Video poker games to play online for real money

You’re one click away from the best video poker games. 

If only Thomas Tullier, also known as “The Robber Baron of San Francisco”, knew that one day people would pay to play a game where they try to get four deuces in their hand, he would have probably thought about investing in the industry. But since he passed away long before the appearance of the first slot machine, and later on, video poker, let’s say he lost this opportunity. On the other hand, you still have the chance to make the most out of video poker real money games, which we will tell you more about in a moment.

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Video Poker at a Glance

After slots were invented, it didn’t take long for clever people to come up with another casino game version that will gather the best of both poker and slots. The result was incredible - video poker was born and quickly conquered casino halls all over the world. As its name suggests, video poker is played against the computer, just like slots. However, while slots are purely based on luck, in video poker you need some basic poker knowledge and skills to be able to form winning combinations or “hands”. These can vary depending on the type of video poker that you choose, but more on that later.

Just like other , video poker machines can be found at any land-based casino. However, the internet happened and made everything easier and more accessible, including playing video poker real money games. All you need now is an online casino account, such as , , and many others, as well as some cash to play your favourite video poker game variations, and you’ll be able to enjoy them morning, afternoon or night. But wait, before jumping into the action, make sure to check out the game rules, strategies, and see what the highest paying video poker games are.

How to Play Video Poker?

We already mentioned that you need to know the basics of poker in order to understand how to play video poker. Even so, each type has its own particularities when it comes to forming a winning combo. However, these are generally displayed at the top of the screen of the video poker machine, either virtual or land-based, so you always know what you’re playing.

Once you choose the type of video poker you want to play, you will be dealt five cards by the computer. After observing your combination, you have to decide which ones you will keep (hold) and which you will discard (draw). This depends on the possibility of forming a strong poker hand, according to the type of video poker you chose. Once you decide which cards to keep, the computer will give you new ones in exchange of the ones you abandoned, and will pay you accordingly if you got a stronger poker hand. 

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Let’s see an example of how it works. Let’s say you picked Jacks or Better as your video poker game variation, so in order to get a winning hand, you have to have at least a pair of Jacks. You are dealt 2 Queens, Jack, 9 and an Ace of spades. Since you can only keep 5 out of those 10 cards, it’s obvious that you will keep the two Queens and the Jack, because there is a big possibility to get a Straight or even a Straight Flush if you choose to keep one more Spade. So, you keep the Jack and return the other three cards, receiving two new ones, let’s say a 7 of Spades and a 10. And voila! You have a winning Straight combination: Jack, Queen, 9, 7, 10. Of course, if your initial combination was one step ahead, like a pair of Kings or higher, you would have gotten a much bigger prize.

Video Poker Rules

As you may have noticed in the above example, the rules of poker apply in video poker as well. In other words, you have to create a certain poker hand in order to get a winning combo and a payout. However, every video poker type has its own rules regarding the winning hands. For instance, in Jacks or Better the smallest winning hand is a pair of Jacks, while in tennis ones it is just a pair of jacks of the same suit. That being said, make sure to check out the type of video poker you choose, its specific pay table, and the minimum qualifying hand, before starting to bet and play. 

Pay Table

Each video poker machine displays a pay table close to the play area, showing the player what the winning combinations are and how much each of them is worth. It basically consists of a chart with the orders of priority for the poker hands, going from the strongest at the top to the weakest at the bottom, as well as the corresponding prizes. We will explain further how prizes are established, but first let’s see a typical example of a Jacks or Better pay table:

  • Royal Flush - 4,000 coins
  • Straight Flush - 260 coins
  • Four of a Kind - 25 coins
  • Full House - 15 coins
  • Flush - 13 coins
  • Straight - 8 coins
  • Three of a Kind - 7 coins
  • Two pairs - 6 coins
  • Jacks or better - 1 coin

How to Win at Video Poker?

Although video poker is mainly based on luck, there are some tips & tricks, as well as strategies, that might help you increase your chances of winning and getting the most out of your experience. Let’s find out below what they are: 

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  • Choose the Right Type – There are several types of video poker, each having different odds and payouts. Deuces Wild, for example, is good for experts, while Jacks or Better is a classic choice for all players. More about them in the following chapter.
  • **Deuce Protected Play. If you draw a 2 (deuce), it will be protected automaticaly during the entire session and cannot be changed. This gives you better odds and helps you achieve better video poker hands, even a Royal Flush.

Best Types of Video Poker Games

Video poker varieties are similar to poker game variations, meaning that you use the same cards but the combinations required to win can differ. Depending on the type, video poker can offer you higher payouts and better odds, especially if you use an optimal strategy when playing. Here are some of the best video poker games available online and in Las Vegas casinos:

  • Jacks or Better - It is the most popular video poker type, where you need a pair of Jacks as the smallest qualified hand. Every combination that exceeds this threshold will bring you something, with the maximum being a Natural Royal Flush (when you are dealt a Royal Flush without having to change any card). Its Return to Player (RTP) rate goes maxima at 99.54% if you become an expert in this video poker type.
  • Deuces Wild - In this case, all deuces (cards with the value of 2) are wild, which means that they can substitute any other card to help you form a better poker hand. However, it is not that easy to get a profit in the long run, unless you are an experienced player. Its RTP can go up to 100.76%.
  • Double Bonus - It is similar to Techomasters' favorite Crazy Down Under Video Poker, where you can earn higher payouts for different four of a kind bonuses. For example, if you get four aces with two twos and one three, you will get an extra bonus. Its biggest natural royal flush reward can go up to 800x instead of the standard 160x, making it very attractive for players chasing bad beat jackpots. Its RTP is almost 101% with perfect play. 
  • Double Double Bonus is quite similar to the previous one, but it offers extra bonuses for certain four of a kinds, like four aces with two twos, one three and one four. Its biggest natural royal flush reward can go up to 1600x instead of the standard 160x. Its RTP is almost 100.98% with perfect play. 
  • Tens or Better is similar to the former two, but here the smallest qualified hand is a pair of Tens. Its RTP can go up to 99.25%, requiring a different strategy than Jacks or Better.
  • Joker’s Wild adds a joker in the deck of cards (one in the deck and one in the jokers’ deck), which acts as a wild card, just like the deuce in Deuces Wild. Its RTP can reach 100.45%.
  • Bonus Poker offers larger payouts for four of a kind, making it quite appealing. Its RTP is close to 99% with perfect play.
  • Crazy Down Under Video Poker (also called Texas Hold'Em Video Poker or TEHWO for short) – this video poker variant is exclusive to Techomasters Casino. It starts with five cards face down, like any other video poker, but after you choose which ones to hold, the rest of the cards are revealed using a Texas Hold'EM style reveal (three at a time). You can hold any combination of cards including none at all and be dealt a new hand. The aim remains the same though - get the best possible poker hand you can. The game pays any pairs (Jacks or Better) and a straight or better is required for the Ambient Jackpot to trigger. Any Four of a Kind or better gets you a shot at the progressive Super Jackpot. The wide range of bet sizes (1c - 10 dollars per bet) makes it suitable for low rollers and high rollers alike. The game also features a unique 'Double Up' gamble or 'Jackpot Chance' feature giving you a shot at doubling your chips or winning the Super Jackpot even if you don't hit a Four of a Kind or better. 

How to Check a Video Poker Machine Before Playing?

Even if video poker is mostly based on luck, you should still make sure that the machine you are about to play on is working properly and is not programmed to pay less than it should. Although almost impossible to learn how to tell if a video poker machine will bring you winnings, you can still check if it is set to pay the proper amount for a Royal Flush. Here’s how to do it:

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  1. Make a full max coin bet and keep all five cards.
  2. Press the “CASH OUT” button and receive all 1,000 credits and 800 credits. You should get a total of 1,600 credits.
  3. Check the credit amounts and make sure that the machine does not hold any credits.
  4. If the machine pays the expected 240 credits for a Straight Flush, then it is set correctly and you can start playing.

What Are the Odds in Video Poker?

Unlike other casino games, where the main goal is solely based on luck, such as playing at a , video poker requires some skills too. Nevertheless, even if you are an experienced player who knows all the video poker secrets, you still need to know that the odds of winning depend on the type of video poker you are playing. Its pay table will also establish the odds and the return percentage. For example, if you choose to play a video poker variation that pays 99.24% RTP, it means that if you bet $100, you will get back almost $99,24. 

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In addition in the house always has certain odds on its side, no matter how good you are. Moreover, video poker machines nowadays use a microprocessor that makes billions of calculations per second in in order to produce a random result. However, it is impossible for the casino to alter the results without anyone noticing, so you can play your favorite video poker game without worrying about being tricked. Just enjoy it and hopefully, you will manage to turn the odds in your favor. 

What Is Video Poker RTP?

Video poker RTP represents the return to player percentage or the amount of money that will be returned to the player after a long period of time. Even if you may get a negative balance some days or not win as much as you hoped for, in the long run you have big odds to get a better return while playing video poker than in other casino games. Basically, RTP shows the theoretical percentage of all the money gathered by the casino from a game, that will be given back to the players. The higher the RTP, the lower the house edge and the greater the chances of earning profits. Therefore, if a video poker machine has an RTP of 99%, it means that for every $100 bet, the player will get a $99 return. However, these percentages refer to the long term and a lot of bets. 

You can also compare RTP to the wins over a certain period of time. For example, if we take into consideration $1,000,000 bets, the video poker RTP states that the casino will take around $4,000 as a profit and will pay out the rest of $99,400 to the players. Keep in mind that these numbers refer to types and do not depend on the player’s skills. However, in case you choose a video poker game that has an RTP of 75%, you should know that the house edge will be stronger and you may get a minus balance in the end. 

If we speak about video poker, the average RTP can go from 98% to 99,54%, which is one of the highest percentages compared to other casino games. In addition, it is one of the few games where the player’s involvement and skills can influence the outcome. Therefore, once you add the high RTP rates to the right strategy, you can turn things in your favour and hopefully win more. 

What Is Video Poker House Edge?

While RTP shows the percentage that will be given back to the players, the house edge refers to the portion that will remain with the casino. Let’s hope it will not invest this money in buying weird stuff, like the following examples: . 

In terms of video poker, the house edge can vary significantly, depending on the type of game and how skilled the player is. In the worst scenarios, where the player doesn’t have any clue what video poker is about and simply presses buttons randomly, the house edge can go up to 9%. However, with a bit of help from video poker secrets and the right strategy, you can reduce it to less than 0,5%, becoming the one who takes the strongest portion at the end of the game. 

Top Software Providers for Video Poker Games

After , it’s time for them to shine again. There are numerous software developers that create amazing video poker games for the leading casino operators to include in their gaming lobbies. We collected some of the best providers out there and listed them below, together with their top creations, so you know whom to thank when you have fun playing:

  • NetEnt has been active since 1996 and among its portfolio, you can find titles such as: Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, All American Video Poker.
  • Playtech – Its video poker games are Perfect Pairs, Meganuts, Progressive Jacks or Better, Three Card Poker.
  • Microgaming – Tens or Better, Aces and Faces, All Aces Video Poker, Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild Multi Hand.
  • Betsoft – Deuces Wild, Jacks or Better, Double Bonus Poker.
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How to Play Video Poker Online for Real Money?

It’s time to put what you learned into practice and see how it feels to play video poker in real time, against real people. Whether you are an experienced player or a rookie, the process is fairly simple and quick, if you follow our steps:

Step 1: Choose a Reputable Casino Site

First things first, you have to look for a trustworthy casino that offers video poker online, such as Techmasters. Once you access our website, you just have to register and benefit from our welcome package, as well as from other promotions that award you with various perks.

Step 2: Explore the Gaming Library

Navigate through our gaming library and select the “Table Games” section. Hit the “See Games” button and you will access our video poker collection. You can also use the “Search” tool and directly write “Poker” in order to skip some steps and go directly to our page.

Step 3: Select Your Preferred Game

Browse through our video poker selection and choose the type that suits you best. You can also benefit from generous jackpots or read our game reviews in order to facilitate your decision;

Step 4: Create Your Betting preferences

Regardless the video poker type you choose, you will have to determine your betting preferences. First, establish your bet size by selecting the value of one coin, the number of coins and the number of hands you want to play. Then, click on “DEAL” and enjoy your game.

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Step 5: Enjoy and Have Fun!

All you have left to do is enjoy your preferred video poker game and try to turn the odds in your favor. Don’t forget to use an optimal strategy that suits your style and level of experience, and maybe a special bonus, like one of our weekly offers.

Video Poker Bonus and Where to Find It

Now that you know the answers to questions like “play video poker games online real money” and “how to play video poker”, all you have left to do is put your knowledge into practice and perhaps benefit from a special bonus that can help along the way. Speaking of, you should know that some casino operators, like Techmasters, can award you with various treats from the very beginning, including a video poker bonus.

Our  can be claimed by any new customer from the UK, Germany, Sweden, Finland and India if they are of legal age and follow several other requirements listed in its terms and conditions. Regarding video poker, it is included in the contribution Percentage together with other Table Games. While Table Games only contribute 5%, Video Poker gives 10% so you can easily count on us whenever you need a boost. 

Help From the Experts

To ease your gaming experience and answer questions like “what are video poker odds”, “which is the best video poker game” or “how to tell if a video poker machine is rigged”, we used our expertise to create special sections that can be very useful for both beginners and experienced players. Therefore, you can access our  section anytime and learn more about video poker or other casino games that catch your eye, such as baccarat or . You can also browse through our dedicated  page and discover what other players are saying about us, or access our responsible gaming platform if you need assistance or support. Additionally, you can contact us anytime and ask whatever bothers you or solves your doubts. Our customer support team is at your disposal non stop, via email or the live chat function available on our site. Meanwhile, if you want to stay in touch with us, have us in your address book, as we frequently share interesting news and juicy rewards.

For Beginners

If you are new to the gambling world and you just turned 18, make sure to check out the following video poker guide for beginners, in order to better understand the main concepts:

By Experienced Players

Even if you are an experienced player who is already passed the “what is video poker” stage, you should never stop gaining information and learn video poker tips&tricks, such as the following ones:

  • Pay Attention to the Pay Tables – Most players simply ignore the pay tables and jump straight into the game. However, this can be a costly mistake, especially if you don’t pay attention to the minimal qualifying hand and the prize for a Royal Flush. These can vary greatly from one video poker type to another, so it is best to choose one that matches your style and budget.
  • Use the Right Strategy – As mentioned before, video poker is mostly a game of skill, so it is best to prepare yourself before facing the opponents. You can search for an optimal video poker strategy for the type you chose and follow it during the game.
  • Start with Maximum Coins – It is best if you select five cards, one coin and the largest value, in order to qualify for the highest payout in case you get a winning hand. For example, if you play Jacks or Better with excellent payouts, you should go up to 25 coins, in order to obtain the best payout for a Four of a Kind, which is usually smaller than a Royal Flush.
  • Follow the Payout Percentages – Different video poker variants can offer different payout percentages, therefore providing different advantages for the casino. For example, if you choose a video poker that awards 98% RTP, you have better odds than one that offers 96% RTP. Lower RTP usually varies between 90% and 95%, whereas higher RTP can go above 99%.
  • Don’t Always Hold a Pair of Jacks or Better – Contrary to what most believe, holding a pair that is smaller than a Royal Flush, but larger than a high card, you don’t always get the maximal profit. In fact, the optimal move is to break the pair and go for a straight, flush or three of a kind, that can bring you a higher prize.
  • Take Advantage of Bonuses – Some casinos may award you with special treatments that can bring you various perks, such as extra funds, free video poker games, ambient jackpots and so on. Therefore, you should search for the best casino for you and benefit from whatever it can offer throughout your journey.
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Faithful or Jackpot Video Poker?

Most customers from our online store prefer  versions, possibly progressive, as they represent the greatest risk/reward ratio and leave room for faith (and a drink or two) while playing. Having said that, video poker is also one of the least dangerous games from an operator’s perspective and it’s relatively easy to setup a faithful payout, allowing the venue to stay open longer… at least theory. In practice, faithful video poker machines are far and inbetween. 

FAQ

If there’s one thing we love almost as much as tech and gaming equipment, that must be questions. So feel free to relax and browse through some of the most frequently asked enquiries about video poker, as we will provide the answers:

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1️⃣ How to play video poker?

First you need to understand how to tell if a video poker machine is rigged or how to turn the odds in your favor. Once you choose a reliable casino operator and a video poker type that suits you best, you just have to benefit from whatever Techmasters bonus you fancy and enjoy your game.

2️⃣ How to win at video poker?

Video poker is mostly based on luck, but you can still use certain that might increase your chances gap. Among these, you can find choosing the right type, using the right strategy, following the pay tables, using the right strategy, starting with maximum coins and following the payout percentages.

3️⃣ How does video poker work?

Once you access our video poker games online, you just have to place your bet and press "deal". Five cards will appear on your screen and you have to choose which ones to keep (hold) and which ones to change (discard). The machine will show the remaining options and whoever gets the better poker hand will be the winner.

4️⃣ How to check a video poker machine before playing?

Before enjoying our video poker games online real money, it is best to check the pay table in order to be aware of the minimum qualifying hand and the payouts for each combination. You should also see whether a Royal Flush formed without you having to change any cards is considered as a natural or reinated Royal Flush, as well as if the machine pays fewer points when multihand is selected. Last, but not least, you can ask a customer support agent to verify the payout percentage and audacity of the machine.

References & Further Reading

now, reading about video poker might seem boring. But hey, we weren’t born yesterdays’ gentlemen! So, here’s further reading for those who want to dig deeper into the subject: