Free Video Poker
Play genuine Las Vegas video poker online for free
Play free video poker online with classic games made by Game King, which you can find in Las Vegas casinos. Games include Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, and Double Bonus Poker, as well as triple play video poker.
Video poker has been around for almost 50 years. In 1970, Dale Electronics introduced the world's first video poker machine called "Poker-Matic." It was installed in virtually every casino that existed in Las Vegas at that time.
Even though it didn't become a big hit, the Poker-Matic laid the groundwork for future games that would capture the gambling public's imagination – and dollars.
Video poker became popular in the 1980s when computers became powerful enough to offer the game to the masses on home systems, including the early Ataris (400 and 800) and the VIC-20.
Video poker is incredibly popular in Vegas casinos. Interestingly, it's only in recent years that slots have overtaken poker machines in popularity in the casinos.
Video poker can pay out well if you know how to play the game properly. That's why so many players prefer to master a single version of video poker, like 'Bonus Poker' or 'Jacks or Better,' rather than playing them all.
During this time, the game also became popular in casinos as a real money game. Players can play for pennies right through to many dollars per hand, appealing to players of all levels.
Real Money Video Poker Games
Fancy playing video poker online for cash? Take a look at our real money page where we have all the information you need, including a list of the top casinos to play.
There are quite a few reasons for the appeal of video poker machines, including very high payback rates (if you play the correct strategy) and the fact that they offer players a quick game of poker on the fly. There's no need to spend the hours involved with a real table game – you can just sit and play for 5 minutes, then move on.
What is Video Poker?
The game itself usually follows a similar structure to five-card draw poker, the foundation for many popular poker variants.
The game begins with the deal. Five cards are dealt to the player, and the player is given the opportunity to hold or discard any of the cards. The goal is to get the best hand possible, and the machine pays out on winning hands above a certain threshold.
For example, in Jacks or Better, the machine pays out on any hand that has a pair of Jacks or better (i.e., a pair of Queens, or three of a kind).
In addition, the payouts become larger as the strength of your hand improves. So, you'll get a much larger payout for a hand comprising four of a kind than you would for a pair of Jacks.
The payout for all the games is always clearly displayed, and there are many different varieties of games to play. Jacks or Better video poker is one particular game, but other games involve Jokers (as wild cards). So, there are also games like Jokers Wild video poker on offer in most casinos.
In other games, there are wild cards other than Jokers. For example, Deuces Wild video poker is really popular in casinos. In this game, all the 2s are wild.
Some people like to play multiple hands at once. For those players, you'll see quite a few machines where the player can play 5 hands at once. There are even machines offering 50 hands at once. For example, you can play 50-hand Jacks or Better and 50-hand Jokers Wild games both online and in casinos.
Another interesting game for something different is Hi Lo video poker, which adds the aspect of the higher-lower game you might see in the Play Your Cards Right game show.
Some video poker machines are attached to progressive jackpots. With these games, if you hit the best win (a Royal Flush), you'll win an enormous jackpot prize. Usually, the jackpot is only available to players wagering the 'max' bet – this means they need to play the top denomination per hand.
Understanding Video Poker Pay Tables
One of the most important aspects of video poker is understanding pay tables. Unlike slots, video poker machines display their pay tables clearly on screen, and knowing how to read them is essential for finding the best games.
The pay table shows how much each winning hand pays based on the number of coins bet. Pay tables directly affect the Return to Player (RTP) percentage, which is why experienced players always check the pay table before playing.
Full Pay vs. Short Pay Machines
Take Jacks or Better as an example. A "full pay" or "9/6" Jacks or Better machine pays 9 coins for a Full House and 6 coins for a Flush (per coin bet). This version offers an RTP of 99.54% with perfect strategy.
However, many casinos offer "short pay" versions like 8/5 (8 coins for Full House, 5 for Flush) or even 6/5 machines. These lower-paying versions significantly reduce your RTP – an 8/5 machine drops to about 97.3%, and a 6/5 machine falls to around 95%.
The difference might seem small, but over time it adds up significantly. Always look for the best pay tables available.
Why Video Poker Beats Slots
Video poker offers some of the best odds in the casino, far superior to traditional slot machines:
Video Poker RTP: 97-99%+ with proper strategy (some full-pay games even exceed 100% with promotions)
Slot Machine RTP: Typically 88-95%, with no skill involved
Transparency: Video poker pay tables are clearly displayed; slot RTPs are hidden
Skill Factor: Unlike slots, your decisions directly affect your results in video poker
This combination of high RTP and player control makes video poker one of the smartest games to play in any casino.
Basic Strategy Tips
While complete strategy charts exist for each game variant, here are essential tips that apply to most video poker games:
Always play maximum coins – The Royal Flush pays 800:1 on max bet but only 250:1 on less than max. This single rule dramatically affects your overall RTP.
Never break a paying hand to chase a draw – If you have a paying pair, don't discard it hoping for a straight or flush unless the math supports it.
Hold all paying hands – Never discard a winning combination unless you have four cards to a Royal Flush.
Four cards to a Royal beats everything – Except a Royal Flush itself, always hold four Royal Flush cards, even if it means breaking a straight, flush, or paying pair.
Understand hand hierarchy – Learn which draws are worth chasing and which aren't. For example, a low pair beats a four-card straight draw.
Practice with free games first – Master the strategy on free games before risking real money.
Use a strategy card – Casinos allow strategy cards at video poker machines. Use one until you've memorized the plays.
Bankroll Management
Proper bankroll management is crucial for video poker success:
Recommended bankroll: Have at least 200-300 times your bet per hand to weather normal variance
Quarter machines ($1.25 per hand): Bring $250-375
Dollar machines ($5 per hand): Bring $1,000-1,500
Start at lower denominations: Build your skills and bankroll at lower stakes before moving up
Set win/loss limits: Decide in advance when you'll walk away
Video poker has higher variance than slots, meaning you'll experience bigger swings. A proper bankroll helps you ride out losing streaks and stay in action long enough to hit those big hands.
Where to Find the Best Video Poker Games
Not all casinos offer the same pay tables. Here's what to look for:
In Las Vegas:
Downtown Las Vegas casinos typically offer better pay tables than the Strip
Look for 9/6 Jacks or Better as your baseline
Smaller casinos and locals' casinos often have the best games
Station Casinos properties are known for good video poker
What to Look For:
Check the Full House and Flush payouts on Jacks or Better (look for 9/6)
For Deuces Wild, look for "full pay" which pays 25 for a Wild Royal
Avoid 6/5 Jacks or Better machines – they're significantly worse
Higher denominations often have better pay tables than penny machines
Online and Mobile:
Many online casinos offer excellent video poker options
RTPs are often clearly stated in the game information
Practice modes let you perfect your strategy for free
Mobile apps provide convenient access to video poker anywhere
Common Beginner Mistakes to Avoid
Even experienced players sometimes make these errors:
Not playing max coins – This is the biggest mistake. You forfeit the huge Royal Flush bonus.
Playing poor pay tables – Always check the pay table. A few minutes of research can add percentage points to your RTP.
Breaking pat hands unwisely – Don't discard a flush hoping to make a straight flush unless you have four cards to a Royal.
Ignoring strategy – Video poker rewards correct play. Learn basic strategy for your chosen game.
Chasing losses – Don't increase your bets to recover losses. Stick to your bankroll plan.
Playing too fast without thinking – Unlike slots, video poker requires decisions. Take your time.
Switching games constantly – Master one variant before moving to others. Each game has different optimal strategies.
