Video Poker is one of the most popular games to play online. Unlike your regular slot machines that are based on pure luck, online video poker is a skills-based game. This means that with the right strategies in place, players stand a chance to claim huge bonuses.
Best Video Poker Online Casinos
How to Play Video Poker
Online video poker uses a 52-card deck and all variants of video poker use the 5-card draw system.
The main aim of online video poker is to have the best poker hand by choosing whether to draw different cards or to hold onto the ones you already have at hand. When you have the better poker hand, you stand to win more money.
In a typical video poker game, players are presented with 5 cards with a hold button below them. A deal or draw button situated at the right-hand corner of the screen deals you a new hand or draws replacements for new cards that have been thrown out.
Video Poker Strategy
If you are not familiar with how video poker works, you can use a strategy card or cheat sheet to help you play your cards right. Below is a table that suggests how many cards to keep or discard depending on the hand you have.
| HAND YOU HAVE BEEN DEALT | CARDS TO KEEP | CARDS TO DROP |
| Royal Flush | 5 | 0 |
| Straight Flush | 5 | 0 |
| 4 of a Kind | 5 | 0 |
| Full House | 5 | 0 |
| 4 to a Royal Flush | 4 | 1 |
| Flush | 5 | 0 |
| 3 of a Kind | 3 | 2 |
| Straight | 5 | 0 |
| 4 to a Straight Flush | 4 | 1 |
| 2 Pair | 4 | 1 |
| High Pair | 2 | 3 |
| 3 to a Royal Flush | 3 | 2 |
| 4 to a Flush | 4 | 1 |
| Low Pair | 2 | 3 |
| 4 to a Straight | 4 | 1 |
| 3 to a Straight Flush | 3 | 2 |
| 2 to a Royal Flush | 2 | 3 |
| 2 High Cards | 2 | 3 |
| 1 High Card | 1 | 4 |
| Nothing | 0 | 5 |
Most Winning Hands for Online Video Poker
These are the winning hands for most online video poker games:
- Two of a kind
- Full House
- Three of a Kind
- Flush
- Four of a Kind
- Straight Flush
- Straight
- Royal Flush
How to Win at Video Poker
- Know the ranking system for the variant you’re playing. If you don’t you may end up chasing a hand that will not even payout.
- Use the maximum number of coins to get the ultimate value for a royal flush. These are normally 800 for 1 versus 250 for 1 using lower bets.
- Check the paytable before playing. This may affect whether you throw away a second pair to chase a better hand.
- Play a variant that offers better odds. Even if you have to practice first, this should help you avoid breaking the bank on your payroll.
- Always be ALERT. Avoid playing if you feel fatigued or have had one too many beers to drink. These may cause you to make mistakes that could potentially cost you a royal flush.
Difference between Video Poker and Poker
The most obvious difference between these two variations is that one is played against a computer as opposed to other players. The advantage of this is that players don’t have to read other players at the table.
Video poker is a blend of poker and online slots. Each game starts with five cards on reels and each spin of the reels gives you a new batch of cards. You can choose which cards you want to keep and which ones to discard. The point is to make the best poker hand possible.
In online Video Poker, the only hand that matters is yours. This should be a serious relief for players who have endured too many deadbeats.
Types of Video Poker Games
There is a wide variety of Video Poker Variants that are available online that players can select from. We have mentioned a few of the most popular video poker casino games below:
Jacks or Better
This is the most common variant that is ideal for beginner players. This variant pays out on any hand that has a pair of Jacks or better. The payout percentage is 99.5%.
Deuces Wild
The name says it all, all 2’s that show up are wild. This means that the lowest paying hand is three of a kind. The fully paying version has a payout percentage of 100.8%.
Double Bonus Poker
This variation offers a bonus payout for four aces. Its payout percentage is 100.2%.
Aces and Eights
This variant has high payouts for 7s, aces, and 8s. The payout percentage is 99.78%.
Online Video Poker Terms
Knowing your video poker glossary is always important. It would be odd to play a game whose terms you are not familiar with.
Below are key terms for online video poker and real money games that players should acquaint themselves with:
Action: The act of using the poker machine and the total sum you have bet on during an entire game session.
Credits: The amount of real money or credit you have available in your account.
Discard: Once the video poker machine has dealt you an initial hand, you can choose to either hold or discard the cards.
Draw: This refers to the command used to place cards in front of the player. You do this at the beginning and after you have held the cards you want to keep.
Hold: Given the first hand you have been dealt, you will be offered the chance to keep one or more of the cards in hand.
Face Card: Card with a picture or icon on it. Kings, Queens, and Jacks are known as face cards.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Video Poker?
Video Poker is a game that is a unique blend of luck and skill. It was first played in the 1970s and has since become a popular game in casinos. You’ll find video poker in almost any Las Vegas casino with players hoping to hit the highly sought-after royal flush.
Its popularity has increased over the years and is therefore available in almost every reputable online casino. Video poker has a high RTP rate when played using the perfect strategy. Although obtaining and implementing the perfect strategy is challenges, most mistakes are made by players which increase the house edge by decreasing the payback percentage.
What Type of Video Poker Games are Available?
One can find hundreds of variations and multi-hand versions online. Most online casinos have four to five game types available. Some of the most popular video poker games are Deuces Wild, Jacks or Better, Aces and Eights amongst others.
Can You Win at Video Poker?
There are online video poker games that have a 100% payback when played with the right strategy. This allows players to make money while using the machine. This is only in the long run though as most players make mistakes that drop the percentage back below 100%. A game that offers 100% payback is known as a positive expectation game. These are quite rare.
In order for players to win at video poker, they’d need to have a huge bankroll, tons of patience, perfect strategies and a machine with a high payout.
How is Video Poker different from Slots?
Video poker is a blend of slots and poker. Instead of traditional slot symbols, video poker uses cards from a 52-card deck. Unlike in slots players have a hand in forming winning combinations by holding on to cards or discarding.