Video Poker Casino

  • Video poker is one of the most popular games amongst players all over the world. Whether you’re at home on your handheld or living it up in the gambling capital of Las Vegas, not only is it great.
  • Casino del Sol, Tucson, AZ. The only video poker games worth playing at the Casino del Sol are available for $1, so you’re looking at $5 per hand if you bet max coin. (You should always be betting max coin, of course.) Our 2 favorite games at Casino del Sol are Jacks or Better and Deuces Wild.
  1. Video Poker Casino Jackpots
  2. Video Poker Casino Online
  3. Video Poker Casino Strategy

For regular casino game players, the complimentary food, drinks, and other
goodies collectively known as “comps” are akin to lifeblood.

Video

Without comps flowing in, the average player will watch the house edge wreak
havoc on their bankroll. Gambling in the casino setting is a negative
expectation affair after all, so simply playing the games will almost always
result in losses over the long run.

But by securing valuable comps from the casino – perhaps a voucher for a free
buffet meal or a big discount on your room rate – players can overcome the
uphill climb inherent to all forms of gambling. This usually involves signing up
for the casino’s Players Club, or similar rewards based player tracking
promotion, so that every coin you spend is monitored and applied toward eventual
comp rewards.

The recipients of the most lavish comps are typically slot machine players,
as the slots offer a high enough house edge that the casino can afford to give a
little back. Table game players also enjoy a healthy menu of comps, but for
video poker specialists the pickings can be slim indeed.

That’s because video poker is a skill based game which prioritizes strategy
over chance, factors which create a significantly lower house edge than most
games on the floor. Only blackjack played with perfect basic strategy (0.50
percent) can come close to the house edge rate offered to proficient video poker
players on a full pay Jacks or Better machine (0.46 percent).

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And indeed, a few variants and pay tables can even provide the rarest sight
in all of casino gambling – a positive expectation game for the player.

Knowing this, casino operators have carved their comp programs for video
poker players down to size in recent years. Gone are the days when a video poker
savant could clear the same lucrative benefits that slot fiends brought in.
Today, the comp arrangements for video poker pale in comparison to those found
on the slots – usually at a 2 to 1 or even 3 to 1 ratio.

That doesn’t mean video poker fans should abandon all hope, however, because
there are still plenty of ways to increase your overall expectation via comps.
You just have to know where to look.

And that’s where we come in, because after three decades grinding out a
living on Las Vegas’ video poker machines, we’ve mapped out the optimal comp
plays for you. This page is presented as a guide to the world of comps for video
poker enthusiasts, so we’ll run though the logistics of how Players Club comps
work, where in Sin City to search for the most generous offers, and the impact
that comp hunting can have on your bottom line.

The Skinny on Casino Comps

The concept of casinos tracking player activity – and rewarding their
regulars (read: losers) with goodies to keep them coming back – is as old as the
industry itself.

Nobody likes leaving the casino with less money than they entered with, but
when you’re playing negative expectation games, that’s the inevitable outcome
more often than not. By setting up Players Clubs and other comp programs,
casinos can help alleviate the pain of losing just a little.

Example

Say you head to the casino ready for a long day of grinding, but after a few
hours the cards aren’t cooperating and your bankroll for the day evaporates. Heading
home empty handed here wouldn’t be all that fun, but on your way out the door
you decide to check your Players Club account balance.

And lo and behold, the previous losing session added just enough points to
your account, earning you a free buffet and a night’s stay. Suddenly, a trip
which produced a $200 loss turns into a nearly breakeven experience, as you’ve
just saved $30 on the buffet dinner and $150 or so on the room.

That’s a simplified example of course, but it shows the power that comps can
hold for video poker players. We’re all going to incur losing sessions, as video
poker is still a negative expectation game for the most part, but saving money
elsewhere via comps can help you mitigate those losses.

Earning comps doesn’t take any effort either, aside from signing up for a
Players Club card or similar player tracking program when you visit any casino.
With the card in hand, head to your preferred area of the video poker parlor and
get to work – but don’t forget to insert that card first.

You’ll only receive comps based on tracked play, so if you forget to swipe
the card even once or twice, hours of play – and hundreds of dollars in comp
points – are flushed down the drain.

Most casinos provide you with a keyfob, lanyard, or some sort of device to
keep your Players Club card handy, so just make it a habit to bring them along
and your comps will always be covered.

The actual tracking systems vary from casino to casino – usually based on the
policy of the venue’s parent company – but you’ll largely receive a single comp
point for every increment of betting. Those increments can vary wildly depending
on where you play – which will be covered in the next section – but in most
cases, your wagering levels are repaid in kind through comp points.

You can visit the casino’s website, or even dedicated kiosks located
throughout the venue, to check the status of your comp point account balance.
Once again, the meaning of those points will differ from place to place, but the
general idea is that points can be used to “purchase” good and services
throughout the property.

We’ve already talked about buffets and rooms, but the most modernized comp
programs go all out, lavishing their players with spa treatments, retail
shopping discounts, rides and attractions for the kids, or even adventure tours
of nearby Hoover Dam or Red Rock Canyon.

These aren’t free gifts, as you’re essentially paying for them through your
accumulated video poker losses, but they do act as “rebates” on your expenses.
Without membership in a Players Club promotion, you’d be losing the exact same
amount of money on the machines, all while spending cash out of pocket for food,
lodging, and the assortment of goodies listed above.

Why spend that money twice, when a comp card allows you to get away with one
time expenses?

Now that you know the ins and outs of how video poker comps work, let’s take
a tour of Las Vegas to see where the best offers can be found.

Las Vegas’ Most Lucrative Comp Programs

The collection of casinos dotting the Las Vegas Strip, and their little
brothers doing business over in the Downtown Las Vegas district, may appear to
be separately operated venues – but corporatization has consolidated much of the
city.

MGM Resorts International, for example, owns and operates the following Las
Vegas casinos:

  • Aria
  • Bellagio
  • Delano Las Vegas
  • Excalibur
  • Luxor
  • Mandalay Bay
  • MGM Grand
  • Mirage
  • Monte Carlo
  • New York – New York
  • Vdara

All casinos under the MGM umbrella use the same Players Club promotion, which
is known as M Life Rewards.

Under the M
Life Rewards system, video poker players are entitled to one
Express Point (which is just their term for a base comp point) for every $10 in
bets placed. Thus, if you’re max betting a $1 machine for $5 per hand, you’ll be
accumulating 1 base point every two hands.

As these base points pile up in your account, the M Life Rewards system will
be paying close attention, as you’ll also earn Tier Credits based on your base
point earnings.

The best way to think of this division is that base points cover your daily
gaming activity, and can be spent instantly at the Starbucks or spa. Tier
points, on the other hand, cover your lifelong gambling activity, and can be
used to earn “lifestyle” bonuses like expedited check in, a special shortcut
line at the buffet and other amenities, and several perks designed to enhance
your next experience at an MGM owned property.

The chief rival for M Life Rewards is known as Total Rewards, which is the
Players Club program maintained by Caesars Entertainment and its collection of
casinos. The following Las Vegas venues are owned and operated by Caesars
Entertainment, and thus use the Total Rewards program:

  • Bally’s
  • The Cromwell
  • Flamingo
  • The Linq
  • Harrah’s
  • Paris
  • Planet Hollywood
  • Rio

Corporations aren’t exactly known for their creativity, so Total Rewards is
essentially a clone of M Life Rewards. Put more accurately, however, when M Life
was launched in 2011 it was designed to mimic the Total Rewards setup which was
pioneered a decade earlier.

In any case, Total Rewards uses the same scheme of one base point per $10 in
video poker play, along with the opportunity to turn base points into new reward
tiers.

With the two major casino operators deadlocked at the same $10 / base point
system, video poker players who frequent The Strip don’t have many opportunities
to shop for the “best” comp program. Simply put, if you’re playing at a major
resort casino on The Strip, you can feel comfortable using either M Life Rewards
or Total Rewards to earn video poker comps.

By know you’re probably asking yourself if some of the casinos in Las Vegas
operate independently or at least under the umbrella of a smaller corporation.
And that’s a great question, because whenever you can escape the grasp of MGM
and Caesars Entertainment, that’s always an opportunity worth exploring.

Personally, we appreciate the handful of “Off Strip” casinos operated by Boyd
Gaming, as they offer one of the most generous video poker comp plans around.

If you’ve ever explored the outer boundaries of Las Vegas, or at least taken
a drive away from The Strip, chances are good that you’ve already visited a Boyd
Gaming property. Take a look at the list below to find all of the Boyd Gaming
casinos in Las Vegas:

  • Aliante
  • The California
  • Gold Coast
  • The Fremont
  • Main Street Station
  • The Orleans
  • Sam’s Town
  • Suncoast

Venues like The Orleans, Gold Coast, and Main Street Station fall under the
Off Strip category, while the California and Fremont are staples of the historic
Downtown District.

In each case, however, these casinos rely on the B Connected promotion to
track player activity and award comps.

Under the B Connected terms and conditions, comps are awarded to video poker
players at a rate of one point per $1 of wagering. That’s a full 10 times better
than either M Life Rewards or Total Rewards can offer, so right off the bat
video poker players are treated better at B Connected properties.

Video Poker Casino Jackpots

Of course, B Connected isn’t 10 times more generous than the competitors, and
the power of point dilution means that not all comp points are created equal.
That’s because the exchange rate used to turn comp points into actual cash
differs from plan to plan.

Under both M Life Rewards and Total Rewards, a single comp point is
equivalent to a single penny. In other words, every 100 base points you
accumulate (leaving aside the Tier system), you’ll have $1 in “free” cash to
work with.

Seeing as how you’ll earn one comp point for every $10 wagered, you’ll need
to bet $1,000 before you can collect 100 points – or $1.

Over at the B Connected casinos, however, the seemingly faster path to
earning points – through the one point for $1 wagered system – is far less
lucrative from the player’s perspective. Here, a you’ll need to earn 10 comp
points, rather than just one, to claim a single penny.

Thus, even though the B Connected system appears to be 10 times better for
video poker players at first glance, it somehow manages to be 10 times worse.

The preceding exercise should give you a firm grasp on how casinos try to
confuse their players. Sure, they’re providing “free” food and lodging to
regular players, which is always a nice thing to do. But by burying the most
important information under pages and pages of fine print, they’re hoping a
handful of players misinterpret, or otherwise mess up.

Scoring Free Drinks at the Video Poker Bar

Another way to extract value from the casino while taking a shot at the royal
flush jackpot is to frequent the lounge or bar.

In today’s age, most casinos have transformed their entertainment venues into
further opportunity to gamble, so you’ll see video poker machines built right
into the bar. These machines are the same Game King model you’re familiar with
by now, although the pay tables may be slightly inferior.

In any case, when you sit down and plunk a few bills into the machine, you’ll
be entitled to comped drinks from the bartender.

In the old days, that bartender would serve as the proverbial gatekeeper,
scanning the screens to make sure players are actually betting – and betting
big. If you’re just min betting to score a free Heineken, the bartender would
simply ignore you and wait on the higher stakes players first. Up the ante to a
max bet, however, and click the buttons back and forth for a few minutes and
you’ll get their attention.

Those were the old days though, and the age of modernization has changed
things in Las Vegas. A new system installed across Caesars Entertainment
properties does the bartender’s job for them,
tracking your betting levels and
frequency in real time. When a special algorithm determines that you “deserve” a
free drink, a green light will blink to signal the bartender. Otherwise, you’ll
be red lighted, forced to wait until you’ve bet enough to warrant a refill.

Obviously, veteran casino gamblers aren’t supporters of this automated
system, but then again, plenty of people were opposed to computerized five card
draw back in the day. This is the wave of the future, so you’ll be better served
by working within the system.

A recent survey of video poker bars conducted by the TravelZork website
tracked how free drinks are awarded across the various properties, and the data
was revealing to say the least:

  • To score a free drink when playing quarter stakes video poker at a bar within
    any MGM Resorts property, you’ll need to play an average of 120 hands while max
    betting the $1.25 per hand. That equates to $150 worth of wagering before you
    can tilt a cold one back.
  • Move to the Boyd Gaming collection of casinos, and the number drops to 105
    hands at max bet quarter stakes – good for $131.25 in wagers before a comp is
    offered.
  • But head over to a Caesars Entertainment casino and the rate drops to just 50
    hands, which equates to just $62.50 in bets before a drink is delivered.

As you can see, you’ll get basically two and a half drinks by playing video
poker at a Caesars Entertainment bar for each drink you’d receive via MGM
Resorts.

That’s math anybody can get a grasp on. So if you’re a video poker player who
likes to exchange the solitary parlor for the livelier bar, head over to your
favorite Caesars Entertainment casino first and foremost.

Additional Resources

Video poker casino wins on youtube

We’ve applied our own personal knowledge, and a bit of research to boot, when
compiling this page. Even so, we recognize that greater minds than ours have
taken on this great game of video poker before, and we don’t mind deferring
to the experts.

Consider the following books to be supplementary reading for your video poker
comp class. They were written by veterans of the game who have millions of
hands, and millions in comp dollars, under their collective belt. These casino
industry experts have already put in the work, so take advantage of their advice
to further improve your comp hunting game:

  • Frugal Video Poker by Jean Scott
  • Video Poker for the Intelligent Beginner by Bob Dancer
  • Confessions of a Video Poker Winner Revealing Answers for Casual
    Gamblers Who Want Truth Behind a Beatable Game by Greg Perry
  • Comp City: A Guide to Free Casino Vacations, Second Edition by Max Rubin
  • The Pocket Idiot’s Guide to Casino Comps by David Apostolico

Conclusion

Comps and the players club are important parts of any video poker player’s
arsenal. Every comp you get helps you get back some of the money the house takes
with their edge. Don’t play another hand of video poker before signing up for
the players club and comps.

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.

Video Poker Casino

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 $250 and a $35 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:

  • 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?

Video Poker Casino Online

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:

Hand1 Coin2 Coins3 Coins4 Coins5 Coins
Royal Flush2505007501,0004,000
Straight Flush50100300400500
Four-of-a-Kind255075100125
Full House918273645
Flush612182430
Three-of-a-Kind3691215
Two Pairs246810
Jacks or Better12345

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:

Hand1 Coin2 Coins3 Coins4 Coins5 Coins
Royal Flush2505007501,0004,000
Straight Flush50100300400500
Four Aces80160240320400
Four 2s-4s4080120160200
Four 5s-Ks255075100125
Full House816243240
Flush510152025
Straight48121624
Three-of-a-Kind3691215
Two Pairs246810
Jacks or Better12345

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

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.

Video Poker Casino Strategy

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.

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?

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.

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