How to Play Video Poker

Around the same time that personal computers emerged, so too did the earliest video poker games. These earliest games combined a television screen with draw poker, and they were instantly popular around the Las Vegas Strip. Nowadays, they’ve also moved online and are available at lots of US online casinos. Our guide on how to play video poker will introduce you to this classic game type, its rules, and responsible gaming strategies.

Basic Video Poker Rules

Video poker is a simplified version of the traditional poker table game, but there are variations. Here’s how it works:

Cards

Video poker uses a standard 52-card deck. There are no jokers included. Every game begins with a shuffle, just like in a physical deck. The aim is the same as standard poker: to make the strongest five-card hand.

In most video poker games, the Ace is high. One exception is when it’s used to form the lowest straight (A-2-3-4-5). 

Rankings

The strength of your hand determines your payout. The rarer the combination, the more it will pay. Here are the hand rankings, from highest to lowest:

1. Royal Flush: Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and 10 of the same suit. This is the highest-paying hand in almost all video poker games.

2. Straight Flush: Five same-suit consecutive cards (e.g., 10, 9, 8, 7, 6 of spades).

3. Four of a Kind: Four cards of the same rank (e.g., four 9s). Often called a quad.

4. Full House: Three cards of the same rank and two of another (e.g., three 4s and two 10s).

5. Flush: Five same-suit cards. Any rank. (e.g., 10, King, 8, 5, 4). Not in sequence.

6. Straight: Five cards in a sequence in mixed suits.

7. Three of a kind: Three cards of the same rank (e.g., three Queens). Plus two unmatched cards.

8. Two Pair: Two different pairs (e.g., two 3s and two 10s).

9. One Pair: Two same-rank cards. In some video pokers (like Jacks or Better), the pair must be Jacks or higher to win a payout.

10. High card: When no combination is made, the hand’s value is based on the highest card (e.g., an Ace-high hand will beat a King-high hand).

Each variant of video poker might have different video poker rules, so always look at the paytable before you start to play.

How to Play Video Poker Online

Video poker is a simple and strategic game that anyone can play online. It’s a game between a player and a machine. There are no opponents, no dealer, and no bluffing. 

Here’s how to play video poker for beginners:

Place Your Bet

Start by selecting your stake. In most games, you choose the number of coins and the value of the coins. Typically, you choose between 1 and 5 coins. When you bet the max coins, you can access the highest payouts. Especially if you land a royal flush.

Deal

Once you have placed your bet, the game will deal you five cards from a standard 52-card deck. These are your initial cards.

Choose Cards To Hold

With your five cards, you can then choose which ones you want to keep (hold) and which you want to discard. You’re aiming to create the best five-card hand. Click or tap on each card you’d like to hold, then hit “draw.”

Draw

The game will replace your discarded cards with new ones from the same deck. Now, you have your final hand. You can’t discard and draw again.

Payout

If you have a final hand that matches one of the winning combinations listed in the paytable (e.g., a straight, a flush, or a pair of Jacks or better), you win. How much depends on the strength of your hand and how many coins you choose to bet.

Example round

Here’s an example of how things could play out:

• Initial hand: 10 of Diamonds, 10 of Clubs, 2 of Spades, Queen of Clubs, and 7 of Hearts.

• Hold: Hold the pair of tens. Discard the rest.

• Draw: You get a 10 of Hearts, a King of Spades, and a 3 of Diamonds to go with the 10 of Diamonds and 10 of Clubs you kept.

• Final hand: Your final hand is now a three of a kind (tens).

• Payout: The game pays out according to the game’s paytable.

Each game will vary slightly. Some include wild cards (e.g., Deuces Wild). Others offer bonus payouts. With video poker, you always need to check the game’s rules and paytable before playing.

Difference Between Video Poker and Poker?

Many online casinos claim to offer poker. Some will refer to video poker, while others will be talking about the table game, whether it's an RNG (random number generator) version or a live dealer poker game. Before signing up for an online casino, be sure to check what exactly they offer to see if it’s what you want. You can find live dealer poker games at the best live dealer casinos, video poker at nearly every online casino, and some even offer dedicated virtual poker rooms.

In terms of differences between poker and video poker, there are a few notable distinctions. Firstly, video poker is played alone. You play against the computer and have no one to compete with. Simply put, you want to create the best poker hand from what you’re dealt and what you choose to hold and draw. The winnings come from a fixed paytable.

In standard poker (though there are variants of this, too), you’re playing against others. You may have a great hand, but someone could sweep you off the top with a royal flush, and so you win nothing. There’s also a lot of strategy and bluffing involved. Generally, it’s a much more complicated game. The winnings come from players’ bets.

Though both are strategic games, the strategy for video poker is purely based on math and probability. You don’t need to watch other players or convince them to fold through your bluffing. 

Video Poker Tips

If you’re playing video poker for beginners, you should know a few things before you begin.

Here are some tips:

1. Study the paytable before you begin. Before you start, look at the paytable. Different games and variations (e.g., Bonus Poker, Deuces Wild, or Jacks or Better) have different rules and payouts.

2. Always bet the max coins if you can. Most video poker games offer a boosted payout or a jackpot if you get a royal flush and if you bet the maximum number of coins. This makes it worthwhile to bet the max, if your budget allows.

3. Do some practice for free. As a beginner, start with some free games to get used to the rules and how to make decisions. This is a good way to build confidence before you start playing with real money.

4. Keep hold of high pairs. In most variants of video poker (like Jacks or Better), holding onto a pair is often better than looking for a flush or a straight.

5. Don’t automatically hold onto a winning hand. Some hands may look good, but it’s not always great to keep hold of them. For example, if you are dealt a low pair and three cards to a royal flush, it is usually better to go for the royal. If you learn basic strategy charts for the variant you’re playing, it helps.

6. Use a strategy chart. Each video poker game has its own optimal strategy. The charts tell you which cards to keep hold of and which to discard for the best returns long-term. Strategy charts are legal. And lots of professionals use them.

7. Stay disciplined with your bankroll. Set a budget and stick to it. Video poker has a low house edge. But you must play wisely and manage your funds.

Popular Video Poker Variants at Online Casinos

A good online video poker casino in the US will usually offer plenty of game variations, all based on classic five-card draw. Each version comes with its own set of rules and strategies, giving players a mix of familiar gameplay and fresh challenges.

Here are the most popular variations you will come across:

Jacks or Better

This is a classic and is played widely. You need at least a pair of Jacks to win a payout. This is a beginner-friendly variant. The strategy is straightforward, and it has great returns–up to 99.54% RTP.

Deuces Wild

This is an exciting variant with all 2s (deuces) being wild cards. This means they can substitute for any other card to make a winning hand. The wild cards mean payouts for some hands are different. Typically, you will need a three of a kind or better to win.

Destiny Poker 

This adds a fate-based multiplier. It’s like a standard draw poker game but has the feature that assigns a multiplier to your hand after the draw. This is only activated on winning hands. Some versions let you “buy” a better fate.

Double Double Regal Poker 

This is based on Double Double Bonus Poker rules - there’s a big bonus for 4 Aces with a kicker. This is often played in multi-hand formats. The Regal Bonus gives out random multipliers or jackpots. 

First Person Poker

This is a hybrid between an RNG-based video poker game and live. It has high-end 3D graphics and is still a single-player poker game. There is a random number generator, but it is in a virtual studio. The “Go Live” button means you can turn it into a live dealer version. 

Ultimate X Triple Play Draw Poker 

This is a multi-hand video poker variant. It’s fast-paced and gives out huge payouts if your chain wins.  You play three hands simultaneously. On a win, you’ll get a multiplier on that hand’s next-round position. But to activate a multiplier, you need to double your bet. 

Common Video Poker Mistakes to Avoid

As a beginner playing video poker, you might be prone to making some common mistakes. Here are things to look out for (and to avoid):

• Playing without understanding the paytable. Don’t go in blind. Make sure you’ve looked at and understood the paytable.

• Not using basic strategy. Look up the basic strategy for the variant you’re playing–and use it! Doing so gives you a better chance of winning.

• Holding cards that reduce your chances. Let go of cards that won’t benefit you. Discard them to have a better chance.

• Betting max coins unless you know the impact on your bankroll. As beneficial as betting max coins might be, make sure it ties in with your budget.

• Assuming all poker video games have the same rules. They don’t. Always read the rules before you start.

• Skipping over demo modes. Try out the game for free first so you know how it works before risking real money. 

• Playing when not on top form. Don’t play if you’re tired, distracted, or under the influence. It likely won’t work out well for you. 

• Not taking breaks. Make sure you rest and don’t play for too long in one stretch.

Responsible Gambling

When you start out playing video poker, it’s easy to get carried away. The games are fast-paced and can be intense and addictive. You need to play responsibly from the start. Firstly, this means understanding what problem gambling looks like. If you know the signs, you’ll be better able to spot them and do something about it. 

Responsible online casinos will have tools to support this. They may have self-assessment questionnaires, loss limit settings, deposit limits, and self-exclusion tools to help you. You can also find further advice on our dedicated responsible gambling page. The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) and the International Center for Responsible Gaming are also useful national resources we encourage you to use if you have a problem.