How To Play Video Poker Machines

History – How To Play – Rules – Odds – Strategy – Pro’s Perspective

1. Video Poker For Money
2. Free Video Poker Machine
3. Best Way To Play Video Poker Machines
4. What Is The Best Video Poker Machine To Play

The odds of video poker machines are based on the hit bingo patterns. Actually, on Class II video poker machines, a big screen will display the cards but you will have another subtle screen displaying the electronic bingo card. The small electronic bingo card is the only clue you require to understand what is happening mathematically. How to play poker online for money. Researchers say that majority of population prefer to spend leisure time in front of PC or using mobile phones (which can almost fully replace computer). For them online poker is another kind of entertainment after a hard day at work. But there are people who play poker online for money, and that's their income.

Video Poker is a single-player game that takes the edge off poker, mainly the competition with the other seated players at the poker table. In this game, there is only one player against a computer. Players will be paid according to the paytable of each game and according to the minimum paying hand.

These games can be enjoyed at land-based casinos on video poker machines that look a lot like slot machines. Online casinos also offer video poker as all the major software developers have their own variants. Players can enjoy online through their computers in the comfort of their own home. Most of the video poker versions adopt the 5-card poker game rules as players will get 5 cards and they will choose to discard cards and get replacement cards in order to form the final poker hand. The only difference is that there are no wagering rounds in between the dealt cards as players will only place a wager at the very beginning.

Although video poker is mainly a single player poker game, some video poker variants involve the dealer. In these games, players will have to beat the poker hand of the dealer in order to win the pot.

Video Poker History

Because video poker is basically the integration of poker and slot machines, its history can be traced back to the invention of slot machines itself. Charles Fey is the father of the slot machine. His slot machines had numbers on it and not poker hands. These coin-operated machines were developed in the U.S. in the 1800s and were very popular in saloons and cigar stores, especially in San Francisco.

Video poker started to appear in 1989 when the Card Bell was developed. This game was a poker machine that paid players instantly by using combinations such as a straight, a flush, and so on. In the improved design of the machine, the Skill Draw, a major feature was added — the Hold. The Hold feature has become an integral part of the video poker game of today.

Video poker machines started to become commercially viable following the integration of a monitor that looks like a TV screen. This allowed players to enjoy a 100 percent computerized game. The first-ever computerized video poker game was developed in the mid-1970s. It was very primitive compared to modern-day video poker games but it was the first-ever computerized video poker machine that paved the way for other video poker games. The popularity of these machines started to skyrocket when a company called SIRCOMA (Si Redd’s Coin Machines) introduced a video poker game, namely Draw Poker, in 1979. SIRCOMA is now one of the biggest gaming developers for land-based and online casinos, going by the name IGT (International Game Technology).

The popularity of these machines increased until they were an absolute must in every land-based casino. Now, almost every single casino on the Vegas Strip offers its players a number of video slot machines. In the 1990s, with the huge breakthrough in technology, video poker games started to offer better gaming quality and more variations of the game were introduced.

Video poker also made one of its greatest development steps with the emergence of online gambling, and video poker became one of the most popular games in the online world. This transition enabled millions of players to enjoy the game, especially those who did not have a nearby land-based casino or a gambling venue they could visit in order to enjoy a game of video poker. The Internet industry provided players with countless versions of video poker. Some of the leading names in the business are Microgaming, Playtech, Cryptologic, IGT, and Betsoft Gaming. These different software versions started to include bonus rounds, gamble features, special features, wild cards, and many more.

How to Play Video Poker

There are two popular types of video poker games. The most popular video poker games offer a single-player poker experience, including 5-card draw poker games, and can be found in most online or land-based casinos. This type includes Jacks or Better, Tens or Better, Joker Poker, Deuces Wild, Joked and Deuces Wild, as well as Bonus Poker among others. The second type is a casino poker game that involves the player and the dealer, such as Caribbean Stud poker, which can only be found online. Each game has its own gaming procedure and rules.

Despite the fact that there are numerous variants, they all follow the same gaming procedure. The game starts as players place their desired stakes. They can place that stake by depositing a coin if it is a land-based video poker game. If it is an online video poker game, they will choose a coin or cash by clicking on the screen of the game.

After they place the wager, they will click on a button that says “Deal.” They will then get a poker hand that consists of 5 cards. Players will look at these cards and then decide which cards they want to hold and which cards they want to discard/fold. They can choose the cards they want to hold by clicking on the cards themselves or the button that says “Hold” under each card. When they are done choosing the cards, they will click on “Draw.” They will then get replacement cards for the cards they did not hold which will form the final 5-card poker hand. Players will then be paid according to the paytable of the game and the bet that they have placed at the start.

Caribbean Stud poker is also a 5-card poker game but players must beat a dealer. In this game, players will also place an Ante bet before they are dealt the cards. They will then get 5 cards facing up, while the dealer will get 4 cards facing down and 1 card facing up. Players will then decide if they want to fold or if they wish to call. If they call, they will place another bet that is equal to twice the original bet. If they call, the dealer’s final poker card will be revealed and the showdown will take place. In order for the dealer’s hand to qualify, it has to at least have an Ace and a King. If the hand does not qualify, the player will win regardless of his hand. Some games might also offer a progressive jackpot that is triggered when players achieve a royal flush.

Video Poker Rules

The rules of a video poker game might differ from one game to another, so we are going to discuss different poker rules that could change based on where the game is played.

The Minimum Paying Hand:

The minimum paying hand is the poker hand that players will have to achieve to be eligible to claim a payout. It differs from one game to another depending on the rules of the game as well as the other features. For example, if a game has a wild card or cards, it will have a higher minimum paying hand, which could be as high as 3 of a kind. This means that if players do not get a three of a kind, they will not qualify for a win. For a Jacks or Better, the minimum hand is a pair of Jacks. For Tens or Better, it is a pair of Jacks, but most games that do not have extra features will have a minimum hand pair of Jacks.

The Wild Card:

The wild card is a feature that is offered at some, but not all, of the video poker variants. The wild card is always the Joker or the Deuce. This wild card can be substituted for any other card from the deck in order to help players achieve a winning poker hand. In Deuces Wild, for example, the wild card is the 2, which is where the name of the game comes from. Another game is Joker Wild, where the Joker is the wild card. Some games might have more than one wild card, such as Joker and Deuces Wild. In this game, the 2 and the Joker are wild cards.

Hand Ranking:

Video poker follows the same hand ranking rules as regular poker with the Royal Flush being the highest hand. It is also important to note that in video poker, it is the hand that matters regardless of the value of the cards forming it. For example, a pair of Aces will pay the same as a pair of Jacks, and a Straight from 9 to K will pay the same as a straight from 2 to 6. Here is the poker hand ranking in descending order:

Royal Flush:

A straight flush that begins at 10 and ends with an Ace. At some games, this hand will trigger the progressive jackpot, if there is any.

Straight Flush:

Five consecutive cards in value of the same suit.

Four of a Kind:

Four identical cards.

Full House:

Three identical cards accompanied by a pair.

Flush:

Five cards of the same suit.

Straight:

Five consecutive cards in value.

3 of a kind:

Three identical cards.

Two Pair:

Two pairs in the final 5-card poker hand.

Pair of Tens:

The minimum paying hand possible at video poker.

Video Poker Odds

The odds and the payout of Video Poker will differ from one version to another, so we will only discuss the hand odds of the most popular game, Jacks or Better. We will discuss the pay seclude of a 9/6 Jacks or Better video poker while placing the maximum wager of 5 unit bet.

You should always place the maximum bet because it makes you eligible to win the grand jackpot prize of 4,000 if you get a royal flush. If you bet with 1 or 2 coins and get a royal flush, the payout will not be proportionally equal. If betting 5 coins is too expensive for your gambling budget, you can find a lot of .25 machines as online casinos usually offer their bets in denominations that include different sizes such as .25, 0.50, 1, 2, 5 and even 10 and 20.

Here is the payment schedule for each hand for a 9/6 Jacks or Better video poker game.

Here are good benchmarks on possible payouts based on an overall average. The outcomes vary depending on which version of video poker you are playing.
These numbers, on average, represent your odds for pulling a certain hand.

After studying this payout and odds table, it is notable that there is an inequality between the odds and the payouts of some hands despite the fact that a Full House is more likely to happen than a straight or a flush but pays more than these two hands. It is clear from the paytable that hands that are less likely to happen pay more than hands that are more likely to happen to. Despite this, the game is in the favor of the player, which is why it can be only found online or at big land-based casinos. You are surely not going to find them in bars or other smaller gambling venues.

Players will be able to view the paytable (it will not include the odds) at the top of the screen right above the cards. It will give players an idea of the payouts they can earn according to their bet and their poker hand.

Video Poker Strategy

Although video poker is a straightforward and simple game, players will find themselves wondering what cards they should hold, and when to discard. This simple strategy guide will be quite helpful in different situations throughout the game.

Video Poker Strategy Chart:

The first situation is when you get a low pair and one high card in your hand. You will immediately think whether to keep the low pair and go for a three of a kind, keep the high card and discard the rest to get a high and a qualifying pair or to keep the three cards and try getting two pairs.

Before making the decision, you will have to know your odds for each decision. The odds of getting the third card for a three of a kind are about 1 out of 6-8 times. The odds of getting the matching high card to form a pair are 1 out of 2-3. As for the odds of getting a two pair is slightly bigger than getting three of a kind. Therefore, it is obvious that the best course of action is to go for a qualifying pair.

For example, if you get two high cards like a Queen and a Jack, the question is whether to keep both or discard them. The best course of action is to keep the two cards and discard the rest as there is a big chance you would get another Jack or Queen, which will qualify you for a win.

If you get 3 different high cards, the best course of action is to keep two of the high cards. It does not matter which two as long as they qualify for a winning hand. A pair of jacks pays the same as a pair of aces, or just pick two and hold them.

If you get a pair of aces and a flush draw, you will wonder whether to keep the pair or discard it in the hopes of getting a flush. The safest course of action is to keep the pair but the best action is to go for the flush. A pair will only pay you even money while a flush will pay you 6 times your original bet, so it is worth the risk. Since there are a lot of games that offer different paying hands, gamble features, and wild cards, it is essential to check the rules and the paytable of the video poker game before you start playing. Knowing the minimum paying hand is quite important. The names of some video poker games might give you a clue, such as Tens or Better (a pair of tens is the minimum hand) and Jacks or Better (a pair of jacks is the minimum hand). For other games, it is essential to check the paytable and know the minimum paying hand because it will affect your decisions during the game.

Pro’s Perspective: Video Poker Strategies and Tips

With John Grochowski

When you play poker, a few simple little tricks can make a big difference in regards to your return. Here are three tips to help keep you in action while you wait for the big-paying hands to come/

Investigate Pay Tables Before You Play

Not all video poker games are created equal, and it pays to do a little looking around. If you have several online casinos you would like to play at, take the time to check pay tables before you start wagering. Those who play in brick-and-mortar casinos should do the same – I’ve often found higher and lower pay tables on the same game in different areas of one casino.

The differences can be quite large. If one site has 9-6 Double Double Bonus Poker (98.98 percent return with expert play), another has 9-5 DDB (97.97 percent) and a third has 8-5 DDB (96.79 percent), think about what that means: In casino No. 1, the house expects to keep $1.02 per $100 in wagers, casino No. 2 expects to keep $2.03 and casino No. 3 expects to keep $3.21.

You can dramatically cut the house take by looking for the highest-paying version.

Learn Jacks or Better Strategy

When you learn the Jacks or Better strategy, you take a giant step toward learning strategies for other games. The basic format, with a pair of Jacks being the lowest paying hand, is a starting point for most non-wild card games, including Bonus Poker, Double Double Bonus Poker, Super Aces, and more.

To get the most out of any of those games, you need to learn specially adapted strategies that take advantage of what their paytables have to offer. But the adaptations bring small gains, with the Jacks or Better strategy taking us most of the way there.

Take 9-6 Double Double Bonus Poker, which returns 98.98 percent with its own special strategy. If you use the 9-6 Jacks or Better strategy, the average return is 98.44 percent. For the 9-6 Bonus Poker Deluxe, specialized strategy brings 99.64 percent, and JB strategy brings 99.61, while the 8-5 Bonus Poker has the same strategy as 9-6 JB and returns 99.16 percent.

If you want the most out of any game, the fine points are important, but the gains compared to Jacks or Better strategy is in the tenths of a percent.

Bet Enough to be Eligible for Max Payback

One common feature among video poker games is the disproportionate jump in the top jackpot if you wager five credits. With one credit wagered, a royal brings a 250-credit return, then pays 500 for 2, 750 for 3, and 1,000 for 4. But on the fifth coin, that jackpot leaps to the top 4,000 credits.

Thus, betting the five-credit max brings a higher payback percentage than betting less. The 98.98 percent return for 9-6 Double Double Bonus Poker assumes five-credit wagers. If you bet less, the return is only 97.83 percent.

There’s a similar percentage difference in virtually every video poker game. Part of the expert strategy is betting enough to get the jackpot jump.

Video poker games are an integral part of every US casino, both online and land-based.

If you want to find quality casino sites where you can play some of the best video poker games online, you’ve landed on the right page. Apart from identifying top casino websites in the US, this article will also discuss how real money video poker works, what to look for when choosing a casino, how to play free video poker and which bonuses to use when playing.

If you don’t have a lot of experience playing online video poker, you should pay close attention to our tips and strategies section. In it, we will teach you how to minimize your risks and improve your chances of winning big.

Best online casinos with video poker

Playing real money video poker online

Since video poker machines are single-player electronic games, it’s no wonder that their transition to the online world was rather smooth. There are no major differences between land-based and online video poker, at least not when it comes to different game variants and rules.

However, playing video poker online has the upper hand because of two things — convenience and bonuses. Namely, instead of traveling to a local casino, you can simply log in to your online casino account and play video poker online with real money from your home. Furthermore, unlike land-based casinos, online gambling sites award bonuses to both new and existing players, and these bonuses are usually compatible with the casino’s selection of video poker games.

Free video poker vs. real money video poker

Most real money casinos will allow you to test their video poker games for free. Still, you might be wondering what’s so interesting about playing a gambling game where you have no chance of winning money. Well, playing video poker for free actually has plenty of benefits. Here are the main advantages of playing free video poker:

Benefits of playing free video poker

• If you’re new to video poker, trying it for free gives you a chance to see whether you like the game or not before risking your own money.
• Video poker is a game of skill, which makes it fun even when there’s no money involved.
• Playing free video poker allows you to practice and improve your strategy with no risk.

While free video poker has its set of advantages, it can get pretty monotonous after a while. When that happens, you should consider starting to play it for real money.

Benefits of playing real money video poker

• Real money video poker is ultimately more exciting than the free version of the game.
• You will have a chance to make a profit, potentially winning massive jackpots.
• Video poker games have a range of betting limits, suitable for small-time gamblers and high-rollers.

How online casino bonuses work with video poker

US online casinos offer several types of bonuses, many of which are compatible with the casinos’ range of video poker games.

For example, if the casino offers a 100% deposit match bonus up to $500 and you deposit $200 into your newly-created account, you will get an additional $200 to play with. Of course, this bonus won’t be withdrawable right away. Instead, you will have to complete the wagering requirements first, which mean playthroughs of anywhere between 10x and 30x.

However, video slots are usually the only full contributors to that requirement. Since video poker games have a relatively low house edge, the casinos will make it more difficult for you to clear the bonus by playing them. In most cases, the wagering contribution for video poker games is around 10% to 20%, which is why it will take more time for you to request a withdrawal.

Let’s say the casino of your choice has placed a 30x wagering requirement with a 10% wagering contribution on your $200 bonus. That means that you would have to wager a total of $60,000 (200x30x10) to clear the bonus’ wagering requirements and withdraw your winnings.

It seems like a lot, we know, but this is just an example. You can find many online casinos that offer bonuses that are easier to clear. So, when choosing bonuses with video poker in mind, look for the lowest possible wagering requirements and highest potential wagering contribution, as this will give you a realistic chance to turn your bonus into withdrawable cash.

You should also pay attention to other terms and conditions, including minimum deposit limit, maximum withdrawal limit, potential payment method restrictions and expiration date.

Earning comp points with video poker

Online casinos feature VIP programs with loyalty benefits. VIP rewards include cash back, free spins and higher banking limits. Most active casinos tie in their loyalty programs with their brick-and-mortar locations. For example, you can use PlaySugarHouse loyalty points at Pittsburgh’s Rivers Casino.

Do you need a promo code?

Some online gambling sites will ask you for a promo code or bonus code to qualify for either bonus. Be sure to use our codes to get the best deals. You must enter a promo code during the registration process so that you qualify for the casino’s welcome bonus.

Depending upon the site, you may need to enter a code whenever you deposit. This process qualifies you for reload deposit bonuses.

List of video poker games you can play for free

Game King currently holds the monopoly for online video poker. It supplies video poker variations to each active casino. You can see which variations are most likely to be available at video poker casinos below:

Free to play video poker games

Video poker casino apps

Video poker games have an ideal layout for mobile screens, which is why all the modern versions are compatible with the latest mobile devices.

You can play video poker on mobile in two ways — you can either log in to a casino account on your mobile browser or download the casino’s official app. Apps are ultimately better than mobile sites, as they provide a better user experience. However, to download and install an app, you will need to be located in one of the states where online gambling is regulated or use an app from a sweepstakes casino.

To download an app, simply go to the casino site you want to use on your mobile device and follow the prompts to get the app from there. Once you have downloaded and installed the app, open it up and log in or create an account to start playing.

Note that not all US casinos have apps. In such cases, you will have to resort to their mobile websites.

Legal casinos with video poker

Legal online video poker is available in those states that have legalized online gambling, such as New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan and a few others.

If you live in one of the states that has not yet legalized online gambling, you likely can still play video poker online at a sweepstakes casino. In any case, here is a list of top online casinos that operate in the states where online video poker is legal and regulated.

NJ video poker sites

New Jersey was one of the first states to legalize almost every form of online gambling, so it’s no wonder that some of the best US casinos offer their services to NJ residents.

One of the most popular options in the state is DraftKings, which is primarily a daily fantasy sports and sports betting site. Still, it does have its share of online casino games. DraftKings has several video poker games, the most notable being Jacks or Better, Double Double Bonus Poker and Game King Video Poker.

DraftKings’ welcome offer consists of a 100% deposit match bonus up to $1,500 and a $45 no deposit bonus, which is awarded instantly upon signing up. Other great options for NJ players include Betfair and BetMGM, both of which feature several quality video poker games and offer rewarding bonuses to their first-time customers.

PA video poker sites

Pennsylvania is another gambling-friendly state where you can join several reputable online casinos and try their range of video poker games. The residents of Pennsylvania also have DraftKings Casino at their disposal, along with FanDuel and BetMGM.

BetMGM offers a fantastic deal to new players, matching them up to $1,000 on first deposit and giving $25 as a join bonus.

WV video poker sites

Players from West Virginia can enjoy many of the same online casinos with the same range of video poker games as their fellow players from New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The two most popular options are BetMGM and DraftKings, where you can pick up a 100% deposit bonus and a no deposit bonus.

Michigan video poker sites

Michigan is one of the more recent states to legalize online gambling. Up until late 2020, Michigan players didn’t have that many options when it came to playing online video poker games. Now, though, they can enjoy top-shelf games on sites like BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel, Hollywood Casino and Golden Nugget.

Sweepstakes casinos

Sweepstakes casinos, meanwhile, are an option for people who want to play quality video poker games but are located in a state where online gambling remains illegal. The best sweepstakes casinos we can recommend are LuckyLand, Chumba and Funzpoints.

How to play video poker online

You can play video poker within a few steps, even if you’ve never played online before. The following steps will help you get started as quickly as possible.

Step 1: Choose a quality video poker casino

First, you want to research the online casinos to help you choose a quality gaming site. Legal and safe US casinos are licensed and regulated by the state. This includes the New Jersey Division and Gaming Enforcement and the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB).

You can use our review to figure out which casinos you prefer.

When looking through our review or doing your research, you should keep the following factors in mind:

• Reputation: You should consider the brand’s reputation before depositing your money.
• GameSelection: Game variety, especially in the video poker department, is vital to your entertainment.
• Bonuses: You want opportunities to make extra money through bonuses and VIP rewards.
• WebsiteNavigation: Any quality US casino will offer simple website navigation.
• CustomerSupport: You want to interact with a friendly support staff whenever a problem arises.
• Deposit and Withdrawal Options: More banking methods will give you an easier path toward depositing and cashing out.

Step 2: Register for an account

After you choose a reliable casino, you must sign up. To do this, you’ll need to fill out the online casino’s registration form.

Gambling sites will require basic information, such as your name, email, phonenumber, username and password. You’ll also need to provide your SocialSecuritynumber.

Casinos require the latter for identificationpurposes. Also, regulated casinos must ensure that you’re not on the excluded gamblers list.

Step 3: Play free online video poker

Now that you’re registered for an online casino, you can play free video poker. Free online video poker provides both entertainment and the opportunity to improve your skills. Furthermore, you can test out video poker variations and determine if you like them. This option is perfect for exploring the video poker world without simultaneously risking your money.

Step 4: Make a deposit (optional)

If you like a particular online casino, you should consider depositing and playing for real money. All online gaming sites offer plenty of deposit methods.

Here are some of the available deposit options in Pennsylvania and NJ:

Video Poker For Money

• Visa and Mastercard: Fund your account with one of the two biggest credit card brands.
• ACH: Send an e-check directly from your bank to an internet casino.
• E-Wallet: PA casinos accept e-wallet payments from Neteller, PayPal or Skrill.
• PayNearMe: You can visit a 7-Eleven convenience store and deposit with cash.

What should I look for in an online casino?

Players from every state where online gambling is legal will have multiple options for where they want to play video poker. But how do you choose the one that suits you? Of course, some casinos may be better than others, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they are the best option for you personally. In other words, it all has to do with your own preferences.

In order to make the best choice, you should pay attention to the following things:

• Video poker variations — Almost every casino site has video poker games, but the number of variations is what separates the best from the rest. If you want to play common games like Jacks or Better, you are sure to find them on every site, but if you are interested in trying some of the rarer variations, you will have to dig a little deeper.
• Bonuses and promotions — Bonuses are one of the most important things to look for when choosing a casino site. When comparing bonuses, make sure to not only look at their surface values but also check minimum deposit limits, wagering requirements and video poker wagering contributions.
• Mobile compatibility — If you like using your mobile device for playing video poker, you should look for sites that feature mobile-friendly video poker games. Better yet, try to find a casino that has a designated app.
• Full-pay tables — If you’re an experienced video poker player who uses the optimal strategy, you should search for casino sites that offer full-pay games with the highest theoretical return-to-player rate.
• Legal and regulated — It’s very important that you select a website that’s legal and regulated in your state. For safety, avoid offshore sites.
• Customer support — Beginner players should look for a casino with responsive and friendly customer support, as you may need it to provide the right answers if you get stuck unlocking the bonuses or finding the games you want to play.

Casinos with full-pay video poker games

Full-pay video poker games are those games that offer the highest possible odds and theoretical returns, with short-pay games being the opposite.

Full-pay games pay proportionally more for the highest possible hand (royal flush), but only when you bet the maximum number of coins. The return to player on full-pay games is often close to or exceeds 100% when playing with the optimal strategy. Also, full-pay video poker games offer a 9/6 pay table for a full house or flush, compared to 8/6 or 8/5 pay tables in other games.

While some casinos hide their RTP numbers, leaving the players clueless as to how much they pay in the long run, some casinos are generous enough to provide a full-pay table. Some of the most popular full-pay video poker games you can find in US online casinos include Double Double Bonus Poker and Game King.

Standard video poker payouts

Online casinos offer a variety of pay tables throughout the online market. Each of these vary, depending on the specific game.

You should choose games that meet your expectations as far as risk and volatility. For example, Jacks or Better is the least-volatile video poker variation.

It offers a standard pay table that’s void of bonus tables. You can see the Jacks or Better pay table below:

You may seek a more-volatile video poker variation that offers extra payouts. In this case, Bonus Poker should prove satisfactory.

Here’s the pay table for Bonus Poker:

Currently, there are no progressive video poker jackpots in either the PA or NJ markets. The most you can win is 4,000 coins through a royal flush on a five-credit bet.

Perhaps these internet casinos will eventually add progressive jackpots. However, the most significant current payouts revolve around a royal flush and bonus prizes.

How to win at video poker

Video poker is a strategic game that gives you a better chance to win if you use properstrategy. You should keep the following tips in mind when playing online.

Choose games with a high RTP

Free Video Poker Machine

Video poker games with high RTP improve your long-term chances of winning. Variations with higher payout percentages will award you more winnings over time.

The highest paying online video poker variants include:

• Jacks or Better: 99.54% RTP
• Double Double Bonus Poker: 99.51%
• Bonus Poker: 99.17%

You aren’t guaranteed to win more money with these games. After all, anything could happen in the short run. Nevertheless, high payout percentages boost your odds of winning profits.

Always bet five coins

You must wager all five coins per hand if you want to achieve the highest payback. By betting five coins, you unlock the full value of the royal flush payout.

Below, you can see how much a royal flush pays, depending on the number of coins you wager:

• One-credit bet = 250 coins
• Two-credit bet = 500 coins
• Three-credit bet = 750 coins
• Four-credit bet = 1,000 coins
• Five-credit bet = 4,000 coins

The royal flush payout increases proportionately up until you wager five coins. At this point, the royal flush value experiences a large boost.

Use a video poker trainer, strategy chart

Optimal payback requires expert strategy; however, the perfect approach varies, depending on which video poker game you’re playing.

Jacks or Better, for example, requires a different strategy than bonus poker. That said, you need to find the relevant materials for whatever game you’re playing.

Here are the two best resources for improving your video poker skills:

• Strategy Chart: This shows the order of importance for each hand.
• Trainer: This allows you to play video poker hands while correcting your mistakes.

You can significantly increase your video poker knowledge by using either of these tools. Again, you must use strategy materials that match the variation you’re playing.

Practice with free video poker

After you register for an account at an internet casino, you gain access to free video poker. Free video poker makes for great practice when you’re learning the game. You can implement the strategies you learn through charts and trainers in the free version. Once you feel comfortable, you can move on to real-money video poker with a better strategy.

Tips and strategies for playing video poker

Video poker can be a very rewarding game, as you won’t have to rely only on your luck but also on your skills and tactics. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when you start playing:

Be responsible

Always decide on your bankroll and make sure not to exceed it. This is easier said than done, as video poker, like any other casino game, can be very addictive and push you to spend more money than originally intended.

Look for progressive payouts

Many video poker games feature life-changing jackpots that players can win with the right strategy and a little bit of luck. Try to find the games with progressive jackpots, as they allow for massive payouts and reduce the overall house edge.

Always bet the maximum amount

To add on to our previous statement, you should always max bet if your bankroll allows it. While this can be a risky strategy, betting the maximum amount is the only way you can get the jackpot.

Jacks or Better is the best alternative

If no full-pay games are available, try to find Jacks or Better, as it represents one of the highest-paying video poker games. What’s more, Jacks or Better is one of the easiest video poker games to learn, making it ideal for beginning players.

Video poker – History and development

Video poker appeared on the gaming scene in the 1970s when the technology arose to combine primitive computer technology and a TV monitor.

For those who recall what TVs were like in the mid-1970s, the VP monitor was certainly no LED flatscreen. Players used a row of buttons below the monitor to hold the cards that appeared on the screen before drawing to a final poker hand.

By 1979 and into the 1980s, IGT made video poker one of the most popular new games in Las Vegas and Atlantic City. They did so with their title Draw Poker. IGT then released Jacks or Better. This is still a popular version of video poker today, and IGT became a booming, publicly traded company.

As technology progressed in the following years, the appearance of VP machines stayed about the same. However, touch-screen capability relieved players of having to hit physical buttons.

One of the most popular VP terminals in the world is IGT’s Game King. The machine represented the pinnacle of digital casino technology for decades. It remains a favorite of regular video poker players. The Game King allowed casinos to offer multiple VP variants and denominations in a single terminal.

Ultimately, expect to find a variety of video poker iterations on one machine. Some of the most popular include Deuces Wild, Double Bonus, Double Double Bonus, and Ultimate X. Remember that not all video poker is created equal, so check the pay tables and freshen up on the optimal strategy for the variations.

Video Poker FAQ

What is the best video poker game to play for real money?

Jacks or Better is universally one of the best video poker variations available. It offers a nice combination of high 99.54% RTP and low volatility. Game King’s Double Double Bonus Poker is another quality real money game. It features a high payback of 99.51% and bonus payouts. Bonus Poker also gives you a solid chance to win. This game offers 99.17% RTP and moderate volatility.

Can I play video poker online for real money?

Absolutely! You can find almost every existing variation of video poker online and play it day and night. Real money video poker can range from a couple of cents to over a hundred dollars, depending on the game.

Which casino has the best video poker games?

If you want to find a regulated real money casino site with a versatile collection of video poker games, your best bet is to try DraftKings. If, on the other hand, online video poker is not legal in your state and you are trying sweepstakes casinos, Chumba is probably the best alternative you can find.

Which video poker game has the lowest house edge?

There are several video poker games that have a negative house edge, which is one of the main reasons why they are so popular. The RTP of Deuces Wild, for example, is 100.71%, followed by Joker Poker (100.64%), Double Bonus Poker (100.17%) and Double Double Bonus Poker (100.07%). Of course, you can expect these returns only if you’re using perfect strategy, but even if you’re not, these games will be more rewarding than the rest.

Are video poker games the same thing as slots?

No, these two are completely different. Video poker games use the basic rules of poker, while online slot machines are played across spinning reels where the goal is to connect identical symbols in a payline. Also, video slots are entirely based on a random number generator, meaning that the players don’t have any power in deciding their fate. On the other hand, video poker lets the players choose which cards to keep and which to discard, allowing for strategy.

Best Way To Play Video Poker Machines

What are the best odds on video poker?

The best odds on video poker are in the so-called full-pay games, where the payouts for full houses and flushes are 9 to 1 and 6 to 1, respectively. Also, keep an eye out for royal flush payouts, as the payout for this hand combination is usually proportionally higher when you bet the maximum number of coins. Still, keep in mind that it can differ from one game to another.

What is the best strategy for video poker?

What Is The Best Video Poker Machine To Play

Some general strategies for playing video poker suggest that you should max bet to become eligible for a higher royal flush payout, find games that offer the best house edge and look for progressive jackpot games. Of course, don’t forget to always gamble responsibly.