History of Video Poker
Let’s first start with the history of video poker – one of the most liked games at online casinos:
Video poker origins from 1970s when the first poker machines appeared.
The first video poker machine that was used for commercial use was made by SIRCOMA (IGT today) back in 1979 and was called Draw Poker.
Video poker became most popular between 1980s and 1990s, when the players begin appreciating the low house edge and their chance to enhance the outcome via skillful gambling.
Why Play Online Video Poker for Free?
Playing online video poker for free has some pretty nice advantages that we loved, and you are also going to like:
- No financial risks – the best part of playing video poker for free is the lack of risks. You are not risking money, you are not sharing personal data, you care just playing and having fun!
- Great way to develop skill and strategy – free video poker gives you the best chance to develop skill and strategy before you begin playing for real money at online casinos.
- A chance to explore variants of the game – when playing video poker for free, you are not depositing money, so you are not investing at all. This gives you a chance to explore the different variants of the game and to decide which one is the best for you.
- Playing for fun – video poker for free is the best way to play poker for fun, without money strings attached!
- A great way to practice – playing online video poker for free is your best way to practice for the real games. The risk-free situation gives you the chance to play as much as you want until you build the best strategy and knowledge.
How Do Video Poker Work?
Video poker is online casino game that is based on the five-card draw poker game. You place a bet, together with the other players, when you receive a hand of five cards. Then, you have to decide if you are keeping or discarding any number of the cards. All discarded cards are replaced and the final hand is evaluated for payouts based on the game’s paytable.
The main goal of the game is to create the ultimate best possible hand.
How to Play Free Video Poker Online?
It is surely not difficult to play free video poker online. In fact, it is much easier than playing for real money, as you don’t have to open an account or deposit money. Let’s give you some steps to make it even easier:
Load our website – your best option when it comes to playing free casino games for fun.
Choose the video poker variant you want to play – there is huge selection of video poker variants, all you need to do is just the one you want to play.
Understand the rules and interface – when playing video poker for free, you have the time and chance to get to know the rules and the interface of the game, so make sure you do that.
Place your virtual bet – yes, it is virtual bet, but still, you have to place it.
Don’t worry about the money – you are playing with virtual cash so it does not matter if you are about to lose or win.
Enjoy and build your strategy – video poker is a game not only of chance, but also of skill. So, in order to have fun, and when playing for real money – to win, you need a good strategy. That’s why you have to build a strategy while playing video poker for free.
Types of Online Video Poker Game
When it comes to online video poker games – the selection is pretty good, and each type offers different style of gambling. The most popular ones are:
- Deuces Wild – Uses all twos as wild cards; thus, any deuce will substitute any other card in a winning hand. This makes the frequency of hitting very valuable hands more frequent and creates some exciting possibilities for how one can play the game.
- Double Bonus Poker – Double Bonus Poker still gives higher payouts for four-of-a-kind hands, and this variation is really very popular with players seeking bountiful wins. Next in line, the game paytable will be adjusted to keep the balance with larger payouts.
- Triple Play – In Triple Play video poker, a player can play up to three different hands at any one time. Each hand is dealt from its personal deck. All of the cards can be stood or discarded at once, making triple play video poker a more exciting and potentially rewarding game.
- Jokers Wild – This model is played with a particular joker added to the deck, and this acts as a wild card. Sometimes the existence of a wild card can create more winning combinations, adding to the excitement in a game.
- Double Double bonus – This game was also based on the Double Bonus Poker premise and offered jackpot sizes up. The attendant types of four-of-a-kind and primarily an aces-with-kicker play field make up what is really a very profitable paytable with extreme volatility.
- Multi Play – In this variant of video poker, you are playing several hands—usually three, five, or ten—at one time. Each hand has its own deck. The initial hand is copied in each; then, there are individual draws for each.
Video Poker In-Game Mechanics
The main objective of video poker is to get the best possible poker hand according to the paytable of the game. Once the game begin you have to place a bet ranging from 1 to 5 coins. Five cards will be dealt to you and you have to decide which of those you will hold, and which will be discarded. The discarded ones will be replaced with new cards.
The final hand is compared against the paytable and the payouts depend on the strength of the said hand.
The RTP of video poker is usually high – over 99%, which is nice. When it comes to video poker you should know your strategy plays huge role.
Must Know Poker Terms
Now, let’s pay attention to the must-know poker terms, those are very important and you should keep them in mind when playing:
- RTP – the percentage of all money that video poker is expected to pay back to you over time.
- Paytable – chart that shows the payouts for the different hands of the game.
- Hold – keeping a hand during the draw phase.
- Discard – replacing a card in your hand with a new one.
- Royal flush – the highest-ranking hand in video poker – it contains A, K, Q, J and 10 of the same suit.
- Full house – hand that contains of three of a kind and a pair.
- Flush – hand where all 5 cards are of the same suit.
- Jacks or better – popular video poker variation.
Video Poker Strategies
When playing video poker for free, you don’t need to think about strategies – you can create and test them, so if you don’t have one, it is not a problem.
However, when it comes to playing video poker for real money, you do need a strategy, as this is not just a game of chance, but also of a strategy! Let’s explore some video poker strategies together:
- Understand the paytable – Every game of Video Poker is equipped with a paytable that shows different types of hands and their associated pays. Using this paytable, you will be in a position to know which hands to go for and how exactly each combination pays.
- Practice optimal play – Practice optimal play, which means execution of the best decisions based on the cards dealt. This refers to knowing when to hold and/or discard cards in order to give one maximum chances of forming a winning hand. Use strategy charts specific to each variant that can guide your decisions.
- Manage your budget – Even if you are playing for free, managing your bankroll is always important. That basically means you have a budget per session that will spell fun for a longer period.
- Enjoy bonuses – Through gaming with real money, make use of casino bonuses and casino promotions to gain extra money for play, hence increasing the chance of winning.
- Practice video poker games before playing for real money – Practice and test out strategies in free video poker, then switch over to play with real cash. The more you practice, the surer you will feel about being prepared for the gaming eventuality once you finally get to play with real money.
Free vs Real Money Online Video Poker
Free online video poker is ideal for beginners who want to learn the rules and develop strategies without risking real money. It provides a fun, pressure-free environment to explore different variations of the game. In contrast, real money video poker offers the thrill of winning actual cash, adding excitement and stakes to each hand. While both options deliver the classic video poker experience, real money play demands more skill and responsibility.
| Real Money Video Poker | Free Video Poker |
Money | Real Deposits | Fake Money |
Payout Potential | High payout potential – around 99% with good strategy | No payout potential |
Bonuses | You can use bonuses for better winnings & experience | No bonuses are available |
Risk | Yes, there is financial risk | No risk |
Strategy | Players need to have a strategy to win | You can experiment even if you don’t have strategy |
Availability | At most online casinos | Yes, available at most sites |
Social Aspects | Single-player, but can include leaderboards | Always single player |
Purpose of the game | Adrenaline, fun and winning | Fun and building a strategy for real money video poker |
Mobile Video Poker Games
Mobile video poker games have revolutionized how players enjoy this classic casino favorite, providing seamless access anytime, anywhere. Whether you’re on a quick break, commuting, or relaxing at home, mobile video poker delivers a convenient, engaging experience directly on your smartphone or tablet. Most modern mobile versions are available via dedicated apps or mobile-responsive browser platforms, supporting both iOS and Android.
These games often feature sleek interfaces, touch-optimized controls, and high-quality graphics, along with the option to play for free (fun/play money mode). Players can also enjoy features like strategy assistance, auto-hold suggestions, and progressive jackpots, making the mobile experience both educational and rewarding.
Popular Video Poker Providers
Now, let’s find out the best popular video poker providers:
- IGT – IGT is one of the best video poker providers, it offers some pretty nice games such as Jacks or Better, Double bonus poker and Deuces Wild.
- Microgaming – another super popular provider that offers amazing video poker games including Joker Poker, All Aces Poker and more.
- NetEnt – NetEnt is provider popular with the high-quality visuals and user-friendly games. You will find variations of the game such as Jacks or Better and Deuces Wild.
- Playtech – major player when it comes to video poker, offers some TOP variations such as 10’s or Better and Mega Jacks.
- Betsoft – one of the best video poker providers when it comes to 3D gaming experiences. Some of the most liked games are Joker Poker and Double Bonus Poker.
FAQs
Online video poker progressive jackpots are pooled prizes that grow with each player's wager and can get you unbelievable winnings. Certain percentages from every bet go toward the jackpot, which grows relentlessly until one lucky player hits the winning combination – A HUGE WIN, usually. At this point, the jackpot is reset to its basic amount to start all over again.
Multipliers in online video poker games increase the payout for winning hands by a certain factor, and you must be perfectly aware of those... For example - a 2x multiplier will double what you earn, while a 3x multiplier triples it, leading to super good winnings. Now - these multipliers can be turned on by some of the special features or bonus rounds inside the game and really add more fun and big-win shots at any time, however, if you don’t guess – you are loosing it all.
Yep - most of the online casinos do offer bonuses to play video poker, which is good. These ones include welcome bonuses, deposit matches, free play credits, and loyalty rewards, depending on the site. Always check terms and conditions to know how these bonuses can be used on video poker, if you don’t deal with the terms and conditions, you may have issues later.
Of course! Practically all serious online casinos offer mobile-friendly versions of their games, which you can launch from their website or native mobile apps. The game titles accessible at mobile video poker are touch-screen-friendly, ensuring that gameplay and functionality are seamlessly fluid across both iOS and Android devices—be it your smartphone or tablet.
Hand ranking in video poker online is the order of poker hands from the highest, royal flush, to the lowest, high card. Knowing the hand ranking is important because it comes with a different payout for every winning hand. One knows the hand rankings to understand and make informed decisions in the process of the game, either to hold or discard cards.
No, free video poker games are played using virtual credits, and the winnings are also credited as virtual. These games were designed to practice and for one's enjoyment of these games; they do not pay out in real money. You need to play video poker games that do require real gambles in order to come out with winnings.
Depends on your own preferences, for some people free poker is better, while for others the video online poker is the best option – consider your own needs and preferences first.
The best poker bonuses include welcome promotions, extra cash for gambling, and sometimes no deposit bonuses. You can check the offers of the casino you want to play.