In recent years, video poker has slipped down the pecking order at online casinos as more and more variants have been added to the . However, it remains a firm favourite with many players, who appreciate its combination of luck and skill.
One of the main reasons why players are attracted to video poker online is that it offers excellent value, especially in comparison to the various online slot machines. However, before you start playing for real money at one of our top online casino sites, it may be worth your while getting some free practice in. In this guide to free video poker games, we explain how to play and where to find the best free versions.
bonus casino gamesHow to Play Free Video Poker Games Online
Our comprehensive guide to finding the best free video poker online explains how to play, where to play and much more.
When you are playing video poker for free, obviously you are not going to win any real money prizes. When you consider that one of the main attractions of the game is the possibility of winning good money from small bets, this may seem a little pointless. However, there are several compelling reasons why you should still consider playing free video poker games online:
1. Learn how to play video poker
If you are new to online gaming, it makes sense to get some practice in before you start betting your own cash. Free video poker allows you to familiarise yourself with the rules and gameplay without risking any money. Once you feel confident that you know how the game works, you can then make the transition to playing for real money.
2. Learn the optimal strategy
Although there is an element of luck involved in video poker, it is also a game of skill. There is an optimum strategy that can be learned, which will enable you to make the most profitable decisions throughout each hand. By playing free video poker online, you can put these strategies into practice without worrying about making mistakes with real money on the line.
3. Try out different variants
There are many different variants of video poker available at online casinos. Deuces Wild, Joker’s Wild, Bonus Poker, Double Bonus Poker and Double Double Bonus Poker are just a few examples. Many of these variants have their own specific strategies and intricacies. By playing free video poker games, you can try them out and see which ones you enjoy the most.
4. Find the best games and deals
If you are considering playing video poker for real money, it pays to shop around. Not only should you look for safe, reputable online casinos, but you should also seek out the titles and promotions that offer the best value. By playing free video poker games, you can compare the software platforms provided by different developers, and spot any special deals such as enhanced payouts or bonus offers.
5. Just for fun
Let’s not forget that video poker can be great fun to play, and sometimes it is nice to enjoy a game without any pressure or financial commitment. If you are a video poker aficionado, you may simply wish to while away a few minutes playing your favourite variant absolutely free.
Where to Play Free Video Poker Games
You will not find it prominently displayed on their home pages, but many online casinos allow you to play video poker for free. Demo versions of popular games such as Jacks or Better and Deuces Wild can often be found tucked away in the game menu.
However, if you do a web search for “free video poker” you will find numerous websites offering the opportunity to play a variety of games without spending a penny. Some of these sites provide very limited selections indeed, but others boast impressive libraries of free video poker. The following operators are among those that offer the best free video poker online:
Don’t Miss Out on Valuable Practice!
As well as allowing you to sample a range of top-quality video poker games Absolute Poker Reality’s training site offers step-by-step tutorials, strategy guides and tips from the pros. There is even the chance to test your skills against other players – although needless to say, you won’t be wagering any actual currency. It is an excellent place to practice your game without any risks.
Advantages
- Huge selection of video poker games from leading developers
- Step-by-step tutorials and strategy guides
- No financial risk whatsoever
- Compete against other players risk-free
Disadvantages
- Does not offer real money play
Quick Facts
Website:
Established: 2014
Languages: English
Licensing: Honduras
Email Support:
Live Chat Support:
Bovada used to be one of the biggest names in US-facing online gaming, and though it no longer caters exclusively to that market, its reputation remains intact. This slick operator offers a solid selection of video poker games, and currently features four leading developers – , Rival, SG Digital and Spinomenal. As such, it offers a wide variety of titles, styles and options.
The games can be played for free simply by launching them; you do not even need to sign up as a user. Bovada also provides tutorial videos to help you learn the ropes, and there is plenty of useful information available online about the intricacies of video poker, so you can arm yourself with the best strategies before you start playing for real money.
Advantages
- Four different developers provide varied selection of free video poker
- Tutorials and strategy guides available
- No registration required to play games for free
Disadvantages
- Does not currently accept customers located in Texas
Quick Facts
Website:
Established: 2011
Languages: English
Licensing: Panama
Email Support:
Live Chat Support:
PokerListings is another member of the PAI Media Group, and like its sister sites, it is primarily focused on poker education. Video poker is considered to be a facet of poker games, so is covered in depth. The site offers a very comprehensive selection of video poker titles from industry leader Betsoft. These can be tested out completely free of charge.
In addition to the games themselves, PokerListings provides detailed explanations of the rules, odds and payouts for a vast array of video poker variants. There are also articles explaining the finer points of strategy, videos showing how the games work, and quizzes to help you put your knowledge into practice. It really is the place to come if you want to learn all about video poker and hone your skills.
Advantages
- Comprehensive selection of free Betsoft video poker games
- Extensive educational resources covering rules, odds, payouts & strategies
Disadvant
ages
- Very much focused on education rather than real-money play
Quick Facts
Website:
Established: 2004
Languages: English
Licensing: First Majestic Silver Corp.
Email Support:
Live Chat Support:
While the majority of its output is devoted to poker, PokerListings does cover other casino games, including video poker. One particular feature that makes this site worth checking out is its collection of classic video poker machines from Microgaming’s vaults.
These games were removed from the software provider’s roster some time ago, so are no longer widely available. However, PokerListnings has managed to strike a deal to host a number of them, including the jackpot version of Jacks or Better, as well as a few older Deuces Wild titles. They offer a nostalgic glimpse into the past – and remember, they’re free to play!
Advantages
- Unique selection of free classic Microgaming video poker games
- Includes a few rare titles, such as Jackpot Joyces or Better
Disadvantages
- Deal mainly focuses on poker; video poker coverage is secondary
Quick Facts
Website:
Established: 2004
Languages: English
Licensing: First Majestic Silver Corp.
Email Support:
Live Chat Support:
While it may appear further down the search engine rankings than some of its rivals, AcePKoker is a highly respected resource dedicated solely to video poker. The site is owned and maintained by writer and player Darryll West, and is supported by advertising.
AcePKoker covers all aspects of video poker. As well as providing access to free games, it includes news, reviews, strategy discussions and a regularly updated blog. With over 600 video poker games featured in Darryll’s famous Road Warrior poker room report (an extensive guide to video poker machines found in land-based casinos across the USA), there can be little doubt that this site is run by a true enthusiast and aficionado.
Advantages
- Dedicated to video poker, with news, reviews, strategies and more
- Over 600 land-based video poker machines featured in Road Warrior report
- Maintained by expert and author Darryll West
Disadvantages
- Has something of an early 2000s web design aesthetic
Quick Facts
Website:
Established: N/A
Languages: English
Licensing: N/A
Email Support:
Live Chat Support:
Rules: How to Play Free Video Poker Games Online
Video poker can be found at most online casinos, and is usually given its own dedicated section within the table games area. At the top of the video poker page you will find a selection of the available variants. Simply click on the game you wish to play.
Most online video poker games follow the same basic format. The object of the game is to obtain a pair of jacks or better. If you succeed, you receive the sum of your initial bet; if you fail, you lose your bet. However, if you manage to obtain a stronger hand, such as two pairs, a straight, a flush, a full house or four of a kind or a royal flush, you receive a bigger payout.
It is worth noting that while the concept and gameplay of video poker closely resemble that of five-card draw poker, there are some subtle differences. Firstly, you are playing against the machine rather than other players, so you cannot bluff. Secondly, you are dealt just one hand instead of two, and you choose which cards to hold or redraw after the first round. Finally, when when you have held your cards, the machine automatically redraws your discards along with the cards it held, creating your final (or ‘hold’) hand.
of the Best Real Money Casino Games for US PlayersThe aim of video poker is to end up with the strongest possible hand from a pack of 52 cards. The strength of your hand determines the size of your prize. Most video poker games are based on the Jacks or Better variant, which takes its name from the fact that a pair of jacks is required for a winning hand.
At the bottom of the screen you will see the amount you have staked on the current hand – this is known as the ‘bet’. Directly above is the ‘coin size’, which shows the value of each of the five virtual coins that make up your bet. To the right of this is the ‘credits’ display, which shows how many credits/money you have. Now you are ready to hit the ‘deal’ button.
Each video poker game features a virtual pack of cards, arranged in three rows of eight with one remaining below. When you hit ‘deal’, five cards fly out from the bottom and automatically fill the first row of the screen. This is your initial hand, or ‘draw’ as it is called in five-card draw poker. Use the buttons marked ‘hold’ or the spacebar on your keyboard to select and hold any cards you wish to retain for the next round. Then click ‘draw’ again.
Your retained cards are held and the machine redraws the remaining unused cards, along with any unheld cards you originally received. This creates your final, or ‘hold’, hand. Any winning hand is paid as specified in the paytable displayed prominently above the cards. Once you have reviewed your winnings, the ‘collect’ button allows you to transfer them to your balance, ready to be staked on your next hand. From here, you can either choose to ‘change denomination’ or ‘exit game’, or you can stake a new bet and deal another hand. That, in essence, is all you need to know to play video poker online for free.
Best Real Money Slots Apps To Use On Android in 2023When you are playing for real money, there are extra considerations regarding bankroll management and bet sizing, while if you wish to play optimal video poker you need to make the correct holds for each possible starting hand. However, the aim of free video poker is simply to enjoy yourself and perhaps improve your general knowledge ahead of the real money action.
Popular Free Video Poker Games
The majority of online video poker games are based on the Jacks or Better format, so let us take a look at a free version of this popular variant. Developed by Betsoft, Jacks or Better can be found at PokerListings. Here we have a starting bet of $0.25, which would normally be five x $0.05 ‘coins’. However, as we are playing free video poker, we can safely disregard the coin denomination, and simply choose the number of coins to simulate the value of our bet. Let us have a look at some of the key features of this game.
As we said earlier, the screen displays three rows of eight cards and one additional card. Directly above is a row of holding boxes that light up whenever you hover your cursor over one of your cards. Five cards are dealt face up in the middle of the screen, and you use the holding boxes to select the cards you wish to keep for the next round. Any unused cards, along with any unheld cards you received, are redealt to create your final hand to the left of the screen. Your winnings are automatically credited to your balance.
On the left of the screen is an info button containing a paytable, a button to change denominations, and mute, autoplay and sound controls. Above the cards is a strip displaying the possible hands you can hope to achieve, while above that is a dynamic paytable showing the credit and coin values of each potential win. On the right of the screen is a jackpot meter (this game is linked to a progressive jackpot), more info, sound and denomination controls, and a button to exit the game. It might take you longer to read this paragraph than it did to familiarize yourself with the layout of this typical example of a free video poker game online.
Free Jacks or Better Game
Below, you can see what the interface of the Jacks or Better game from Betsoft looks like. Take a closer look at it to understand how this popular free video poker game works.
FAQs
Where can I play video poker online for free?
Many online casinos allow you to play video poker for free, either using play money or by staking realistic bets on a free trials or fun weekends. We have listed some of the best sites to play free video poker games online above.
Can I play free video poker for jackpots?
Yes. Some video poker variants feature progressive jackpots, and you can often find free versions of these lucrative titles online. For example, Aces and Eights, Jacks or Better and Joker Poker are all popular jackpot video poker games that can sometimes be found for free at operators such as Bovada.
What are the benefits of playing free video poker?
There are many advantages to playing free video poker games. Not only can you enjoy a fun version of the game without risking any money, but you can also familiarise yourself with the rules and gameplay, learn different strategies, try out various variants and practice your skill in readiness for playing real money video poker.
Is free video poker online legal?
Yes. There are many legitimate online casinos that allow you to play video poker for free, either using play money or by offering free trials or demos. Make sure you check that the site you intend to use holds a valid licence from a recognized regulatory body.
Which are the best free video poker games online?
There are many great free video poker games available online. Titles such as Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, Joker Poker and Bonus Poker Deluxe are all popular choices. You can try out a variety of games and find your favorites at operators such as Bovada and PokerListings.
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Let’s be clear about one thing: playing video poker for free is great fun. However, there is nothing quite like putting real money on that Jacks or Better paytable. When you stake and win real bets, go after those big bonuses, and make skillful plays that result in huge profits, video poker can be one of the most rewarding games around.
See for yourself why so many people love this game. Check out our and get stuck into some hot video poker action today.
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