Play free video poker with no sign-up, no registration, and no download. These freeplay versions are great if you're looking to learn the rules and master the game. Whether you’re a complete novice or looking to brush up your skills, read on for guidance on how to play as well as advice on the variations of free video poker games.
There are lots of different variants of video poker including Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild and Double Bonus Poker, but they all work pretty much the same way. Let's walk through how the whole process of how to play:
1Select your bet size
Choose how much to bet. Video poker uses coins, which are also called credits, and you have to select how much each credit is worth. Then, select how many credits you want to bet on each hand.
2First cards drawn
After you’ve chosen the bet size, hit the Deal button to receive your first five cards.
3Hold your cards
Select which cards you want to hold on to using the Hold buttons under each card. The other ones will be exchanged for new cards in order to make the best possible poker hand.
4Second cards drawn
Hit the Draw button and all the cards which you are not holding will disappear and be replaced with new ones. The five cards you have now represent your final poker hand.
5Outcome & payout
The game will automatically tell you the best possible hand you can make with your five cards by highlighting it in the paytable at the top of the screen. The bigger your poker hand, the more money you’ll win.
Types of free video poker
There are two main types of free video poker games: ring and tournament. Below we’ve briefly outlined how to play each with details on what a new player can expect. For more in-depth poker rules, you can head to our how to play page for a step-by-step guide.
Ring Games
Ring games are considered the ‘classic’ type of free poker game. They have no predetermined finish time, and players will have the option to enter and leave as they wish. Games are played hand by hand with the number of players varying from two (heads-up), six (6-max) or nine (full ring).
Tournaments
On the other hand, tournaments will start at a fixed time — usually when the allotted number of players are in the lobby. Players that lose all their chips while playing will be ‘knocked out’ one by one until there’s just the winner remaining. They key advantage of a tournament is that the prize pool of all the players’ buy-in is usually shared between the top three winners.
Hands for Winning at Video Poker
Check out our guide below to learn some winning hands for video poker, listed in order of the strongest hand first:
Royal Flush
A - K - Q - J - 10
A, K, Q, J, and 10 all of the same suit
Straight Flush
Q - J - 10 - 9 - 8
Five cards in sequence and all of the same suit
Four of a Kind
J - J - J - J - 3
Four cards of the same rank
Full House
J - J - 5 - 5 - 5
Three of a kind, plus a pair
Flush
J - 10 - 4 - 6 - 3
Five cards of the same suit
Straight
6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10
Five cards in sequence (ace can be high or low)
Three of a Kind
7 - 7 - 7 - 9 - 3
Three cards of the same rank
Two Pair
K - K - 2 - 6 - 6
Two cards of one rank and two cards of another rank
Jacks or Better
J - J - 2 - 7 - 4
A pair of jacks, queens, kings or aces
Free online video poker variants
Each variant of video poker has its own unique spin, although the basic aim of the game remains the same. You can play them for free, right here. Pick your favorite and start playing free online video poker!
Deuces Wild
The 2s are wildcards in the popular free Deuces Wild game type. So a royal flush with at least one 2 card means an ample payout, although a natural royal flush is still better. This game has a return-to-player percentage (RTP) of 100.7% which means players have the upper hand when they’re playing real money.
Double Bonus Poker is a popular variation where players unlock two bonuses, which are both four of a kinds. This free game can be found at many top online casinos and gambling sites.
Triple Play is great for multi-taskers, as you can play three hands of cards at one time. This is the most popular free and real money video poker variant from IGT. The variant even comes in different types such as Deuces Wild, Double Double Bonus, and Draw Poker.
Jokers act as a wildcard and a pair of kings or greater are required to receive a payout, or to get a win when playing for free. With a basic strategy the return-to-player percentage (RTP) is 100.6%. There are 53 cards played in this game — a typical deck plus one joker.
Based on the Double Bonus variation, this game takes bonus pays to the next level. It pays more for four of a kind wins with the addition of 'kickers'. The return-to-player percentage (RTP) is approximately 100% when a basic strategy is used, which makes for an interesting free play game to hone your technique.
Our casino experts have reviewed the best video poker sites on the US market, rating each one on a range of features from game selection and software developers to welcome bonuses. Check out our top real money video poker recommendations below.
"Make sure you understand the rules of the variant of video poker you're playing so that you're only chasing a hand that has the potential to pay out. If you're new to the game, it may also help to start playing with a variant that offers better odds so that you can practice a little first."
Free online video poker vs real money play
Free games are fantastic for those looking for pure entertainment. However, if you’re looking for the ultimate thrill of winning some cash, make sure you know the pros and cons.
Free online video poker
Real money online video poker
Play instantly with no sign-up. You can also play free in-browser with no download (our free games are click-to-play)
Claim fantastic bonuses and promotions in many online casinos, and keep playing to earn loyalty points
Enjoy an unlimited amount of gameplay without having to deposit
Play any variant or title you want - every video poker option is available, even on free download casino apps
Ideal for players looking to practice strategies and increase their understanding of video poker odds
Opportunity to get cash prizes when you win
No monetary prizes or bonuses up for grabs as an incentive to play
You must risk your own money on games
Fewer game varieties to choose from, as some are exclusive to real money
Players need to create an account and deposit funds, which means set-up takes longer
If you’re new to the game or an experienced video poker player looking to really perfect your skills, take some time to follow our handy how to play guide.
Our team of experts give you a sneak peek at the top secret video poker tips you need to know about. Learn how to give yourself the best chances with these tips.
What is the difference between live poker and video poker?
Lewis Crane | Content Editor
"Video poker is played against a computer rather than a dealer or other players, so there's no need to try and read your opponent. It can be seen as a little more accessible than standard poker, as you don't need to find other players and can take as much time as you need before playing each hand."
How to practice free video poker to your advantage
Once you get used to employing these tips in your free play technique, you will do them naturally in real money games.
Look for basic combinations: These include pairs, three of a kind and four of a kind. This is a simple way to secure a strong hand and win some play coins to boost your bankroll.
Don’t hold an unpaired card: If you hold an unpaired card in the hope you will get a pair on the next deal, the odds of doing so aren’t worth keeping the card.
Match your hand to the highest initial card: This gives the best chance of securing a high scoring hand.
Any pair is worth keeping: No matter how low scoring, any pair is worth keeping. It's likely that you’ll discard your low pair and then end up with something worse!
Go for a flush over a straight: But don’t break up either hand unless you’re going for a royal flush.
A good tip for beginners is to first practice on free Jacks or Better
Hannah Smith | Content Editor
"Jacks or Better is the game of choice for most beginners as it's simple to get to grips with and you can claim big casino game payouts on minimal hands. You win if your final five-card hand holds at least one pair of Jacks or higher. The payout is usually at least 4,000 coins for a Royal Flush on a maximum bet of 5 coins. The payout on anything above a pair of jacks or better is 99.46%."
Discover more free games
Want to play more than just video poker? Discover more free casino games, including roulette and blackjack.
Free roulette
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Play over 17,810 free casino games right here. Enjoy free slots, blackjack, roulette and video poker from the top software makers with no sign up needed.
There's no way to guarantee winning at video poker. We'd recommend you make sure you understand each variant you play to increase your chances. Learn the winning hands, and play slowly and methodically as you familiarise yourself with the game.
Is video poker the same as standard poker?
They may share the same name, but the two games are actually quite different. Video poker is played solo rather than against other players. This takes away the need to read your opponent, and you can also take as much time as you like to play each hand.
Can I play online video poker for free?
Yes, many online casino/video poker sites will let you play their games using practice money, so you don’t need to risk any of your bankroll until you’re familiar with the game.
What is the best video poker game?
This is all down to personal taste. Beginners might prefer to start with Jacks or Better as this is the most common variant but, for the reasons outlined above, many players soon graduate to Deuces Wild.
A writer and editor with a penchant for games and strategy, Adam Ryan has been with the Casino.org team for eight years now. Having written for and edited numerous iGaming brands in his career, he’s something of a content sage when it comes to our iGaming copy in the US and Canada.
Ian grew up in Malta, Europe's online gaming hub and home of top casino regulators and auditors such as eCOGRA and the Malta Gaming Authority. After completing his Master's degree in Glasgow, he returned to Malta and started writing about casinos. He's worked on hundreds of casinos across the US, New Zealand, Canada, and Ireland, and is a go-to authority for Casino.org's team.
Hannah Cutajar checks all content to ensure it upholds our commitment to responsible gambling. At Casino.org, we want to help US players make better decisions. As such, we never promote unsafe sites or encourage irresponsible play.