Video poker blends the speed of slots with the strategy of poker, giving you a low‑variance chance to turn skill into cash. If you want a game that rewards careful decision‑making, this guide will walk you through every step. For a reliable place to practice, check out the official casino where you can test strategies on real money tables.
1. What Is Video Poker?
The History of Video Poker
John Carpenter introduced the first video poker prototype in 1970, but the machines only gained popularity after the 1979 release of the Jacks or Better model. Casinos quickly adopted the format because it required less staff and offered players a familiar poker experience without a live dealer. Over the past decades, developers have added themed graphics, progressive jackpots, and mobile compatibility, keeping the genre fresh for new audiences.
Types of Video Poker Games
Most online rooms feature Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, and Double Bonus as core titles. Jacks or Better uses a traditional 9‑pay table, rewarding a pair of Jacks or higher. Deuces Wild treats all twos as wild cards, creating more frequent high‑ranking hands. Double Bonus adds extra payouts for four‑of‑a‑kind, especially when the hand contains a low card. Each variant demands a slightly different strategy, but all share the same basic deal‑hold‑draw cycle.
2. Choosing the Right Video Poker Game
| Game | Provider | RTP | Paytable | Recommended Strategy |
| Blazing Star | Merkur Gaming | 97.5% | 8/5/4/3/2 | Hold 8 |
| Magic Mirror | Merkur Gaming | 96.8% | 8/5/4/3/2 | Hold 10 |
| Zeus | WMS | 96.3% | 8/5/4/3/2 | Hold 8 |
| Bier Haus | WMS | 96.1% | 8/5/4/3/2 | Hold 8 |
| Razor Shark | Push Gaming | 96.9% | 8/5/4/3/2 | Hold 8 |
| Wild Swarm | Push Gaming | 96.5% | 8/5/4/3/2 | Hold 8 |
| War of Bets | BetGames | 95.7% | 8/5/4/3/2 | Hold 8 |
| Lucky 7 | BetGames | 96.0% | 8/5/4/3/2 | Hold 8 |
When you compare these titles, look first at the Return to Player (RTP) percentage; a higher RTP means the machine returns more money over the long run. Next, examine the paytable – the 8/5/4/3/2 format signals a full‑pay Jacks or Better schedule, which generally yields the best odds. Finally, follow the recommended strategy column to avoid costly guesswork.
3. Basic Rules and Strategy
Understanding the Deal
At the start of each hand, the machine deals five cards face up. You then decide which cards to keep and which to discard. After you press the “Draw” button, the system replaces the discarded cards with new ones from a virtual deck. The final hand determines your payout according to the selected paytable.
Common Paytables
The most common paytable for Jacks or Better reads: Royal Flush (800 × bet), Straight Flush (50 ×), Four of a Kind (25 ×), Full House (9 ×), Flush (6 ×), Straight (4 ×), Three of a Kind (3 ×), Two Pair (2 ×), Jacks or Better (1 ×). If the casino offers a “9/6” schedule, the Royal Flush pays 800 × bet while the Flush pays 6 × bet, giving the highest possible RTP of 99.54 % when you play perfectly.
4. Advanced Techniques and Bankroll Management
Optimal Play and Card Counting
Experienced players use a decision tree that evaluates every possible discard combination. Software calculators show that holding a low pair often beats chasing a straight when the remaining cards offer few outs. True card counting is less effective than in blackjack because the deck reshuffles after each hand, but tracking the frequency of high cards can still guide you toward better hold choices.
Managing Your Bankroll
Set a session limit before you log in and stick to it. Many experts recommend betting no more than 1 % of your total bankroll on a single hand; this protects you from rapid variance swings. If you reach a 20 % win threshold, consider cashing out to lock in profit, and if you hit a 10 % loss, stop the session and reassess.
5. Play Video Poker at Online Casinos
Mr Green Casino – Best Video Poker Selection
Mr Green offers a curated list of Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, and Double Bonus titles, each running on a fast‑loading HTML5 platform. The site also provides detailed strategy charts, making it ideal for players who want to refine their technique.
Spin Casino – Bonuses and Promotions
Spin Casino rewards new video poker fans with a 100 % match bonus up to £200 and weekly free‑play credits that you can apply to any Jacks or Better game. The promotion expires after 30 days, so use it promptly.
Unique Casino – Live Video Poker Experience
Unique Casino streams a live dealer dealing cards in real time, blending the feel of a land‑based table with the convenience of online play. The live feed reduces latency, and the dealer announces each hand’s outcome, adding an extra layer of excitement.
6. Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Betting maximum coins on a low‑paytable machine – this reduces the effective RTP.
- Ignoring the optimal hold chart – even a small deviation can cut your expected return by 2–3 %.
- Chasing losses by increasing bet size – this strategy accelerates bankroll depletion.
- Playing on a device with a slow internet connection – lag can cause mis‑clicks and lost cards.
Author
Valentina Lefebvre is a specialist in payout speed and withdrawal reliability testing, having audited more than 50 online gambling platforms for fairness and transaction efficiency.
FAQ
What is the best video poker game for beginners?
Jacks or Better with a 9/6 paytable offers the simplest strategy and the highest RTP for new players.
How do I calculate the RTP of a video poker machine?
Divide the total expected payout per 100 £ bet by 100 £ and multiply by 100 to express it as a percentage.
Can I use card counting in video poker?
True card counting offers limited advantage because the deck reshuffles after each hand.
Which online casino offers the best video poker bonuses?
Spin Casino provides a 100 % match bonus up to £200 and regular free‑play credits for video poker.
Is video poker legal in my country?
Legality varies by jurisdiction; you must check the specific gambling regulations that apply to the United Kingdom.