Real money online video poker is one of the best games for players who value minimizing the house advantage and maximizing their gambling bankrolls.
Video poker games offer theoretical payback percentages as high as 99.88%, even before accounting for video poker promotions and deposit bonuses.
However, the influence players have over their results cuts both ways. It’s imperative that players implement optimal strategy and only play at the best video poker sites.
Read on for BettingUSA’s comprehensive video poker guide. This page explains where to play online video poker for real money, ranks the best video poker apps, and details the optimal strategy for every mainstream variation.
Real Money Video Poker Sites
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21+ to Play, T&Cs Apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
Where To Play Online Video Poker Legally
There are seven states where it’s legal to play online video poker for real money:
- Connecticut Online Casinos
- Delaware Online Casinos
- Michigan Online Casinos
- New Jersey Online Casinos
- Pennsylvania Online Casinos
- West Virginia Online Casinos
- Rhode Island Online Casinos
The variety of real money video poker offerings varies significantly among the states that have legalized online gambling.
Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia have the most variety because they are open markets with multiple online casinos that compete for new customers.
Connecticut law restricts the market to just two online casinos. Fortunately, both are prominent online gambling brands with large game catalogs, so Connecticut players have no shortage of real-money video poker options.
Rhode Island and Delaware are the most restrictive markets, where state law grants a monopoly to one provider in each state. As a result, players have fewer online video poker variants to choose from in RI and DE.
How to Play Video Poker for Money in Other States
Players in states that haven’t yet legalized online gambling don’t have to sit on the sidelines and wait for local laws to change.
Stake.us offers legal online video poker with real-money payouts in 43 states.
Sweepstakes casinos like Stake.us offer casino-style games in most US states, complete with real cash prizes. They operate legally under federal sweepstakes laws but function remarkably similarly to full-fledged online casinos.
The catch is that most sweepstakes casinos don’t offer video poker because they dedicate most of their resources to online slots. Stake.us is the most prominent exception, with a single video poker game.
Fortunately, the Stake.us video poker game has a decent paytable with a 98.94% return-to-player.
Although Stake.us isn’t going to overwhelm players with its video poker options, it’s better than using illegal offshore casino sites with questionable track records. BettingUSA strongly urges players to avoid unlicensed online casinos.
Best Online Video Poker Sites
BettingUSA’s resident experts recently analyzed and compared the offerings at numerous online casinos to provide objective rankings of the best video poker sites.
The following table provides quick recommendations of the best video poker apps, but readers can scroll down for a detailed review of BettingUSA’s first-hand research and ranking factors.
Best Video Poker Sites
| Online Casino | # of Games | Best RTP | VP-Compatible Bonus? |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings Video Poker | 70 | 99.88% (Ultimate X Double Bonus) | Yes |
| BetRivers Video Poker | 78 | 99.88% (Ultimate X Double Bonus) | Yes |
| FanDuel Video Poker | 63 | 99.88% (Ultimate X Double Bonus) | No |
| BetMGM Video Poker | 70 | 99.54% (Jacks or Better) | No |
Having a positive video poker experience is almost exclusively a function of choosing the right online casino.
One factor all players should consider when choosing where to play video poker online is return-to-player percentages (RTPs). Video poker RTPs inform players what percentage of their wagers will be returned as winnings on average over the long run.
For example, a video poker game with a 99% RTP issues $99 worth of payouts for every $100 in wagers it takes. That also informs players they can expect to lose about $1 for every $100 they wager at that game.
RTP figures are only long-term averages, so anything can happen in the short term. However, RTPs have a massive impact on players’ bottom lines over the long run.
Other factors to consider:
- Frequency of video poker promotions: Few online casino bonuses are compatible with video poker due to its low house advantage. That said, video poker bonuses aren’t that hard to find, and some can temporarily turn the advantage in favor of players.
- Variety of video poker games: Most gambling apps neglect their video poker libraries and only offer a small selection of IGT video poker games. IGT games have excellent RTPs, but it can get old seeing the same lineup of IGT video poker games at nearly every online casino.
- Online casino’s reputation: Even in the highly-regulated US online gambling market, not all casino sites have favorable reputations due to slow payouts, promos with hidden terms, and error-prone software. The best video poker sites make playing online fun, easy, and stress-free.
DraftKings Video Poker
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- Best video poker game: Ultimate X Double Bonus Poker (99.88% RTP)
- Video poker betting limits: $0.03 to $500
- Number of video poker games: 70
- Highlights: Large lineup, games from multiple developers, many games with 99%+ RTPs, new games added regularly, large progressive jackpots
DraftKings Casino tops the list of the best video poker sites for multiple reasons.
Most notably, DraftKings Casino has dozens of video poker variants with RTPs above 99%. It looks like DraftKings only has 15 video poker options, but several of its IGT machines are nine-in-one games where at least eight have RTPs of 99% or higher.
Secondly, the DraftKings lineup provides significantly more variety than most video poker online casinos. Most gambling sites offer a modest collection of the same IGT games players can find everywhere, but that’s not the case at DraftKings.
The complete DraftKings collection consists of IGT titles, including several high-RTP Ultimate X video poker machines, new multi-rise video poker games by ODDSworks, and a single Jacks or Better game by NetEnt.
Expert Tip: NetEnt’s Jacks or Better game looks phenomenal and plays smoothly, but it has the weakest paytable on DraftKings and a below-average RTP as a result.
Instead, Jacks or Better fans should consider IGT’s Ultimate X Jacks or Better game on DraftKings. It doesn’t look as sleek, but it features an excellent RTP of 99.29%.
Further, several DraftKings video poker games have progressive jackpot features that are capable of issuing six- and seven-figure payouts.
For example, DraftKings’ IGT video poker games had five progressive jackpots at the time of this writing:
- Mini jackpot: $1,482
- Minor jackpot: $14,898
- Major jackpot: $215,506
- Mega jackpot: $933,341
- Game King progressive: $377,820
Some DraftKings Casino welcome offers are surprisingly friendly to video poker players, such as a recent deposit bonus with a 1x wagering requirement on video poker.
Typically, casino bonuses either enforce burdensome wagering requirements on video poker or exclude it entirely.
Short-term casino promotions for existing customers are a different story. DraftKings has reduced its promotional output for existing users, so players shouldn’t get their hopes up for frequent video poker promotions.
However, DraftKings Casino essentially offers a video poker rewards program via Dynasty Rewards.
All DraftKings customers automatically join Dynasty Rewards upon registration and earn Crowns when they play real-money video poker online. Players can exchange Crowns for DK Dollars (site credit) for continual bankroll boosts.
BetRivers Video Poker
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- Best video poker game: Ultimate X Double Bonus Poker (99.88% RTP)
- Video poker betting limits: $0.01 to $100
- Number of video poker games: 78
- Highlights: Low-rollover video poker bonuses and iRush Rewards loyalty program
BetRivers Casino may very well be the most underrated video poker site online.
The BetRivers game lobby and promotions tab don’t look particularly exciting at first. However, a peek under the hood reveals this is one of the best video poker online casinos for multiple reasons.
First, BetRivers is the only online casino that regularly launches promotions compatible with video poker.
Most gambling sites issue promotions that either prohibit players from using bonus funds on video poker or require video poker players to meet onerous wagering requirements before allowing withdrawals.
In contrast, the BetRivers Casino welcome bonus has a 1x rollover that players can meet with all games, video poker included. Players can also anticipate regular promos for existing customers that work with video poker.
Second, players can earn additional 1x-rollver video poker bonuses through BetRivers’ loyalty program, iRush Rewards.
Players earn Bonus Store Points (BSPs) for every casino game on BetRivers at rates depending on each game’s RTP. For video poker, that works out to about one point for every $10 to $25 wagered on video poker:
| Game RTP | Amount Wagered to Earn 1 Point |
|---|---|
| 94% | $4.17 |
| 95% | $5 |
| 97.5% | $10 |
| 99% | $25 |
Third, BetRivers has a larger-than-average video poker catalog comprising nearly 80 variants from multiple providers.
The lineup includes a standard array of IGT games, multi-rise video poker from ODDSworks, Jacks or Better from NetEnt, and several titles from Spin Games.
FanDuel Video Poker
200 Bonus Spins + $1000 Loss RefundFanDuel Casino Promo Code: Not Needed
21+ and present in CT, NJ, PA, MI or WV. Bonus issued as non-withdrawable casino credits. Restrictions apply. See full terms at fanduel.com/casino. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (NJ, PA, MI), or visit www.1800gambler.net (WV) or https://ccpg.org/chat (CT).
- Best video poker game: Ultimate X Double Bonus Poker (99.88% RTP)
- Video poker betting limits: $0.01 to $100
- Number of video poker games: 63
- Highlights: Numerous high-RTP video poker games, exceptional mobile app
FanDuel Casino has almost as many video poker games as DraftKings, but the lineup is far less diverse because all FanDuel video poker games are IGT productions.
As a result, all of FanDuel’s video poker games look and feel similar to one another despite there being dozens of individual titles on offer. Still, FanDuel Casino is an easy pick for the number three spot.
One significant plus for FanDuel Casino is it features the high-RTP Ultimate X series from IGT. Each of the three Ultimate X machines has nine games with consistently high RTPs and minimum wagers starting at $0.01.
Video poker promotions are pretty scarce at FanDuel Casino, and the default welcome bonus doesn’t offer much for video poker players.
However, players can leverage the occasional non-specific promo for video poker.
For example, one recent FanDuel Casino promotion gave players three chances to spin the Reward Machine each day for up to $2,000 in non-specific casino bonuses.
The FanDuel Casino app is the best on the market in terms of speed and stability, but its lack of a fitter feature for video poker is annoying.
Currently, the only way to access FanDuel’s video poker games is to visit the table games tab and manually hunt for them among various other games like blackjack and craps.
BetMGM Video Poker
$25 On Signup + $1000 Deposit BonusBetMGM Casino Bonus Code: BUSABONUS
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- Best video poker game: Jacks or Better (99.54%)
- Video poker betting limits: $0.10 to $100
- Number of video poker games: 70
- Highlights: Multiple IGT Game King games with 99%+ RTPs and BetMGM Rewards perks
BetMGM Casino has a modest collection of online video poker machines, although there are 70 variants in total when counting several nine-in-one games developed by IGT.
One of BetMGM’s most compelling advantages is its multiple games from separate providers with RTPs of 99% or higher.
So, players who want to switch it up from the usual IGT-styled video poker games can do so at BetMGM without sacrificing a high RTP.
Another strong point is BetMGM Rewards. All new customers join BetMGM Rewards automatically and can earn up to four rewards points for every $100 wagered on video poker.
That said, BetMGM doesn’t rank among the very best video poker sites for two reasons:
- Most BetMGM Casino promotions exclude video poker, so dedicated video poker players will rarely play with active bonuses.
- The BetMGM Casino lobby does not provide a way for players to view video poker games exclusively. There’s no search or filter feature for video poker, so players must browse the “table games” tab and manually hunt for individual video poker games.
Taking its pros and cons into account, BetMGM Casino is ideal for players who like to dabble but not for video poker purists.
Gamblers who exclusively play real-money online video poker or prioritize it over other games have better options.
However, BetMGM is a well-rounded online casino otherwise. Frequent promotions, a massive catalog of other games, and an excellent rewards program make it a safe choice for gamblers who play more than just video poker.
How To Play Video Poker Online For Real Money
Playing video poker online for money involves two phases that typically take less than five minutes each:
- Getting Started: Choose a licensed online casino, sign up for an account and deposit funds
- Learning the Rules: Get to know the basic mechanics and gameplay rules of video poker
Getting Started with Online Video Poker
The first and most crucial step is to choose a safe video poker app or website.
All video poker sites recommended on this page are legal in the USA and rank well in security, legality, game variety, return-to-player, and promotions.
After choosing where to play online video poker, players can visit its website on any mobile device or desktop to sign up for an account or download the app.
Regulations in states with legal online gambling require licensed video poker sites to collect details such as names, addresses, and phone numbers from every new customer for age and identity verification purposes.
The next step after registering is to deposit money.
Players can fund their online casino accounts with credit cards, bank transfers, and payment platforms like PayPal, Play+, Venmo, and Apple Pay.
Online casinos usually offer one or two cash-based methods as well, such as depositing cash at a nearby land-based casino or through PayNearMe.
Most deposit methods are instant, so there’s no waiting between depositing funds and playing video poker for real money.
Video Poker Rules
There are many varieties of video poker, but the basic gameplay rules are pretty much universal. Once a player learns how to play one video poker variant, they will have no trouble playing any other.
In all video poker variants, the goal is to get the best five-card poker hand for a fixed payout.
A typical video poker game deals players five cards, gives players one chance to discard some, and replaces the discards with new cards drawn randomly from the deck.
The first step for players is to log in to their online casino accounts and visit the “video poker” or “table games” tab.
Next, players must choose the denomination of wagers to place each round. Minimum video poker wagers online range from about $0.01 to $0.50.
Whenever there’s an option to select the number of coins, it’s better to pick the maximum because it unlocks bonus payouts.
A typical example is video poker games that pay 250/1 for Royal Flushes when players wager four coins but 800/1 for players who wager five coins.
That equates to a 1.5% difference in the house advantage, which is significant in video poker because it’s already such a low house advantage game.
Next, players can hit the “deal” button to receive their first five cards.
Next, players can click or tap on any cards they wish to keep, then hit the draw button to get new cards to replace the discards.
That’s the end of the hand from the player’s point of view. If they have a qualifying hand after the draw, the casino will pay the player according to that game’s paytable.
For example, the appropriately named Jacks or Better video poker game pays players who finish with a pair of Jacks or Better according to the paytable displayed in this screenshot:
Typically, games without wild cards pay for pairs of Jacks or better, while games with wild cards have higher minimum qualifying hands. For example, Joker Poker only pays for a pair of Kings or better, and Deuces Wild pays for three of a kind or better.
How to Play Multi-Hand Video Poker Online
Most legal online casinos have several multi-hand casino variants on offer.
One of the most well-known and highest-paying video poker games is IGT’s Ultimate X Video Poker series, which offers three-, five-, and ten-play variants.
Players also receive 2x to 12x payout multipliers on the next round whenever they have a winning hand in Ultimate X Video Poker.
It’s a great deal, but it’s not free. Players must bet ten coins per hand instead of five to activate the multipliers feature. In a quarter ten-play game, the player would normally bet $1.25 times ten hands for a total wager of $125.50. In Ultimate X video poker, it would be $2.50 per hand, for $25 total each round.
Expert Tip: If you’re about to leave or running low on coins, drop your bet to five coins per hand. This will remove the multiplier from the following hand and save some cash.
Are Online Video Poker Odds Better?
Video poker offers better odds than the vast majority of other casino games.
The best video poker real money games have RTPs of 99% or better.
Variants like Not-So-Ugly-Ducks (99.73%), Ultimate X Double Bonus Poker (99.88%), 9/7 Triple Double Bonus (99. 58%), and 9/6 Jacks or Better (99.54%) offer some of the industry’s best RTPs.
Finding these games outside of Nevada’s local casinos and downtown Las Vegas and Reno is difficult.
It is impossible to find most of those titles on the Las Vegas Strip, even at the highest limits.
The most luxurious Las Vegas Strip resorts may deal full-pay Jacks or Better, but players usually have to play the $5 denomination at a minimum to get it. Some casinos only deal it at $25 and higher. Multiply that by five coins, and it can get expensive quickly.
The best game at Atlantic City casinos is usually 9/6 Jacks or Better. The casinos that have it often reduce the slot and tier points it generates.
The video poker games at retail casinos in states where online casinos are legal are generally terrible. This is especially true at Pennsylvania online casinos and West Virginia online casinos, where playing online video poker is far superior to the machines found inside casinos in these states. The difference can be substantial.
The best live video poker game BettingUSA has found in West Virginia is 7/5 Bonus Poker at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races, with a house advantage of 1.99%.
Meanwhile, the best online video poker game BettingUSA has found at an online casino in West Virginia has a house advantage of 0.12%. Players will theoretically lose 17 times faster on that 7/5 Bonus Poker game than at the 99.88% Ultimate X Double Bonus Poker.
Other Ways Online Video Poker Differs from Playing at the Casino
The basic mechanics of video poker are the same online as in person, but there are critical differences between the two.
Most notably, as the previous section outlined, online video poker offers significantly better odds than video poker machines at land-based casinos.
Most online video poker games return 99% or better. Few land-based casinos can match that. Players would need to visit Las Vegas locals, downtown casinos, or a good regional market to find that kind of value.
Additionally, online casinos pay comps for video poker. Many land-based casinos have seriously restricted slot and tier points for good games, especially variants with the types of pay tables you can find online.
Video poker is sometimes a qualifying game for online casino deposit bonuses, but not always because it’s such a low house advantage game.
Players should be sure to read the bonus rules to ensure video poker wagers count toward the wagering requirements needed to clear the bonus for withdrawal.
Additionally, note that even when casinos issue bonuses compatible with video poker, the rollover requirement is often higher for video poker than for online slots and other games. The playthrough requirement may be 10, 20, or even 30 times higher.
On the other hand, in-person video poker tends to provide more variety. Players who enjoy video poker variants beyond multi-hand and Ultimate X still need to visit casinos in person. Online casinos do not have variants like Dream Card, Split Card, Wheel Poker, Super Times Pay, and Spin Poker.
Can Online Video Poker Be Beaten?
The best online video poker game available at most online casinos is the 99.88% Ultimate X Double Bonus Poker.
This game is only beatable when combined with video poker bonuses, VIP rewards programs, or other promotions that add at least 0.12% to the return.
However, the money players can make from online video poker is trivial, even with a good promotion.
Without promotions, the theoretical return is negative, and players will more likely lose than win. The longer they play, the likelier they will start trending downward below breakeven.
In short, online video poker can’t be beaten in most cases.
Video Poker Tips
The most important aspect of playing video poker is to have the proper bankroll. The negative variance can catch up quickly, especially on games like Double Double Bonus and Triple Double Bonus.
Players should also ensure they choose denominations where they can afford to bet five coins.
Additionally, it is imperative to know the basic strategy for the games. Players don’t have to memorize every exception, though it helps.
In some wild card games, it is impossible for a human to learn them all. One of the advantages of playing online is that there are many resources for strategy cards that players can use while playing.
Players should always check the paytables for video poker games before playing and skip any with RTPs lower than 99%.
Online Video Poker Pay Tables
There are nine video poker games that are standard at online casinos.
The pay tables below are used for IGT’s Game King platform, which is the industry standard.
The percentage in parenthesis is the return-to-player when betting five coins and using the perfect strategy. The number shown by each hand is the number of coins won for each one wagered. When playing the recommended five coins, multiply it by five.
Online Video Poker Betting Strategy
The strategies below for each game are tied to the pay tables listed above. If a pay table is different, the strategy may change with it. Make sure to check the returns on the game before using the strategy. It also assumes the player is wagering five coins. When players wager fewer coins, there may be some changes in strategy when drawing to royal flushes as the payout for that is lower.
Online Video Poker FAQ
John is a gambling industry veteran and advantage gambler with experience as a reporter, legal analyst, and community moderator. John lives in Las Vegas and runs VegasAdvantage.com