Video Poker
So, you fancy yourself as a bit of a card shark? Want to get your teeth into an exciting game of skill and luck? You should try online Video Poker! The casino floor favourite is now readily available online - and we have scoured some of the best online casinos to find the optimum places to play.
In our view, the benefits of playing online outweigh those playing in a land-based casino.
Some of those advantages include:
- Higher payouts online compared to land-based casinos.
- Casinos tailored for games such as Video Poker.
- There is a greater range of staking opportunities, for both the newbies and the high rollers!
Read on for our take on the best online casinos to play Video Poker.
| Table of Contents |
Best Online Casinos to Play Video Poker in Ontario
What makes a great Video Poker casino site?
There are several elements - including withdrawal processing time, responsible gaming tools, and the layout of their desktop, mobile, and tablet devices.
Looking for a new place to play Video Poker? Check our top list of casinos below.
How We Rate the Best Online Video Poker Casinos
There you have it - our best-rated Video Poker sites! Like what you see but wondering how we evaluate them? Fear not - below we have listed some of the key points we consider when analyzing our recommended sites.
- What is the verification process like? Is it quick?
- Are your finances adequately protected?
- Is there a great array of Video Poker games?
- Is there a customer service team available 24/7? Is there a live chat function?
These are just some of the questions we pose of Video Poker websites. The more affirmative responses to the above, the better we rate the site.
Types of Online Video Poker Available
One of the critical aspects of a good Video Poker site is the number of different types of Video Poker games that one can play.
There are more variations of Video Poker than you could shake a fist at - all of which derive from two main games - Jacks Or Better (the most common form of Online Video Poker) and Deuces Wild.
The Jacks Or Better game requires the player to have picked up a pair of Jacks at a minimum - before they can start betting.
The Deuces Wild game turns any two into a wild card to help the player make the best hand possible.
Here is a small sample of the types of games attributed to each:
Jacks Or Better
- Ace Invaders: Three boards deal out, meaning you get three hands. Any Aces in the top two boards will fall down to improve other boards - hence the name Space Invaders.
- Aces & Faces: Similar to the main Jacks Or Better game, but with bonus payouts for landing Four Of A Kind with Aces, Jack, Queen, or King.
- Double Double Bonus Poker Plus: A carry on from Aces & Faces - but the Four Of A Kind kicker card can increase payouts.
- Joker Poker: There is just one wild in this game - the joker! There are 53 cards in the deck.
Deuces Wild
- Deuces Wild Multihand: Making an already volatile game even more so with more hands in-play. Higher stakes but also higher rewards.
- Big Times Draw Poker: Also applicable to Jacks Or Better, this variant employs a multiplier function on payouts.
- Anything's Wild: You choose the card you want to be wild - it does not have to be a deuce!
- Build A Wheel Poker: The standard Deuces Of Wild gameplay introduces a bonus wheel thanks to the option of an additional bet.
Quick Overview of How to Play Video Poker
Playing Video Poker Online is easy and a great alternative to other classic casino games such as blackjack and roulette.
The rules are simple - you attempt to make the best poker hand from five cards. You decide on the cards you want to keep and discard, before drawing again from the same virtual deck to reveal the final five cards. The better your qualifying poker hand, the better your win!
Let's break it down for you into steps:
- Step One - Decide your stake size.
- Step Two - To get your initial five-card draw, hit deal.
- Step Three - Choose the cards you wish to discard and the ones you want to keep.
- Step Four - Any new cards you receive will come from the same virtual deck.
- Step Five - Managed to land a triumphant hand? You will get your winnings according to the paytable!
Video Poker Glossary
There are various phrases and terms that form part of the Video Poker vocabulary - some of them make sense; others are not as clear.
You can find some of the need-to-know expressions in the table below:
| Glossary of Video Poker Terms | |
|---|---|
|
Term |
Definition |
|
Credits |
This refers to betting chips - it's the amount you have left in your account to play with and relates to real money. |
|
Hold |
This refers to the option of holding your best cards from your initial five-card draw. |
|
Pay Table |
Check here for the payouts on individual hands.
|
|
Royal Flush |
The best hand you can make! A straight comprising the 10, J, Q, K, and A of the same suit. The payouts for landing this are huge!
|
|
Straight Flush |
Another strong hand - it's any five cards in chronological order of the same suit. |
|
Four Of A Kind |
Refers to a hand whereby four of the five cards are the same number.
|
|
Full House |
A Three Of A Kind and a pair rolled into one!
|
|
Flush |
All five cards are the same suit.
|
|
Straight |
The same as a straight flush - they just do not have to be of the same suit. |
|
Three Of A Kind |
Any three cards are the same number.
|
|
Two Pair |
Two pairs within the five-card draw.
|
|
Jacks Or Better |
A single pair comprising two cards: J, Q, K, or A. |
Best Video Poker Strategies
Like most casino card games, there are strategy guides to help inform you of your best decisions to make when the moment calls for it.
We have hand-picked what we regard as the best out there to help you with your Video Poker quest!
To Get The Jackpot, You Need To Play The Max
Most Online Video Poker games offer you the option to bet between 1 and 5 coins. However, if your budget allows, you should opt for the maximum amount, as this opens up the possibility of landing the Royal Flush jackpot.
Kick The Kicker
Don't fall into the trap of thinking the kicker matters - your main goal in Video Poker is to make the best hand possible. Got a pair of jacks or better? Get rid of the other three cards!
Use Properly Researched Card Charts
Much smarter minds than this writer have assembled impressive strategy cards, which use a combination of mathematics and in-game knowledge to advise your next play.
Best Tips to How to Win at Video Poker
First thing's first - there is no magical formula to winning at Video Poker online. The casino will always retain a house edge - and with time, you're likelier to lose than you are to win.
That said, there are certain things you can do to maximize your chances of winning. They include:
- Set budgets and stick to them. Cash-out when you reach your win-target. Do not go over your loss limits.
- Take a break. Do not play repetitively over time.
- Research a strategy, adopt a plan, and stick to it!
- Avoid playing too late at night or while intoxicated.
- Use responsible gambling tools to help check your play.
Summary
There you have it - a brief breakdown into Online Video Poker. Ready to start your adventure? Head to any of our recommended casinos and claim their welcome bonuses before playing the world-famous card game!
Be a Smart Gambler
It’s important to us that you use any information we provide to gamble responsibly. Always bear in mind that online gambling should be fun and a form of entertainment. Players must be 21+. Not everyone can play for high stakes, and that’s fine. As long as you play within your means and enjoy the time you spend at your chosen site, that’s what matters.
The licensed and regulated casinos we’ve reviewed have tools that can help you stay in control. These will enable you to set limits on how much you can deposit and bet and for how long you can play.
If you do feel as though you may be spending too much time or money on gambling or if you need any further assistance, please take a look at the sites listed below:
https://www.problemgambling.ca/gambling-help/
https://canadasafetycouncil.org/gambling-addiction/
FAQ Section
All you need, simply, is an account with an online casino and playable funds.
Yes - provided the wagering requirements of any bonus money are met.
Yes - plenty of casinos give you the option to play Video Poker for free.
No - there is a house edge, which is laid out clearly in the game rules.
Yes - provided an accredited gambling authority licenses the online casino in question.
Adopt a strategy, set budgets, and play responsibly.
