Best Sites to Play Video Poker Online 2026

Video poker takes the convenience of slots and the card building of poker to create a unique automated casino experience. On this page, I will introduce you to online video poker and help you become a confident player. I have also found the best video poker casino sites for US players, allowing you to find exciting games within minutes. 

Online video poker has a history that goes back decades, even before online casinos. Back in the 1970s, land-based casinos were searching for ways to integrate technology to expand their game offerings. Video poker was born from the resulting research and development. It brought a new way to play poker on a virtual display, borrowing elements of slot games. 

So, a video poker game looks like a classic video slot machine but has the gameplay of virtual poker. When online casinos rose to prominence in the late 1990s – early 2000s, video poker was ready-made for new sites. Unlike the pure luck of slots, you need to have knowledge and betting skills when you play video poker. 

Video Poker Hand Rankings

Like all forms of poker, the way to win in online casino video poker is to build a hand ranking that is better than your opponent. Before you start playing, it is essential to know the rankings to help you make informed betting decisions. Importantly, some classic winning rankings are not eligible for video poker games. The good news is most games have winning rankings listed on the main page.

Video Poker Terminology

Just like all casino games, video poker has a lot of slang words and jargon to know about. Understanding these terms is essential for becoming a confident online video poker professional. Below, I’ll give you the terminology to cut through that jargon the next time you play video poker online:

• Auto Hold: This is where the machine automatically holds a card or cards. It is usually possible to override the hold. 
• Discard: These are cards you decide not to keep following the first deal.   
• Draw: Request to receive a new card to see if it can improve your hand. 
• Flush: Any hand where all cards are of the same suit but do not have a numerical order.
• Full Pay: When a video poker game is set to be played on the best possible pay table.     
• Game Denomination: A term for the coin values or card values in a game. 
• Hand: The cards that are dealt to you and from which you use to play. 
• Low Pay: When the video poker game is set to a pay table that is less than the full payout potential.
• Multi-Play: A video poker machine that allows you to play more than one hand simultaneously.
• Natural Royal Flush: The best poker hand, where you get five running cards 10 to Ace from the same suit.
• Not So Ugly Ducks (NSUD): Ducks are also called deuces and are the 2 cards in a deck. NSUD is a term for a specific Deuces Wild game coined by Skip Hughes.
• Power Poker: When you have an edge and seek to maximize it through more aggressive betting and even riskier decisions. 

How to Play Video Poker

Video poker is an easy game to learn, but there are things you need to know before you start playing. The following steps will guide you through a game of online video poker, from choosing the game to completing a round. 

• Step 1: Select your Video Poker Game: choose one of the licensed online casinos I recommend and pick a video poker game from the list of options. 
• Step 2: Check the rules and pay table: Read the game rules to ensure you know the winning hand rankings. Reading the rules also helps you differentiate between video poker variants. 
• Step 3: Make your bet: You will see arrows or similar symbols that allow you to adjust your bet size. Most video poker games online have a bet spread between $0.10 and $100 per hand.
• Step 4: Start Playing: After making your bet, click the “Deal” button to receive your cards. Choose which cards to discard and/or click “Draw” to receive new cards for those you discard. 
• Step 5: The result: Once all your cards are set, check for your best hand. You are not playing against a computer or person in video poker, so any eligible winning hand ranking will result in a payout. 

Video Poker Strategy and Expert Tips

The first skill any video poker player should learn is a complete understanding of poker hand rankings. Once you know the various ways you can potentially win, you can expand your gameplay to cover strategies. Below are some free video poker tips and strategies worth knowing about. 

• Poker Strategy Chart: A basic poker strategy chart will detail what cards you need to keep from each starting hand and highlight replacement cards. 
• Bet Maximum Coins: Betting the maximum coins on each hand can deliver huge payouts for a high-ranking card. Yet, this is a risky approach if you have a small budget. 
• Play Free Video Poker: Video poker games are usually available for free play demos on top online casinos. Accessing free video poker games allows you to play risk-free to test a game, learn rankings, or simply for fun. 
• Breaking High Pairs: It is possible to break a pair by discarding one card. Knowing when to do this is important. Always try to assess the potential future value of a hand and not just the current value. 
• Responsible Gambling: Set yourself a budget of money you can reasonably afford to lose. Do not chase losses, and always gamble within your financial means. 

Because most video poker casino sites have lots of games to choose from, you can select from a range of popular variants. Each adds a unique twist to the classic casino game. Below are the most common variants:

Best Video Poker Games to Play

You will see many different video poker games when you browse US online casinos. These games will come with a wide range of RTP (Return to Player) percentages, highlighting the average amount the game pays back to players over time. While there is no way to correctly predict the outcome of a video poker game, and the RTP is just an average, playing high RTP video poker games can potentially boost your chances of enjoying a profitable gaming session.

To help you better understand which games are best, here are the video poker titles with the highest RTPs:

Free Video Poker vs. Real Money Video Poker

Video poker is available for free in a demo mode on most US casino sites. This is important because a video poker free demo comes with plenty of benefits. For one, you can practice a game and play risk-free without spending a single cent. Of course, you will not be able to win real money. Still, there is no right way to play video poker, and we recommend trying free games before moving to real money video poker later. 

Check out the table below to better understand the differences between real money video poker and free video poker. 

Video Poker: Pros and Cons

Video poker is a fun casino game, but whether it is right for you depends on various factors. To help you decide and choose the best video poker game, I’ve outlined the main pros and cons below.

How to Pick the Best Online Video Poker Casino

When you choose one of my recommended video poker online casinos, you're guaranteed thrilling online video poker gameplay. Not only that, but the best online video poker sites also excel in many other areas. You can expect jam-packed game lobbies, generous bonuses, popular and secure payment methods, and, of course, dedicated video poker apps for those who prefer to play on the go. 

My fellow industry experts and I use a multi-step review process when rating and ranking online video poker casinos, ensuring that all aspects of a site are tested and rated. Below are the factors we consider for each review:

• Game Variety: We check the number of video poker games alongside the addition of other casino favorites such as slots, roulette, blackjack, and live dealer titles. Our team lists the number of games and from which software providers they come from. 
• Bonuses and Promotions: All the best video poker sites we list have welcome bonuses for new players and ongoing promos for existing customers. We detail the specifics of each offer, including what you can receive and what T&Cs you’ll need to fulfill. 
• Security and Licensing: It is essential to us that the casinos we list are licensed in the US states where they operate. We check licenses and security measures to ensure you always play at a reputable video poker casino. 
• Payment Methods: Each of our reviews details the available payment methods on a casino site, including e-wallets, credit cards, pre-paid, and other options. To ensure the smoothest experience, our reviewers deposit funds, play games, and withdraw winnings. 
• Withdrawal Speed: To ensure you get your winnings quickly, we reveal the withdrawal speed of each casino, including approval times and how long it takes to send the money to your financial account. 
• Mobile Capabilities: Being able to play on the move is valuable to modern video poker players. We review mobile-friendly websites and casino apps to ensure you can play on a smartphone and tablet. 
• Customer Support: In each review, we contact customer support and report on how well we are treated and how knowledgeable agents are. Our review team also checks how long customer support is open, with the best option being 24/7 live chat.