Poker
How to Play Video Poker Online – Strategy, Tips, Odds & Payouts
On this page 6 sections
Knowing how to play video poker online the right way will lead you to bigger winnings and we at Best Bonus Bets will show you all you need for having success. While many players think of video poker as being a chance-based casino game akin to slots, that isn’t strictly true. While there are certainly similarities in the way the games are presented, video poker allows you to make your own decisions. That means you can influence the outcome of the game rather than merely accept what the reels give you. In other words, video poker is as much about skill as it is luck.
Poker rooms
Online poker rooms open to US players
Offers checked
- 1
Bovada Top pick
Listed by 6 of 8 US review portals
- Poker room
- 7 cryptos accepted
- Sportsbook
- Live dealer
Wagering 25x · Since 2011 · Payouts up to 1 hour · Coins BTC, BCH, BSV, LTC
125% up to $3,750 across your first three depositsWelcome offer
Promo codeBTCCWB1250Claim bonus21+ · New players · T&Cs apply
Bonus terms
- Offer
- 125% up to $3,750 across your first three deposits
- Wagering
- 25x
- Code
- BTCCWB1250
- Sportsbook
- 75% up to $750 with a 5x rollover
Banking
- Crypto
- BTC, BCH, BSV, LTC, ETH, USDT, Bitcoin Lightning
- Payouts
- up to 1 hour
Brand facts
- Products
- Casino, Sportsbook, Poker, Live dealer
- Founded
- 2011
- Licence
- Anjouan Gaming Board, Union of the Comoros (licence L11549/HM, 2023) and Central Reserve Authority of Western Sahara; historically Kahnawake, then Curacao after 2017
- 2
EveryGame
Listed by 2 of 8 US review portals
- Poker room
- Sportsbook
- Live dealer
Wagering 30x · Since 1996
125% up to $1,000 on first depositWelcome offer
Claim bonus21+ · New players · T&Cs apply
Bonus terms
- Offer
- 125% up to $1,000 on first deposit
- Wagering
- 30x
Brand facts
- Products
- Casino, Sportsbook, Poker, Live dealer
- Founded
- 1996
- Licence
- offshore (Anjouan per offshoresportsbooks.com)
- 3
Ignition
Listed by 5 of 8 US review portals
- Poker room
- 6 cryptos accepted
- Live dealer
- Fast payouts
Wagering 25x · Since 2016 · Payouts 1-24 hours, often under 2 hours · Coins BTC, LTC, BCH, ETH
300% up to $3,000Welcome offer
Claim bonus21+ · New players · T&Cs apply
Bonus terms
- Offer
- 300% up to $3,000
- Wagering
- 25x
Banking
- Crypto
- BTC, LTC, BCH, ETH, USDT, BTC Lightning
- Payouts
- 1-24 hours, often under 2 hours
Brand facts
- Products
- Casino, Poker, Live dealer
- Founded
- 2016
- Licence
- Curacao eGaming (Anjouan Gaming Board also listed)
- 4
SportsBetting.ag
On the US market since 2003
- Poker room
- 11 cryptos accepted
- Sportsbook
- Live dealer
Since 2003 · Payouts within 24-48 hours · Coins BTC, BCH, ADA, DOGE
100 free spins welcome offerWelcome offer
Claim bonus21+ · New players · T&Cs apply
Bonus terms
- Offer
- 100 free spins welcome offer
- Sportsbook
- 50% up to $250 in free bets + 100 free spins
Banking
- Crypto
- BTC, BCH, ADA, DOGE, ETH, LTC, SOL, TRX, USDT, USDC, XRP
- Payouts
- within 24-48 hours
Brand facts
- Products
- Casino, Sportsbook, Poker, Live dealer
- Founded
- 2003
- Licence
- Panama (Panama Gaming Control Board / Gaming Commission) per vegasodds and gamblingnews; lcb.org says no licence disclosed, formerly claimed Antigua
- 5
BetOnline
Listed by 2 of 8 US review portals
- Poker room
- 16 cryptos accepted
- Sportsbook
- Live dealer
Wagering 45x · Since 2001 · Payouts up to 24 hours · Coins BTC, ETH, LTC, DOGE
100 free spins + 50% up to $250 in sports free betsWelcome offer
Promo codeBETCASINOClaim bonus21+ · New players · T&Cs apply
Bonus terms
- Offer
- 100 free spins + 50% up to $250 in sports free bets
- Wagering
- 45x
- Code
- BETCASINO
- Sportsbook
- 50% free bet up to $250
Banking
- Crypto
- BTC, ETH, LTC, DOGE, AVAX, BNB, BCH, ADA, POL (Polygon), XRP, SHIB, SOL, XLM, USDT, TRX, USDC
- Payouts
- up to 24 hours
Brand facts
- Products
- Casino, Sportsbook, Poker, Live dealer
- Founded
- 2001
- Licence
- Panama (Junta de Control de Juegos / Panama Gaming Control Board)
- 6
BetUS
Listed by 1 of 8 US review portals
- 6 cryptos accepted
- Sportsbook
- Live dealer
- Fast payouts
Wagering 40x · Since 1994 · Payouts 24-48 hours · Coins BTC, BCH, LTC, ETH
250% up to $5,000Welcome offer
Promo codeCAS250Claim bonus21+ · New players · T&Cs apply
Bonus terms
- Offer
- 250% up to $5,000
- Wagering
- 40x
- Code
- CAS250
- Sportsbook
- 125% up to $2,500 (100% sportsbook + 25% casino)
Banking
- Crypto
- BTC, BCH, LTC, ETH, USDT, USDC
- Payouts
- 24-48 hours
Brand facts
- Products
- Casino, Sportsbook, Live dealer
- Founded
- 1994
- Licence
- conflicting: Curacao Gaming Commission (bettingnews, vegasodds); Mwali/Moheli, Comoros (Wizard of Odds, updated 2026-09-17); Anjouan also cited in some snippets
- 7
Las Atlantis
Listed by 2 of 8 US review portals
- 6 cryptos accepted
- Live dealer
Wagering 35x · Since 2020 · Payouts 1-3 business days · Coins BTC, ETH, LTC, USDT
280% up to $2,800 on each of first 5 deposits (up to $14,000)Welcome offer
Promo codeLASATLANTISClaim bonus21+ · New players · T&Cs apply
Bonus terms
- Offer
- 280% up to $2,800 on each of first 5 deposits (up to $14,000)
- Wagering
- 35x
- Code
- LASATLANTIS
Banking
- Crypto
- BTC, ETH, LTC, USDT, XRP, DOGE
- Payouts
- 1-3 business days
Brand facts
- Products
- Casino, Live dealer
- Founded
- 2020
- Licence
- Anjouan (Union of the Comoros)
- 8
Wild Casino
Listed by 5 of 8 US review portals
- 5 cryptos accepted
- Live dealer
- Fast payouts
Wagering 45x · Since 2017 · Payouts up to 24 hours · Coins BTC, LTC, ETH, USDT
250 free spins on first deposit (25/day for 10 days)Welcome offer
Promo codeCRYPTO300Claim bonus21+ · New players · T&Cs apply
Bonus terms
- Offer
- 250 free spins on first deposit (25/day for 10 days)
- Wagering
- 45x
- Code
- CRYPTO300
Banking
- Crypto
- BTC, LTC, ETH, USDT, USDC
- Payouts
- up to 24 hours
Brand facts
- Products
- Casino, Live dealer
- Founded
- 2017
- Licence
- Panama Gaming Commission
21+ only. These operators hold offshore licences and accept US players; availability depends on your state and local law. Bonus amounts, wagering and codes are taken from each operator's promotions page — read the full terms before you deposit. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
How to Play Video Poker: Introduction
Learning how to play video poker online and in land-based casinos in the proper way is fundamentally important for your success as a player. The right video poker strategy and expert tips will massively increase your chances of winning so we at Best Bonus Bets took care of preparing a detailed guide for all of you. With so much information to share, you should be ready for a deep dive in the details in order to get the most out of your play.
In this guide on how to play video poker, you’ll learn how the game is set up and how it is played. You’ll also get a crash course in approaching the game with a winning video poker strategy so that you increase your chances of winning from the very beginning. All you need to know about online video poker will be laid out for you, as will the info on the video poker odds and video poker payouts.
That’s not all though. Some of the most useful winning video poker tips will also be made available for you to take advantage of. And a list of the top video poker app and website operators with their best promo and bonus offers straight out of our superb online casino index page will get you off on the right foot.
We can also tell you that video poker has one of the smallest house edges in the casino. So, if you play your cards right, you can give yourself a great chance of having a winning session. If that sounds like an attractive deal, read on and learn how to play video poker so that you can get involved.
Let’s not waste anymore of your precious time and go on to win some money!
Playing Video Poker: The Format
There is no one type of video poker. Instead, there are different variants and game variations out there that you can choose from. Fortunately, all video poker games are played to a similar set of rules, because they're loosely based on Five Card Draw poker. They also use the same traditional table poker hand rankings. In other words, if you know how to play one video poker game, you won't find it difficult to pick up the others.
In the majority of video poker games, a bet is placed and the player is dealt five starting cards. The player then looks at those cards to see what hand he has or what hand he has a chance of making. He can then choose to discard as few or as many cards as he wants. Discarded cards are replaced with new ones and the five-card hand is assessed automatically.
If the final five-card hand is a winner, then the corresponding prize for that hand will be paid. The better the hand, the bigger the payout. Of course, if the final hand isn't a winner then no prize will be paid and the bet will lose.
As you can see, the basic procedure is very straightforward, so we'll now look at how it applies to two of the most popular video poker games around - Jacks or Better and Joker's Wild.
Video Poker Jacks or Better
The video poker Jacks or Better game is the most common around, and consequently, the most popular. This game uses a standard deck of 52 playing cards and plays exactly like the outline above. However, as the name of the game suggests, you must have a pair of Jacks or better for your bet to win.
The video poker payouts here are made according to a predetermined pay table, and a typical one is illustrated below. Bear in mind that payouts only apply to the highest hand value you are holding. So, if you have four of a kind, you will not get paid for three of a kind as well, even though, technically, you have it in your hand.
Jacks or Better Video Poker Strategy
There are countless books that have been written on Jacks or Better video poker strategy, and you will probably want to take a look at a few of them, especially if you intend to play this game regularly. In the meantime, here are a few key strategies that could help you to get off to a winning start.
- If you have been dealt four to a Straight or a Flush, hold all four cards and draw one.
- If you have been dealt three to a Royal Flush, hold those three cards and draw two.
- When you have been dealt any Pair, you should hold the pair and draw three cards.
- Hold any three cards to a Straight Flush.
- If you have none of the above, hold any cards that are higher than the Jack inclusive.
- If you have none of the above, bin them all, draw five new cards and hope for the best.
Joker's Wild
The Joker's Wild video poker game uses 53 playing cards in total - a standard 52 card deck plus one Joker. The Joker serves as a 'wild card', which means that it can substitute for any other card in the deck. For example, if you have 4-4-4-3 and the Joker, you would be paid for Four-of-a-Kind, as that's the best hand that could be made.
You should note that the presence of the Joker in the deck makes winning hands easier to achieve, so you will usually need a pair of Kings or better to win. The Joker also makes it possible to create a whole new hand, namely the Five-of-a-Kind. The full pay table for a typical Joker's Wild game would look something like this:
Joker's Wild Video Poker Strategy
Because Joker's Wild is very similar to Jacks or Better, the video poker strategy tips given earlier can also be applied to this game. However, you might also want to add the following strategies too:
- Hold on to all Three-of-a-Kind hands and higher, especially if holding a Joker.
- Keep all four cards that lead to a big paying hand.
- Hold on to three cards that lead to a big paying hand, if you are holding a Joker.
More Video Poker Variations
Now that you know how to play video poker versions like Jacks or Better and Joker's Wild, you can start exploring plenty of other variants. Some of the most popular are:
- Deuces Wild
- Tens or Better
- Bonus Poker
- Joker Poker
- Double Bonus Poker
Video Poker Tips
After knowing some bits of the best video poker strategy for the most common games, now’s the time to expand your arsenal with useful video poker tips. They will increase your chances of winning significantly so take advantage of them as often as possible.
- Benefit from bonus & promo offers: They will give you extra ammunition in a game with a very low house edge.
- Manage your bankroll: Budget for hundreds of bets and don’t put all your eggs in one basket as bad luck could be just around the corner.
- Go for the progressive bonus machines: Try those with some kind of progressive jackpot attached to them.
- Take advantage of the loyalty program: Accumulate points as you play, especially at high payout machines and you will see your overall bankroll in a much better shape.
- Pace yourself: When you are testing the optimal video poker strategy, high speed playing can make you miss important details. Don’t worry, you’ll be way faster in the future.
- Avoid machines with lower payout percentages.
When you’re thinking of how to win at video poker, always go back to our expert advice. All the aforementioned video poker tips were tested multiple times and the results are stunning. Now go to an app or website offering the best video poker odds, combined with the most appealing bonuses and promotions, and try online your newly acquired skills.
Video Poker Odds
Everyone knows that the stronger hands happen less frequently compared to the weaker. The matter of fact though is that the video poker odds of hitting a higher ranking hand are dependent on the specific kind of game you are playing. The good news is that the probabilities with the most popular video poker games are well known. We at Best Bonus Bets will show you these initial odds so that you can decide how to play in the most informed manner possible.
Initial Video Poker Odds
Here are the initial video poker odds. Keep in mind that they will change significantly after the player chooses which cards to hold and which cards to discard, but there are too many options to list here.
Video Poker Payouts
Some good news for you if you’re in this game for the winning feeling. The video poker payouts percentage in an average game is 96% or higher. (Frauds like these two men got to 100% by using technological tricks .) This is better in comparison with an average slot machine game (95% or lower).
It would be really hard to find a game with a video poker payouts percentage lower than 90%, while with slots it’s not that difficult to discover games with payback percentages ranging between 75%-80%. So go to your video poker online casino and start winning right away!
Where to Play Video Poker Online
That, in a nutshell, is how to play video poker. So the next question is where to play. Well, you certainly aren't short of options. Almost all casinos offer at least one and in many cases multiple video poker online variants, and some will give you scores of different games to choose from. They have produced excellent video poker app mobile options and also absolutely outstanding website options for each and every fan of the game, so don’t hesitate to use them.
Take a look at the games available at the casinos which operate in your own state and form part of the online gambling in the US picture. Try them all to see which ones you like playing the most. Some recommended online casinos that you might like to start with are highlighted below.
