Video poker online is a popular casino game that combines elements of both poker and slot machines. One of its main characteristics is that players can make strategic decisions based on the first cards they are dealt. So, it is not only a matter of luck — you can increase your chances of winnings by making smarter moves.
However, like all casino games, video poker is designed to give the house an edge. So, you will still have to count on luck to make any profit from a play session.
Next, we will explore the odds and payouts of this game. You will learn what variations offer the best payouts and what is the standard paytable in each case.
The odds of winning in video poker may vary depending on the variation being played. Still, generally speaking, video poker has some of the best odds in online casinos. It is normally superior to the one you would find in slot machines or online roulettes, for example.
In most cases, the house edge for online video poker games will range from less than 0.5% to over 5%. Normally, you will be able to check that information by clicking on the details of a game in a video poker online casino.
Even though video poker odds are important, it is also important to know what the payout is for each winning hand.
Depending on the game you are playing, you can have a decent payout for low-hand combinations, for example. In other cases, you will need to rely on high combinations and get most of your winnings from a few rounds during a long playing session.
So don’t forget to study the payout charts for the specific variation you are playing. Payout charts show the payouts for each hand combination. So you can always think of a video poker strategy that is more suitable for the scenario you got.
Next, we will see a few examples of payout charts for the most popular video poker online casino games.
Jacks or Better
Jacks or Better is one of the most popular variations of video poker, and it has a relatively simple payout chart. See the example below for a common chart for this variation:
- Royal Flush: 1 to 250
- Straight Flush: 1 to 50
- Four of a Kind: 1 to 25
- Full House: 1 to 9
- Flush: 1 to 6
- Straight: 1 to 4
- Three of a Kind: 1 to 3
- Two Pairs: 1 to 2
- Jacks or Better: 1 to 1
The lowest-paying hand is a pair of jacks (or better), and the highest-paying hand is a Royal Flush. The odds of hitting a Royal Flush in Jacks or Better are approximately 1 in 40,000.
Deuces Wild
Deuces Wild is another popular variation of video poker that offers players the chance to hit big payouts. In Deuces Wild, all twos are considered wild cards. It means that they can be used to substitute any card to create a winning hand.
See an example of a Deuces Wild payout chart:
- Natural Royal Flush: 1 to 800
- Four Deuces: 1 to 200
- Wild Royal Flush: 1 to 25
- Five of a Kind: 1 to 15
- Straight Flush: 1 to 10
- Four of a Kind: 1 to 4
- Full House: 1 to 4
- Flush: 1 to 3
- Straight: 1 to 2
- Three of a Kind: 1 to 1
The highest-paying hand in Deuces Wild is a Natural Royal Flush. But players can also hit a Five-of-a-Kind or a Wild Royal Flush, which can be even more lucrative.
Joker Poker
Joker Poker is a variation of video poker online that includes a joker card as a wild card — the 53rd card in the deck. See below an example of a payout chart for a Joker Poker Kings or Better game:
- Natural Royal Flush: 1 to 400
- Five of a Kind: 1 to 200
- Royal Flush with Joker: 1 to 100
- Straight Flush: 1 to 50
- Four of a Kind: 1 to 18
- Full House: 1 to 7
- Flush: 1 to 5
- Straight: 1 to 3
- Three of a Kind: 1 to 2
- Two Pairs: 1 to 1
- Kings or Better: 1 to 1
The highest-paying hand in Joker Poker is a natural Royal Flush. Players can also hit a Five-of-a-Kind or a Wild Royal Flush — that is, a Royal Flush with a Joker.
The variations of video poker with the best odds are, at the same time, the ones with the lowest house edge. See below the average odds for the most popular variations played online:
- Jacks or Better: 99,54%
- Deuces Wild: 99,42%
- Joker Poker: 98,47%
Have in mind that there are different versions of the same variant. Those are the odds for a standard game, without any extra features that could impact the results.
Many online casinos offer video poker games with progressive jackpots. A progressive jackpot increases every time the game is played — if the jackpot is not won.
That can add some emotion to a game. Actually, you can ignore all the best video poker odds available in online casinos if you ever hit a jackpot. But have in mind that, even though the potential payout can be huge, the odds of winning it tend to be very low.
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