Best video poker sites in the UK - Top online video poker casinos
Ben Perks
Content Editor
Video poker bridges the gap between poker hand rankings and the simple style of online slots. We’ve reviewed the best video poker casinos in the UK, including sites offering Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, and other popular game variants.
Video poker blends poker hand rankings with fast, single-player gameplay and slot-style simplicity. The final hand determines the payout, and you’re never up against other players or a dealer.The first commercial video poker machines appeared in the mid-1970s when computer displays became affordable, and the game expanded rapidly through the 1980s.Today, video poker is widely available at UK-licensed casinos, appealing to both beginners looking for a simple format and experienced players who prefer high RTP games and a less stressful experience than multiplayer online poker rooms.
Key features of top video poker casinos
Here’s what you should expect from the best video poker sites in the UK:
Feature
Details
Number of video poker variants
15-50+ different games (top casinos offer 30+)
Popular game types
Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, Joker Poker, Aces and Faces, Bonus Poker, Double Bonus Poker
RTP range
96% - 99.54% (with optimal play; Jacks or Better typically offers 99.54%)
Betting limits
£0.10 - £100 per hand (some casinos offer wider ranges from £0.01 to £500+)
Multi-hand options
3-hand, 5-hand, 10-hand, 25-hand, 50-hand, and 100-hand variants available
Mobile compatibility
Fully optimised for iOS and Android devices via mobile browser or dedicated apps
Free play available
Yes - demo/practice mode available without real money deposits
Popular video poker variants in the UK
There are a few well-known video poker versions, each with its own rules, payouts, and quirks. They sit alongside other popular casino games, and the most common types include titles with wild cards, boosted payouts, and multi-hand formats for a quicker style of play.
Jacks or Better
One of the most common video poker games is Jacks or Better, often recommended as the best starting point for beginners. A minimum winning hand is a pair of jacks.
The highest-paying version of the game is known as “full-pay” and offers an RTP of around 99.54%, paying 9x your stake for a full house and 6x for a flush. Because of the high return, small strategy decisions make a difference: most players hold high cards (J, Q, K, A), pairs, and strong draws such as four cards to a flush.
In Deuces Wild, every 2 acts as a wild card, replacing any other card to complete a winning hand. Because of this feature, you'll find that premium combinations such as four of a kind and straight flushes appear far more often than in Jacks or Better.
The paytable is also different, with special payouts for hands like “four deuces”. The best versions of the game can reach around 99.7% RTP when played with perfect strategy. Because wild cards create more possible outcomes, this variant has higher volatility.
In this version, a single joker joins the standard 52-card deck and acts as a wild card, just like the 2 in Deuces Wild.
The game increases the minimum winning hand to Kings or Better, so it plays differently from the two versions we've covered. The RTP varies by paytable, but many versions range between 98% and 100%.
Joker Poker is a middle-ground game: you get the extra winning potential of a wild card without the larger swings you see in Deuces Wild.
Aces and Faces and Bonus Poker are variations of Jacks or Better that adjust the paytable to reward certain premium hands:
● Aces and Faces: You get higher payouts for four of a kind made with aces or picture cards (J, Q, K).
● Bonus Poker: Offers specific payouts for different quads, such as four aces or four 2-4s.
These games typically return close to 99% RTP on the best paytables. They suit players who want higher payouts than standard Jacks or Better, but without the wild-card mechanics of Deuces Wild or Joker Poker.
You play several hands at once, usually in sets of 5, 10, 25, or even 50, and make your decisions based on a single starting hand. The cards you hold apply to every hand in play.
It’s a quicker, higher-volume format, and you’ll find multi-hand versions of Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, and other popular games at many UK casinos.
The basic strategy principles stay the same, but the increased number of outcomes makes bankroll management and hand selection even more critical.
How we rate the best video poker casinos in the UK
We look at specific criteria to help you choose where to play video poker for real money and give yourself the best chance of having an outstanding gaming experience.
Video poker game selection
A strong video poker casino should offer at least 6-10 variants, ideally covering the core titles like Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, Joker Poker, and Aces and Faces. The very best UK casinos go further with 10+ games and multi-hand options.
We look for well-known providers such as Evolution, NetEnt, Pragmatic Play, Playtech, and Flip Five, as they tend to deliver the highest RTP versions and reliable gameplay.
A casino with only one or two games doesn’t give you enough choice, especially if you want to try progressive or live dealer formats.
RTP and paytables
RTP is one of the biggest factors to consider in video poker. The top versions regularly sit above 99%, but that depends entirely on the paytable.
Two games with the same name can have different payouts, which changes the house edge. A full-pay Jacks or Better is around 99.5%, while weaker setups can fall below 97%.
Betting limits and flexibility
When we look at betting limits, we want to see options that suit different budgets.
Our recommended casinos let you play from around £0.10-£0.25 per hand, with higher stakes usually reaching £25 or more. Some sites go well beyond that for Evolution’s live video poker.
It’s also useful when a casino offers different coin sizes rather than forcing you into fixed £1 bets. Having that range makes it easier to pace your bankroll and adjust your stake when needed.
Mobile video poker quality
Today’s video poker titles are developed for mobile play first, so the casino should never restrict your game choice or make the experience feel uncomfortable on a phone.
Touchscreen controls make holding and discarding cards quick and intuitive, and the best platforms optimise the layout, so the game feels natural on smaller screens.
Strong mobile gaming support is one of the easiest ways to spot a premium casino, especially if you want to play casually without downloading extra software.
Bonuses and wagering requirements
While a minority of sites let you use bonus funds in video poker, the stakes you make on the game often count only a small percentage toward wagering requirements. It’s always worth checking the terms to see if the game contributes and whether the casino restricts any variants.
Understanding casino bonuses is key: check contribution rates, wagering multipliers, and any game caps to ensure the offer works with your style of play.
Software and user experience
Good performance and clean layouts are important in video poker because you rely on instantly recognising your hand and reading the paytable.
Modern designs make holding and discarding cards effortless, while older interfaces can feel slow, so the casino must have a mobile-first layout.
We also check for clean navigation and strong casino apps, as these usually signal better performance while playing.
Overall casino quality
Even if a casino has strong video poker games, we still check the rest of the platform.
A UKGC licence is essential, along with secure payment methods such as PayPal, Visa, and bank transfers, responsive customer support and clear terms for withdrawals and account limits.
Video poker fits into the broader picture of a casino’s reliability, trust, and fairness, which is why the sites we recommend also rank among the best online casinos in the United Kingdom.
How to play
Video poker is straightforward once you understand the flow:
1
Place your bet: Many sites accept bets from around £0.10 to £0.25 per hand, and most offer different coin sizes so you can adjust your stake.
2
Receive five cards: You’re dealt five cards from a standard virtual 52-card deck.
3
Choose which cards to hold: Decide what cards to keep, depending on the variant you’re playing.
4
Draw replacement cards: The game swaps the cards you didn’t hold, setting your final five-card hand.
5
Get paid for winning hands: Payouts depend on your finishing hand and the game’s paytable. Depending on the variant, winning hands run from a pair up to a royal flush, which can still pay the classic 800x top prize.
Video poker strategy tips
Video poker rewards skill as much as luck, and even small decisions can affect your long-term results. Learning the basics improves your chances of making winning hands and selecting the most profitable plays.
Understanding paytables
Every video poker game has a paytable, and it tells you two key things: which hands are worth money and how much each one pays. This is the easiest way to see whether a game offers good value. For example, a full-pay Jacks or Better machine awards 9x for a full house and pays 6x for a flush, and that version has an RTP of around 99.5%. A weaker paytable may only pay 8/5 or lower, which reduces the RTP.
Optimal hold strategy
In most versions, you hold winning pairs, any high cards (J, Q, K, A), or strong draws such as four cards to a flush or three cards to a straight flush. You rarely throw away a made hand unless a better draw has a higher expected return. Strategy charts for Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, and other popular variants show the correct play for every possible hand. Learning these charts is one of the fastest ways to increase your long-term winnings.
Bankroll management for video poker
Bankroll management helps you avoid running out of money during normal swings in the game. However, since video poker usually has lower volatility than slots, your budget tends to last longer. Pick a stake that allows you to play many hands rather than spending too much on one round. As a basic rule, have enough bankroll to play at least 50-100 hands at your chosen stake. If you switch to multi-hand or progressive formats, increase your bankroll because the volatility is higher.
Video poker vs slots - which is better?
Video poker and online slots operate similarly, and many people even questioned the UKGC if both gaming types fall under the same category. Their answer? It depends. Our answer? Video poker is for people who enjoy making decisions and want high RTP games, while slots lean more on themes, bonus rounds, and luck. Here’s a quick comparison:
Aspect
Video Poker
Slots
RTP
99%+ in the best versions
94-97%
Skill element
Yes
No
Variance
Low to Medium (higher with multi-hand/progressive)
Can be low, medium, or extremely high
Game speed
Fast
Very fast
Bonus features
Rare
Free spins, multipliers, jackpots, bonus rounds
Best for
Players who like strategy and predictability
Players who want themes, bonuses, and bigger swings
Pros and cons of video poker - is it worth playing?
Ben Perks
"There are clear strengths and weaknesses in video poker compared with other casino games, and the value depends on what you enjoy. Here are some of the pros and cons:"
Pros
High RTP, often 98-99% or more on the best paytables
Skill and strategy can improve your long-term results
Simple rules and fast gameplay once you learn the basics
Clear odds and transparent paytables make it easy to compare value
Good for consistent returns and lower house edge than most games
Cons
Not as flashy or bonus-heavy as many slot games
Requires some strategy knowledge for best results
Often have a lower or no contribution towards wagering requirements
Video poker bonuses at UK casinos
Some online casinos allow you to use bonuses on video poker. Still, the contribution rate is usually lower than slots, sitting at around 10-20% if you're lucky. That means these offers can still add value, but you need to check the terms carefully to see whether video poker qualifies.
Welcome bonuses for video poker
We recommend you always check the wagering requirements and contribution rates before claiming a bonus. At some casinos, only a small portion of your video poker stake goes toward clearing the offer, often less than 20%. It helps to look out for any excluded variants, maximum-bet rules, and the wagering multiplier itself. Understanding these terms helps you compare casino bonuses properly and avoid deals that are only suited to slots.
Video poker bonus considerations
Wagering requirements tell you how much you must bet before you can withdraw bonus winnings. Because video poker has a higher RTP than slots, many casinos reduce its contribution. For example, if an offer has 30x wagering on a £100 bonus, you must wager £3,000 in total. But, if video poker counts at 10%, you would need £30,000 of bets to clear it.
Free video poker vs real money play
Real-money and free video poker have their own benefits, and the right choice depends on your goals. Free casino games are ideal for practising strategy, learning the different variants, and testing paytables without risk.Real-money video poker offers the excitement of playing for cash and the higher returns that make the game so popular in the UK. You also access progressive variants and premium formats that aren’t always available in demo mode.
Mobile video poker at UK casinos
You don’t lose anything by playing video poker on your phone or tablet, as the games work much the same as they do on a laptop. Touch controls actually make it quite intuitive, since you can tap to hold or discard cards. Most UK casinos now offer their full video poker range on mobile, and you can usually choose between an app and playing in your browser. Either way, the games are designed to load fast and look clear on smaller screens. Strong mobile gaming support is a key feature we look for, especially if you want quick sessions on the move.
Video poker RTP and house edge explained
RTP, or Return to Player, is the percentage a game pays back over time. So if a game lists a 99% RTP, that means that for every £100 wagered, you can expect about £99 to come back to you in the long run. Video poker is well-known for high RTPs: a strong Jacks or Better paytable sits around 99.54%, and All Aces can reach roughly 99.92%. Those numbers assume you’re making the right decisions. If you pick a weaker paytable or keep the wrong cards, the return drops and the house edge grows.
Alternatives to video poker at UK casinos
Online slots
You’ll find thousands of slot titles in the UK, often with RTPs around 94-97%, and many include bonus rounds, jackpots, multipliers, and branded themes. They don’t require any decision-making or strategy, so they suit players who prefer pure chance and more visual features.
If you follow basic strategy, many online blackjack tables can offer RTPs over 99%, which is why the game has such a strong reputation. You also have real choices every hand, so you feel more involved in the outcome.
Online poker appeals to people who enjoy the more competitive side of card games. You’re using the same hand rankings you’ve learned in video poker, but now you’re playing against real opponents.
The top platforms combine large game libraries, high RTPs, and UKGC licensing. Our recommended choices are listed in our section on the best video poker casinos.
What is the RTP of video poker games?
Many video poker games offer RTPs above 99% when you use the correct strategy. We explain this in our section on video poker RTP and house edge.
Can I play video poker on mobile?
Yes. Most casinos support mobile play through apps or browsers. See our section on mobile video poker for more details.
What’s the difference between video poker and regular poker?
Video poker is a single-player game against a computer. Regular poker is multiplayer, with betting rounds and live opponents.
Can I play video poker for free?
Yes. Many sites offer demo versions. Free play is great for practising before you move to real money.
Armed with 10+ years of journalistic experience and deep expertise in UK online casinos, Ben knows what separates excellent sites from subpar ones. He’s reviewed hundreds of operators, explored thousands of games, and understands exactly what players value most. At Casino.org, he puts that insight to work, helping readers find secure, high-quality UK casinos with bonuses and features that truly stand out.
Adam’s content has helped people from all corners of the globe, from the US to Japan. Now, he leads the Casino.org content teams in the UK, Ireland, and New Zealand to help players make better-informed decisions.
