There are now lots of different video poker variants online. In this article, we explain the ones players like best, their pros and cons, and more.
Jacks or Better
Jacks or Better is the most common video poker variant and serves as the foundation for many other games. In this version, players need a pair of jacks or higher to secure a payout.
RTP: Around 99.54% with optimal strategy.
Pros:
- Simple rules: Jacks or Better is an excellent choice for beginners due to its straightforward gameplay and easy-to-understand strategy.
- Favorable RTP: With optimal play, Jacks or Better offers one of the highest RTP percentages among video poker games.
Cons:
- Limited excitement: Some players may find Jacks or Better less thrilling compared to other video poker variants with more complex rules and additional features.
Deuces Wild
Deuces Wild adds a unique twist to traditional video poker by treating all 2s as wild cards, which can substitute for any other card to form winning hands. This feature significantly increases the potential for forming strong hands.
RTP: Around 100.76% with optimal strategy (full-pay version).
Pros:
- Increased winning opportunities: The wild deuces make it easier to create winning combinations, leading to more frequent payouts.
- High RTP: With optimal play, Deuces Wild can offer a player advantage, particularly in its full-pay version.
Cons:
- Higher minimum qualifying hand: Due to the wild cards, Deuces Wild typically requires a higher minimum hand (usually a three-of-a-kind) to receive a payout, compared to Jacks or Better.
Bonus Poker
Bonus Poker is a variation of Jacks or Better that offers higher payouts for specific four-of-a-kind hands. The increased rewards for these premium hands add an extra layer of excitement to the game.
RTP: Around 99.17% with optimal strategy.
Pros:
- Enhanced payout potential: Bonus Poker’s increased rewards for certain four-of-a-kind hands provide an opportunity for bigger wins.
- Familiar gameplay: Players familiar with Jacks or Better can easily adapt to Bonus Poker, as the core gameplay remains similar.
Cons:
- Slightly lower RTP: While still offering a high RTP, Bonus Poker’s percentage is marginally lower than that of Jacks or Better.
Double Bonus Poker
Double Bonus Poker builds on the foundation of Bonus Poker by further increasing the payouts for specific four-of-a-kind hands. This variation offers even more significant rewards for premium hands, adding an extra thrill to the game.
RTP: Around 100.17% with optimal strategy (full-pay version).
Pros:
- High RTP: Double Bonus Poker can provide a player advantage with optimal play, particularly in its full-pay version.
- Large payout potential: The increased payouts for certain four-of-a-kind hands can lead to substantial wins.
Cons:
- Complexity: Double Bonus Poker’s more complex paytable and strategy can be challenging for beginners or casual players.
Triple Play Poker
Triple Play Poker is a multi-hand video poker game that allows players to simultaneously play three hands. Each hand uses a separate deck, increasing the potential for winning combinations.
RTP: Varies depending on the base game (e.g., Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, etc.).
Pros:
- Increased action: Playing three hands at once adds excitement and variety to the game.
- More winning opportunities: The multi-hand format increases the chances of forming winning hands.
Cons:
- Increased complexity: Managing multiple hands can be challenging for beginners or casual players.
- Larger bankroll requirements: Playing three hands simultaneously requires a larger initial investment, potentially increasing the risk of significant losses.
Joker Poker
Joker Poker, also known as Joker’s Wild, introduces a joker card to the standard 52-card deck, which acts as a wild card and can substitute for any other card to form winning hands.
RTP: Around 98.60% with optimal strategy.
Pros:
- Wild card: The addition of the joker increases the potential for forming strong hands.
- Unique gameplay: The joker card adds a distinctive element to the game, providing a fresh experience for video poker enthusiasts.
Cons:
- Lower RTP: Joker Poker’s RTP is generally lower than some other popular video poker variants like Jacks or Better or Deuces Wild.
- Higher minimum qualifying hand: Typically, Joker Poker requires a higher minimum hand (usually a pair of kings or better) to receive a payout.
Pick’em Poker
Pick’em Poker, also known as Pick-a-Pair Poker, is a simplified video poker variant in which players are dealt two cards and must choose between two stacks of three cards to complete their hand. The top card of each stack is visible, allowing for strategic decision-making.
RTP: Around 99.95% with optimal strategy.
Pros:
- Simplified gameplay: Pick’em Poker offers a more accessible experience for beginners or casual players due to its straightforward mechanics.
- High RTP: With optimal play, Pick’em Poker boasts one of the highest RTP percentages among video poker games.
Cons:
- Limited options: Some players may find Pick’em Poker’s simplified format less engaging than more complex video poker variants.
Aces & Faces
Aces and Faces is a variation of Jacks or Better that offers increased payouts for specific four-of-a-kind hands involving face cards (jacks, queens, and kings) and aces.
RTP: Around 99.26% with optimal strategy.
Pros:
- Enhanced payout potential: Aces and Faces’ increased rewards for certain four-of-a-kind hands provide an opportunity for larger wins.
- Familiar gameplay: Players familiar with Jacks or Better can easily transition to Aces and Faces, as the core gameplay remains similar.
Cons:
- Slightly lower RTP: Although still offering a high RTP, Aces and Faces’ percentage is marginally lower than that of Jacks or Better.
Tens or Better
Tens or Better is a video poker variant based on Jacks or Better. The key difference is that the minimum qualifying hand is a pair of tens, making it easier for players to receive payouts.
RTP: Around 99.14% with optimal strategy.
Pros:
- Lower minimum qualifying hand: Tens or Better’s lower qualifying hand requirement increases the likelihood of winning hands and payouts.
- Beginner-friendly: With simple rules and a gameplay similar to Jacks or Better, Tens or Better is an excellent choice for beginners or casual players.
- Decent RTP: Tens or Better offers a competitive RTP percentage when played with optimal strategy.
Cons:
- Lower payout potential: Compared to some other video poker variants with bonus payouts, Tens or Better may have a lower overall payout potential.
- Limited excitement: Some players might find Tens or Better less thrilling compared to other video poker games with more complex rules and additional features.
Double Double Bonus Poker
Double Double Bonus Poker is an exciting variation of Double Bonus Poker that offers even higher payouts for specific four-of-a-kind hands with particular kickers (fifth cards). This variant can yield substantial rewards for premium hands and provides an extra thrill for players.
RTP: Around 100.07% with optimal strategy (full-pay version).
Pros:
- High RTP: Double Double Bonus Poker can provide a player advantage with optimal play, particularly in its full-pay version.
- Large payout potential: The increased payouts for certain four-of-a-kind hands with specific kickers can lead to substantial wins.
- Exciting gameplay: Double Double Bonus Poker’s unique bonus payout structure adds excitement to the game, providing a fresh experience for video poker enthusiasts.
Cons:
- Complexity: Double Double Bonus Poker’s more complex paytable and strategy can be challenging for beginners or casual players.
- Risk of chasing bonus hands: The allure of large bonus payouts may tempt players to deviate from optimal strategy, increasing the risk of losses.
These are the main video poker variants enjoy by players at top video poker sites. Enjoy them and we hope you win a Royal Flush payout. Read our page on how to win video poker to maximize your chances!