Video Poker – Here’s Everything You Need to Know

 

One of the most popular games on the internet these days is video poker. If you are interested in playing video poker online, Profit Squad is here to help. We will provide you with all that you need to know about online video poker, where you can play it, what bonuses you can enjoy, and what not. 

You can look for casinos in Pennsylvania or the casinos that offer video poker in New Jersey on our dedicated pages, but we recommend you continue reading to know more about free online video poker and the best casino that offers this game. 

Now, before you know about the place for video poker, bonus, promotions, etc. it’s important we tell you how we reviewed the best casinos for you.

How We Reviewed

 

There is a lot Profit Squad takes into consideration before giving its verdict. We know our main objective is to help you find the best online casinos for video poker and we never forget that. Here are a few factors we reviewed.

  • Depositing Methods

You can practice all you want with free online video poker, but when it comes to playing the real game with real money, you have to take into consideration the deposit methods. We have reviewed these casinos based on the number of deposit methods, the safety of these methods, and their processing times.

  • Device Compatibility 

How much time can you spend in your bed playing the game? Even the best online video poker player has things to do. We made sure to pick options that offer you universal device compatibility i.e. you should be able to play the game on your desktop, smartphone, and tablet.

  • Provider Types

Believe it or not your experience of playing video poker depends greatly on the provider it is from. We look through these providers, such as Playn’nGO, Habanero, NetENT, SoftBet etc. to make sure we pick those that are specialists of video pokers. 

  • Game Types

Another important aspect of the game we can’t ignore is the type of video poker offered. There are many variants of this game and we love it when you can access all of them in the same place. 

  • Payout Times

How long does the company take to process your withdrawals and send them to you? Do you have to wait? Do you have to go through a long process that seems like an arduous mission? We look at it all from every possible angle. 

  • Paid and Free Variants

The thrill that you are seeking from playing video poker is truly in the paid versions. However, if you want to polish you skills and learn a few things before you start, there is nothing wrong with starting with the free versions. We recommend places that offer you both. 

  • Perks and Bonuses

The world of online video poker is quiet and boring if the casino doesn’t offer you any bonuses. In fact, Profit Squad specifically hunts for casinos that have great promotions. Eventually, we bring you the ones that have something special for you in the form of bonuses and promotions.

Free vs Real Money

 

When it comes to video poker games online, we are happy to tell you that you have both, free and paid options. The names are pretty self-explanatory, but you have to know the benefits and disadvantages of both before you pick one. 

  • Free

This is the easiest way to play video poker online. It requires no signups or information from you, and the games are available to you almost immediately. They are a great way for you to practice the game and get a hang of it before you with the real money video poker options. 

The downside to this one is that you never get to win anything, so there is no motivation or excitement. You might also see fewer game options in free video pokers. 

  • Real Money

This is where the fun lies. Profit Squad recommends you learn with free video pokers and then try out the real money video poker games. You have to deposit real money to play this variant of the game, but you get to win real money prizes as well. 

Creating an account for real money video poker will require some time. Not to mention, you might not win anything if you don’t play skillfully.

Most Popular Video Poker Games

Just like any other game in the world, video poker has certain variants that are more famous than others. If you are interested in knowing about the most famous ones, here they are. 

  • Jacks or Better 

This is where most beginners like to start because it is not difficult to understand. If you have a pair of any face cards (Kings, Queens, or Jacks) or aces, you can win in the game. Increase your winnings by multiplying them with 2 in the bonus game. 

One of the reasons so many new players are a fan of this game is the payback. It can offer you more than 99.50% returns on the bets you place. We’d love to tell you here that this is what all the other variants of the game are based on. 

  • Tens or Better 

As stated earlier, the main game from which this one has been created is Jacks or Better. In fact, just about all the variants are based on that. Even if you have two 10 cards, you can go home with a prize in this game. This means you have higher chances of winning something. 

The winnings might not be as impressive as they are with other games, but you have better chances of winning more than what you have betted. If you have a flush in this game, you can get winnings that are five times your initial bet. 

If you have a full-house in this game, your winnings can be 6 times your initial bet. That’s the maximum you can win in this variant of video poker. 

  • Deuces Wild 

Again, you can kind of know from the name what this game is all about. It has something to do with deuces or the cards with value 2. To make it simple, the two-cards of any suit are considered wild in this game. 

You will be using a pack of 52 cards in this game and the best winnings are possible with a Royal Flush. The least you can win in the game is by having a Three of Kind hand. Right next to Royal Flush in terms of value is Four Deuces. 

The payouts of this game might not be very exciting for some players in terms of their sizes. However, that’s because the increased probability of winning due to wild cards. 

  • Joker Poker 

If you want to play online video poker with friends, this is the one you should opt for because it uses more cards i.e. 53. This one is filled with excitement and is mostly loved by players because of how it keeps everyone involved. 

You can also say that this variant is probably different from all other variants that are based on Jacks or Better. The lowest hand you can have in the game must include either a pair of aces or kings. Natural Royal Flush is the best hand in the game. 

What really makes this version of video poker stand apart is the fact that you can have a five of a kind hand too. You make that possible with the help of a joker, which is acting as the wild card in this game. 

  • Aces and Faces

If you are an advanced player, this is the version you are going to enjoy the most. You’ll play it with a regular deck of cards Jacks or Better wins you the lowest reward in this game. Make a 4-of-a-kind hand if you want to win big. 

You can make this hand with the help of the cards with faces or even aces, which is where the name of the game comes from too. Having four aces in this game could win you a fortune with your payouts being eighty times higher than your bet. 

Besides aces, you can make other 4-of-a-kind combinations with any cards that have faces of the Kings, Jacks, or Queens on them to win huge prizes, which are 40 times smaller than what you win with a 4-aces hand.

Hot Roll Video Poker

 

While playing these games, you should know about hot roll video poker is as well, which acts like a multiplier acts in a lottery. In other words, you can amplify your winnings by going with this particular option while playing any variant of video poker online. 

The idea is simple yet can get you greatly excited about your game. All you have to do is to roll a dice and the number that comes up is the multiplier in the game. This means your bet gets multiplied by the number that comes up on the dice.

Triple Play Video Poker

 

It makes sense to mention this mode of game as well. If you are someone who likes to do things faster than most people around you, then Triple Play video poker is for you. 

In this game, you play three hands simultaneously and since you have to place your bets for all 3 hands, you also have 3 times higher chances of winning.

How to Play Video Poker

 

Of course, now that you know so much about the game, you have to play it too. Learning can take some time but practice a few times and you will get a hang of it. Follow these simple steps to play online video poker. 

  • Look for where to play video poker online (pick from our Michigan online casinos, West Virginia online casinos or others)
  • Open an account and make your initial deposit
  • Place a bet
  • Look for the “deal” button and press on it (you get your first set of 5 cards at this point)
  • Change the cards you want or keep the ones you already have now (you can change all)
  • Get new cards for the ones you have gotten rid of
  • Look for the hand you have and claim the winnings


When you play online video poker for real money, you can get returns that are over 100 times bigger than your initial bet.

Online Video Poker Bonuses

Best Online Casino Bonuses

When you sign up with online casinos that provide you with the opportunity to play online video poker real money in USA, you get different types of bonuses. Some casinos are more generous than the others. You have to pick the one that has the best bonuses for you. 

Here are three casinos that offer great video poker bonuses. 

  • Spin Casino

Firstly, you will find some great online video poker options when you sign up with this casino. When it comes to bonuses, you get a bonus of $1000 as soon as you open an account with this website. You qualify for the bonus when you make your first deposit. 

  • Ruby Fortune

It won’t be wrong to say that the first deposit bonus of $250 isn’t what’s most attractive about this casino. What makes it really attractive for new players is the opportunity to receive more bonuses when they make subsequent transfers. 

In short, you get $750 in bonuses because you get a bonus of $250 on the first three deposits you make. The minimum deposit requirement is also quite small with Ruby Fortune. 

  • 888Casino

Another place where you can play video poker games online is 888Casino, offering you a great bonus for making your first deposit. Get $200 right away when you make your first deposit in your account with this casino. 

Glossary of Online Video Poker

Here are some basic terms that you have to know before you starting playing video poker with your friends online. 

  • Aces Full

You have at least 3 aces with a full-house hand. The other two cards could be another pair. 

  • Boat

Another yet informal name for aces full. 

  • Coins

 The main denomination of a video poker table with each coin denoting a specific value. A $2 machine means every coin is equal to $2, which also means that having 10 coins means you have $20. 

  • Face Cards

Cards that have faces on them i.e. the royal family of Queens, Jacks, and Kings.

  • Hand

The set of cards that you have at any point in the game.

  • Kickers

Any cards other than the hand that has won you a prize are kickers. 

  • Paint

Another name for face cards. 

  • Quads

When you have four cards of the same kind.

  • Card Rank

Refers to card value.

  • Wild Card

A special card in any video poker game that can substitute various types and values of cards to form different types of hands e.g. deuces are the wild cards in a Deuces Wild game.

Winning Hands

 

There are different types of winning hands that win you the game. Some games give more value to some hands and others give more value to others. Here are the main hands that you should know to claim your winnings in any video poker game. 

  • Jacks or Better

When you have at least two jacks on your hand. The same applies to having to kings, queens, and aces. 

  • Two Pair

A two-pair means you have two pairs but each pair belongs to a different suit. 

  • 3-of-a-kind

Rank is the value of the card so when you have the same value on the card but in three different suits, you have a 3-of-a-kind hand. 

  • Straight

5 cards of different suits in proper ranking order i.e. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. 

  • Flush

Cards can be of different value but they belong in the same suit. 

  • Full House

You have two ranks divided into 2 cards and 3 cards e.g. you could have 3 cards of rank 5 in three different suits, and 2 cards of rank 7 in two different suits. 

  • Four of a Kind

Same as 3-of-a-kind but with 4 cards. 

  • Straight Flush

The cards are in proper chronological order but the suit does not change. 

  • Royal Flush

The suit does not change, but the cards have to be 10, Jack, Queen, King, and Ace.

Tips for Playing Video Poker

 

Know it when you play video poker online that it is different from other slots. It requires skill and so some times can definitely help you. 

  • Know the proper size of your bet. Know your limits and always save some for later. 
  • Properly understand the variants, how they pay, and how you can maximize your payouts.
  • Decide a strategy based on your style. Bet big if you like risks, or go with games that have more frequent yet small rewards. 
  • Don’t fight too hard to get a high-scoring card. If you have a pair, wait for it to be completed.

Best Casino for Video Poker

 

The Squad believes that Spin Casino is probably the best one out there. Of course, you can try some other options, such as Caesar’s free online video poker or Harrah’s free online video poker, but Spin casino has something special to offer. 

The deposit bonus is a massive $1000 (that’s exactly the adjective used by the casino itself). What’s even more impressive is that it has a special page for video pokers, whereas it becomes quite a task to find video poker online on other casino websites.

Video Poker Statistics

 

Here are some interesting statistics on video poker that you should know. 

  • The odds of having a royal flush dealt to you are as high as 1 to 650,000.
  • The odds of having a straight hand are the lowest at 1 to 80.
  • The second most difficult hand to have in the game is again Royal Flush with 1 to 40,000 odds. These odds are for having this hand at the end of the game.
  • The return to player percentage is 99.54% for a regular Jacks or Better game. 
  • The most impressive return to player belongs to Deuce Wild at over 100%.

Brief History of Video Poker

 

The first thing you have to know is that in many states, people were allowed to play video poker even when other types of poker or slot games were not allowed. That’s because video poker is considered a game of skill.

Now, the real foundation of the game was laid in 1891 when the first poker machine was invented. This machine soon evolved to become a basic poker machine based on skill draw. The standard deck of cards in these machines had only 50 cards. 

The modern video poker machines you see today were a creation of Dale Electronics at the start of the 70s. It was Si Redd who brought to the world the video poker machines that are used in the world today.

FAQ

Not necessarily! You can download an app if the casino you are playing with allows it. However, you can also play on web-apps that don’t require any downloads.

It’s just like proper and real money video poker, but you play with fake money. You don’t win any monetary prizes and some types of variants and features might be limited.

It depends on the variant you are playing. You can make pairs from the same suits, have consecutive cards from the same suit, have the same rank in multiple suits, etc.

You don’t necessarily get a bonus for playing video poker. You get the bonus when you sign up with an online casino. You can use that bonus as coins for playing video poker online.

  • That depends on how you want to win. Sometimes, you can stick to a big card to win a big amount. At other times, you stick to lower cards with smaller payouts but benefit from their higher frequency of occurrence.

Yes, they are very much similar. In fact, almost all the strategies you incorporate in poker with physical cards you can implement in real money online video poker.