Video Poker Variations
| Updated: 6 Popular Video Poker Variations to Try Online
When video poker debuted across land-based casinos in the 1970s, it was available in a single variation that borrowed its rules from five-card draw. A lot has changed since those early days, however, as today there are numerous variations of the game, each featuring a distinctive paytable and hand rankings. It is important to distinguish between the different varieties of this popular casino game because each variation calls for a unique strategy.
Jacks or Better is easily the most popular variant players will encounter online, but there are plenty of options for those craving a different gaming experience. Some variations, such as Deuces Wild and Joker Poker, use wild cards that improve your chances of forming winning hands. Others, like Double Bonus Poker, offer extra payouts for specific combinations of cards.
A third group links to progressive jackpot networks, granting you the opportunity to win life-changing prizes, a prerogative previously reserved exclusively for slot players. This article provides information about the six most popular variations of video poker you will come across online. Readers will learn about their most distinctive features, paytables, hand rankings, and long-term payout percentages. This information will enable them to easily identify the video poker varieties that best correspond to their bankrolls and individual playing styles.
Jacks or Better
Jacks or Better, also known as Draw Poker, is the most widespread variation of video poker and quickly gained traction among players thanks to its simplicity and straightforward gameplay. Its simple rules and betting structure render the game suitable for video poker novices. Moreover, Jacks or Better laid the foundation for all other variations that subsequently emerged and serves as their basis. Regarded as the first video poker game in history, it appeared in the mid-1970s. It is dealt from a standard deck containing 52 cards, and, as its name suggests, the lowest winning combination consists of a pair of Jacks or another high pair. The odds of getting a paying hand are quite high, which also greatly contributes to the game’s popularity.
This variant is highly favorable for players, especially its full-pay version known as “9/6 Jacks or Better,” where you have the best odds of winning and turning a long-term profit. Jacks or Better has one of the lowest house edges out there, as it gives the casino a statistical advantage of only 0.46%. Accordingly, the long-term expected return players can anticipate from this game stands at 99.54%, provided they play strategically and bet the maximum number of coins on each round.
| Jacks or Better Pay Table | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coins | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Royal Flush | 250 | 500 | 750 | 1000 | 4000 |
| Straight Flush | 50 | 100 | 150 | 200 | 250 |
| Four of a Kind | 25 | 50 | 75 | 100 | 125 |
| Full House | 9 | 18 | 27 | 36 | 45 |
| Flush | 6 | 12 | 18 | 24 | 30 |
| Straight | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 |
| Three of a Kind | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 |
| Two Pair | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
| Jacks or Better | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Deuces Wild
Deuces Wild is another widespread variation of video poker commonly available at online casinos. It borrows its name from the colloquial term “deuce”, which refers to cards with a denomination of two pips (2s). All deuces are wild in this variation and can substitute for other cards, helping you complete more winning combinations. For instance, if you have two Aces and a deuce, the deuce counts as a third Ace, giving you the lowest-paying combination in the game, a Three of a Kind. The game is played with a standard pack of 52 cards, including the four wild deuces.
There are many variations of Deuces Wild, but the full-pay version is the most popular, as it offers a positive expected return of 100.76%. It is among the most sought-after variants because it has proven to be both extremely exciting and very profitable. It should be noted that it is possible to win in the long term only on the condition that you apply a reliable strategy and manage your funds adequately.
Additionally, there is a difference between the wild cards in video poker and the wild cards in standard poker. In video poker, the payout for “unnatural” hands, or winning combinations completed with the help of wild cards, is lower. For example, a Royal Flush formed without wild cards pays 4000 coins, whereas the same winning combination completed with wild cards pays only 125 coins. Full-pay Deuces Wild gives players excellent chances of winning and profiting in the long term, but only if they follow a reliable strategy.
| Deuces Wild Pay Table | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coins | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Natural Royal Flush | 250 | 500 | 750 | 1000 | 4000 |
| 4 Deuces | 200 | 400 | 600 | 800 | 1000 |
| Deuces Royal Flush | 25 | 50 | 75 | 100 | 125 |
| Five of a Kind | 16 | 32 | 48 | 64 | 80 |
| Straight Flush | 13 | 26 | 39 | 52 | 65 |
| Four of a Kind | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 |
| Full House | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 |
| Flush | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
| Straight | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
| Three of a Kind | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Double Bonus
Double Bonus is yet another popular video poker variation. The lowest winning hand here consists of a pair of Jacks or another high pair. A standard 52-card deck is used for the game. The variation offers bonus payouts for various Four of a Kind combinations. It features a generous payout for a hand containing four Aces, which awards 800 coins at the highest betting level when five coins are in play. Furthermore, if players manage to collect four 2s, 3s, or 4s, they will receive 400 coins. The payout for four 5s through Kings is 250 coins, which is still a respectable amount. The expected return is positive at 100.17%, provided that players play 10/7 Double Bonus Poker and bet the maximum number of coins. Do not forget that you must always adhere to the correct strategy for Double Bonus Poker in order to win in the long term.
Aces and Eights
Aces and Eights is a video poker variation that is nearly identical to Jacks or Better, save for the higher payouts for Four of a Kind with Aces and Eights. The bonus payout for these winning combinations is usually 400 coins, whereas the standard payout for Four of a Kind is only 125 coins. The expected return for full-pay variants of Aces and Eights is still negative at 99.78%, provided that the maximum number of coins is in play and you follow the correct strategy.
Even though the basic rules and gameplay coincide with those of Jacks or Better, the payout percentage of Aces and Eights is slightly higher. Different versions come with different paytables, so make sure you double-check the payouts before you start betting real money. The best variation you can find is 25/8 Aces and Eights, which yields the highest possible expected return. Here you are paid at odds of 25-to-1 for a Four of a Kind and 8-to-1 for a Full House. This full-pay version gives players better chances of winning as it has a lower house edge.
Joker Wild
Joker Wild, also known as Joker Poker, is one of the very few video poker variations that uses a 53-card deck. A joker is included in the pack as a wild card that substitutes for other cards and enables you to complete more winning combinations. This makes it easier to form strong hands, hence the reduced payouts for certain card combinations. In most cases, the lowest winning hand players can form consists of a pair of Kings, two pairs, or a pair of Aces, but it all depends on which version you play and where.
Some versions of Joker Wild offer enhanced payouts for Five of a Kind. The payout differs from one variation to another, but in most cases it is either 500 or 1,000 coins. The game itself has three different versions – Kings or Better, Two Pairs or Better, and Aces or Better. The names correspond to the lowest winning combination players can form in the respective variation. The best version among these is Kings or Better, as it provides the highest payout percentage.
Tens or Better
Tens or Better is a popular video poker variation that closely resembles Jacks or Better. This game is suitable for those looking to play for short periods, as it offers lower payouts. Video poker enthusiasts who want higher payouts and better chances of winning big should opt for Jacks or Better. The weakest winning hand consists of a pair of Tens, and the payouts for a Full House and a Flush are also lower. As a result, players win less money than usual.
The highest winning combination remains the Royal Flush, as is the case in all other video poker variations. Tens or Better offers an expected return of 99.13%, provided that players bet the maximum number of coins and use a reliable strategy. Most versions include a Gamble feature that enables players to try to double their profits after each winning combination. Using the feature is, of course, optional.
| Tens or Better Pay Table | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coins | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Royal Flush | 500 | 1000 | 2000 | 3000 | 4000 |
| Straight Flush | 50 | 100 | 150 | 200 | 250 |
| Four of a Kind | 25 | 50 | 75 | 100 | 125 |
| Full House | 6 | 12 | 18 | 24 | 30 |
| Flush | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 |
| Straight | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 |
| Three of a Kind | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 |
| Two Pairs | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
| Tens or Better | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Conclusion
Video poker is one of the most exciting casino games as it marries chance with skill. Nowadays, video poker enthusiasts have the opportunity to enjoy Deuces Wild, Joker Wild, Double Bonus Poker, Aces and Eights, and other variations to diversify their gaming experience.
Some of these variations offer special bonus payouts, while others feature wild cards that enable players to form winning combinations more easily. Players should experiment with different variations to find those that best suit their personal preferences. However, before playing, it is advisable to double-check the rules and paytable to make sure the game is sufficiently favorable.