Best Video Poker Game To Play
If you’re a casino enthusiast looking for a game that balances skill, strategy, and luck, video poker stands out as a top choice. With a wide range of variants and payout structures, selecting the best video poker game to play can be daunting, especially if you’re aiming to maximise your chances of winning while enjoying an engaging experience. This guide explores the most popular video poker games, what makes each unique, and how to choose the right one for your preferences and playing style. Whether you’re playing at a physical casino, online, or even at non GamStop casino sites, understanding your options can make a significant difference to your enjoyment and potential returns.
Video poker has been a casino staple for decades, offering a unique blend of poker strategy and slot machine convenience. Unlike traditional slots, video poker gives you the opportunity to use decision-making skills to influence the outcome, making it a favourite among players seeking more control over their gameplay.
Understanding Video Poker: The Basics
Before diving into the best video poker games, it’s helpful to understand how video poker works. At its core, video poker is based on five-card draw poker. You’re dealt five cards and have the option to hold or discard any number of them, aiming to create the best possible poker hand. After your decision, the discarded cards are replaced, and your final hand determines your payout according to a paytable.
The key differences between video poker variants lie in the paytables, wild cards, and bonus features. These factors can significantly impact your odds and potential winnings, making it crucial to know what to look for when choosing a game.
Top Video Poker Games: Pros, Cons, and Features
With dozens of video poker variants available, some have become clear favourites among experienced players due to their favourable odds, engaging gameplay, and rewarding features. Below, we break down the most popular options and what sets them apart.
Jacks or Better
Jacks or Better is widely regarded as the most classic and accessible video poker game. It’s often recommended for beginners due to its straightforward rules and relatively simple strategy.
- Gameplay: The minimum winning hand is a pair of Jacks. The paytable is straightforward, with no wild cards or bonus hands.
- House Edge: When played with optimal strategy on a “9/6” machine (meaning full house pays 9 and flush pays 6), the return to player (RTP) can reach up to 99.54%.
- Best For: Players seeking a pure, skill-based experience with strong odds and minimal complexity.
Deuces Wild
Deuces Wild introduces a twist by making all twos (deuces) wild, which means they can substitute for any card to complete winning hands. This significantly increases the potential for high-value hands, but also raises the bar for minimum winning hands.
- Gameplay: All 2s are wild. The lowest qualifying hand is typically three of a kind, as pairs and two pairs are too common with wilds in play.
- House Edge: Full-pay versions can offer an RTP of up to 100.76%, but these are rare online. Most versions hover around 97-99% RTP.
- Best For: Players who enjoy more action, bigger swings, and the thrill of hitting rare hands like five of a kind or wild royals.
Double Bonus Poker
Double Bonus Poker is a popular variant that builds on Jacks or Better by offering higher payouts for four-of-a-kind hands, especially aces.
- Gameplay: Standard five-card draw with boosted payouts for four aces and other four-of-a-kind hands.
- House Edge: Full-pay Double Bonus Poker offers an RTP of about 100.17% with perfect strategy, but the variance is higher than Jacks or Better.
- Best For: Players who like the excitement of chasing big hands and are comfortable with larger bankroll swings.
Double Double Bonus Poker
Double Double Bonus Poker (DDB) takes the bonus concept even further, offering massive payouts for specific four-of-a-kind hands with certain kickers (additional cards).
- Gameplay: Same as Double Bonus, but with extra bonuses for hands like four aces with a 2, 3, or 4 kicker.
- House Edge: Full-pay DDB has an RTP of around 98.98%. The game is high variance, meaning large wins and losses can occur in short sessions.
- Best For: Players who thrive on volatility and the possibility of huge payouts, even if it means more frequent losing streaks.
Joker Poker
Joker Poker (or Joker’s Wild) introduces a single joker as a wild card, creating more opportunities for strong hands and unique strategies.
- Gameplay: One joker is added to the deck as a wild card. The lowest qualifying hand is typically two pairs or a pair of kings, depending on the paytable.
- House Edge: RTP varies by paytable but often ranges from 98% to 100% for full-pay versions.
- Best For: Players who enjoy wild cards and the flexibility they bring to hand-building.
How to Choose the Best Video Poker Game for You
Selecting the best video poker game isn’t just about RTP or bonus features; it’s also about your personal preferences, risk tolerance, and experience level. Here are some practical points to consider:
- Skill Level: If you’re new to video poker, Jacks or Better is a great starting point due to its simplicity and widely available strategy resources.
- Variance: Games like Double Double Bonus and Deuces Wild offer higher volatility, which means bigger wins are possible, but so are longer losing streaks. If you prefer steady returns, stick with lower-variance games.
- Paytable: Always check the paytable before playing. Even small changes in payouts for certain hands can dramatically affect the game’s RTP.
- Wild Cards: If you enjoy more creative play and higher hand possibilities, try Deuces Wild or Joker Poker.
Understanding Paytables and RTP
One of the most important aspects of video poker is the paytable. This chart shows how much each hand pays and can vary significantly between casinos or even between machines at the same venue. A “full-pay” machine offers the best possible payouts for each hand, maximising your expected returns.
For example, A full-pay Jacks or Better machine pays 9 coins for a full house and 6 for a flush (hence the term “9/6”). Machines offering lower payouts for these hands should be avoided, as they reduce your chances of long-term success.
Rtp, or return to player, is a percentage that indicates how much of your wagers you can expect to win back over time with optimal play. The closer the RTP is to 100%, the better your odds. However, remember that RTP is calculated over thousands of hands, so short-term results can vary widely.
Strategy Matters: Basic Tips for Winning at Video Poker
Unlike slots, video poker allows you to influence the outcome by making strategic decisions. Here are a few practical strategy tips:
- Always play maximum coins (“max bet”) if you’re chasing the royal flush jackpot, as this often unlocks the top payout.
- Learn the optimal strategy for your chosen variant. For example, Holding a low pair in Jacks or Better is usually better than chasing a straight or flush.
- Use online strategy charts or training software to practice before playing for real money.
- Manage your bankroll carefully, especially on high-variance games like Double Double Bonus or Deuces Wild.
Playing Video Poker Online: What to Expect
Online casinos have made video poker more accessible than ever, offering a wide variety of games, from classic Jacks or Better to more exotic variants. When playing online, you can expect:
- Game Selection: Most reputable online casinos offer a range of video poker titles, often with multiple paytable options.
- Bonuses: Some casinos include video poker in their welcome bonuses or ongoing promotions, though wagering requirements may apply.
- Free Play: Many sites allow you to practise video poker for free before risking real money, which is ideal for learning strategies and paytables.
- Mobile Compatibility: Modern video poker games are optimised for smartphones and