Video poker offers a unique blend of strategy and chance, making it a favorite among online casino players. This article explores the various video poker games available, from the classic Jacks or Better to the thrill of wild card variations like Deuces Wild. You’ll learn about the mechanics, strategies, and pay tables that define each game, helping you make informed choices and maximize your gaming experience at Hard Rock Bet Casino. Whether you’re a seasoned player or new to the scene, this guide will equip you with the knowledge to enjoy video poker to its fullest.
What Video Poker Variations Can You Play Online?
Video poker is a casino game that combines poker hand rankings with slot machine-style gameplay, though unlike bonus buy slots, you can’t purchase your way directly into bonus features. This means you’re dealt five cards, choose which ones to keep, and get new cards to replace the discarded ones. Online casinos offer dozens of video poker variations, each with unique rules, pay structures, and strategies that create different experiences for players.
The main categories include standard games like Jacks or Better, bonus variations that offer bigger payouts for specific hands, and wild card games where certain cards can represent any card you need. Online platforms like Hard Rock Bet Casino provide much more variety than retail locations, plus you can enjoy lower minimum bets that make these games accessible to players with any budget.
How Does Jacks or Better Work?
Jacks or Better is the foundation of video poker and the easiest variation to learn. You need at least a pair of jacks to win anything, with payouts increasing for better hands up to the royal flush. This straightforward rule makes it perfect for beginners who want to understand basic video poker strategy before trying more complex variations.
The standard pay table shows exactly what each winning hand pays, with payouts increasing from a pair of jacks up to the top prize for a royal flush. Full-pay Jacks or Better games offer a 9/6 pay table, which indicates a higher payout ratio for a full house and a flush.
- Always hold high pairs: Jacks, queens, kings, or aces give you an immediate winning hand
- Draw to straights and flushes: These hands offer solid payouts and reasonable chances of completion
- Keep suited high cards: Two high cards of the same suit give you shots at flushes, straights, and pairs
What Are Bonus Poker Games?
Bonus poker games keep the basic Jacks or Better rules but add bigger payouts for specific four-of-a-kind hands. This creates more excitement by offering chances for much larger wins. These games appeal to players who want more action than standard video poker provides.
The trade-off for those enhanced four-of-a-kind payouts usually comes from reduced payments on other hands, particularly two pair. Understanding these pay table differences helps you adjust your strategy to maximize your winning potential.
Double Bonus Poker
Double Bonus Poker pays a premium for four aces, offering a significantly higher payout for that hand compared to standard Jacks or Better. Four 2s, 3s, or 4s also get bonus treatment with 80-coin payouts. However, two pair only pays even money instead of the 2-to-1 you get in Jacks or Better.
Your strategy needs to become more aggressive when pursuing four-of-a-kinds. You’ll sometimes break up winning hands like three of a kind to chase that fourth card, especially when you’re holding three aces.
Double Double Bonus Poker
Double Double Bonus Poker introduces the “kicker” concept where specific four-of-a-kinds with certain fifth cards pay massive bonuses. Four aces with a 2, 3, or 4 as the fifth card can pay a massive bonus, one of the highest in the game. Four 2s, 3s, or 4s with an ace, 2, 3, or 4 kicker pays 800 coins.
The potential for rare but massive payouts can transform your session. The potential rewards make it exciting for players who enjoy high-stakes action.
Triple Double Bonus Poker
Triple Double Bonus Poker takes the bonus concept to its extreme with astronomical payouts for specific hands. Four aces with a 2, 3, or 4 can pay up to 4,000 coins, while other premium four-of-a-kinds with kickers offer similarly massive rewards. This game’s structure is best suited for players with substantial bankrolls and nerves of steel.
This variation is perfect for thrill-seekers chasing life-changing win potential similar to what you’d find in jackpot promotions. The strategy becomes even more aggressive, with players willing to break up strong hands to chase those premium four-of-a-kinds.
How Do Wild Card Video Poker Games Work?
Wild card games use certain cards that can represent any card needed to complete winning hands. This dramatically shifts strategy and creates new hand rankings since five-of-a-kind becomes possible. Wild card games typically require stronger hands to win, like three of a kind minimum, but make those hands much easier to achieve.
The presence of wild cards changes everything about how you play, from which cards to hold to what hands you should pursue. These games offer a completely different video poker experience that many players find more exciting than standard variations.
Deuces Wild
Deuces Wild makes all four 2s act as wild cards, creating a 53-card deck where five-of-a-kind is the second-best possible hand. The minimum winning hand is three of a kind, and a natural royal flush (without wild cards) offers the highest possible payout, while a wild royal also provides a significant top-tier prize.
Strategy revolves around the golden rule of never discarding a deuce under any circumstances. You’ll also pursue wild royal flushes aggressively and be willing to break up pairs to draw for three-of-a-kinds when you don’t have any wild cards.
- Never discard a deuce: Wild cards are too valuable to give up
- Pursue wild royals: These hands offer excellent payouts and reasonable completion chances
Three of a kind minimum: Don’t expect to win with pairs like in standard video poker
Joker Poker
Joker Poker adds one joker as a wild card to create a 53-card deck, offering a middle ground between standard games and the all-wild format of Deuces Wild. Most versions require kings or better to win, though some pay on two pair. The single wild card creates exciting possibilities without the dramatic strategy changes of Deuces Wild.
You’ll encounter the joker roughly once every 11 hands, making wild card strategy important but not overwhelming. This balance appeals to players who want wild card excitement without completely abandoning familiar video poker concepts.
Which Video Poker Games Have The Best Pay Tables?
Pay tables determine your long-term returns in video poker, making them crucial to understand before you start playing, just like understanding which casino games with the best odds can improve your overall gaming strategy. The key numbers to focus on are the full house and flush payouts, which create the biggest impact on your overall returns. A 9/6 Jacks or Better game pays nine coins for a full house and six coins for a flush per coin wagered.
Hard Rock Bet Casino’s extensive selection means you can find player-friendly pay tables across multiple variations. Always check the pay table before playing, as even small differences can significantly impact your results over time.
- 9/6 Jacks or Better: The gold standard with excellent returns for basic strategy players
- 10/7 Double Bonus: Full-pay version offers competitive returns despite the bonus structure
- Full-pay Deuces Wild: Look for games that pay 1,000 coins for wild royal flushes
Different variations have different “full-pay” standards, so what constitutes a good pay table varies by game type. Learning to identify the best versions of each game you want to play gives you a significant advantage.
Play Video Poker Variations At Hard Rock Bet Casino
Hard Rock Bet offers an impressive video poker selection as part of its collection that includes nearly 3500 games through partnerships with leading providers. You’ll find everything from single-hand classics to multi-hand versions that let you play up to 100 hands simultaneously. The platform is optimized for mobile play and is the top rated casino app, perfect since most players prefer gaming on their phones and tablets.
Every video poker session connects to the Unity by Hard Rock rewards program, turning your play into points toward exclusive benefits and experiences. As a licensed and regulated platform, Hard Rock Bet ensures fair play while offering the lower minimum bets that make online gaming accessible to players with any budget size.
Recommended related articles
FAQ about Video Poker Variations
Below we’ve put together a few questions and answers about video poker variations.
What are the most popular variations of video poker?
The most popular video poker variations include Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, Bonus Poker, Double Double Bonus Poker, and Joker Poker. Each has different paytables, wild cards, and strategies that affect your odds and payout potential.
What’s the difference between Jacks or Better and Deuces Wild?
Jacks or Better pays only on hands with a pair of jacks or higher and has no wild cards.
Deuces Wild makes all twos wild, creating more winning hands but usually with lower payouts for premium combinations like a natural royal flush.
Which video poker variation has the best odds?
Full-pay Deuces Wild and 9/6 Jacks or Better are known for having some of the best player returns—often over 99% RTP when played with optimal strategy.
What is “Bonus Poker” and how is it different?
Bonus Poker adds higher payouts for certain four-of-a-kind hands, such as four aces or face cards. It’s a variation of Jacks or Better that rewards more for specific quads.
How does Double Double Bonus Poker work?
Double Double Bonus Poker further increases payouts for four-of-a-kind hands with specific kickers (like four aces with a 2, 3, or 4). It has higher volatility but also higher potential wins.
Is there a strategy for each video poker variation?
Yes. Each version has its own optimal strategy chart based on paytable differences. Using the correct strategy helps maximize your return and minimize house edge.
Can I play video poker variations online?
Absolutely. Most online casinos, including Hard Rock Bet, offer multiple video poker variations that can be played on desktop or mobile with real money or in demo mode.
What is a full-pay video poker machine?
A full-pay machine offers the best theoretical payout for a specific variation. For example, 9/6 Jacks or Better (9 for a full house, 6 for a flush) pays back around 99.54% with perfect play.
Which video poker game is best for beginners?
Jacks or Better is often recommended for beginners because it’s simple, follows standard poker hand rankings, and has a straightforward strategy.
Are wild cards good or bad in video poker?
Wild cards increase your chances of winning but often lower top payouts. Games like Deuces Wild are more exciting but require different strategies than non-wild versions.
