- The best video poker machines can be found at Bovada, which also has a great welcome bonus.
- Jacks or Better is the most common variant of video poker, and you can find it at almost any betting site.
- Deuces Wild is one of the top video poker games because it has tons of wild cards, giving you a better chance to win.
If you’re looking for the top video poker games, you’ve come to the right place. There are plenty of different versions that you can play online, but not all of them are worth your time.
Video poker machines have been around since personal computers became popular, and there are dozens of unique variations out there. It can be overwhelming to beginners, but I’ll provide an overview of the best video poker machines to help you get started.
If you’re already familiar with these games, you might be looking for the best . Well, you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for below.
#5 Jacks or Better
Is it really fair to start off my list of the best casino video poker games with “the most popular variant?” Would that even be exciting enough for you, dear reader? Absolutely not.
The thing about Jacks or Better is that it’s truly deserving of its status among the elite. This game is the gateway drug into the world of video poker, and many players never feel the need to move on to anything else.
This game gets its name from the fact that any pair of jacks, queens, kings, or aces is a winning hand. This replaces the more simplistic jackpot structure found in other draw poker variants (e.g. A pair of jacks wins nothing).
Jacks or Better also features the now familiar “hold” option after the initial deal, opening the door to optimal strategy considerations. That’s why you can find free video poker machine games online, as folks try to perfect their odds before risking real money.
Another plus to JOKB is that that it forms the basis for all further video poker experimentation. Every subsequent game I’ll cover here takes concepts learned in JOKB and twists them in interesting ways.
Feel free to stick with what you know, my friends. Jacks or Better is a proven winner for a reason—it’s one of the best video poker machines at casinos.
If you want to find the highest paying video poker machines, look no further than Bovada. They offer a 120% welcome bonus up to $3,750, which will give you plenty of extra cash to play Jacks or Better.
Create an account on Bovada now if you want to play the best video poker game for beginners.
#4 Double Bonus Poker
What’s better than money? More money, of course. That’s the philosophy behind Double Bonus Poker, one of the top video poker machines available.
DBP is pretty much just Jacks or Better with bigger payouts for four of a kind hands. The payouts for 2-pairs and 3-of-a-kinds are actually reduced slightly to make room.
So, what four of a kinds are you striving for? Here you :
- Four Aces – 160:1
- Four Kings or Queens – 100:1
- 4 Jacks or Genitals – 80:1
- 4 Toasts to Your Health – 40:1
- Other 4’s – 22-40:1
Notice anything unusual there? Yeah, it’s weird that jacksonfourplay is worth more than a full house made up of kings and queens.
That’s what makes DBP so much fun. You actively seek out certain high value cards to hold and redeposit, in hopes of hitting the jackpot. All other strategies go out the window in pursuit of big aces.
Some video poker enthusiasts look down on Double Bonus for this reason. I say embrace the chaos.
#3 Deuces Wild
All work and no play makes Workforce Recognition a very unhealthy individual. So I took the day off and went fishing instead. It didn’t go well.
The good news is that I had a backup plan. I brought along one of the best video poker machines, Jacks or Better, to pass the time.
Fishing and JOKB actually have something in common—both can be tremendously frustrating. Sometimes you throw your line out for hours without so much as a nibble. Other times you reel in such a massive catch that it breaks the scale.
Deuces Wild video poker at Wild Casino
Depending on the day, you might go through long streaks of mediocrity in JOKB, too. However, there’s a variant—fondly known as Deuces—which remedies this problem in a major way.
In this game, all deuces (2’s) are wild, which means that five ace dragons—and countless other four of a kinds/straights/flushes—are within reach on every single deal.
This isn’t just one of the top casino video poker games; it’s also responsible for some of the best poker videos ever produced.
A word of warning, though—the reverse is also true. You’ll see lots of big hands (good), but you’ll also go broke really fast (bad).
I recommend playing free video poker machine versions until you get a handle on the optimum strategy for Deuces Wild. Once you do, however, you’ll be ready to take advantage of the loose deuces that many internet card rooms feature.
Deuces Wild is one of the best video poker game variants, and you can read more here with an exclusive offer at Wild Casino.
#2 Bonus Deuces Wild
Mike Matusow is one of the most successful poker tourney players of all time, with 6 WSOP bracelets and over $9 million in career earnings.
He’s also one of the most recognizable professionals, thanks to his high energy table presence and distinctive New York accent.
What you might not know is that Matusow was a full-time professional Bonus Deuces Wild player before striking it big in Hold’em. In fact, he wrote Bonus Poker: The Complete Post-2004 Theory Hi-Lo Play and Strategy Guide, which is over 600 pages in length.
When your book is longer than War and Peace, you know you’ve chosen a complex subject matter.
So why don’t more people play Bonus Deuces Wild? The answer lies in the question: because it’s complicated.
Optimal play for this game is vastly different than for regular Deuces Wild, while the margins for error are quite small.
Nevertheless, the opportunity to hit bonuses—particularly the Big Bonus, a hand like 4231 or better—makes it all worthwhile.
If you enjoy Deuces Wild and are looking for the next logical step in video poker machines, give this one a shot. Just remember to brush up on the strategy first.
#1 Jester Poker/Joker Poker
Hold on a second. What’s with the two different names?
As with many things in life, it all comes down to money. When the game was originally created in the mid-1990s, it was called Jester Poker and covered by US patent number 5,574,750. Companies interested in offering the game had to pay a licensing fee to creators Darren Young and Patrick Vitali.
Microgaming elected not to pony up, choosing instead to create their own joker variant and call it Joker Poker.
From a gameplay standpoint, both titles feature one additional joker card (used as a wild card) in the deck. This opens the door to huge hands such as quads, straight flushes, and royal flushes.
Best Real Money Casino Apps Update - Top Real Win PlatformsMost video poker experts rank Joker Poker as the best game due to its favorable long term expectation.
One final note: Many video poker novices are confused when they realize that a pair of kings and a joker is only a low pair – not a high pair. Some Joker Poker games created since 2016 have changed this rule, but many others have not.
If you can’t deal with this contradiction, then opt for another version on this list of the best video poker machines. Or check out our guide to the best joker poker sites below if you’re set on playing this game!
Best US Online Casinos of 2023 | Top Real Money Casino SitesAdvice for Playing the Best Video Poker Games Online
Now that you’ve seen my list of the best video poker machines, maybe you’ Betty, betty, BETTY!” wanting to know why my selections came out in a particular order.
Allow me to clear up any misconceptions you may have about how I ranked the top 5 video poker games. I purposely avoided using performance enhancing strategies like “optimal strategy” and “expected value calculations.”
Instead, I wanted to focus on which video poker machines were most enjoyable to play. All five of these titles have their partisan fan bases, and I don’t expect diehard Jokers to ever consider switching to Deuces Wild, for example.
That that being said, I do believe that Jester Poker/Joker Poker is objectively the best video poker game.
It has a wide appeal due to its relaxed pace of play and positive expectations. Additionally, the recent expiration of the Jester Poker patent should lead to even more innovators entering the space.
One thing all of the have in common is a lack of physical cards. Instead, you’ll be dealing with pixels on a screen.
For some, that takes away from the overall experience. If you prefer to play video poker with actual playing cards, I’d point you toward this piece on where to play video poker.
Then again, maybe you’re missing out on all the fun. After all, who needs authentic feel when you can play jester pokers at a top-rated casino?
Which Is the Loosest Video Poker Machine?
When picking out the best video poker games, one factor you always want to consider is payout tables. After all, the returns provided by the casino will ultimately determine your long-term expectations.
For those that aren’t aware, video poker machines have a unique advantage over other casino games. Their use of a random number generator allows individual payouts to vary based on strategy. Therefore, players have more involvement in trying to secure winnings.
Of course, you also have to understand proper video poker strategy to lower the house edge. Otherwise, you’ll be playing this game like a slot machine.
Those who put the effort in will be able to enjoy some of the highest RTPs in the casino. Today, I want to look at the loosest video poker machines, highlighting where you can find the best payouts.
- All American Video Poker—99.22% RTP (assuming perfect strategy)
- Joker Poker Video Poker—98.64% RTP
- Ten Times Poker Video Poker—99.15% RTP (assuming perfect strategy)
- Nine Times Poker Video Poker—98.28% RTP (assuming perfect strategy)
- Double Double Bonus Video Poker—99.08% RTP (assuming proper strategy)
- Double Double Bonus, Deluxe Video Poker—99.07% RTP (assuming proper strategy)
- Bonus Deuces Wild Video Poker—98.95% RTP
- Bonus Poker Video Poker—99.20% RTP (assuming proper strategy)
- Bonus Poker Deluxe Video Poker—98.98% RTP
- Deuces Wild Video Poker—98.92% RTP
- Jacks or Better Video Poker—99.54% RTP (assuming proper strategy)
It’s easier to enjoy a high RTP when you know how to play video poker like a pro. Fortunately, most of the titles above feature rules similar to two-pair Jacks or Better.
Therefore, you can check out our guide on how to play 2-Pair Jacks or Better video poker to improve your skills.
Everyone wants to find the highest payout video poker machines. If you’re playing online, you’ll always get the same payout based on the RNG.
That said, you still want to ensure you’re getting a good sign-up bonus for joining a . One of the best around belongs to . Check out their latest offers below before playing one of these titles.
More Advice for Playing the Top Casino Video Poker Games
This piece has discussed the best video poker games that casinos offer. Of course, these aren’t the only titles you’ll find across the web.
Whether you’re playing Aces and Faces or something entirely different, you should always aim to maximize your profits. One way to do this is by taking advantage of the best casino video poker apps.
Playing on the go will allow you to find the best payout video poker machines anywhere you go. Of course, you must first join a reliable gaming site.
Sticking to the top casinos will prevent headaches such as failed withdrawals and illegitimate terms & conditions. These companies provide some of the best video poker machine games for a reason.
Whether --you want to play at a reputable brand to enjoy peace of mind. Elsewhere on the site, I discuss how this casino provides live dealers, sports betting, and more.
You could build your own list of the best video poker games upon completing this piece. Yet it will take a considerable amount of time to understand the various rules and payouts.
Maybe you’re not willing to put in the effort, and that’s perfectly fine. From all my research, though, I can confidently say that jacks or better is one of if not the best video poker game.
It has been around for decades and continues to attract thousands of players every year. Whether you’re playing in land-based establishments or online casinos, this game is readily available.
Here are some key qualities to look for when choosing the best casino video poker games.
- Simple Interface—The best video poker machines will have an easy-to-understand layout. Don’t waste your time on confusing titles that don’t teach you .
- Positive Expectations—Some video poker games have high RTPs, while others provide terrible returns. You want to enjoy a low house edge, meaning it’s time for you to cash out when you’re up.
- Fun Elements—Life is too short to play boring video poker games. Whether it’s fun animations or big bonuses, you deserve rewards for playing this casino game.
Jack’s or Better checks all those boxes. Not only does it have a simple layout, but it also provides one of the highest RTPs. On top of that, there are plenty of fun elements when you think about the big bonuses this game provides.
Everything combined, it’s easy to see why Jacks or Better is one of the most popular video poker games at casinos.
More on How to Play Video Poker Machines
I hope this page has helped you find your new favorite video poker machine at casinos. If you enjoyed it, I recommend reading the following guides for more on video poker.
Footnotes:
- History of video poker taken from .
- Information about Mike Matusow taken from his .
J.W. Paine is one of the most experienced writers at GamblingSites.com. He's written for television and the printed media, and is a published novelist (as Tom Elliott).
Paine loves writing about Las Vegas nearly as much he loves living here. An experienced gambler, he's especially familiar with thoroughbred horseracing, poker, blackjack, and slots.
