Super Double Double Bonus Video Poker
Super Double Bonus video poker gives gamblers an excellent opportunity to score big payoffs for four of a kind hands. The pay tables for the game resemble those of Double Bonus video poker, which is one of the more familiar variations of basic video poker. It differs by adding a bonus for four of a kind achieved with jacks through kings.
- What Is Double Double Bonus Video Poker
- Super Double Double Bonus Video Poker Video Poker
- Double Double Bonus Poker Machine
Video poker made its entry to the casino in the seventies; and is today one of the most popular forms of gambling. For the player who likes a game of skill, a low house edge, the possibility of large wins, and the anonymity of playing alone there is nothing else that can compare to video poker.
- Double Super Times Pay Poker gives you exciting and frequent multiplier action, on average every eight hands. With max bet per hand, two multipliers are possible- on the deal and again on the draw, for a combined multiplier of up to 20X!
- More Games Select from 19 different video poker variations with the button, including Jacks or Better, Bonus, Double Double, Triple Double, Full Pay Deuces, 16/10 (Not So Ugly) Deuces, Loose Deuces, three kinds of Joker Poker, and more. Keyboard You can use the mouse to click on cards to hold, or you may find it easier to use the keyboard.
- VpFREE2 has 4 unique pay tables for the Super Double Double Bonus (aka: SDDB) video poker game. Of these, vpFREE2 considers 2 games 'good' or 'playable', under typical circumstances, with a return of at least 99%, including SDDB (FP). At least those 2 games may appear in the casino pages.
- Double Super Times Pay Poker gives you exciting and frequent multiplier action, on average every eight hands. With max bet per hand, two multipliers are possible- on the deal and again on the draw, for a combined multiplier of up to 20X!
In the world of video poker, there are many different ways you can choose to play. You can stick with a simpler game like Jacks or Better. But it doesn’t give players too many chances for significant winnings on a single hand. For jackpot seekers, this can be a little bit frustrating.
Bonus Poker pay tables help to rectify this situation. They do this by boosting payoffs for four of a kind hands, sometimes known as quads. Since quads are much more realistic than other high-paying hands like a royal flush, you can imagine scoring one of these top payouts during gameplay.
As players took to Bonus Poker pay tables, video poker manufacturers came up with more and more of them. One example is Double Bonus video poker, which is named so because it literally doubles up the payments on basic Bonus Poker. That puts more of a premium on players making quads if at all possible.
Super Double Bonus video poker might not be the most imaginative name for a game, but it definitely conveys the gist of the pay table. It’s very much like Double Bonus Poker. Both pay tables have a high quad payout of 160 to 1 for four aces, and they both lower the payback for two pair to even money.
In the case of Super Double Bonus video poker, the main difference comes from a special payout for four jacks through kings. In Double Bonus poker, such a hand would end up with a payout of 50 to 1. But that rises to 120 to 1 for the same hand in Super Double Bonus.
Knowing this, you have to pay close attention any time you get multiple face cards in a hand. It forces you to adjust your strategy somewhat. But it’s an exciting way to play, as long as you don’t mind the volatility that comes from lower payoffs for common hands.
In the following article, we’ll explain everything you need to know to play Super Double Bonus video poker and play it well. We’ll talk about how to play hands of video poker and we’ll get into the special nature of the pay table for this specific game. And we’ll also look at the strategy you need to use to play this game at its highest level.
Why People Love Video Poker
Video poker, in many ways, represents an ideal combination of simple gameplay and strategic maneuvering. It borrows the simple play aspect from slot machines. And it gets the strategy part from table games.
You might think combining these two extremely different gambling pastimes would make for an awkward mix. In actuality, video poker makes for one of the most beneficial games for gamblers. That goes for both casual players looking to kill time and serious gamblers hoping to make long-term profit.
Take a look at what you get from playing video poker variations like Super Double Bonus video poker.
- Simple Play: You really only need to play video poker for a few hands or so before you get the hang of it. If you have a bit of a background on making poker hands, it probably won’t even take you that long.
- No Hassles: There are certain table games which require you to know what you’re doing in terms of how to play and the etiquette you should use. That can be intimidating if you’re a newcomer. With video poker, it’s just you and the machine with none of that pressure.
- Strategy: Do you find that playing slot machines is a mind-numbing experience because it’s pretty much all based on luck? Video poker solves that problem by letting you use some strategy. This will come into play each hand when you decide which cards to hold and which to discard.
- Probabilities: You might find that some gambling games really don’t give you much clue of your chances. But video poker is based on probability math that comes from using a simulated deck of 52 cards. This allows you to know both how often you can expect winning hands and what your average payback will be.
- Solid Payback: On average, the payback for video poker sails right past what you could expect from slot machines. And it also performs on a par with many table games in that department. Some games, including the full-pay version of Super Double Bonus video poker, even come close to eliminating the so-called “house edge.”
- Smooth Online Play: Playing video poker online is hardly any different than doing so in a casino. You will find a similar variety of engaging video poker variations on top gambling websites. And you’ll do so in a comfortable environment away from the crowds at your local casino.
- Variety: Once you learn how to play video poker, you can pretty much take that knowledge to any one of the hundreds of variations on the main game. You can choose whichever game suits your style of play and your tolerance for risk.
These are just a few of the reasons why video poker is so beloved by its enthusiasts around the world. The good news is that Super Double Bonus video poker is a game that only separates itself by its pay table. Actual game play in no way deviates from the most basic form of video poker.
With that in mind, let’s learn the most basic format. Here’s how to play video poker, from inserting your money through making your bets, all the way to playing and winning your hands.
How to Play Video Poker
Step 1: Establish a Bankroll
You need a bankroll so you can put money at stake playing video poker. This gives you the chance to win money in return.
If you’re playing in a casino, you can insert money into a video poker machine to create your bankroll. You might also insert a redemption ticket that you earned from another game in the casino. Online players have to fund a gambling account at the website of their choice.
You’ll notice that once you have created a bankroll that it is rendered on the screen in coins or credits. These are the units of play for video poker, and they’re based on the denomination you’re playing.
Denominations can sometimes be chosen by the player. But they’re predetermined by the machine you’re playing.
To figure out how much will be in your bankroll, divide the money that you put in by the denomination. For example, $10 in a nickel machine will give you 200 credits (10 divided by .05).
Step 2: Make Your Bet
Betting is an important aspect of video poker that is often misunderstood. You can bet between one and five credits in a video poker game such as Super Double Bonus video poker. The first mistake people make is switching up the amount they bet for each hand.
The people who do this often fall for mistaken logic on video poker. For example, if they won a bunch of hands in a row, they might think they’re due for a loss and bet less. Or, if they lost 10 hands in a row, they might think they’re due for a win and bet more.
In actuality, your chances of winning at video poker are based on a combination of the probabilities and your decision-making. Changing your bet to predict the outcome is only going to end up with you getting shortchanged.
In actuality, the correct way to play Super Double Bonus video poker is to make the maximum wager, also known as the “Max Bet,” of five coins for every hand. By doing this, you ensure yourself the highest payout for the royal flush. At one through four coins, that hand pays off 250 to 1, but that payoff jumps to 800 to 1 when you make the max bet.
Step 3: Play Your Hand
When you play video poker, you are essentially playing a one-person computer simulation of the table game known as Five-Card Draw. In Five-Card Draw Poker, you get five cards on the deal. You then replace cards from your deal with others from the deck to make the highest-ranked poker hand.
You’ll be doing the same thing in video poker. But you don’t have to beat other players with your hand. You just have to form one of the winning hands on the pay table.
For Super Double Bonus video poker, here are the hands you’ll be trying to make:
- Pair of jacks or better
- Two pair
- Three of a kind
- Straight (five cards of consecutive rank, like 3-4-5-6-7)
- Flush (five cards of same suit)
- Full house (three of a kind and two pair in the same hand)
- Four of a kind
- Straight flush (straight with five cards of same suit)
- Royal flush (ten, jack, queen, king, and ace of the same suit)
Those hands are listed from easiest to achieve (at the top) to hardest to achieve (at the bottom). For the most part, the payout for each winning hand gets higher as you move down the list.
The lone exception in Super Double Bonus video poker comes in terms of four of a kind. Even though that’s easier to achieve than a straight flush (based on probability), some quad hands involving certain ranks pay more.
You will use this knowledge when you first assess the five cards from the deal, which will appear on the screen once you’ve made your bet. Perhaps you’ll end up with a winning five-card combination that is so great as is that you won’t want to try to improve it. If that’s so, you won’t need the draw.
But more often than not, you’ll be looking to the draw to either improve a winning hand or, if you don’t have one on the deal, attain one. On the draw, you have the opportunity to discard cards from your deal. For each card you discard, one will be drawn from the deck to complete your hand.
It’s at this point that you’ll start considering the probabilities of making certain winning hands out of what you have and what’s left in the deck. You should also be considering how much each potential winning hand might pay. Figuring out when to take a risk for a potential reward is a big part of video poker.
Let’s take a look at an example. Imagine that you receive the following five-card deal:
As it is, this hand is no winner. You’ll need the draw to improve it to come out a winner. But the good news is that there are many possibilities of turning this into a winning hand.
A pair of fours falls below the threshold of Jacks or Better to be a winning hand. But if you were to hold on to the fours, you would have three new cards on the draw. Those cards could possibly lead to two pair, three of a kind, a full house or four of a kind.
You might also notice that, with a four through seven run, you have four cards of consecutive rank. If you were to drop one of the fours, you could shoot for a straight. To get it, you’d need to end up with a three or an eight with your single new card, an 8 in 47 possibility (8 threes and eights in the deck within 47 cards total).
Finally, a straight flush looms as an outside possibility. You would need to get very lucky on the draw to connect same-suited cards to the five, six, and seven of clubs. Even if you come up short of that, you can still end up with a flush if you get two more clubs of any rank.
This hand provides some tough choices. When we get to the strategy section, we’ll take a closer look at how you can make these decisions to maximize your winnings. Luckily, many hands won’t be so difficult in terms of making your choice.
Once you do make your decision, you just have to press the buttons underneath the cards you want to hold. There might be certain hands where you won’t want to hold anything. In that case, don’t press any of the buttons and just hit the “draw” button.
After you hit the “draw” button, your work on the hand is complete. The machine (or online game) will do the rest by replacing the cards you’ve discarded. Your hand is over at that point, and any winnings will be added to your bankroll.
You can continue playing video poker in this manner by simply repeating steps two and three. Of course, you can only continue as long as you still have credits, or coins, to bet at least a single coin. If not, you’ll have to replenish your bankroll.
Video poker is as simple as that. Even a complete novice should be able to handle it with no problem after just a few minutes of play.
Now that you have the basics down, we can talk about Super Double Bonus video poker. In particular, we’ll look at how the pay tables for the game affect everything from the style of play to the payback.
Super Double Bonus Video Poker Pay Tables
As we said above, you will play Super Double Bonus video poker just as you would any basic variation of video poker. But the pay tables for the game set it apart. To understand whether it’s the game for you, it’s important to understand what this all means.
On the surface, the pay tables for video poker show how much each winning hand pays. But that information is crucial in a lot of ways.
You can probably understand how your strategy will be affected by what the pay table says. After all, you’ll want to take chances on hands that pay the most.
What you might not realize is that the pay tables should also dictate the size of your bankroll. And they also show how much you can expect from the game in terms of payback.
First of all, let’s take a look at these pay tables. As we said earlier, Super Double Bonus video poker spins off of the game known as Double Bonus. Let’s take a look at a Double Bonus pay table:
Coins/Hands | 1 coin | 2 coins | 3 coins | 4 coins | 5 coins |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Royal flush | 250 | 500 | 750 | 1000 | 4000 |
Straight flush | 50 | 100 | 150 | 200 | 250 |
Four of a kind (aces) | 160 | 320 | 480 | 640 | 800 |
Four of a kind (2s, 3s, or 4s) | 80 | 160 | 240 | 320 | 400 |
Four of a kind (any other) | 50 | 100 | 150 | 200 | 250 |
Full house | 10 | 20 | 30 | 40 | 50 |
Flush | 7 | 14 | 21 | 28 | 35 |
Straight | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 |
Three of a kind | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 |
Two pairs | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Jacks or better | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Compared to Jacks or Better, which is the most common video poker game, Double Bonus more aggressively rewards four of a kind hands. Jacks or Better can atone for this somewhat by the fact that it pays off 2 to 1 for two pair, compared to even money (1 to 1) on Double Bonus.
Now, let’s look at the full-pay table for Super Double Bonus video poker:
Coins/Hands | 1 coin | 2 coins | 3 coins | 4 coins | 5 coins |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Royal flush | 250 | 500 | 750 | 1000 | 4000 |
Straight flush | 80 | 160 | 240 | 320 | 400 |
Four of a kind (aces) | 160 | 320 | 480 | 640 | 800 |
Four of a kind (jack through kings) | 120 | 240 | 360 | 480 | 600 |
Four of a kind (two through four) | 80 | 160 | 240 | 320 | 400 |
Four of a kind (five through ten) | 50 | 100 | 150 | 200 | 250 |
Full house | 9 | 18 | 27 | 36 | 45 |
Flush | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 |
Straight | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 |
Three of a kind | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 |
Two pair | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Jacks or better | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
First of all, what does it mean to say that this pay table is full pay? It means this is the game that’s the version of Super Double Bonus video poker that, on average, pays the most back to gamblers. Other pay tables with the Super Double Bonus name will pay less.
Let’s compare it to the full-pay Double Bonus. The Double Bonus game holds the edge in both the full house and the flush. These are mid-priced hands that will come up with some regularity if you play a long session of video poker.
But Super Double Bonus video poker includes a specific payout for four jacks through kings. You can see that in Double Bonus, jacks through kings are lumped into the four of a kind “five through kings” categories at 50 to 1. On Super Double Bonus, the payoff for those hands comes in at 120 to 1, higher than any other quad besides four aces.
You might also notice that Super Double Bonus video poker holds the edge in the straight flush, at 80 to 1 to 50 to 1. In other words, both of the areas where Super Double Bonus comes out on top are relatively rare hands.
This plays into the notion of Super Double Bonus video poker as a volatile machine. Whenever an abnormally high percentage of overall payback is tied up in rare hands, volatility is a factor. Volatility measures the steadiness, or lack thereof, of an average video poker experience.
With Super Double Bonus video poker, those swings could be much more pronounced. Since you’ll need to hit rare hands to stay ahead, you might have to deal with long stretches of watching your bankroll dwindle. And, if your bankroll isn’t that high to start, you could see it completely dissipate.
The flipside is that you have a better chance at huge payoffs on single hands playing Super Double Bonus video poker than on low-volatility games. That’s a tradeoff you may or may not be willing to make. It all depends on your particular tolerance for risk.
We showed you the full-pay version of Super Double Bonus video poker. Here are some of the other pay tables you might encounter under the Super Double Bonus banner:
Coins/Hands | 1 coin | 2 coins | 3 coins | 4 coins | 5 coins |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Royal flush | 250 | 500 | 750 | 1000 | 4000 |
Straight flush | 80 | 160 | 240 | 320 | 400 |
Four of a kind (aces) | 160 | 320 | 480 | 640 | 800 |
Four of a kind (jack through kings) | 120 | 240 | 360 | 480 | 600 |
Four of a kind (two through four) | 80 | 160 | 240 | 320 | 400 |
Four of a kind (five through ten) | 50 | 100 | 150 | 200 | 250 |
Full house | 8 | 16 | 24 | 32 | 40 |
Flush | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 |
Straight | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 |
Three of a kind | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 |
Two pair | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Jacks or better | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Coins/Hands | 1 coin | 2 coins | 3 coins | 4 coins | 5 coins |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Royal flush | 250 | 500 | 750 | 1000 | 4000 |
Straight flush | 80 | 160 | 240 | 320 | 400 |
Four of a kind (aces) | 160 | 320 | 480 | 640 | 800 |
Four of a kind (jack through kings) | 120 | 240 | 360 | 480 | 600 |
Four of a kind (two through four) | 80 | 160 | 240 | 320 | 400 |
Four of a kind (five through ten) | 50 | 100 | 150 | 200 | 250 |
Full house | 7 | 14 | 21 | 28 | 35 |
Flush | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 |
Straight | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 |
Three of a kind | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 |
Two pair | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Jacks or better | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Coins/Hands | 1 coin | 2 coins | 3 coins | 4 coins | 5 coins |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Royal flush | 250 | 500 | 750 | 1000 | 4000 |
Straight flush | 80 | 160 | 240 | 320 | 400 |
Four of a kind (aces) | 160 | 320 | 480 | 640 | 800 |
Four of a kind (jack through kings) | 120 | 240 | 360 | 480 | 600 |
Four of a kind (two through four) | 80 | 160 | 240 | 320 | 400 |
Four of a kind (five through ten) | 50 | 100 | 150 | 200 | 250 |
Full house | 7 | 14 | 21 | 28 | 35 |
Flush | 6 | 12 | 18 | 24 | 30 |
Straight | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 |
Three of a kind | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 |
Two pair | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Jacks or better | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
It shouldn’t be too hard to spot that these pay tables all differ on just one hand. the full house. It can range from 9 to 1 in the full-pay version of Super Double Bonus video poker all the way down to 6 to 1.
As that full house payment drops, it will, in turn, lower the payback percentage that you can expect playing Super Double Bonus video poker. Payback percentage is a measurement of how much you can expect to receive from a game in return for your initial investment.
It’s important to realize that payback percentage is not something that should concern you too much if you’re only a casual video poker player. By casual, we mean that you don’t play the game that often. If that’s the case, your actual results will be affected by luck far more than what the pay tables might say.
But as you play the game over and over again, the luck will even out. That’s when the combination of the pay tables and the probabilities will take over. And that’s when your results will start to resemble what the payback percentage says.
In terms of payback percentage for video poker, we consider 99% or higher to be excellent. If your payback percentage is 99%, it means that, for every $1000 that you bet in the machine, you can expect $990 in return. Your average loss for that amount bet would be only $10.
You might think that it doesn’t sound too appetizing to be losing money on average. But you have to remember that the vast majority of casino games come with a built-in house edge.
At 99% payback, the house edge is minimal. And, if you play the game often, you can expect to make up for what you lose by earning rewards from casinos or gambling websites. You can even hope to make a profit in this way.
The full-pay version of Super Double Bonus video poker shown above comes in with a payback percentage of 99.7%. That puts it above the recommended threshold.
As you move down the list of the other pay tables, the payback percentage for Super Double Bonus video poker drops. It bottoms out at 96.9% once you get to the last pay table (the one playing just 6 to 1 for the full house).
The lesson to take from this is that you should keep an eye on that pay table before you commit to a specific version of Super Double Bonus video poker. This is especially true if you’re planning on playing the game long-term in search of consistent profits.
Video Poker Strategy for Super Double Bonus Video Poker
Another thing that serious video poker players need to do is learn how to play any pay table with perfect strategy. That might seem like an odd concept. You might think there are multiple strategies you can employ in video poker to get similar results.
In truth, every possible combination of cards that you can receive on the deal contains an expected value based on how much each winning hand pays. If you make the choice of which cards to hold and discard that unlocks the maximum expected value for the hand, you’ve made the right selection. Any other choice is wrong.
Again, this is a mathematical concept that’s based on time. Play a certain deal just once or a few times and you might get away with holding the wrong cards because of the luck of the draw. Play it a hundred or more times, and your incorrect choices will start to hurt your potential payback.
It’s also important to understand the specifics of a Super Double Bonus video poker pay table before learning strategy. Take a look at the following deal.
You might think that keeping the two pair and discarding only the eight is the right play. And, on many pay tables, it is. But not Super Double Bonus video poker.
After all, two pair on a Super Double Bonus video poker pay table only gets you even money. That’s the same as you get for just a single pair of jacks or better, which you have in this hand with the kings. There’s no advantage in keeping the two pair over the pair of kings only if you can’t improve it.
The only way you could improve the two pair would be to draw a full house with another five or king. But playing the hand that way would eliminate your chance for four of a kind with kings. And, as we showed you above, such a hand is very lucrative in Super Double Bonus video poker.
In actuality, the correct play there is to hold only the pair of kings. You might be hard-pressed to figure that out while playing a fast-paced session. That’s why you should get some help.
There are a pair of video poker resources we recommend which do all of the probability math for you and let you benefit from the results.
Video Poker Training Software
Training software is excellent for those who have the time to practice their video poker often. It can be tailored to specific pay tables such as Super Double Bonus video poker. And you can learn the right plays for each deal through trial and error.
Once you have the software installed, you can play sample hands of Super Double Bonus video poker. Whenever you’re faced with a tough decision about what to hold and discard, you can ask the software for help. After a while, you’ll know the right play for every possible deal.
Strategy Charts
Look for a strategy chart online that’s tailored specifically to Super Double Bonus video poker. Print it out and set about memorizing it. In that way, you can take all the information with you when you play the game for real money.
A strategy chart works by ranking the combinations you might get on the deal based on their expected value. You will look at your own hand for these combinations. Hold the one that’s ranked highest on the chart and discard the other cards from the deal.
Super Double Bonus Video Poker Pros and Cons
Super Double Bonus Video Poker Pros- Big payouts for four of a kind hands of many different ranks
- Excellent payback for full-pay version
- Simple gameplay without any confusing twists
- Volatile game which might require a substantial bankroll
- High percentage of payback tied up in rare hands
- Lesser pay tables struggle to give top payback
Conclusion on Super Double Bonus Video Poker
Super Double Bonus video poker can really thrill you if you’re on the lookout for four of a kind hands. It might be a bumpy ride and could require a big bankroll to get the results you want. But the payback for the best tables combined with the increased jackpot possibilities make this a very exciting game.
Video poker games are an integral part of every US casino, both online and land-based.
If you want to find quality casino sites where you can play some of the best video poker games online, you’ve landed on the right page. Apart from identifying top casino websites in the US, this article will also discuss how real money video poker works, what to look for when choosing a casino, how to play free video poker and which bonuses to use when playing.
If you don’t have a lot of experience playing online video poker, you should pay close attention to our tips and strategies section. In it, we will teach you how to minimize your risks and improve your chances of winning big.
Best online casinos with video poker
Playing real money video poker online
Since video poker machines are single-player electronic games, it’s no wonder that their transition to the online world was rather smooth. There are no major differences between land-based and online video poker, at least not when it comes to different game variants and rules.
However, playing video poker online has the upper hand because of two things — convenience and bonuses. Namely, instead of traveling to a local casino, you can simply log in to your online casino account and play video poker online with real money from your home. Furthermore, unlike land-based casinos, online gambling sites award bonuses to both new and existing players, and these bonuses are usually compatible with the casino’s selection of video poker games.
Free video poker vs. real money video poker
Most real money casinos will allow you to test their video poker games for free. Still, you might be wondering what’s so interesting about playing a gambling game where you have no chance of winning money. Well, playing video poker for free actually has plenty of benefits. Here are the main advantages of playing free video poker:
Benefits of playing free video poker
- If you’re new to video poker, trying it for free gives you a chance to see whether you like the game or not before risking your own money.
- Video poker is a game of skill, which makes it fun even when there’s no money involved.
- Playing free video poker allows you to practice and improve your strategy with no risk.
While free video poker has its set of advantages, it can get pretty monotonous after a while. When that happens, you should consider starting to play it for real money.
Benefits of playing real money video poker
- Real money video poker is ultimately more exciting than the free version of the game.
- You will have a chance to make a profit, potentially winning massive jackpots.
- Video poker games have a range of betting limits, suitable for small-time gamblers and high-rollers.
How online casino bonuses work with video poker
US online casinos offer several types of bonuses, many of which are compatible with the casinos’ range of video poker games.
For example, if the casino offers a 100% deposit match bonus up to $500 and you deposit $200 into your newly-created account, you will get an additional $200 to play with. Of course, this bonus won’t be withdrawable right away. Instead, you will have to complete the wagering requirements first, which mean playthroughs of anywhere between 10x and 30x.
However, video slots are usually the only full contributors to that requirement. Since video poker games have a relatively low house edge, the casinos will make it more difficult for you to clear the bonus by playing them. In most cases, the wagering contribution for video poker games is around 10% to 20%, which is why it will take more time for you to request a withdrawal.
Let’s say the casino of your choice has placed a 30x wagering requirement with a 10% wagering contribution on your $200 bonus. That means that you would have to wager a total of $60,000 (200x30x10) to clear the bonus’ wagering requirements and withdraw your winnings.
It seems like a lot, we know, but this is just an example. You can find many online casinos that offer bonuses that are easier to clear. So, when choosing bonuses with video poker in mind, look for the lowest possible wagering requirements and highest potential wagering contribution, as this will give you a realistic chance to turn your bonus into withdrawable cash.
You should also pay attention to other terms and conditions, including minimum deposit limit, maximum withdrawal limit, potential payment method restrictions and expiration date.
Earning comp points with video poker
Online casinos feature VIP programs with loyalty benefits. VIP rewards include cash back, free spins and higher banking limits. Most active casinos tie in their loyalty programs with their brick-and-mortar locations. For example, you can use PlaySugarHouse loyalty points at Pittsburgh’s Rivers Casino.
Do you need a promo code?
Some online gambling sites will ask you for a promo code or bonus code to qualify for either bonus. Be sure to use our codes to get the best deals. You must enter a promo code during the registration process so that you qualify for the casino’s welcome bonus.
Depending upon the site, you may need to enter a code whenever you deposit. This process qualifies you for reload deposit bonuses.
List of video poker games you can play for free
Game King currently holds the monopoly for online video poker. It supplies video poker variations to each active casino. You can see which variations are most likely to be available at video poker casinos below:
Free to play video poker games
Video poker casino apps
Video poker games have an ideal layout for mobile screens, which is why all the modern versions are compatible with the latest mobile devices.
You can play video poker on mobile in two ways — you can either log in to a casino account on your mobile browser or download the casino’s official app. Apps are ultimately better than mobile sites, as they provide a better user experience. However, to download and install an app, you will need to be located in one of the states where online gambling is regulated or use an app from a sweepstakes casino.
To download an app, simply go to the casino site you want to use on your mobile device and follow the prompts to get the app from there. Once you have downloaded and installed the app, open it up and log in or create an account to start playing.
Note that not all US casinos have apps. In such cases, you will have to resort to their mobile websites.
Legal casinos with video poker
Legal online video poker is available in those states that have legalized online gambling, such as New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan and a few others.
If you live in one of the states that has not yet legalized online gambling, you likely can still play video poker online at a sweepstakes casino. In any case, here is a list of top online casinos that operate in the states where online video poker is legal and regulated.
NJ video poker sites
New Jersey was one of the first states to legalize almost every form of online gambling, so it’s no wonder that some of the best US casinos offer their services to NJ residents.
One of the most popular options in the state is DraftKings, which is primarily a daily fantasy sports and sports betting site. Still, it does have its share of online casino games. DraftKings has several video poker games, the most notable being Jacks or Better, Double Double Bonus Poker and Game King Video Poker.
DraftKings’ welcome offer consists of a 100% deposit match bonus up to $1,500 and a $45 no deposit bonus, which is awarded instantly upon signing up. Other great options for NJ players include Betfair and BetMGM, both of which feature several quality video poker games and offer rewarding bonuses to their first-time customers.
PA video poker sites
Pennsylvania is another gambling-friendly state where you can join several reputable online casinos and try their range of video poker games. The residents of Pennsylvania also have DraftKings Casino at their disposal, along with FanDuel and BetMGM.
BetMGM offers a fantastic deal to new players, matching them up to $1,000 on first deposit and giving $25 as a join bonus.
WV video poker sites
Players from West Virginia can enjoy many of the same online casinos with the same range of video poker games as their fellow players from New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The two most popular options are BetMGM and DraftKings, where you can pick up a 100% deposit bonus and a no deposit bonus.
Michigan video poker sites
Michigan is one of the more recent states to legalize online gambling. Up until late 2020, Michigan players didn’t have that many options when it came to playing online video poker games. Now, though, they can enjoy top-shelf games on sites like BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel, Hollywood Casino and Golden Nugget.
Sweepstakes casinos
Sweepstakes casinos, meanwhile, are an option for people who want to play quality video poker games but are located in a state where online gambling remains illegal. The best sweepstakes casinos we can recommend are LuckyLand, Chumba and Funzpoints.
How to play video poker online
You can play video poker within a few steps, even if you’ve never played online before. The following steps will help you get started as quickly as possible.
Step 1: Choose a quality video poker casino
First, you want to research the online casinos to help you choose a quality gaming site. Legal and safe US casinos are licensed and regulated by the state. This includes the New Jersey Division and Gaming Enforcement and the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB).
You can use our review to figure out which casinos you prefer.
When looking through our review or doing your research, you should keep the following factors in mind:
- Reputation: You should consider the brand’s reputation before depositing your money.
- GameSelection: Game variety, especially in the video poker department, is vital to your entertainment.
- Bonuses: You want opportunities to make extra money through bonuses and VIP rewards.
- WebsiteNavigation: Any quality US casino will offer simple website navigation.
- CustomerSupport: You want to interact with a friendly support staff whenever a problem arises.
- Deposit and Withdrawal Options: More banking methods will give you an easier path toward depositing and cashing out.
Step 2: Register for an account
After you choose a reliable casino, you must sign up. To do this, you’ll need to fill out the online casino’s registration form.
Gambling sites will require basic information, such as your name, email, phonenumber, username and password. You’ll also need to provide your SocialSecuritynumber.
Casinos require the latter for identificationpurposes. Also, regulated casinos must ensure that you’re not on the excluded gamblers list.
Step 3: Play free online video poker
Now that you’re registered for an online casino, you can play free video poker. Free online video poker provides both entertainment and the opportunity to improve your skills. Furthermore, you can test out video poker variations and determine if you like them. This option is perfect for exploring the video poker world without simultaneously risking your money.
Step 4: Make a deposit (optional)
If you like a particular online casino, you should consider depositing and playing for real money. All online gaming sites offer plenty of deposit methods.
Here are some of the available deposit options in Pennsylvania and NJ:
- Visa and Mastercard: Fund your account with one of the two biggest credit card brands.
- ACH: Send an e-check directly from your bank to an internet casino.
- E-Wallet: PA casinos accept e-wallet payments from Neteller, PayPal or Skrill.
- PayNearMe: You can visit a 7-Eleven convenience store and deposit with cash.
What should I look for in an online casino?
Players from every state where online gambling is legal will have multiple options for where they want to play video poker. But how do you choose the one that suits you? Of course, some casinos may be better than others, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they are the best option for you personally. In other words, it all has to do with your own preferences.
In order to make the best choice, you should pay attention to the following things:
- Video poker variations — Almost every casino site has video poker games, but the number of variations is what separates the best from the rest. If you want to play common games like Jacks or Better, you are sure to find them on every site, but if you are interested in trying some of the rarer variations, you will have to dig a little deeper.
- Bonuses and promotions — Bonuses are one of the most important things to look for when choosing a casino site. When comparing bonuses, make sure to not only look at their surface values but also check minimum deposit limits, wagering requirements and video poker wagering contributions.
- Mobile compatibility — If you like using your mobile device for playing video poker, you should look for sites that feature mobile-friendly video poker games. Better yet, try to find a casino that has a designated app.
- Full-pay tables — If you’re an experienced video poker player who uses the optimal strategy, you should search for casino sites that offer full-pay games with the highest theoretical return-to-player rate.
- Legal and regulated — It’s very important that you select a website that’s legal and regulated in your state. For safety, avoid offshore sites.
- Customer support — Beginner players should look for a casino with responsive and friendly customer support, as you may need it to provide the right answers if you get stuck unlocking the bonuses or finding the games you want to play.
Casinos with full-pay video poker games
Full-pay video poker games are those games that offer the highest possible odds and theoretical returns, with short-pay games being the opposite.
Full-pay games pay proportionally more for the highest possible hand (royal flush), but only when you bet the maximum number of coins. The return to player on full-pay games is often close to or exceeds 100% when playing with the optimal strategy. Also, full-pay video poker games offer a 9/6 pay table for a full house or flush, compared to 8/6 or 8/5 pay tables in other games.
While some casinos hide their RTP numbers, leaving the players clueless as to how much they pay in the long run, some casinos are generous enough to provide a full-pay table. Some of the most popular full-pay video poker games you can find in US online casinos include Double Double Bonus Poker and Game King.
Standard video poker payouts
Online casinos offer a variety of pay tables throughout the online market. Each of these vary, depending on the specific game.
You should choose games that meet your expectations as far as risk and volatility. For example, Jacks or Better is the least-volatile video poker variation.
It offers a standard pay table that’s void of bonus tables. You can see the Jacks or Better pay table below:
Hand | 1 Coin | 2 Coins | 3 Coins | 4 Coins | 5 Coins |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Royal Flush | 250 | 500 | 750 | 1,000 | 4,000 |
Straight Flush | 50 | 100 | 300 | 400 | 500 |
Four-of-a-Kind | 25 | 50 | 75 | 100 | 125 |
Full House | 9 | 18 | 27 | 36 | 45 |
Flush | 6 | 12 | 18 | 24 | 30 |
Three-of-a-Kind | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 |
Two Pairs | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
Jacks or Better | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
You may seek a more-volatile video poker variation that offers extra payouts. In this case, Bonus Poker should prove satisfactory.
Here’s the pay table for Bonus Poker:
Hand | 1 Coin | 2 Coins | 3 Coins | 4 Coins | 5 Coins |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Royal Flush | 250 | 500 | 750 | 1,000 | 4,000 |
Straight Flush | 50 | 100 | 300 | 400 | 500 |
Four Aces | 80 | 160 | 240 | 320 | 400 |
Four 2s-4s | 40 | 80 | 120 | 160 | 200 |
Four 5s-Ks | 25 | 50 | 75 | 100 | 125 |
Full House | 8 | 16 | 24 | 32 | 40 |
Flush | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 |
Straight | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 24 |
Three-of-a-Kind | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 |
Two Pairs | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
Jacks or Better | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Currently, there are no progressive video poker jackpots in either the PA or NJ markets. The most you can win is 4,000 coins through a royal flush on a five-credit bet.
Perhaps these internet casinos will eventually add progressive jackpots. However, the most significant current payouts revolve around a royal flush and bonus prizes.
How to win at video poker
Video poker is a strategic game that gives you a better chance to win if you use properstrategy. You should keep the following tips in mind when playing online.
Choose games with a high RTP
Video poker games with high RTP improve your long-term chances of winning. Variations with higher payout percentages will award you more winnings over time.
The highest paying online video poker variants include:
- Jacks or Better: 99.54% RTP
- Double Double Bonus Poker: 99.51%
- Bonus Poker: 99.17%
You aren’t guaranteed to win more money with these games. After all, anything could happen in the short run. Nevertheless, high payout percentages boost your odds of winning profits.
Always bet five coins
You must wager all five coins per hand if you want to achieve the highest payback. By betting five coins, you unlock the full value of the royal flush payout.
Below, you can see how much a royal flush pays, depending on the number of coins you wager:
- One-credit bet = 250 coins
- Two-credit bet = 500 coins
- Three-credit bet = 750 coins
- Four-credit bet = 1,000 coins
- Five-credit bet = 4,000 coins
The royal flush payout increases proportionately up until you wager five coins. At this point, the royal flush value experiences a large boost.
Use a video poker trainer, strategy chart
Optimal payback requires expert strategy; however, the perfect approach varies, depending on which video poker game you’re playing.
Jacks or Better, for example, requires a different strategy than bonus poker. That said, you need to find the relevant materials for whatever game you’re playing.
Here are the two best resources for improving your video poker skills:
- Strategy Chart: This shows the order of importance for each hand.
- Trainer: This allows you to play video poker hands while correcting your mistakes.
You can significantly increase your video poker knowledge by using either of these tools. Again, you must use strategy materials that match the variation you’re playing.
Practice with free video poker
After you register for an account at an internet casino, you gain access to free video poker. Free video poker makes for great practice when you’re learning the game. You can implement the strategies you learn through charts and trainers in the free version. Once you feel comfortable, you can move on to real-money video poker with a better strategy.
Tips and strategies for playing video poker
Video poker can be a very rewarding game, as you won’t have to rely only on your luck but also on your skills and tactics. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when you start playing:
Be responsible
Always decide on your bankroll and make sure not to exceed it. This is easier said than done, as video poker, like any other casino game, can be very addictive and push you to spend more money than originally intended.
Look for progressive payouts
Many video poker games feature life-changing jackpots that players can win with the right strategy and a little bit of luck. Try to find the games with progressive jackpots, as they allow for massive payouts and reduce the overall house edge.
Always bet the maximum amount
To add on to our previous statement, you should always max bet if your bankroll allows it. While this can be a risky strategy, betting the maximum amount is the only way you can get the jackpot.
Jacks or Better is the best alternative
If no full-pay games are available, try to find Jacks or Better, as it represents one of the highest-paying video poker games. What’s more, Jacks or Better is one of the easiest video poker games to learn, making it ideal for beginning players.
Video poker – History and development
Video poker appeared on the gaming scene in the 1970s when the technology arose to combine primitive computer technology and a TV monitor.
For those who recall what TVs were like in the mid-1970s, the VP monitor was certainly no LED flatscreen. Players used a row of buttons below the monitor to hold the cards that appeared on the screen before drawing to a final poker hand.
By 1979 and into the 1980s, IGT made video poker one of the most popular new games in Las Vegas and Atlantic City. They did so with their title Draw Poker. IGT then released Jacks or Better. This is still a popular version of video poker today, and IGT became a booming, publicly traded company.
As technology progressed in the following years, the appearance of VP machines stayed about the same. However, touch-screen capability relieved players of having to hit physical buttons.
One of the most popular VP terminals in the world is IGT’s Game King. The machine represented the pinnacle of digital casino technology for decades. It remains a favorite of regular video poker players. The Game King allowed casinos to offer multiple VP variants and denominations in a single terminal.
Ultimately, expect to find a variety of video poker iterations on one machine. Some of the most popular include Deuces Wild, Double Bonus, Double Double Bonus, and Ultimate X. Remember that not all video poker is created equal, so check the pay tables and freshen up on the optimal strategy for the variations.
Video Poker FAQ
What is the best video poker game to play for real money?
What Is Double Double Bonus Video Poker
Jacks or Better is universally one of the best video poker variations available. It offers a nice combination of high 99.54% RTP and low volatility. Game King’s Double Double Bonus Poker is another quality real money game. It features a high payback of 99.51% and bonus payouts. Bonus Poker also gives you a solid chance to win. This game offers 99.17% RTP and moderate volatility.
Super Double Double Bonus Video Poker Video Poker
Can I play video poker online for real money?
Absolutely! You can find almost every existing variation of video poker online and play it day and night. Real money video poker can range from a couple of cents to over a hundred dollars, depending on the game.
Which casino has the best video poker games?
If you want to find a regulated real money casino site with a versatile collection of video poker games, your best bet is to try DraftKings. If, on the other hand, online video poker is not legal in your state and you are trying sweepstakes casinos, Chumba is probably the best alternative you can find.
Which video poker game has the lowest house edge?
There are several video poker games that have a negative house edge, which is one of the main reasons why they are so popular. The RTP of Deuces Wild, for example, is 100.71%, followed by Joker Poker (100.64%), Double Bonus Poker (100.17%) and Double Double Bonus Poker (100.07%). Of course, you can expect these returns only if you’re using perfect strategy, but even if you’re not, these games will be more rewarding than the rest.
Are video poker games the same thing as slots?
No, these two are completely different. Video poker games use the basic rules of poker, while online slot machines are played across spinning reels where the goal is to connect identical symbols in a payline. Also, video slots are entirely based on a random number generator, meaning that the players don’t have any power in deciding their fate. On the other hand, video poker lets the players choose which cards to keep and which to discard, allowing for strategy.
What are the best odds on video poker?
The best odds on video poker are in the so-called full-pay games, where the payouts for full houses and flushes are 9 to 1 and 6 to 1, respectively. Also, keep an eye out for royal flush payouts, as the payout for this hand combination is usually proportionally higher when you bet the maximum number of coins. Still, keep in mind that it can differ from one game to another.
What is the best strategy for video poker?
Double Double Bonus Poker Machine
Some general strategies for playing video poker suggest that you should max bet to become eligible for a higher royal flush payout, find games that offer the best house edge and look for progressive jackpot games. Of course, don’t forget to always gamble responsibly.