Video Poker with Michael “Wizard ofOdds” Shackleford
- Video Podcast – Video Poker – How to Win and How it Works with Steve Bourie
- Audio Podcast – The changing face of video poker with Linda Boyd
- Audio Podcast – Setting your video poker goals with Jean Scott
- Audio Podcast – Basics of video poker with Linda Boyd
- Audio Podcast – Choosing the best video poker paytables with JeanScott
- Audio Podcast – Becoming a professional video poker player with BobDancer
- Audio Podcast – Tips for improving video poker play with Linda Boyd
- Audio Podcast – Jean Scott discusses her helpful hints for video poker
- Audio Podcast – Dan Paymar shares his winning tactics for video poker
Main Menu
Online Casino Bonuses
Top Casinos By Type
Top Casinos By Country
Top Casinos By Software
Top Casinos By Game
Quick Links:
Top Video Poker Online Casinos
| Casino | Bonus | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Jackpot City Casino | $1600 | |
| Royal Vegas Casino | $1200 | |
| Mansion Casino | £500 | |
| Omni Casino | $1818 |
Introduction to Video Poker
Some say that video poker is not real poker but in reality this game is as real as it gets. It is true that you won’t reason like in a regular poker game with many players but video poker is just as challenging and exciting as your regular poker round. If you like to take your time and play against the computer only you will love video poker. You don’t have to worry about what other people hold on their hand but simply focus on the 5 cards you are dealt and what to do with them. Read on and learn more about video poker and how to play it.
History of Video Poker
Video poker machines look very much like slots and the beginning of the history of video poker starts with the slots machine being invented. The very first video poker machines were more like slots with the reels and card symbols that spun around to form a hand of 5 cards. If the player won he’d get a drink or cigarettes and there were no million jackpot prizes like today. In 1970 the first Poker Matic machines were introduced in casinos and they are seen as the first real video poker games. They didn’t become a huge hit but it wouldn’t take many more years for people to start changing their minds regarding video poker.
When the Draw Poker games came around in 1979 they managed to give slots a push as well. The new technology allowed for games that didn’t rely on the spinning wheels theme which gave the video games a fresh new look and feel. Since then the technology of the video poker games has only been improved and with high speed internet poker lovers from all over the world are playing video poker daily in online casinos.
American Casino Guide Video Poker
Rules for Video Poker
In video poker you want to make a winning hand with 5 cards. Your 5 starting cards are random and decided by the machine. Once you get your 5 cards you need to decide which type of hand you want to aim for. The game uses standard poker hand ranking so it is always wise to learn the different possible hands well before you start the game. You can win with all the hands that are listed as winners on the machine but the hardest ones to get will also pay more. You will also influence the end result with how many moves you make to get there.
To determine how much money you will win the video poker machine subtracts from the final winning sum by each draw you make. You might decide to go for a pair or a triple and if you make that in one draw this will be subtracted from the prize for a pair or a triple. There are also video poker games with jokers or wilds. The wild cards can be used as any card and give you a better chance to form a winning hand. There are also video poker games with progressive jackpots. To win a progressive jackpot in video poker you need to get the hardest hand and usually without many moves, if any. There might also be an additional fee to pay to be in the draw of the additional jackpot.
General Strategy
Strategy for video poker is found in plenty online but there are a few basic tips that can make your games smoother and more successful. The very first thing you need to do to win in video poker is to learn the hand rankings and also the rules for the version of the game that you want to play. IN the beginning you can play free video poker to get used to the way of thinking. Don’t confuse video poker with regular poker. For sure, the basic elements are the same but strategy for video poker differs a lot from the one you would use in regular games.
In video poker it is you against the machine. You don’t need to read poker faces and bets of other players. This frees up your mind and focus to look closer at the cards you have and the possible combinations. Don’t stress! Unless you are playing video poker in a bar, no one is waiting to get the video poker machine after you. You should also stick to one strategy at a time and only advance once you feel that you understand it and know how to draw the conclusions of your games. The more you play the smarter you get so be prepared to lose a little bit of money during your first sessions of video poker and then win them back as you advance your game and strategies.
Rating:
Casino:Jackpot City Casino
Read Review:Click Here
Rating:
Casino:Royal Vegas Casino
Read Review:Click Here
Rating:
Casino:Ruby Fortune Casino
Read Review:Click Here
Rating:
Casino:Mansion Casino
Read Review:Click Here