The Most Popular Variations of Video Poker Online

Video poker is a cracking online casino game that blends the strategy of poker with the thrill of slot machines. It gives you, the player, the chance to really boost your winning potential by thinking about your cards after the initial deal. And that makes things all the more exciting for players here in Ireland!

There are loads of different video poker variations out there, each with its own unique set of rules and ways to pay out. Next up, we'll take a gander at the best video poker games to play and what makes each one a bit special.

The Main Types of Video Poker You'll Find in Ireland

If you're into your poker, you'll definitely know your Texas Hold'em or Omaha. But those aren't video poker games. With video poker, you're not comparing your hand against the dealer or other players. It's a different ball game entirely.

In video poker, you're simply aiming to make a valid poker combination – that's the long and short of it. If you manage it, you'll be paid according to the payout table. Otherwise, your bet is lost straight away. These online video poker rules are pretty much the same as you'd find on a traditional video poker machine you might see in a pub.

Still, both the hands that count as winning and the payouts can vary depending on the specific video poker game you're playing. Let's dive into the main options and see how to play video poker in each scenario.

Jacks or Better

Jacks or Better is one of the most popular ways to play video poker. The main aim of the game is to get a hand that has at least a pair of Jacks or higher – think a pair of Queens, Kings, or Aces. It's a classic for a reason!

Jacks or Better video poker game has a high payout percentage and a relatively low house edge. In other words, you have a decent chance of doing well when playing video poker Jacks or Better. That’s the main reason for it becoming such a popular choice for both novice and experienced players.

Deuces Wild

Deuces Wild is a video poker game where all the twos (known as Deuces here) in the deck act as wild cards. It means that they can be used to substitute any other card in the deck to create a winning hand.

This variation has a very good payout percentage. On the other hand, it can be more challenging to play than other video poker variations. The high number of wild cards can make it a bit hard for players to understand what to hold after the initial draw.

Joker Poker

Joker Poker is a variation of video poker that uses a deck of 53 cards, instead of just 52. It happens because a Joker is added to the standard deck. The Joker acts as a wild card, and players must get a hand that contains at least a pair of Kings or Aces to win.

This game has a decent payout percentage, as it combines elements from Jacks or Better and Deuces Wild. It can be easier to use the wild card in this case, as it will only appear once. Also, as only two pairs are accepted, you won’t have such a hard time figuring out what to do.

Tens or Better

Tens or Better is very similar to Jacks or Better. But players must have a hand containing at least a pair of Tens or better to win. As combinations are more frequent in this case, the payouts are slightly lower than in other versions.

Still, the game has a decent percentage and a relatively low house edge. In general, players will get a winning hand more easily than in other variations, including Jacks or Better and Deuces Wild video poker. It is adequate for anyone looking for something easy to understand.

Aces and Faces

Aces and Faces is a video poker game with a high payout for 4 of a kind combinations of Aces, Kings, Queens, and Jacks. Depending on the game you play, it can also have a decent payout for 4 of a kind combinations of lower cards.

The Aces game has a good percentage. But it can be more challenging to play than other video poker variations if you focus on the special combinations.

What are the best Video Poker games to play?

The best video poker games to play will depend on your preferences and playing style. Jacks or Better and Deuces Wild are popular choices for novice players due to the friendly gameplay they offer. Among them, Jacks or Better is the preferred one due to its high payout percentage and low house edge.

Joker Poker and Aces and Faces are better suited for experienced players who are looking for more challenging gameplay. They won’t have a Return to Player (RTP) as high as the one Jacks or Better offers. Still, it can be more fun to play.