- Jacks or Better is our top pick for . It’s a simple game that’s easy to learn, even for beginners.
- Deuces Wild is another great option for a free-to-play video poker game. It’s also available in many different variations.
- All of the following games can be found at , the overall best site for online gaming.
If you’re looking to get into video poker but don’t want to play with real money just yet, there are plenty of great free video poker games that you can try out online.
Fun Day Trips from Philadelphia - Palace Casino Resort BlogTo help you get started, I’ll be looking at the best places to play free video poker on the internet today. I’ll also offer some tips on how you can find these games quickly and easily, as well as talking about which titles are worth your time and why.
But if you’re eager to get straight into things, I’d recommend heading over to Bovada! Not only does this online gaming site offer a great selection of free video poker games, but it’s also my top choice for anyone looking to play at a safe and secure online casino. I’ll explain more about this later, but first – let’s look at how any Bovada user can play free video poker games online.
How to Play Free Video Poker Games Online
Anyone can play free video poker games online, regardless of their skill level or experience. If you’re new to online gaming, you’ll be pleased to learn that getting started is very straightforward. I’ll be offering a step-by-step guide on how to do so, using as an example.
of the Best No Deposit Bonus Casino Apps to Use This YearStep 1 – Create an Account
First, you’ll need to open an account with Bovada. To do so, click on the ‘Join’ button, found in the upper portion of the homepage. This will initiate a short sign-up process. Enter your name and email address, then create a password. Agree to the terms of the site and click on ‘Create Account.’
Step 2 – Verify Your Account
Before you can use your new account, you’ll need to verify it. Bovada will send a confirmation code to the email address you provided. Check your inbox for this message and enter the code where prompted on the Bovada site. Once complete, your account is active and ready to use.
Step 3 – Head to the Game Selection
With your account set up, you can head to the game selection page. Use the navigation bar for this, or simply press the ‘Games’ tab. This will load a huge selection of slots, table games, video poker titles, and more.
Step 4 – Choose a Video Poker Game
Take some time to look through Bovada’s game catalogue. When you find a video poker game you’d like to play, click on its thumbnail. This will bring up more information about the title, including a ‘Launch Game’ button. Click this to start playing!
I should note here that there are many different types of video poker, each with slightly different rules. For a beginner, I’d recommend starting with Jacks or Better. However, feel free to choose another game if you have previous video poker experience, or simply wish to try something else.
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The Best Free Video Poker Games Online
There are several video poker titles that I would class as being among the best free-to-play options online. In this section of the guide, I want to take a closer look at each of them.
I’ll explain what makes them good choices for beginners, as well as offering details regarding alternative versions that you may come across. As mentioned above, my number one pick for those learning the ropes is Jacks or Better. Let’s find out why.
Biggest Scandals in Online Poker History - Pokerlistings1. Jacks or Better
As its name suggests, Jacks or Better is a video poker game in which a pair of jacks is the minimum qualifying hand to win. Essentially, this is the most basic form of the game, making it perfect for beginners.
In Jacks or Better, players aim to build the strongest possible five-card hands. Hands rank in much the same way as they do in traditional poker, with a Royal Flush being the strongest (made up of an Ace, King, Queen, and Jack, all in the same suit), followed by Straight Flushes, Four of a Kind, Full Houses, Flushes, Straights, Three of a Kind, Two Pair, andPair of Jacks or Better.
The aim is to bet between one and five coins, then receive five random cards from a standard deck. You must then choose to hold any or all of these cards, while replacing the others. Any held cards will be carried over to the next stage, where you aim to make the strongest possible hand from whatever cards you drew originally.
For example, let us say you draw two queens and three low-value cards. You choose to hold the two queens; you replace the other three cards. If you manage to draw another queen and a king, you will have Four of a Kind and win the maximum jackpot, providing you bet five coins.
casino near tallahassee flBetter yet, any pair will allow you to win some sort of payout in this game. This makes it ideal for beginners, as you cannot lose completely on your initial hand. I recommend finding a version of Jacks or Better that offers a payout table similar to the one seen below.
There are many different variants of this game that you may come across online. Some feature different payout structures and decks of cards, while others include additional wild cards or bonus features. One of the best examples I’ve found is Bonus Deuces Wild, which can be played for free at Ignition Casino. Its paytable looks like this:
As you can see, this version pays out higher amounts for weaker hands. It also has some unique elements, such as all deuces (two’s) acting as wild cards. Five deuces make up the strongest possible hand in this variant.
Feel free to seek out other versions of Jacks or Better when playing free video poker games online. Just be sure to check the payouts beforehand, as these can vary widely.
2. Deuces Wild
Deuces Wild is another classic video poker variation, and one that is commonly offered for free online. Like Jacks or Better, it uses a standard deck of 52 cards. However, in this game, all deuces (cards with a face value of two) act as wild cards. This means they can substitute for any other card, helping to create stronger hands.
Once again, the aim is to build the strongest possible five-card hand. However, as deuces can take the place of any other card, every hand is potentially much stronger than it seems. For example, if you are dealt four deucers and an Ace, you have a Virtual Royal Flush. This ranks just below a Real Royal Flush (more on that below).
Here is a basic guide on hand rankings in Deuces Wild:
- Royal Royal Flush
- Real Royal Flush
- Virtual Royal Flush
- Wisdom (Five deuces and an Ace)
- Near Miss (Four deucers and an Ace, or three deucers and four of a kind)
- Five of a Kind
- Straight Flush
- Four Deuce Flush
- High Pair + 3 to a Royal Flush
- Low Pair + 3 to a Royal Flush
- Three of a Kind (No Suit Matters)
- Low Poker (Highest Card is a Deuce)
- High Poker (Second-Highest Card is a Deuce)
- 2 Pair
- Pair
I find this to be a tricky game to master, mostly due to the fact that every hand looks strong. However, it is crucial to know when to hold certain cards and when to discard them. As ever, it is wise to hold any pair or better. If you do not have a pair, look out for three or four cards that could make a Real or Virtual Royal Flush. Any combination of three or four deucers is also worth holding.
If you’d like to give this game a go for free, I suggest launching the game on Ignition Casino. Have a look at the images you get dealt below to get an idea of what to expect.
Again, there are numerous variants of this game you can try online. Loosening of Deuces, for example, removes two’s from the deck entirely. At the other end of the scale, some versions feature five decks in play, with deuces in each. Bonus Deuces Wild is another popular twist, which features wild deuces and a range of fun bonus elements.
3. Joker Poker
Joker Poker is a variation of video poker that makes things easier for the player by adding a joker (represented as a JOKER) into the deck. This means a standard Joker Poker pack contains 53 cards, rather than 52.
Best Online Slots you Need to Play at Least Once (2023)Why is this beneficial? Well, the presence of the joker means stronger hands are possible. The Royal Flush with a joker is known as a Super Royal Flush, and this is the highest-ranking hand in the game. Here’s an overview of the various hands you can hope to build.
- Super Royal Flush (with Joker)
- Royal Flush (with Joker)
- Five of a Kind (with Jokers count as an Ace)
- Straight Flush (with Joker)
- Four Deuces (with Joker)
- High Pair + 3 to a Royal Flush (with Joker)
- Low Pair + 3 to a Royal Flush (with Joker)
- Five of a Kind (without Imaginary Jokers being used)
- Straight Flush (without Joker)
- Four of a Kind (with Joker)
- High Poker (with Joker)
- Low Poker (with Joker)
- 2 Pair
- Pair
- Nothing
One thing to note here is that any five aces make up Five of a Kind. However, only one joker can be used to make an imaginary ace. This means it is possible to have Four Deuces and an Ace, but not Five Deuces.
It goes without saying that you should always hold any paying hand. Providing you do not have this, look to hold any three or four cards that could make a strong hand. If you do not have this either, it is generally wise to throw away all five cards and redraw.
Once again, there are several Joker Poker variants out there. Some remove the low poker hand category, while others add bonuses for super common royal flushes. Again, Ignition Casino is a fine place to find a free version of this game.
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Where to Find Free Video Poker Games Online
Now that you know how to play free video poker games online, as well as some of the top titles to look out for, the next question is — where can you play them?
Must-Have Dual or Multi Monitor Casino Marketing ToolsLuckily, dozens of online casinos and betting sites offer free video poker games to users around the world. However, I always advise readers to exercise caution when browsing the web. After all, not all sites are created equal, and some are safer to use than others.
My number one piece of advice is to always opt for sites that are licensed and regulated by reputable authorities. Any operators based in known legal jurisdictions are generally a safe bet. For example, casinos based in the United Kingdom or the Isle of Man are often trustworthy. Those based in Kahnawake or Malta are also considered legit by industry experts.
Most Popular Poker Variants & How to Play Them - PokerListingsUltimately, however, I think the best video poker games — both free and paid — can be found at Bovada. Not only is this site licensed by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission, but it also boasts some of the best virtual poker titles on the net. It is also fully mobile-compatible, allowing players to enjoy their favorite games on smartphones and tablets.
I should add that Bovada does not offer real-money video poker games to residents of five US states (Delaware, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, and New York). However, all other users can bet for cash prizes, should they wish to. Moreover, anyone can play free video poker games on the site, regardless of location.
If you do not live in the United States, I recommend trying out BetOnline or Ignition Casino. Both of these sites are highly regarded within poker circles and boast large player bases. They also have slick, streamlined software suites that are enjoyable to use. Like Bovada, they offer both free and paid video poker titles.
Tips for Finding & Playing Free Video Poker Games
I want to leave you with a few final pointers that will help you locate the best free video poker games online. Whether you’re searching Google, checking out social media groups, or asking around on forums, these hints and tips should point you toward the top sites and games.
Delaware Online Poker - Get Listed with Best SitesAbove all else, it is important that you understand the nuances of video poker. There are hundreds of variants available online, each with its own unique rules and payouts. While there is no harm in trying new games, I recommend learning the basics of each title before playing for real cash.
When seeking free video poker games online, make sure you use reliable sources. Do not download unknown files or click on links from unverified sources. Stick to sites you know and trust, whether that is a major online casino or a poker forum you frequent.
Finally, remember that there there is money to be made by sharing links to malicious content. If someone claims they know of a top-notch free video poker game that plays like a dream, there is every chance they are trying to pull the wool over your eyes.
The Best Free Video Poker Games Are a Click Away
I hope this guide has shown you that there is no shortage of free video poker games online. Using the information detailed above, you should be able to find top titles from trusted sources. As ever, safety should be your primary concern. Only download files or access games via sites that you consider to be trustworthy.
If you’re still learning the ropes, I recommend finding a free video poker game like Jacks or Better and practicing until you feel confident. Once you have a better understanding of the game’s mechanics, you can branch out and try other titles.
This is an excellent time to be a fan of poker. Advanced graphics, smooth animations, and innovative bonus systems are becoming commonplace. From classic Jacks or Better to modern twists on Deuces Wild, there really is something for everyone.
Happy spinning! And if you’re interested in playing for real money, I encourage you to visit the following poker-themed guide:
Footnotes:
- Reference for poker hand rankings is provided by .
- Reference for Ignition Casino game previews is provided by .
Anthony is a sports writer for GamblingSites.com covering the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and more. He also covers other various topics such as entertainment, general sports betting tips, and more.
His favorite teams are the Chicago Bears, Bulls, Cubs, and Blackhawks. He also will be a temporary fan of any team if it means winning him bets.
