How to Play Online Video Poker Like a Professional

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Deni

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Expertise: Casino Content Writing, Journalism & (PR), Gambling Regulations, Dutch & German Gambling Markets

Hi, I'm Deni! I'm a research obsessive with a passion for gambling regulations, market trends, and casino news. I dig deep into every topic I cover - so every article, review, or guide I write is built on solid research and real detail.

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Published: March 31, 2019
Updated: August 18, 2025

Poker can be traced back to the 17th century. The game comes in different varieties (like 3 card poker to 5 card draw), but it has almost always been associated with gambling.

The latest version of Poker, ‘Hold’em’, has become a sports craze around the world. There are giant annual competitions held involving millions of dollars in sign-ups and prizes.

It is ordinarily a game for the confident player, as a slight show of emotion could cost you your cash. The phrase ‘poker face’ originates from the lack of emotion that poker players ought to show at a table.

Online Video poker basics — Introduction to playing Video poker online

Video poker is another ball game completely. You can laugh, cry, dance, or do whatever you feel because a machine cannot read your emotions.

Formerly known as ‘Poker slots’, this virtual game is a blast to play. The gameplay does not just depend on luck but employs skill and strategy as well if you want to win big.

What are the most common Video poker versions?

The most common variations of Video poker include: Jacks or Better, Jokers Wild and Deuces Wild. Get to know them before applying your deposit to the bankroll:

Jacks or Better: This is the most popular version of the game. You will need to produce hands no lower than a pair of Jacks to yield wins.
Jokers Wild: This game is played with a 53-card deck, including a full set of cards and one joker, which acts as a ‘Wild card’. This means that it will substitute for any other card to complete a combination.
Deuces Wild: Here, any ‘2’ card acts as a ‘Wild’ to substitute for others and complete a winning combination.

Poker hands you need to learn

Before you can play any game of poker and expect to win anything, you will need to familiarise yourself with the combinations that yield wins. Here is a list of video poker hands in ascending order of value and pay-out.

Poker hand	What does it mean?
Pair	You have two cards of the same value in your hand, e.g., 2x Jacks.
Two pairs	You have two sets of pairs in one hand, e.g., 2x 10s and 2x 4s.
Three of a kind	When you yield three matching card values, e.g., 3x 7s.
Straight	Five cards that form a run of numbers in consecutive order, irrespective of the suite, e.g., 4 of clubs, 5 of hearts, 6 of spades, 7 of spades, and 8 of diamonds.
Flush	Five cards from the same suit. These do not have to run in sequence.
Full house	A ‘pair’ and a ‘three of a kind’ all in one hand.
Four of a kind	All four of one value across the suits, e.g., 5 of hearts, of diamonds, of spades, and of clubs together in one hand.
Five of a kind	Only available where there is a ‘Wild card’ in play. You complete a ‘4 of a kind’, and a ‘Wild’ card takes up the fifth position in your hand.
Straight Flush	Combines the principles of a ‘straight’ and a ‘flush’. So, it is a running sequence of numbers in consecutive order and all in the same suit.
Royal Flush	This will pay you the jackpot on the machine. It is the same as a straight flush but incorporates the run of 10, Jack, Queen, King, and Ace.

How to play Video poker online

Learn the Poker combinations, choose a variation of the game and start playing. The truth is that once you have learned your hand combinations above, you have done all the hard work.

Below are a set of game rules to teach you the sequence of events when playing.

Choose your bet for the round (you can wager between 1 and 5 coins). Keep in mind that if you want to win the big jackpot, you have to bet the max amount. This, however, may not be a wise move if you are a newcomer.
You receive a hand of five dealt cards. Examine it to see if you have an instant combination or whether you will need to discard some cards in the hope of better arriving to help you on your way. You will have one opportunity to exchange cards.
Hold the cards you want to keep by clicking on them. The words Held or Hold will appear either over or under the card to signify that it won’t be discarded and replaced by a new card.
Press ‘Draw’ to exchange new cards for the discarded ones.
Your hand will now be evaluated for a combination and you will be paid out per its value.
Keep in mind that you are not playing your hand against anyone. Any valid poker combination hand will yield a win of some sort. A pair, which is the lowest hand, will pay 1:1.

Tips and advice on playing Video poker

Listed below are several tips to help you become a successful Video poker player.

Play for free before staking your hard-earned cash against the house. This will help you learn the dynamics of the game and hopefully build a wealth of experience.
If you land any of the combination hands, hold them instead of drawing. In the case that you have a pair or two or three of a kind, hold those and discard the others. The new cards could possibly increase your combination to a ‘full house’ or a ‘4 of a kind’.
Do not trash cards that could lead to a straight or a flush unless you are one card away from a ‘Royal Flush’.
Good practice involves keeping your ‘Jacks’ at all costs unless you are pushing for a straight or a flush.
When choosing between keeping either one high card, like a King, or a low pair, like 2x 2s, always keep the pair. They might very soon become a three or four of a kind.

Online Video Poker basics guide — Learn how to play Video poker online

Combine your wit with a good strategy, and Lady Luck will hopefully do the rest.

Remember that games like Video poker and Blackjack have a far lower house edge than many other casino games, so the chance of winning is far better here than in front of a Roulette wheel or video slots.

We aim to keep our guides updated with only the latest news, tips and trends. Thus, if you find this topic interesting, you might want to check out our list of the most recent video poker bonuses to take advantage of.

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By Deni

Verified Casino Expert

Expertise: Casino Content Writing, Journalism & (PR), Gambling Regulations, Dutch & German Gambling Markets

Learn about our Review Process

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Last updated: August 18, 2025

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Online Video poker basics

Contents

Contents

What are the most common Video poker versions?

Poker hands you need to learn

How to play Video poker online