How to Play Video Poker

Video poker is one of the more popular games offered in a casino. These video poker machines feature numerous types of classic games like Texas Hold'em, Deuces Wild, Pai Gow, and many others. You can find them scattered all over the casino floor as well as at your favorite online casinos like FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, and more!

Here’s a look at how to play video poker at reputable online casinos.

Playing video poker is rather unique because it's not just regular poker, but instead numerous game variants of poker itself. You can find a host of different games offered on video poker machines such as Joker's Wild, Aces & Faces, and Double Bonus Poker among many others.

To begin playing video poker, find a machine on the casino floor or online casino and select the game off the menu of options that you like the most. Next, I recommend reviewing the rules of how to play video poker and different payout tables for whatever game you are about to start playing.

After reading the video poker game rules and selecting a payout table, you begin by placing a bet and drawing cards for the select game. Then, after carefully evaluating your hand, choose the action on the screen that's the most optimal play to give you the best chance of a winning hand. You may continue to play video poker hands until you run out of money or win enough money that you are satisfied with your casino experience.

Basic Video Poker Strategy

Video poker strategy may vary depending on the game variant you select. However, the main goal of video poker is to understand the different pay tables offered by each game to maximize your chances of winning. Usually, you'd want to maximize your betting units as much as possible and aim for getting the highest possible (suited) hands and cards as these will reward you the highest payouts possible.

Video poker offers one of the highest return to player percentages (RTP) in the casino, so that's why we recommend max betting and going for the highest pay table possible. You can expect your return to player percentage to be around 95% or more, meaning for every dollar wagered you can expect to get back 95 cents. This allows for hours of play at any video poker machine with decent odds of getting a jackpot if you play long enough!

Kinds of Online Poker Games

Video poker has different game variants for everyone at the casino. Whether you want to play some of the classic card games like Pai Gow or Texas Hold'em or play more unique games like Double Bonus Poker or Jacks or Better, you can do just that with video poker!

I'd recommend trying out as many different video poker games as possible to find the best one suited to you. Below, you'll find a more detailed breakdown of some of the most popular video poker games:

Double Bonus Poker

Double Bonus Poker is similar to a lot of the offerings you might find on the video poker menu. This poker game involves a bonus on a poker hand that features four of a kind. Having four aces will yield the highest payout besides a royal flush which is always the highest payout for all of the video poker offerings.

For Double Bonus Poker, you get a five-card draw to start playing video poker. You select which cards you'd want to keep and discard the rest. You will then receive additional cards to replace your discarded ones, and then the round is scored trying to get the best hand possible on the payout table with an emphasis on four of a kind.

Double Double Bonus

Double Double Bonus Poker is very similar to that of Double Bonus Poker, except the pay table yields slightly higher payouts with more risk involved. As I described in the previous section, the goal of these two games is to get the highest possible poker hand, but again with an emphasis on four of a kind.

Double Double Bonus video poker again begins with a five-card draw and you select which cards you want to discard or keep. You get to replace the cards you don't want in the initial deal one time, but then you are locked into the final hand. If you get a royal flush or four of a kind, you can receive a full payout for this video poker game; but if not, you can still win smaller amounts featured on the pay table.

Multi Play/Triple Play

Multi-Hand Video Poker or Triple Play Video Poker involves having multiple poker hands going at once. This video poker game is recommended for players who have a higher bankroll and want to play at a quicker pace.

To play Multi-Hand Video Poker, each player has two or more initial hands containing five cards. From there, the game begins with the player selecting which cards they'd want to keep in each hand. Next, they are dealt additional cards for cards they want to replace. Each hand will be scored individually against the pay table with the best hand possible being straight flushes or a royal flush.

Joker's Wild or Deuces Wild

Joker's Wild, commonly referred to as Deuces Wild, is a very popular video poker game. This video poker game is just like the rest of the online video poker games I discussed above, but instead, the Jokers or 2's are wild cards and can be turned into any card needed to complete a hand against the pay table.

To play Deuces Wild, you are again dealt five cards. This time, you'll select which cards you want to discard of the five, but with knowing that the 2's and/or Joker's are wild cards, so keeping both is encouraged. The machine pays the highest for this game if you have a hand of five wild cards or deuces, but you can still use the wild cards to complete hands for other winning combinations.

Jacks or Better or Tens or Better

Jacks or Better or Tens or Better is a fun and easy video poker game to play. The objective of this video poker game is to have a pair of jacks or better and in some other video poker variations to have ten's or better to have a winning hand.

This online video poker game starts with every player being dealt five cards and discarding the ones you don't want (like the other variations). When choosing which poker cards to discard, keep in mind a pair of jacks or better needs to be considered. After replacing your other cards, your hand can only be a winner if you have jacks or better and the top hand is also still the royal flush.

Pai Gow Poker

Pai Gow is a popular card game at online casinos but also can be played on video poker machines. This table poker game is unique because you are dealt seven cards and have to create two separate hands; with a combination of one of the best five cards possible and one of the other two cards you've been dealt. You also play this game traditionally against the dealer and have to win both hands to win real money.

Pai Gow starts by being seven cards being dealt to the player(s) and the dealer. You then have to create the best possible five-card hand and stick it in the back and make a second two-card hand and place it in the front. Then, you'll compare it to the dealer and if you win both hands, you win the game. If you push your hands, you get your money back. If you lose both hands, you lose money. There are also bonus bets that can be made that'll allow your hand to be compared against the video poker payout table.

Learn more about Pai Gow by reading our Pai Gow rules and strategy guide.

Caribbean Stud

Caribbean Stud is a fun video poker game that involves the player versus the dealer. The objective of this poker game is to have your five cards beat the dealer while also having a jackpot bet option on the side that can be won against the pay tables.

Caribbean Stud starts by placing an ante, which is proceeded by the player and dealer being dealt five cards. Next, the player can fold or wager a play token equal to their ante bet. The play token is active only if the dealer's hand has a queen or better and if not, the ante bet is the only amount that can be won. Compare the two hands, and the winning hand between the dealer and the player gets the money. However, the player can also opt into the jackpot bonus, which will compare their five cards against a payout table regardless if they beat the dealer or not.

Texas Hold 'Em

Texas Hold' Em on a video poker machine is slightly different than playing poker at an online casino because you are only playing against the dealer. You can also place a bonus bet on the side to compare to the pay table.

To start playing Texas Hold'em, the player makes an ante bet and they are dealt two cards along with the dealer. After the flop, the player can then call, which is an additional bet of two times their ante or they can fold. After choosing to call or fold, your hand is compared to the dealers' hand and paid out if you're a winner. If you made a bonus bet, you could be paid out more if you have a straight or better.

Aces & Faces

Aces & Faces is similar to Jacks or Better video poker. The objective of Aces & Faces is to get the best-possible hand with more bonuses being paid for getting a royal flush or four of a kind aces. In order to qualify for winning money, you need to have a pair of jacks or better.

Aces & Faces starts with the player being dealt five cards and deciding which cards to discard. Then, like the other video poker games I mentioned in this section, those cards will be replaced. You'll then be able to get paid out real money if you have jacks or better.

Ring Games vs. Tournaments

In poker, there are generally two kinds of games; ring games are often also called "cash games" and tournaments. The main difference between the two is ring games involve a range that you can buy in at and usually are capped at a maximum number of chips you can buy. In ring games, you can leave the poker table whenever you want to stop playing. For tournaments, everyone buys in with the same amount of money and are given the same amount of chips to start; the game is then played until you get a winner.

Video Poker Odds & Hands

Video poker games generally have similar pay tables and hand rankings. Here are the odds for each video poker hand:

Video Poker Tips

• Learn Pay Tables: Each video poker machine has numerous games with different pay tables
• Know Hand Rankings: Hand rankings are important to determine odds of the winning hand
• Maximum Bet: Place a max bet (within your limits) to give yourself the best chance of getting the best rewards on high hands
• Know What Cards To Keep: Know what cards are more valuable to keep and which ones to discard
• Have A Budget: Video poker games are tough to beat, so have a budget and stick to it

Where is Video Poker Legal in America?

Video poker games have become more popular and more states have started to legalize online casinos. You can play video poker at online casinos in New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Delaware. However, if you want to play at land-based casinos, video poker is offered in around 44 different states at your favorite casinos like Caesars, MGM, and BetRivers.

Where to Play Video Poker

To start playing video poker at your favorite online casinos, you need to sign up for an account. If you live in a legal iGaming state, download your favorite casino app like FanDuel, DraftKings, or Caesars Palace Online Casino, then create an account and deposit money. From there, navigate to the casino menu, select the category of video poker, and choose a game variation like Deuces Wild, Jacks or Better, or Texas Hold'em.

bet365 Casino

• Read our bet365 Casino Bonus Code & Review
• Bonus Offer: New users in NJ can use code ACTION to 10 Days of Spins - Get up to 200 Spins! New players in PA can use the same code and Deposit $20 and get up to $500 and 100 Spins!
• Available State: New Jersey, Pennsylvania
• Terms: New Casino customers only, 21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Deposit between $10 and $1000. Bonus will be matched to qualifying deposit. 20x wagering on deposit and bonus to make bonus balance withdrawable. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Registration required.

Bet365 Casino is only available in two US States currently, but they still have some of the best video poker games like Three Card Poker, Four Card Poker, and Ultimate Texas Hold'em. There is also a great signup offer when you go to deposit funds for this casino if you live in New Jersey.

Fanatics Casino

• Read our Fanatics Casino Bonus Code & Review
• Bonus Offer: Deposit $5, Get $50 in Casino Credit!
• Bonus Offer in WV: Deposit $10, Get $50 in Casino Credit!
• Terms: Must be 21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (MI/NJ/PA/WV) New Users Only. Full T&C Apply.
• Available States: Pennsylvania, Michigan, New Jersey, and West Virginia

Fanatics is one of the newest online casinos, but they offer video poker games like Deuces Wild, Jacks or Better, and Three Card Poker. You can sign up today if you live in Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, or West Virginia.

BetMGM Casino

• Read our BetMGM Casino Bonus Code & Review
• Bonus Offer: MI, NJ, and PA users — use promo code ACTIONCASINO and you’ll receive the following promo: Get a 100% Deposit Match up to $1,000 in Casino Credits + $25 on The House! WV users — use promo code ACTIONCASINO to claim this new user promo: Deposit $10, Get $200 in Casino Credits!
• Available States: NJ, MI, PA, WV

BetMGM Casino offers video poker games that feature more popular casino games like baccarat, Let It Ride, and Ultimate Texas Hold'em. Use this online casino to play video poker if you want a vast menu of offerings that you are most likely familiar with.

Caesars Palace Online Casino

• Read our Caesars Palace Online Casino Promo Code & Review
• Bonus Offer: Use promo code ACTION22500 to claim the following offer: Get a 100% Deposit Match up to $2,500 + 2,500 Rewards Points! Alternatively, new users can enter bonus code ACTIONLAUNCH to claim this offer: Get $10 on Registration + 100% Deposit Match up to $1000!
• Available States: New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Michigan

Caesars Palace Online Casino is one of the best and offers many video poker options like Game King Poker, Multiple Hands Poker, and Draw Poker. I recommend playing Caesars Palace Online Casino video poker games if you want to play as many hands as possible in a short amount of time.

DraftKings Online Casino

• See our DraftKings Casino Bonus and Review
• Bonus Offer: Play $5 Get $50 Casino Credits Instantly + $35 Extra on Deposit! No promo code required!
• Available States: Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Michigan, West Virginia, and Connecticut

DraftKings online casino has some of the most video poker options in Deuces Wild, Jacks or Better, and Pai Gow. DraftKings is one of the most popular casinos in the United States and I recommend you sign up today and to play video poker on this great online casino platform!

Golden Nugget Casino

• Read our Golden Nugget Casino Bonus Code & Review
• Bonus Offer: No bonus code is required to claim this promo offer: Deposit $5, Get $50 INSTANTLY in Casino Site Credits!
• Available States: Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia

Golden Nugget Casino has lots of bonus poker offers on their video poker machines. You can play Jacks or Better, Ultimate Texas Hold'em, and Game King. Sign up and start playing any of these games.

21+. Physically present in MI/NJ/PA/WV only. Eligibility restrictions apply. Void in ONT. 1 per new customer. Min. $5 deposit req. Max. $50 issued in Casino Credits for select games that are non-withdrawable and expire in 7 days (168 hours). Terms: goldennuggetcasino.com/welcome. Ends 12/01/24 at 11:59PM ET. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (MI/NJ/PA/WV) or visit www.1800gambler.net (WV).

Borgata Casino

• Read our Borgata Casino Bonus Code & Review
• Bonus Offer: Use promo code ACTIONBCASINO to claim the following promo: Get up to a $1,000 Deposit Match + $20 in Bet Credits!
  
• Available States: Pennsylvania and New Jersey

Borgata Casino isn't as widely known, but still have some great video poker games for you to try like Four Card Poker, Ultimate Texas Hold'em, and baccarat. You can sign up and play video poker in the states of New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

FanDuel Casino

• Read our FanDuel Casino Promo Code & Review
• Available States: Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Michigan, and West Virginia

FanDuel Casino offers one of the most popular video poker options than some of its competitors with tons of games to choose from in Texas Hold'em, Aces or Faces, Pai Gow, and Jacks or better. You can sign up today with the promo code above to get a bonus to start playing.

Another casino where you can play video poker is Sweepslots. Or, check out our list of casinos where you can play free poker online. 

Playing Video Poker Responsibly

When playing video poker at any online casino, I recommend following the national responsible gambling initiatives and betting responsibly. Please have a bankroll and stick to it, and if you start to lose more than you're comfortable with, stop playing. You can reach out to 1-800-Gambler if you are having gambling problems. Playing video poker in a safe online casino environment benefits everyone. 

For more information, take a look at our responsible gambling resources.

Confidence is key to be a successful poker player. Take advantage of the following poker guides to help boost your play:

• Poker Glossary
• How to Play Online Poker

Online poker is currently legal in Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Delaware. For more legal information regarding your state, take a look at our online casino legalization tracker.

Best Online Casinos For Poker

Not sure which the best online casino is for poker? We've got you covered! Action Network has created the Best Real Money Online Casinos to help you narrow down your list of casinos to play so you could use your newfound knowledge gained from reading our poker tips.

Be sure to shop around at all of these great online casinos to ensure you're keeping your options open and putting our poker tips to good use.