Best Video Poker Casinos in the US – Play Your Favorite Games In 2023
16 minutes
Last Updated: June 13, 2023
Video poker is one of the true casino classics. The game was hugely popular before online slots took over, but even today, many players enjoy video poker in one of its many variations.
Poker, in general, is very popular in the United States, so it is no surprise that there are many online video poker casinos in the US. These operators offer, among other things, all of the most popular versions of the game.
If you’re a video poker fan, keep reading and learn all there is to know about playing it online in the US, including the best casinos to do so, the most favorable bonuses you can look forward to, and more.
Best Video Poker Casinos in the US
While slots have taken over the lead when it comes to most popular electronic games, there is still a fair number of players who prefer video poker for a number of reasons. If you belong to this group, we recommend these sites as the best options.
BetMGM Casino Video Poker
As one of the top online casinos in the United States, BetMGM leads the way in many aspects, including video poker. Whether you like to dabble with these games on occasion or are a committed fan, the site has you covered.
BetMGM Casino offers two main video poker options: Game King and Ultimate X Poker. These are multi-game virtual terminals that provide all-in-one access to the most popular variations, such as:
- Deuces Wild
- Jacks or Better
- Aces & Faces
- All American
If you are not satisfied playing just one hand at a time, check out the triple-play, five-play, and ten-play Ultimate X terminals, allowing you to play up to ten hands simultaneously.
BetRivers Casino Video Poker
BetRivers Casino US has built its reputation as the place that really caters to its players’ needs and wants. In addition to its rich slots library and colorful live dealer section, the operator also features a very nice selection of video poker games.
Here, you’ll also find Game King and Ultimate X multi-game terminals. However, BetRivers takes things up a notch by also offering multi-hand versions of Draw Poker, several variations of Regal Poker, and standalone game options like:
- Jacks or Better
- Jester Poker
- Deuces Wild
If you like to have your options open or simply enjoy exploring lesser-known versions of this popular game, this site is definitely worth checking out.
PokerStars Casino Video Poker
PokerStars built its global reputation by offering peer-to-peer online poker games. It was only in recent years that the operator has moved into the online casino sector, but they’ve done so quite masterfully.
Unlike the other two, PokerStars Casino US doesn’t host multi-game terminals. Instead, you’ll find standalone versions of your favorite games on this site, including:
- Tens or Better
- Triple Bonus Poker
- Aces & Faces
- Jacks or Better
- All American
- Deuces Wild
- Aces & Eights
US Casino Video Poker Bonuses
Almost any experienced gambler will tell you that video poker is one of the best games to play if you’re chasing casino bonuses. Many variations have a very high RTP, allowing you to play many hands at a very small cost while accumulating your reward points.
The same principle applies to online casinos. Video poker can be a great method of playing through welcome and reload bonuses.
With some versions of the game having RTP of over 99.5%, it is a safe and reliable way to beat the wagering requirements.
Unfortunately, US online casinos are aware of this fact, which means that the option doesn’t work as well in practice as it does in theory.
In many cases, contributions from video poker will count only at 10% to 20%, so for every $100 wagered, you will only clear $10 or $20 of the requirements. This means that if initial wagering requirements were 10x, they would effectively be 100x or 50x if you only play video poker.
It is still a sound strategic approach, but it will take a while to put in all the bets, especially if there is a maximum bet stipulation (for example, max $5 or $10 per hand).
If you enjoy playing video poker online, though, and you’ll have fun doing this, then you should definitely do it. Most US online casino bonuses last long enough, so you will be in no rush. You can spread your sessions over several days or even a couple of weeks.
Top US Casino Video Poker Variations
As you’re probably aware, video poker is a term used to describe a rather large group of games. All of these games look quite similar and have rather similar rules, but there are some significant differences between them.
We’re bringing you an overview of the most popular video poker games available at the best online casinos in the US.
Jacks or Better Video Poker
By far the most popular video poker variation in existence, Jacks or Better is offered by virtually all US online casinos. It is one of the first games that most video poker fans get to learn, and it is usually the one that helps them fall in love with the genre.
As the name suggests, players get paid for making any poker hand combinations containing a pair of jacks or better. The game is played with a virtual deck of 52 cards, with no jokers or wild cards.
There are two different paytable types found in online Jacks or Better games. The full paytable variation is the one you’ll want to play, as it features a very generous RTP of 99.54%.
Tens or Better Video Poker
Tens or Better is a derivative of Jacks or Better. The two games are almost identical, with the only real difference being that players also get paid for a pair of tens. This influences the strategy slightly, but if you know how to play one, you should do just fine on both.
Surprisingly, Tens or Better offers a significantly lower RTP of 97.76%. A higher number of winning combinations doesn’t result in better returns for a player, so if you’re choosing between the two, you should stick to Jacks or Better.
Deuces Wild Video Poker
Deuces Wild is another very popular video poker format available at US online casinos. What makes the game different from more classic variations is the introduction of wild cards. In this game, all deuces (twos) are “wild,” which means they can substitute for any card when making a winning combination.
Because there are wildcards, this game also has a couple of extra pays not found in other versions, namely five of a kind and four deuces.
You’ll come across several variations of paytables for the game, and the RTP will depend directly on the paytable featured in the particular version. The full pay version has an RTP that exceeds 100%, making it very favorable for the player, but also extremely difficult to find and not available at any US online casinos.
Aces & Faces Video Poker
Another very popular video poker version found at US online casinos, Aces & Faces is a variation of Jacks and Better. The main difference is that this game has bonus pays for four-of-a-kind combinations consisting of aces or any face cards (jacks, queens, and kings).
The full paytable version of Aces & Faces is quite generous, and these games have an RTP of 99.26%. It is slightly lower than Jacks or Better but still very good for a casino game. In general, anything over 99% constitutes a very solid pick.
Triple Bonus Poker Video Poker
If you’re looking for something slightly different, Triple Bonus Poker may be your cup of tea. This game has bonus payouts for three groups of four-of-a-kind hands:
- Quad aces
- Four-of-a-kind deuces through fours
- Quad fives through kings
Like other game versions listed here, Triple Bonus Poker can have several different paytables. The best version offers an RTP of 99.58%, making it very player-friendly. A more common one that you’ll likely come across at online casinos in the US features returns of 98.15%.
Online Video Poker Tips & Tricks
Unlike many other casino games like roulette or craps, video poker isn’t down to just luck. While all game versions have an inherent house edge (meaning you can’t beat them), the way you play makes a difference.
When we talk about RTP in video poker, the number is only applicable if you know the perfect strategy. If you make mistakes along the way, you will hurt your chances.
Here are a few solid tips to help you with your video poker journey. If you want more advice on any specific variation, we invite you to check out our individual guides, where you’ll find fine-tuned strategies.
⭐ Learn the Rules
It may seem like a redundant tip, but many players fall into the trap of thinking that all video poker games are the same. As you can see from this guide, that is not the case, so learning the rules of the specific variation you want to play is imperative.
The best way to do this is by reading about the rules and then using a free-play mode to practice on one of our recommended sites. This will help you get comfortable with the game without putting any money on the line.
⭐ Always Bet 5 Coins
Video poker games offer a jackpot if you hit Royal Flush, but only if you bet five coins per hand. Since having an active jackpot significantly increases your RTP percentage, you should always bet five coins whenever you play.
If you are playing on a video poker machine with $1 per coin and betting $5 per hand is simply too much for your bankroll, move down to $0.25 per coin and bet five coins to make your total bet $1.25. This will be significantly better than playing on a $1 machine since you will be eligible to hit a jackpot bonus.
⭐ Always Look for the Best Paytable
As explained earlier, almost all video poker variations come with different paytables. Some are more favorable than others, and, as a player, you always want to look for the games that offer the biggest RTP.
Differences can be quite subtle and hard to notice at first, especially if you don’t know what to look for. In games like Jacks or Better, for example, it is the full house payment that makes the difference, but in other versions, there can be small tweaks to certain combos that are hard to notice.
The best way to go about this is to read about the particular version you’re interested in, find out about all the different paytables, and then look for the best one you can find. While this can take some time, it will save you a ton of money in the long run.
⭐ Study the Strategy
Similarly, you’ll always want to learn the strategy for the specific variation you want to play. Trying to copy the strategy from Jacks or Better and apply it to Deuces Wild, for example, will not work. These are two very different games.
The good news is that learning the strategy for any video poker game available at US casinos isn’t that hard. It’s mostly about figuring out what cards to hold in different situations, and a lot of it is quite intuitive. Still, learning the math behind your decisions is important, as intuition alone won’t get you where you want to be.
⭐ Take Advantage of Bonuses and Promotions
Whatever your game of choice, using casino bonuses to boost your bankroll is always advantageous. Taking your bonus money to video poker is a good idea, as these games offer high player returns, making it possible to get the best value out of any deal.
On top of this, many US online casinos host video poker competitions and tournaments, giving you a chance to win some extra money or other perks while playing the games you love. Keep an eye out for these and try to get involved whenever an opportunity presents itself.
⭐ Don’t Play for Too Long
The old adage “all things in moderation” applies very well to casino gambling and video poker. You should actively track the time spent playing on any given session.
Playing for too long in one go will cause you to lose focus, leading to more mistakes and subpar decisions. These things translate to lower win rates and can cause your bankroll quite a bit of damage if you’re not careful.
⭐ There’s No Such Thing as “Due” in Video Poker
Tying into the previous tip, there is no such thing as being due in video poker. It is pointless to prolong your session because you feel that a big hand must be coming soon. No matter how many hands you play during any session, your chances of hitting the royal flush remain the same for every new deal.
Always keep this in mind, and don’t allow yourself to be misled by the gambler’s fallacy. Trying to force things will not only hurt you financially, but it will significantly impact your ability to enjoy the game.
⭐ Try Different Versions
Most players have one or two versions of the game that they stick to, and this is a good approach. It is likely you’re most familiar with your preferred variation, having studied different strategies and amassing a lot of experience.
However, video poker casinos in the US offer a good number of variations, and there is no harm in going out of your comfort zone to try some of them. You can always use the fun mode to test the waters, and, who knows, you may discover a new favorite.
⭐ Bankroll Management Is Important
There are many different ways you can approach managing your gambling budget, and all of them have some pros and cons. That said, you must have a system that allows you to keep track of the money you use to play video poker.
Separating your bankroll from everyday expenses is also essential. You must always play only with the money you can afford to lose and never chase your losses.
⭐ Be Cautious About Multi-hand Games
Many US casinos online offer multi-hand versions of your favorite video poker games. These can be fun, as you can play up to ten hands on a single deal. However, they can also be dangerous.
When playing multi-hand terminals, you’ll be spending significantly more per deal, which means you’ll need to plan your budget accordingly. It’s pretty much as if you were playing at ten different video poker machines at once, so try not to get carried away.
⭐ Don’t Forget to Have Fun
Finally, gambling should always primarily be about having fun. Except for some very rare instances, video poker is still a losing proposition, so you can’t expect to win in the long run.
Focus on having fun and enjoying the time spent playing. If you ever feel the frustration creeping up, it’s time to take a break. The games aren’t going anywhere, and if you’re not having fun, what’s the point in playing in the first place?
How We Pick the Best Video Poker Casinos in the US
The best way to ensure you’re having fun and getting your money’s worth is by playing at the best, safest, and most reliable US casinos offering video poker games. To ensure this, we look at several different factors during our review process before coming up with our recommendations.
⭐ Video Poker Variety
It’s nice to have many different options in one place, allowing you to make a deposit and play all your favorite video poker games in one place. That’s why we rank US online casinos with a good selection of video poker variations higher.
Featuring the most popular versions, like Deuces Wild, Jacks or Better, and Aces & Faces, is pretty much mandatory for a casino to make it into our recommendations. Offering some more exotic variations is a nice plus.
⭐ Video Poker-Friendly Bonus Terms
As explained earlier on this page, video poker is one of the best games to clear bonus wagering requirements. Moreover, those who enjoy the game should be allowed to use their bonus funds how they see fit.
Those casinos that allow you to take your bonus to video poker get extra points during our review process. If the games also count at a decent percentage (20%+, for example), that’s even better.
⭐ Special Promotions & Competitions
Some US online casinos cater more to video poker players. These casinos go out of their way to offer special promotions for the fans of the game, including tournaments and leaderboards.
These promotions don’t just give you access to extra funds. They are also a lot of fun, allowing you to compete with other players, test your skills, and have a much better overall gaming experience.
⭐ Mobile Access
Video poker is a classic game, and many variations you’ll find online have been around for a long time. This means that, originally, they weren’t designed with mobile play in mind.
We take the time to check how well an online casino performs in the mobile arena and if you can access a good number of video poker variations on your phone. With many players playing almost exclusively on their handheld devices these days, this is of the utmost importance.
⭐ Good VIP Program
A fair number of video poker players enjoy the game precisely because it is an excellent way to accumulate loyalty points and increase your VIP status at a casino. This is no secret, and there is nothing wrong with it.
In fact, one of the things we look into during our rating process is the quality of the VIP program and the value you can get from it. This can be the deciding factor for many players, especially those used to playing at higher stakes.
Real Money Video Poker Online Summary
If you’re into video poker, almost all licensed US online casinos give you access to real money games across all stakes. You can play for a few cents per hand or high-roll your way to the top tier VIP status playing $100+ per deal.
When looking for the best video poker casinos in the US, remember what we’ve discussed on this page, or simply pick one of our recommended sites. If you are outside of US-regulated states, check out sweepstakes casinos and play video poker there.
Either way, remember to have fun, enjoy your time, and get the most value for your money!
