Video Poker

Want to learn more about real money video poker and the best online casinos for this classic gambling game? Our real money video poker guide has got you covered.

Recommended real-money Video Poker casinos for US Players

We’ve thoroughly reviewed  the top US casinos to identify the sites offering the best variety of video poker variants and offering good value casino welcome bonuses:

Why Video Poker Is So Popular

Since Dale Electronics released the first video poker game in 1970, this game soon became one of the most popular betting options in both land-based and online casinos. Alongside its thrilling gameplay, the main reason for its rapid rise to the top is because it has the lowest house edge out of all casino games.

When playing video poker, you’re more likely to win than when playing roulette, baccarat, craps, slots, and other casino staples.

Another appealing aspect of this game is that it is based on five-card poker and requires a level of skill – unlike slots. Video poker’s popularity hit new heights when online casinos went live in the late 90s.

As players can claim generous welcome bonuses to play video poker for real money, it is now played online more than in brick-and-mortar establishments.

How to Play Video Poker and Win Real Money

Because video poker is not entirely a game of chance, you need to develop a strategy that will allow you to play the hand you’re dealt with in the most efficient way possible.

Although there are various versions of video poker, they all use a five-card draw – like the simplest version of poker. When playing video poker, you receive a five-card poker hand, and you can choose whether to keep the cards or exchange them for new ones.

If you decide to swap your cards, this is the final hand that gets paid if it appears on the paytable.

A Typical Game of Real Money Video Poker

1. After loading your real money video poker game, you are required to adjust the stake. Betting limits vary at online casinos. However, on average, they are around $0.20 to $20.
2. Once you’ve decided the amount of the stake, press the ‘Deal’ button to get dealt your initial five cards. Depending on the variation, you can reject one or all five cards to make the best hand possible.
3. If your newly formed hand is a winning combination, you get paid according to the paytable. If not, you lose your initial bet.

Following these steps, you can get started and play games based on your luck. However, to maximize your chances of winning, there are certain video poker gaming strategies you can adopt.

A term you need to understand is “full pay” – this refers to the highest-paying version of a video poker game. Each version has several different paytables that factor in house edges and the structure of payouts.

For example, the full-pay mode of Jacks or Better pays 9x the stake for a full house and 6x the stake for a flush.

All real money video poker games have their own full-pay versions. In general, the first number shows the payout for a full house, and the second number indicates the payout for getting a flush.

Therefore, by playing versions that offer the highest payouts for a full house and flush, the house edge is less and consequently gives you a better chance of winning.

By and large, the rules of each video poker game are the same, but there are some slight differences you need to be aware of to ensure your gaming strategy is effective. A good starting point is to learn the differences between Aces & Eights, Bonus Poker, Deuces Wild, Jacks or Better, and Joker Poker because they are some of the most popular versions of real money video poker.

How to Use Video Poker Strategy Charts

Because there are many ways you can form a winning hand, video poker strategy charts are much bigger than those of blackjack cards.

If we take a strategy chart for 9/6 Jacks or Better, you have around 60 or 70 lines with the winning hands. There are instances where several lines can be combined into one to simplify the chart.

One of the best ways to utilize a strategy chart is to understand how to differentiate an open straight/ open straight flush from an inside straight/ inside straight flush. The term “open” comes from an “open-ended draw”, which forms a strong hand in poker.

For a hand to be an open straight/ straight flush, you need to have four cards with two open ends, meaning that you can complete the hand on either side.

For example, if you are holding 3h-4h-5d-6d, you can form a Straight with a 2 or a 7. This type of hand is also known as an outside or double-ended Straight.

However, if you draw 3h-4h-6d-7d, then you have a so-called gap and your hand is not an open straight because it cannot be completed on either of the two sides. Instead, this hand is an inside straight, as it can be formed only by a 5 in the middle.

Real Money Video Poker Bonuses

Top US-facing online casinos offer attractive bonuses and promotions to convince you to open a new player account with them. As there is so much competition, gambling sites have to make their offers generous – which is great news for you.

The most common type of online casino promotion is a match deposit bonus. These deals match a certain percentage of your deposit with bonus credits that you can use to spend in its lobby.

For instance, if you claim a 100% bonus of up to $500, it will reward you an extra $500 of bonus money when making an initial payment of $500.

Other online gambling sites offer you bonuses just for opening a new account without having to make an initial payment. To claim no deposit bonuses, simply fill in the online form to register your new account to play with a small sum of bonus cash.

Alongside these welcome offers, you can continue to reap the benefits of ongoing promotions long after signing up. Most video poker casinos reward you with promotions to keep you from taking your custom elsewhere. Benefits include free spins, free entries to gaming tournaments, and deposit match bonuses.

Before claiming these deals, be aware that they do come with strings attached. Firstly, unless otherwise stated, most promotions are subject to wagering requirements expressed in multiples. You must meet these before being able to withdraw any cash won using the promo.

For instance, if you claim a deposit match bonus with a 15x wagering requirement, you have to wager 15x the bonus amount and your deposit before you can withdraw any money won using the promo. Also known as turnover and playthrough, the multiples of these deals vary from site to site. Usually, however, the bigger the returns on the bonus, the less favorable the wagering requirements.

Also, be aware that wagers spent on games can contribute a different percentage to the playthrough.

At most casinos, online slots contribute 100% of the money spent on them to the wagering requirement and other games contribute much less. Video poker titles, for example, contribute much less because the house edge is extremely low, making it too easy for players to exploit the deal.

Also, these deals can be subject to win limits and time limits. Additionally, the casino may require you to make a deposit using a certain payment method to activate them. Therefore, always read the terms and conditions before accepting.

How to Play Video Poker and Win Real Money Online

Using our exclusive bonus links makes opening a new account with a reputable online casino to play video poker for real money simple. Follow the steps outlined below to enjoy this classic game today.

1. Choose a deal from one of the trustworthy US-facing casinos featured on this page and click the link.
2. On its sign-up page, complete the registration process (it only takes a few minutes)
3. After signing up, go to the cashier to make a deposit using your preferred payment method.
4. Head to the video poker lobby and access one of the many games to enjoy trying to win real money prizes.

How to Play Mobile Video Poker for Real Money

Like gaming on the go? You’re in luck, as all of the top online casinos on this page are fully optimized for iOS and Android devices. So, once you’ve claimed your welcome bonus to create your new player account (something you can also do by using your mobile), you can enjoy playing your favorite video poker games whenever and wherever you want.

Just log in to your new online casino account via your preferred browser to place bets on video poker. Some operators also offer you specialized apps for iPad/iPhone and Android smartphones and tablets.

Pros and Cons of Playing Video Poker Online

Despite holding various advantages over their land-based counterparts, online casinos have some downsides.

Pros of Paying Video Poker Online

• Bonuses and promos
• Convenience
• More betting options
• Variety of payment methods (including crypto-coins)
• Generous loyalty programs

Cons of Paying Video Poker Online

• Withdrawal fees
• No thrilling casino atmosphere
• Slower cash-outs

Video Poker: Playing for Free vs. Playing for Real Money

Free Video Poker

• No sign up required
• Risk free

Real Money Video Poker

• Online casino bonuses
• Win real cash prizes

Five Tips for Winning Real Money Video Poker Online

Check out these five expert tips to help increase your winning rate when playing video poker for real cash.

• Claim bonuses – these promotions can increase your overall chances as you have more money to play with.
• Check the video poker pay-table – so that you know the house edge, and how many credits to bet to get maximum payout if you hit a royal flush or other jackpot hand.
• Play games with the highest RTP (Return To Player) Percentage.
• Remember the optimal strategy – using strategy charts will enable you to make the best possible hands in every situation.
• Play for free – doing this lets you understand how the game works without risk.