Video Poker Online – A Complete Overview

This guide will explore everything you need to play video poker online. We’ll discuss the game rules, the types of poker you’ll encounter online, and how to play the game. We’ll also share helpful tips to help you boost your chances of winning and increase your payout.

How to Play Video Poker Online?

Playing online video poker is simple and doesn’t require complex mathematics. This accounts for its popularity among players around the world. Besides slots, online video poker is a perfect starting point for beginners. Though there are many variants of video poker games, playing any of them requires the same steps.

• Choose Your Video Poker Game: We mentioned earlier that there are different online video poker variants. So, the first step is to select the one that interests you the most. It’s no news that each of these variants has a unique set of rules, but the basic principle is the same. A player has to build a strong hand to win the game.
• Select Your Pay Table: Once you have chosen an online video poker variant, the next step is to select your pay table and understand the rules. On the paytable, you’ll find each winning hand combination and the payout. Understanding these rules can help you increase your winning potential.
• Choose Your Bet Size: This part can vary from player to player, but don’t play with money you can’t afford to lose. You can set your corresponding bet using the “Bet Up” or “Bet Down” buttons. You should start your video poker session with a small bet. In most video poker games, you can bet from a minimum of €0.10 to a maximum of €100.
• Start Playing: Now that you have placed your bet, the next thing is to start playing. To begin the game round, you need to click the “Deal” button to launch the game and receive your hand. Note that you’ll be playing against the house and not other players online. Once you get the second draw, the game checks automatically if your hand contains winning combinations. If yes, the game will pay your winnings. Otherwise, you’ll lose your bet.

Basic Video Poker Rules

The basic poker rules are one of the most important things to understand before starting your gambling adventure. This will help you learn the game concept and tactics, increasing your advantage over the house. Let’s explore the basic rules to get you familiar with the gameplay.

• Initial Deal: Once you place your bet, the game gives you five cards to create your poker hand, known as the initial deal.
• Holding Cards: You need to create a strong hand to beat the house, so you must decide which cards to hold and which to discard.
• Drawing Cards: The cards you discard will be replaced by new cards.
• Final Hand Evaluation: After drawing your cards, the game examines the final hand to determine winning combinations. If you have one, you’ll receive the corresponding payout.
• Betting Limits: Each video poker variant has minimum and maximum bet limits. Get to know this before getting started or choosing a game.
• Gamble or Double Up Feature: Some video poker variants include a “Gamble or Double Up” feature that allows you to double your payouts via a guessing card game.
• Progressive Jackpot: Some online video poker variations will feature a progressive jackpot that builds with each game until it’s won by a player.

Online Video Poker Variants

As mentioned above, video poker comes in different variations, each offering a rule twist and a difference in payouts. These variations keep the game interesting, allowing players to enjoy different tastes of online gambling excitement. Here, we’ll explore some of the most popular video poker variants:

• Jacks or Better: This is the most standard version of video poker, and it’s often advisable for beginners. The game got its name from the rules: the smallest winning hand is a pair of jacks. This game has a simple gameplay and straightforward odds, hence its increasing popularity among novice and veteran players.
• Double Bonus Poker: This is an interesting variation of Jacks or Better. The game is well-known among gamblers for its massive bonus payout for a distinct four-of-a-kind. In the game, you can earn extra payouts for having a winning combination of four 3s, four 2s, four 5s, and four aces or kings. Though Double Bonus Video Poker has the potential for a higher payout, there’s a twist to the standard pay table. The game becomes more exciting and complex, requiring an excellent strategy to secure winnings.
• Deuces Wild: Deuces Wild is another popular version of video poker. In this one, the two deuces act as wild cards, which means they can replace any card to help complete a winning hand. With this rule, the game offers more chances to create winning combinations, introducing extra hand rankings like a wild royal flush and five-of-a-kind. But note that the minimum qualifying hand you need to win is three-of-a-kind. Like Double Bonus, this variant requires a unique strategy to optimize your return. If you’re a beginner, playing demo versions to learn the game before wagering real money is highly recommended.
• Joker Poker: Here is another popular online video poker variant you can try out. In this game, the deck of cards includes a joker that acts as a wild card. As in Deuces Wild, Joker Poker also introduces new hand rankings, such as wild royal flush and five-of-a-kind.
• Bonus Deuces Wild: This exciting video poker game is a sweet mix of Deuces Wild with bonus payouts. In this version, all 2s are wild, and you can enjoy unique payouts when you create five-of-a-kind hands or four deuces. This video poker variant also includes a special hand called “royal flush with deuces”, offering higher payouts.
• Double Double Bonus Poker: This exciting and advanced version of Double Bonus Poker offers rewarding bonuses for specific four-of-a-kind hands. In this game, players can get a 2, 3, or 4 as a fifth card for four aces. The increased bonuses come with a twist: lower-ranked hands offer lower payouts. Double Double Bonus Poker is ideal if you want to play a high-variance game with the potential for much larger wins.

Bet Types

You also need to understand the different bets you can place when playing online video poker. This will help you enhance your chances of winning. Whether you are a novice or an experienced player, learning about the bet types can be helpful, influencing your risk and potential return. Below are the most common video poker bet types you should know about.

• Single Coin Bet: This is the least you can place when wagering on video poker for real money. This means you’re betting with a single coin, and the payout will be low.
  Multi Coin Bet: Most online video poker sites will allow you to bet more than one coin at a time, usually up to a maximum of 5. The winnings are proportional to the number of coins you bet, except for royal flush, which offers a higher payout at the maximum coin bet.
• Maximum Coin Bet: This is the highest bet you can place in video poker, and it’s usually five coins. As mentioned, the royal flush offers massive payouts with maximum coin bets, making it an ideal option for high-rollers

Tips and Tricks

Being successful in video poker requires more than just grasping the rules; you should also be patient and adopt good strategies to make smart decisions. Video poker is a game of skill and chance, allowing players to influence the outcome by making the right decisions.
Below are some tips and tricks you can use to enhance your gameplay and potential for winning:

• Learn the Basics: The first thing you need to learn before gambling real money online is the game basics and hand rankings. This fundamental understanding can help you craft an excellent strategy to make better decisions during your sessions.
• Understand the Pay Table: This is another thing you must understand before playing online video poker. Each variant comes with different combinations and payouts. Understanding the possible hand combinations will help you develop and implement informed strategies.
• Practice with Free Games: Whether you are just getting started or are a highly experienced player looking to try out a new video poker variant, we recommend practicing with free demo versions before using your bankroll. With this, you can easily familiarise yourself with the rules and try strategies without risk.
• Bankroll Management: You should keep your betting budget separate from your living expenses. The reason is that gambling can be fun, and you can get lost in the moment. Having good bankroll management will help you track how much you have spent on betting. Don’t play with money you can’t afford to lose. Fortunately, the best video poker casinos will allow you to set limits on your deposits, whether daily, weekly, or monthly.
• Play Responsibly: This is another important tip to help you succeed as an online video poker player. Online gambling is all about fun and entertainment; players shouldn’t see gambling as a means to earn income. Many top online casinos where you can play video poker partners with responsible gaming bodies to provide professional help to players with gambling addictions.
• Don’t Chase Losses: The sad reality about online gambling is that incurring losses is part of the game. So when you lose, it’s advisable that you keep a calm head and don’t rush to win over your losses by doubling your bet. Stick to your budget and strategy.
• Take Advantage of Casino Bonuses: Many online casinos offer different bonuses to wager for free or boost your bankroll to extend your gameplay. Before accepting the bonuses, ensure they’re valid for video poker games. Also, check the terms and conditions to know how the deal works. Take note of the wagering requirements, validity period, maximum bet limit, and game restrictions.

Best Online Casinos with Video Poker

Today, many online gambling sites feature video poker. With these numerous options, finding and choosing the best platform can be quite challenging. Therefore, we have provided you with the top 5 best online casinos where you can enjoy dozens of video poker games:

• Legzo Casino was established in 2022 by Galaktika N.V. The platform operates with a license from Curacao eGaming and offers players a wide range of games. You can enjoy generous bonuses, flexible payment options, and a good mobile gaming experience.
• Fresh Casino: Launched in 2018, Fresh Casino also operates with a Curacao license. You can enjoy top games from providers like Thunderkick, Endorphina, Big Time Gaming, Hacksaw Gaming, Fugaso, and Wazdan. Players at Fresh Casino are also treated to sweet bonus deals and access to a wide range of payment options in a secure environment.
• Snatch Casino: Another top video poker casino is Snatch, launched by Altacore N.V. in 2021 with a license from the government of Curacao. In addition to video poker, you can enjoy slot machines and live dealer games on the platform. Customer service is available 27/4 and supports multiple languages. Further, Snatch Casino offers incredible bonuses with secure payment methods.
• Izzi Casino: You won’t regret your decision when you register with Izzi Casino. The website was launched in 2021 by Carrer N.V. and is operated with a Curacao eGaming license. The platform is SSL-encrypted, with a wide range of games to enjoy. Izzi Casino also has a rewarding welcome bonus for new players.
• Mystake Casino: Launched in 2019, Mystake Casino is owned and managed by Santeda International B.V. The platform operates under the laws of the government of Curacao. Further, Mystake Casino supports over 10 languages. Members can enjoy a series of bonuses, including a welcome bonus and loyalty rewards.