Should I play with maximum coins?

Yes, provided you can afford it. The reason why playing with maximum coins makes sense for video poker is that you get paid at greater odds should you be lucky enough to get top hands. And we're not talking about a small difference. A royal flush could pay out at 250/1 for low coins, but 800/1 for maximum coins, a massive difference.

Where can I find the pay schedules?

The pay schedules should be easy to see, at the top of the screen. It's always crucial to review them as they clearly indicate how much you can expect for specific hands with a particular game, and this knowledge is a bonus that in turn should inform and affect your strategy.

Can I trust video poker online casinos?

Yes, this is almost always the case. It is wise to review the licensing situation of a casino simply by looking at the bottom of any page, which should present the licensing arrangement clearly. It's never a bad idea to have a quick look at a given site's reputation as reviewed online, just for peace of mind.

Is it possible to play video poker for free?

Yes, if you want to play video poker without stakes this is a commonly available option. Naturally this free play mode means you won't win any cash prizes but it does mean you can get to know the rules and features of a game without risking any of your own funds in the process, making it perfect for practise. If you want to play for free but win cash, then try using bonuses.

How do I take advantage of bonuses?

Video poker online casinos often offer bonuses that can increase your balance or provide you with free cash. To take advantage of these no deposit and other bonuses just review the bonuses page of a given site. This should be easy to find and include all the necessary details, including any bonus codes. Occasionally bonuses are automatically activated but usually you'll need to activate a bonus code in the cashier section.

What sort of house edge does video poker have?

It varies game by game, and is usually between 5% and 0.5%. This does assume the player knows what they're doing, however. If you make bad calls then the advantage of the house will only get bigger.

Which game offers the best payout chance?

Deuces Wild offers a very rare bonus: an advantage for the player. Surprisingly, the odds are actually in your favor with this video poker game, with a house edge of -0.76%.

Does video poker work the same as regular poker?

No, bluntly. Knowing the hands is still useful, but you're playing by yourself rather than against other people.

Should I hold onto two pair?

Yes, generally. Whilst it's not the best hand you'll ever find, two pair is nevertheless a winning hand, and throwing away a guaranteed win is usually not the smart play. There might be specific circumstances when you choose to go chasing something else (if you're well ahead and it's the last hand you're playing) but mostly you should hold onto every winning hand instead of chasing dreams.

If I have a pair, should I hold onto it, or try for a straight or flush?

Generally speaking you're better off holding onto the pair simply because the odds on getting three of a kind or two pair are shorter than getting a straight or flush. Those hands do pay out more but are correspondingly less likely to occur. You may review your approach depending on the specific pay schedule of the game you're playing.

Best Video Poker Casinos : Top 10 Real Money Sites to Play Online

How We Evaluate Top Video Poker Sites

There's a lot to look at when reviewing the best top online casinos to play video poker, from the sites themselves to the games on offer. Here are some of the most important aspects we consider for ratings when reviewing whether a site is a top 10 best online casino for playing video poker.

Licensing

Not the most exciting topic in the world, but one of the most important to go over. The licensing arrangement of an online video poker casino is a matter of crucial importance because it's the strongest outside indicator of whether a site is a trusted place to play. Regulation and licensing from one of the best three territories (Malta, Gibraltar, or the United Kingdom) is a great sign. An absence of any licensing is a big red flag in any review.
Range of Games

Just as traditional poker has a wide selection of games to review, so too is there an extensive, and an ever-growing number of video poker games to play at the best online casinos. Players often like to dabble in different types of poker or play familiar games with a little twist, and a varied menu from which to sate one's appetite is always a bonus.
Hassle-free Payouts

It's not easy being green, but if you do finish ahead, then there are few things more galling than waiting for a prohibitively long time while the online casino reviews your video poker winnings before eventually allowing you to get your hands on them. The best withdrawals are fast and smooth, so you can seamlessly move your winnings into your account.
Good Customer Service

Even at the best sites, things can sometimes go awry just because technology is always susceptible to gremlins. Having easily accessible, polite, and engaged customer service is a great bonus for players as it not only means any issues can be reviewed and resolved promptly but fairly too.
Updated Games

Software developers are constantly looking for ways to add fresh ideas to old games or come up with new ones entirely, and there's no shortage of poker variants to play. Online video poker casinos that often review and update their available games are the best for the player.
Bonuses

Winning real money when playing for free is the best way to play. And the fiercely competitive gambling industry means that the best online casinos with video poker games are keen to attract players, regularly reviewing promotions and offering a variety of bonuses including no deposit options, match bonuses, and more.

Rules & Strategy

Review the video poker rules carefully before playing. Just as with traditional poker the best way to play Omaha Hi-Lo is different to the best way to play Texas Holdem, if you walk blindly into a video poker game, then you're just asking to lose. Also, be aware that video poker games come with different house edges, and while these tend to be low, some are higher than others, so it's recommended to also go over the numbers. As with all online casino games, video poker should never be played using a daft mathematical model like the Martingale strategy (doubling stakes after a loss, assuming you're bound to win eventually) as this maximizes the chances of ending up with a catastrophic loss.

Instead, one of the best ideas is to review pay schedules, because seemingly identical games could have house edges a percentage point apart. That may not sound much but can be the difference between finishing ahead or behind (you wouldn't reject a 1% pay rise, so why reject a 1% increased payout from poker?). In some games you get higher payouts for certain hands, so always look over the details as this will make a difference to how you should play the game. You can also practise with either free modes or bonus cash so that when real money is on the line, you're warmed up and at your best. Free games are also a great way to learn video poker strategy and test out all the different ways to increase your chances of winning.

Real Money

Reviewing the best places to play video poker at online casinos necessarily includes the best real money bonuses. These can give players a great head start, with many match bonuses doubling your deposit (and the best bonuses contribute even more). No deposit bonuses allow you to try and win real money with zero risks of a loss, and many people consider these to be the best bonuses. On top of that, many of the best places to play come with cashback or reload bonuses to mitigate any losses you do incur and have plenty of other little bonuses to help you get ahead.

Deposit Options by Country

The best international online video poker casinos always offer a range of personal finance options for depositing money, but these can also be geographically restricted. We've reviewed the most common and best methods for some of the biggest Anglophone nations so you can see what's likely to be available where you are.

Europe

In 2024, European players can use a vast selection of convenient banking methods to deposit money to play video poker or withdraw and keep winnings from Euro casino sites. Most popular choices include credit and debit cards like Mastercard and Visa, as well as e-wallets like PaySafeCard, Skrill, PayPal and cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin.
Canada

Canadian players will usually be able to deposit using Visa or Mastercard, but e-wallets tend to be restricted. Paysafecard is another option, and one of the best Canadian-specific possibilities is Interac, which is a top 10 method in Canada but inaccessible for practically everyone else.
New Zealand

Kiwi players also have the bread and butter of Visa, Mastercard, and American Express, as well as the increasingly widely accepted pre-paid Paysafecard. Bank transfers are also on the table for players from New Zealand.
UK

The UK is one of the top gambling countries in the world, although recent legal changes following a review may mean that credit cards cannot be used for any kind of gambling deposit. Other mainstream options such as debit cards, Paysafecard, e-wallets such as Skrill, Neteller, and PayPal, and newer methods including bitcoin and Apple Pay should all work.
USA

The USA is more restrictive than most countries when it comes to betting options to review. Mastercard, Visa, American Express, wire transfers, Paysafecard, and EcoPayz are all methods available, with most other popular e-wallets off the table. Bitcoin can be relatively popular as a US option too.
South Africa

Once again, credit cards top the list, but South African players also have a wider selection of e-wallets than those from other countries, including Neteller, EcoPayz, and Skrill. EasyEFT is another potential option, as is bitcoin.

Odds of Winning video poker top 10 casinos

Odds to Win

Payouts vary from one game to another, but what are the actual odds of getting top ten hands? If you're curious about the numbers, we've reviewed the info for you.

Straight - 80/1
Flush - 85/1
Full House - 90/1
Four of a Kind - 423/1
2s to 4s - 2601/1
Four Deuces - 4909/1
Four Aces - 5761/1
2s to 4s with a Kicker - 6984/1
Straight Flush - 9150/1
Four Aces with a Kicker - 16236/1
Royal Flush - 40,000/1
Royal Flush (dealt) - 650,000/1

Play Free Online

Players interested in the best video poker at online casinos can also take advantage of the possibility to play for free at online betting sites and review guides such as this site. This means of practising can help to sharpen up your strategy and go over your style so that when the betting happens for real, you have a better grasp of how the rules work and a developed instinct for knowing when to play your move to best effect. Playing for free can also happen when playing with a no deposit bonus, but in that instance, there's also the possibility of coming away with some cash prizes thanks to playing with bonus cash.

Featured Bonus

Top video poker online casino Jackpot City is one of the best places to find great slots, table games, bonuses, and, of course, video poker. Since 1998 they've been providing players with a place to enjoy the fantastic games courtesy of Microgaming, which can be experienced via laptops or desktops, as well as mobile devices including tablets (and dedicated apps). Plus there are great no deposit bonuses, free spins, and other bonuses and promotions to help give players a little extra, including 1600 for newcomers to start off in the best way. Trust is an invaluable commodity for a casino, and that's why it's reassuring to find that Jackpot City is licensed and regulated by Malta, providing confidence in the fairness of games, the security of transactions, and honest dealing by the site itself. Should any problems arise, these will be handled by the e-mail and live chat customer service. We've had Jackpot City on our recommended review list for some time now thanks to all these positive attributes which make it a safe, fun online video poker casino brimming with the best games to play.

FAQs

Should I play with maximum coins? Yes, provided you can afford it.

The reason why playing with maximum coins makes sense for video poker is that you get paid at greater odds should you be lucky enough to get top hands. And we're not talking about a small difference. A royal flush could pay out at 250/1 for low coins, but 800/1 for maximum coins, a massive difference.
Where can I find the pay schedules? The pay schedules should be easy to see, at the top of the screen.

It's always crucial to review them as they clearly indicate how much you can expect for specific hands with a particular game, and this knowledge is a bonus that in turn should inform and affect your strategy.
Can I trust video poker online casinos? Yes, this is almost always the case.

It is wise to review the licensing situation of a casino simply by looking at the bottom of any page, which should present the licensing arrangement clearly. It's never a bad idea to have a quick look at a given site's reputation as reviewed online, just for peace of mind.
Is it possible to play video poker for free? Yes, if you want to play video poker without stakes this is a commonly available option.

Naturally this free play mode means you won't win any cash prizes but it does mean you can get to know the rules and features of a game without risking any of your own funds in the process, making it perfect for practise. If you want to play for free but win cash, then try using bonuses.
How do I take advantage of bonuses? Video poker online casinos often offer bonuses that can increase your balance or provide you with free cash.

To take advantage of these no deposit and other bonuses just review the bonuses page of a given site. This should be easy to find and include all the necessary details, including any bonus codes. Occasionally bonuses are automatically activated but usually you'll need to activate a bonus code in the cashier section.
What sort of house edge does video poker have? It varies game by game, and is usually between 5% and 0.5%.

This does assume the player knows what they're doing, however. If you make bad calls then the advantage of the house will only get bigger.
Which game offers the best payout chance? Deuces Wild offers a very rare bonus: an advantage for the player.

Surprisingly, the odds are actually in your favor with this video poker game, with a house edge of -0.76%.
Does video poker work the same as regular poker? No, bluntly.

Knowing the hands is still useful, but you're playing by yourself rather than against other people.
Should I hold onto two pair? Yes, generally.

Whilst it's not the best hand you'll ever find, two pair is nevertheless a winning hand, and throwing away a guaranteed win is usually not the smart play. There might be specific circumstances when you choose to go chasing something else (if you're well ahead and it's the last hand you're playing) but mostly you should hold onto every winning hand instead of chasing dreams.
If I have a pair, should I hold onto it, or try for a straight or flush? Generally speaking you're better off holding onto the pair simply because the odds on getting three of a kind or two pair are shorter than getting a straight or flush. Those hands do pay out more but are correspondingly less likely to occur. You may review your approach depending on the specific pay schedule of the game you're playing.

Written by

Bonnie Gjurovska - Lead Editor

Bonnie Gjurovska has been professionally involved in iGaming for over 5 years. She is passionate about online casinos, testing software and finding the best promotions. Her passion makes Bonnie the perfect candidate to help guide players from around the world and to oversee the content published on Top10Casinos.com.

Visit my profile for more