The Best Video Poker Online Games April 2024
Gamblers of any skill level can play video poker online from the iGaming industry’s most popular casinos. Like real money games at Las Vegas casinos, video poker games predominantly come from the software company IGT.
Top video poker games include Jacks Or Better, Bonus Poker Deluxe, and Deuces Wild. There’s also multi-hand video poker, known as Three, Five, and Ten Play Draw Poker, for playing three, five, or ten hands simultaneously per round.
Learn about all of these options and more as we look at free video poker games (demo play), video poker odds, house edge, and optimal strategy for real money play to increase your chances of winning cash prizes.
CONTENTS
- How Do Online Video Poker Games Work?
- Where Can I Play Video Poker Online? Best Casinos for Video Poker
- Video Poker Basic Strategies
- Real Money vs. Free Online Video Poker Games
- Tips to Find the Best Video Poker Sites
- Frequently Asked Questions About Video Poker Games
HOW DO ONLINE VIDEO POKER GAMES WORK?
Video poker games often have their own category alongside other games at online casinos. Before you start playing with your own money, you can try free video poker games with available demo play options.
Game King Video Poker from IGT is one example of a standard video poker machine you can play at top casinos. Video poker games have various house edge/return-to-player (RTP) averages and payout paytables for a winning hand with five cards.
To start playing video poker online, you’ll need to understand basic information like how to make a bet. Use the icons at the bottom of the screen to BET DOWN or BET UP. (Betting limits at video poker machines may range from $0.50 to $500 per hand.)
When you play video poker, you click the DEAL button to receive your five cards. Video poker hand rankings depend on the game—players may need at least a pair of Jacks (Jacks Or Better) or Three of a Kind for an even-money payout.
Like most casino games, video poker strategy derives from winning with the best possible hand. In video poker, the best hand is a variant of a Straight Flush called a Royal Flush or a natural Royal Flush in Deuces Wild or Joker Poker (five cards with the same suit, i.e., 10h-Jh-Qh-Kh-Ah—without a wild card).
In Draw poker, you pick and choose from your five cards which ones to HOLD/UNHOLD. Click the individual card(s) on the video poker machine to HOLD or keep it in your hand. (You can also click it again to deselect it.)
Once you’ve decided how to play your hand, click DRAW to receive one, two, or three cards, or more, if necessary.
VIDEO POKER GAME VARIATIONS
Players can choose a game for the next step in playing Game King Video Poker online. We recommend beginners start with Jacks Or Better before trying other games like Bonus Poker, Double Bonus Poker, Deuces Wild, and Joker Poker.
Before playing real money video poker, you can try it for fun and play Jacks Or Better with a balance of 1,000 credits.
JACKS OR BETTER (99.54% RTP)
With an RTP of 99.54%, Jacks Or Better is a popular variation of online video poker since it’s a simple game with a straightforward payout system. Without the bells and whistles of games like Bonus Poker, Double Bonus Poker, and Deuces Wild, Jacks Or Better is the most accessible to learn.
With a pair of Jacks or better (Queens, Kings, or Aces), a player earns a payout of 1:1. A two pair—like a pair of 4s and a pair of 9s—earns a payout of 2:1. For a 3:1 payout, a player must achieve a three of a kind.
Here’s a look at the nine video poker hand rankings and payouts for Jacks Or Better, one of the most popular free video poker games and a preferred real money game.
BONUS POKER DELUXE (99.64% RTP)
Bonus Poker Deluxe is a video poker game offering an RTP of 99.64%. With a slightly better video poker RTP than Jacks Or Better, the Deluxe variant also provides an incrementally higher RTP than Bonus Poker (99.16%).
Pro tips: View video poker odds using the in-game settings (double-arrow icon). You’ll see tabs for Game Rules and Paytable. From the main screen of the base game, click ‘MORE GAMES’ for other popular video poker games. There’s also a ‘SEE PAYS’ option for additional information and a 'SPEED' button to change the game's pace.
Video poker machines offer various payouts for the different kinds of games you can play. Compared to 25x at Jacks Or Better, Bonus Poker adds two extra payouts for a four of a kind:
- 4 Aces - 80x
- 4 2s, 3s, 4s - 40x
- 4 5s through Kings - 25x
There are also lower payouts for a full house (8x) and a flush (5x).
A four of a kind offers a flat 80x in Bonus Poker Deluxe. However, the payout for Two Pair gets reduced from 2x to 1x or even money.
DOUBLE BONUS POKER (99.10% RTP)
DOUBLE DOUBLE BONUS POKER (98.98% RTP)
TRIPLE DOUBLE BONUS POKER (99.57% RTP)
DEUCES WILD POKER (99.72% RTP)
Deuces Wild video poker (not to be confused with Loose Deuces) offers an RTP of 99.72%, the highest of any of the nine games under the Game King banner. With 2s as in-game wild cards, payouts include:
- 4 Deuces - 200x
- Royal Flush w/ Deuces - 25x
- 5 Of A Kind - 16x
- Straight Flush - 10x
- 4 Of A Kind - 4x
- Full House - 4x
- Flush - 3x
- Straight - 2x
A natural royal flush (without wild cards) pays 800x, while a three of a kind pays even money.
You can play two other wild card games, Deuces Wild Bonus Poker and Joker Poker, via free video poker or real money games to win cash. Joker Poker is a wild video poker game with Jokers as wilds instead of Deuces, which leads to different payouts and RTP win percentages.
DEUCES WILD BONUS POKER (99.45% RTP)
JOKER POKER (99.20%)
Pro tip: Remember, when playing video poker, there are many different games. The most popular games to play come from IGT’s Game King.
There are also Three, Five, and Ten Play Draw versions, plus three versions of Ultimate X Poker from IGT—and they all offer various payouts and RTP win percentages. Each of those games comes with the nine video poker variants we covered above.
You may also encounter standalone games or video poker combinations from other software developers or in-house exclusives.
Whether playing free video poker games—or playing to win real money—different games offer various RTP win percentages and payouts. Check the in-game settings for more information.
WHERE CAN I PLAY VIDEO POKER ONLINE? BEST CASINOS FOR VIDEO POKER
There are plenty of top-notch casinos where you can play online video poker. While you may play games like Jacks Or Better, Loose Deuces, or other options with three cards, we recommend choosing a video poker game from one of the following regulated casinos in the U.S.
CAESARS PALACE ONLINE CASINO
The Caesars Palace Online Casino offers Get a 100% Deposit Match up to $2,500 + 2,500 Rewards Points! when you sign up with bonus code VIBONUS2500.
Bet limits at video poker games range from $0.25 to $250 per hand.
BETMGM CASINO
Besides IGT variants, the BetMGM poker section has games like Destiny Poker, Regal Poker, and Jester Poker. Check the relevant BetMGM website or mobile app to see whether these games remain available in MI, NJ, PA, and WV.
Like Caesars Palace, BetMGM offers some of the iGaming industry’s top software providers. Get started with BetMGM Casino bonus code VIBONUS to Get a 100% Deposit Match up to $1000 + $25 on the House!
BET365 CASINO
NJ players may receive the offer Get a Deposit Bonus up to $1,000 in Bonus Credits! when they register with bet365 Casino bonus code VIBONUS. However, completing the 20x wagering requirement at the standard video poker games may take much work for newbies.
While the odds might be lower when you play slot games, we recommend using bet365’s interface that provides RTP win percentages and volatility for their titles.
FANDUEL CASINO
FanDuel offers online casinos to Connecticut (Mohegan Sun) players and those in MI, NJ, PA, and WV. Two separate versions of FanDuel apps remain highly popular among iOS and Android users via the App Store and Google Play.
Standard options for video poker at FanDuel include Game King and Five Play Draw Poker. Of course, players may also try live dealer poker options, like Texas Hold ’em or Three Card Poker.
Be sure to snag the welcome offer of Deposit $10, Get $20 In Site Credit & Play It Again $1000! that requires no FanDuel Casino bonus code. It has a low 1x playthrough, which is ideal for beginners.
GOLDEN NUGGET ONLINE CASINO
Video poker games at Golden Nugget include those from IGT and other software developers. Standalone titles like Hold ’em Poker and Jacks Or Better are available without demo play options.
Another Jacks or Better option, from Multi-Rise Video Poker (Odds Works/Bet Guard), includes different hand levels as multipliers (1x, 2x, 4x, and 8x).
For example, we received an Ace with a “Free Ride” up from the 1x level to 2x. We held our Ace, paired it after the draw, and increased it to 2x level. (You can also work up the levels by winning with Jacks Or Better.)
Then, we made it to level 4x with a $1 bet split of $0.50 between the first two levels (from pairs of Jacks and Aces) and then Two Pair at 4x.
You can play a few more Multi-Rise Poker games at Golden Nugget, like Bonus Poker Deluxe and Double Bonus Deuces Wild. Check the in-game settings for information on rules and payouts.
The betting limits for video poker at Golden Nugget NJ range from $0.05 to $500.
Sign up today with the Golden Nugget bonus code.
FANATICS CASINO
Fanatics is one of the newest online casinos available to players in MI, PA, and WV. You’ll find standard options for video poker as things are pretty run of the mill here when it comes to this category. We also recommend taking advantage of their welcome offer—Deposit $5 and Get 250 Free Spins!
Get started at Fanatics here, and learn more about one of the iGaming industry’s premier sportsbooks.
BORGATA CASINO
As an MGM subsidiary, Borgata offers NJ and PA players the same platform as BetMGM. However, the welcome bonus is slightly different—Get up to a $1,000 Deposit Match + $20 in Bonus Credits!
Among more than 150 table games, you’ll find similar video poker titles as BetMGM. Like BetMGM, Borgata also provides a separate section for poker, including downloadable software to play games like Texas Hold ’em and Omaha against other players in legal jurisdictions.
OCEAN CASINO
New users in NJ may also play video poker at the Ocean Online Casino. First-time players can score the welcome offer Get a 100% Deposit Match Bonus up to $1,200!
As with the rest of our recommended casinos, Ocean provides various promotions for existing users to enhance gameplay and reward customer loyalty. Like Caesars Palace, BetMGM, FanDuel, and Borgata, online players may also earn rewards when gambling at Ocean Online.
TIPICO CASINO
Tipico is another one of the many online casinos available in New Jersey. Like the Ocean casino, the desktop platform for Tipco is more accessible than the mobile app.
New players at Tipico may receive the signup bonus Get a 400% Deposit Match Up To $100 & 500 Free Spins!
While we didn’t see video poker titles, information tabs and demo play options are available for games like Four Card Poker, Fortune Pai Gow Poker, and DJ Wild Stud Poker (as well as hundreds of other games).
VIDEO POKER BASIC STRATEGIES
Optimal strategy at video poker relies on getting the best five-card poker hand. If you hold and draw cards of the same suit for a straight flush from 10 to an ace, you'll get the ultimate payout. Of course, other hands can also result in winnings.
Here are a few basic strategies for optimizing a game’s RTP when you play video poker online:
- Make sure you understand the paytables and rules of the game.
- Practice with free video poker games or demos to test RTPs.
- Use strategy charts to know which card(s) to HOLD/UNHOLD on every hand.
- Discard a High Card or Two High Cards for a Low Pair; however, you should keep one or two High Cards to achieve at least one pair if there isn’t already one in your hand.
- Keep your cards if you’ve got Two to a Royal Flush, Three to a Straight Flush, and Four to a Straight. Then, you can implement the Low Pair strategy before maintaining Four to a Flush, Three to a Royal Flush, High Pair, Two Pair, etc.
- If eligible, receive a deposit bonus from one of our recommended casinos and use it to play video poker.
- Play max bet for the best chances of higher payouts.
REAL MONEY VS. FREE ONLINE VIDEO POKER GAMES
Here's a look at real money versus free online video poker games:
FREE VIDEO POKER
Here are things to keep in mind when playing free video poker:
- You can play games without any financial repercussions or registration process.
- Gain access to various free play options at reputable sites and play for fun regardless of your skill level.
- Test different strategies to see if they could work for real money.
- Play up to ten hands simultaneously for free.
- It might not be as exciting since you're not risking anything.
- Some video poker games don't have demo modes.
REAL MONEY GAMES
Considerations of real money vidoe poker games include:
- Playing against a random number generator (RNG) means there is little room for mistakes, even with an optimal strategy.
- Dealing with a built-in house edge means you could lose around $0.28 - $1.02 for every $100 you play.
- You’ll need to get lucky with a big hand like a Full House, 4 Of A Kind, Straight Flush, or Royal Flush to boost your bankroll.
- You can improve your chances of staying up by playing single-hand variants over multiple-hand draw poker games, as the latter tend to have lower RTPs.
- Once you’ve understood the true odds of the game, winning for real money will be more rewarding.
TIPS TO FIND THE BEST VIDEO POKER SITES
New players may find video poker sites and games that aren’t registered with an in-state authority in the U.S. While that might be okay for free play, we’d recommend avoiding any shady or unfamiliar sites for deposits and withdrawals, particularly if they’re not licensed.
Here are a few tips for finding reliable options:
- Check for licensing directly on the casino’s website.
- Browse the reviews of casino mobile apps on the App Store and Google Play.
- Read the terms and conditions for your welcome bonus before you sign up.
- Use the cashier window from a reputable site once you've registered to see your available deposit methods (withdrawals typically must match a deposit).
- Play at a regulated site within a legal jurisdiction.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT VIDEO POKER GAMES
Want to learn more about video poker and the ways to play it? Read these common questions and answers below.
CAN YOU PLAY VIDEO POKER ONLINE FOR REAL MONEY?
Yes, you can play video poker online for real money at reputable casino sites. Use a promo code to receive a welcome offer when you get started.
HOW DO I FIND VIDEO POKER APPS?
Video poker apps are available on the App Store and Google Play. We recommend top casinos like BetMGM, FanDuel, Borgata, and the Caesars Palace Online Casino.
HOW DO YOU WIN AT VIDEO POKER?
You can use a strategy chart and bet max amounts to win at video poker. An optimal strategy helps to determine which card(s) to hold or discard on every hand.
WHICH VIDEO POKER GAME IS THE EASIEST TO PLAY?
Jacks Or Better is the most straightforward game for video poker beginners. Other top options with the best return-to-player averages (RTP) include Bonus Poker Deluxe and Deuces Wild.
IS ONLINE VIDEO POKER LEGAL?
Video poker is legal from regulated casino sites. While playing a demo version at other sites is usually fine, we recommend that players avoid depositing at sites that haven't gotten licensed in a legal jurisdiction in the U.S.
WHAT IS THE BEST VIDEO POKER SITE?
The best video poker site depends on personal preferences. We recommend testing multiple sites at regulated casinos to see which suits you best for performance, payouts, withdrawals, customer support, etc.