Video poker has long been a favourite among casino enthusiasts, blending the excitement of slots with the strategic depth of poker. Whether you’re playing at a land-based venue or exploring online platforms, video poker offers a unique experience that appeals to both casual gamers and serious strategists. For players in the UK, including those interested in casinos which bypass GamStop, understanding which video poker variants stand out can help you make the most of your gaming sessions and potentially improve your odds of winning.

This guide explores the best video poker games available today, highlighting their features, gameplay mechanics, and what makes each one unique. Whether you’re a seasoned player or just getting started, you’ll find practical insights to help you choose the right game for your preferences and playing style.

What Makes a Great Video Poker Game?

Before diving into specific titles, it’s worth considering what sets the best video poker games apart. Several key factors contribute to a game’s popularity and player appeal:

• Payout Tables: The paytable determines your potential returns. Games with higher payouts for key hands are generally more favourable.
• House Edge: Lower house edge means better odds for the player. Some video poker variants offer some of the best odds in the casino.
• Skill Element: Strategic decision-making plays a significant role, allowing skilled players to influence outcomes.
• Bonus Features: Wild cards, multipliers, and bonus rounds can add excitement and boost potential winnings.
• Accessibility: The best games are widely available across online and mobile platforms, making them easy to play anytime.

With these criteria in mind, let’s explore the top video poker games you should consider trying.

1. Jacks or Better

Jacks or Better is the classic video poker variant and often the first choice for newcomers. The game is straightforward: you’re dealt five cards, and you can hold or discard any number of them to form the best possible poker hand. The minimum winning hand is a pair of Jacks, hence the name.

Why Jacks or Better Stands Out

• Simplicity: The rules are easy to grasp, making it accessible for beginners.
• Favourable Odds: When played with optimal strategy, the full-pay (9/6) version offers a return to player (RTP) of over 99.5%.
• Strategic Depth: While simple, the game rewards careful decision-making.

Jacks or Better remains a staple in both online and land-based casinos, and it’s a solid starting point for anyone looking to master video poker.

2. Deuces Wild

Deuces Wild introduces a twist by making all twos (deuces) wild cards, substituting for any other card to complete winning hands. This significantly increases the potential for strong hands, but also raises the bar for the minimum winning hand.

Key Features of Deuces Wild

• Wild Cards: All four deuces act as wilds, allowing for more frequent high-ranking hands like five of a kind or wild royals.
• Challenging Strategy: Because of the wild cards, optimal play is more complex than in Jacks or Better.
• High RTP: Full-pay Deuces Wild can offer an RTP of around 100.76% with perfect play, making it one of the best-paying games in the casino.

Deuces Wild is ideal for players seeking something different, with a higher degree of volatility and the potential for big wins.

3. Bonus Poker

Bonus Poker is a popular Jacks or Better variant that rewards players with higher payouts for specific four-of-a-kind hands. The game is similar in structure, but the bonus payouts add an extra layer of excitement.

What Makes Bonus Poker Appealing

• Bonus Payouts: Four-of-a-kind hands pay more, especially for Aces and face cards.
• Familiar Gameplay: If you’ve played Jacks or Better, you’ll feel right at home.
• Balanced RTP: The payout percentage is slightly lower than classic Jacks or Better, but the bonus hands can make up for it.

Bonus Poker is a great choice for players who enjoy the base game but want the thrill of chasing higher payouts on rare hands.

4. Double Bonus Poker

Double Bonus Poker takes the bonus concept even further, offering substantial payouts for four Aces and other four-of-a-kind hands. This increased volatility means you’ll experience more swings, but the potential for big wins is greater.

Highlights of Double Bonus Poker

• Enhanced Four-of-a-Kind Payouts: Especially generous for Aces, which can pay up to 800 coins on a five-coin bet.
• Strategic Play Required: The game rewards players who can adapt their strategy to the altered paytable.
• Variety of Versions: Different casinos may offer slightly different paytables, affecting the RTP.

Double Bonus Poker is best suited for experienced players who enjoy risk and are comfortable with higher volatility.

5. Double Double Bonus Poker

Double Double Bonus Poker builds on the Double Bonus format, offering even more substantial rewards for specific four-of-a-kind combinations with kickers (an extra card of a particular rank).

Why Players Love Double Double Bonus Poker

• Massive Bonus Payouts: Four Aces with a 2, 3, or 4 kicker pays out particularly well.
• Exciting Gameplay: The pursuit of these rare hands adds suspense to every round.
• Challenging Strategy: The optimal play can be complex, making it appealing to advanced players.

If you thrive on big swings and the potential for huge wins, Double Double Bonus Poker is worth a try.

6. Joker Poker (Joker’s Wild)

Joker Poker introduces a single joker into the deck, acting as a wild card. This increases your chances of landing strong hands, but also changes the minimum qualifying hand to a pair of Kings or better.

Joker Poker Features

• Wild Joker: The inclusion of a wild card creates more opportunities for five-of-a-kind hands.
• Unique Paytable: The altered hand rankings require a slightly different approach to strategy.
• Accessible and Fun: The game is easy to pick up and offers a nice balance between luck and skill.

Joker Poker is a great option for those who enjoy a bit of unpredictability and the excitement of wild cards.

7. All American Poker

All American Poker is another Jacks or Better variant, but with a unique paytable that offers higher payouts for straights, flushes, and straight flushes, while reducing payouts for full houses and two pairs.

Distinctive Elements of All American Poker

• High Straight and Flush Payouts: Players who frequently hit these hands will benefit the most.
• Different Strategy: The altered paytable means you’ll need to adjust your play style.
• Solid RTP: The game offers a competitive payout percentage, especially on full-pay machines.

All American Poker is ideal for those who like chasing straights and flushes and don’t mind a shift in traditional hand values.

8. Tens or Better

Tens or Better is similar to Jacks or Better, but the minimum qualifying hand is a pair of tens. This slight tweak makes it easier to land winning hands, though the payouts for higher hands may be slightly reduced to balance the odds.

Why Try Tens or Better?

• Lower Barrier to Win: More frequent payouts can keep your bankroll going longer.
• Simple Gameplay: The rules and strategy are nearly identical to Jacks or Better.
• Good for Beginners: The game is welcoming for new players seeking regular wins.

Tens or Better strikes a nice balance for players who want steady action and fewer dry spells.

How to Choose the Best Video Poker Game for You

With so many options, picking the right video poker game can seem daunting. Here are a few practical tips to help you