Best Video Poker Games for Your Style of Play
You open the video poker lobby, spot a wall of game titles, and immediately hit decision paralysis. Jacks or Better. Double Bonus. Double DOUBLE bonus. Which one are you supposed to choose?
The truth is that there isn’t one universal best video poker game. The right choice depends on what you’re hungry for. Some players crave five-star, player-friendly odds. Others salivate for juicier payouts or wild cards that flip the rules like flapjacks.
This guide dishes out the best video poker games for every style of player, explaining what makes each one stand out and who should play it.
PRO TIP: If video poker is brand-new to you, start with our guide on how to play video poker.
Then come back, because unlike the server who disappears the second you need ketchup, we’ll still be here with the games below.
What Makes a Video Poker Game the Best?
There isn’t one definitive answer to what makes the best video poker game. Instead, the strongest games are defined in three ways:
- Return to player (RTP)
- Variance
- The extent to which they reward skill
Once you know what each one means, it’ll be much easier to pick a game.
RTP
RTP tells you how much a game returns over the long run when played with optimal strategy. You’ll find it in the pay table. RTP is why two machines with nearly identical names and features are not always the same.
One Jacks or Better game might offer a higher RTP because it pays more for a full house or a flush than another version. It might be a small difference, but it adds up over time.
Paying close attention to the paytable and RTP is a good way to set yourself up for the best payouts video poker can offer.
Variance
Variance is a game’s personality. Low-variance games move along with smaller, more frequent wins. They’re more predictable, like your friend who always orders chicken tenders, even at Benihana. Bless his heart.
High-variance games, on the other hand, hold out for bigger payouts that arrive less often. They deliver a bigger payoff when everything comes together, but with the cost of the dry spells, it’s not always worth the risk (RIP the friend who ordered sushi at Waffe House).
Skill
Finally, there’s skill. Basic button-pushing is no longer an option like it is in slots and roulette, unless you’re making a fresh pot of coffee. In video poker, you make calculated decisions that determine how well your session pans out.
You have to consider on each hand whether you should hold, discard, or try for a stronger combination.
The Best Video Poker Games to Play
This is where we lend a hand and offer different variations, and hand you the keys to scoot off with the best video poker for you. They’re grouped by what each one does best.
Jacks or Better: The Gold Standard
If video poker had a grilled cheese, this would be it. Jacks or Better is the benchmark against which all other variants are measured, making it the best video poker to play for beginners.
The rules are the simplest. You need at least a pair of jacks to earn a payout. There aren’t any bonus gimmicks or wild cards. It’s the easiest version to learn.
If you were wondering which video poker game has the best odds, you’re looking at it. Jacks or Better’s odds are top-notch, which is why, even though it’s beginner-friendly, many experienced players are returning customers.
Best for: Beginners and anyone who values consistency over flashy bonus features.
Tens or Better: More frequent, smaller wins
Tens or Better is similar to Jacks or Better, but even easier to win.
Instead of needing a pair of jacks or better to qualify for a payout, a pair of tens also counts. With a lower qualifying hand, you’ll collect more frequent small wins.
Best for: Newer players who appreciate more frequent winning hands and don’t mind that the wins are smaller overall.
Aces and Faces: Bigger rewards with premium hands
The biggest difference with Aces and Faces is in the four-of-a-kind payouts.
Instead of every four-of-a-kind paying according to the same basic structure (i.e., four 2s, four 7s, four 10s, or four kings), you receive boosted payouts for four aces and the face cards. For example, four queens pays more than four 9s, even though both are four of a kind.
The rest of the gameplay remains the same, but now, premium hands have extra value.
Best for: Players who already understand the basics and want more cash-out opportunities without adding wild cards or complicated bonus mechanics.
Double Double Bonus Poker: High variance and bigger prize potential
It’s feast or famine with Double Double Bonus Poker, as this is the video poker variant with the highest variance.
It pays enormous bonuses for specific four-of-a-kind hands. The biggest prize goes to four aces with a 2, 3, or 4 as the fifth card (called a kicker). Other four-of-a-kind hands, such as four 2s, 3s, or 4s with an ace, 2, 3, or 4 kicker, also receive boosted payouts.
However, it’s not booming payouts left and right. Four of a kind is still one of the hardest hands to make. You’ll sit through long dry spells between the fireworks.
Best for: Experienced players who are comfortable adding more layers to their strategy and don’t mind bigger bankroll swings in exchange for greater payouts.
Joker Poker: A wild card
Throw a wild card in the deck, and suddenly, you’re playing Joker Poker.
In most video poker variants, the Joker is exiled from the deck. Causes too much trouble with the maniacal laughing and whatnot. But in Joker Poker, the Joker is a key ingredient. It acts as a wild card, substituting for any card. This opens the door to a new hand: five of a kind. It also makes premium hands appear more frequently because they now have a little help.
Best for: If you’ve mastered regular Jacks or Better and want something more interesting without altering your strategy too much.
Lucky Video Poker
Lucky Video Poker sticks with the classic formula, but adds one worthwhile bonus.
After any winning hand, you have a chance to trigger the Double Up feature, which randomly doubles your payout. Outside of the “will it, won’t it” suspense, the game is standard video poker.
Best for: When you’re already comfortable with classic video poker but wouldn’t mind seeing the occasional winning hand boost into an even bigger one.
| Game | Special Feature | Min-Max Bet | Best for |
| Jacks or Better | Classic video poker with no wild cards or bonus payouts | $0.05–$5 per coin | Beginners and anyone who values consistency over flashy bonus features. |
| Tens or Better | Pair of 10s or better qualifies for a payout | $0.05–$25 per hand | Newer players who appreciate more frequent winning hands and don’t mind that the wins are smaller overall. |
| Aces and Faces | Boosted payouts for four aces and four face cards | $0.05–$25 per hand | Players who already understand the basics and want more cash-out opportunities without adding wild cards or complicated bonus mechanics. |
| Double Double Bonus Poker | Massive bonus payouts for specific four-of-a-kind hands with kickers | $0.05–$5 per coin | Experienced players who are comfortable adding more layers to their strategy and don’t mind bigger bankroll swings in exchange for greater payouts. |
| Joker Poker | Wild Joker card and five-of-a-kind | $0.05–$5 per coin | If you’ve mastered regular Jacks or Better and want something more interesting without altering your strategy too much. |
| Lucky Video Poker | Random Double Up feature after winning hands | $0.03–$40 | When you’re already comfortable with classic video poker but wouldn’t mind seeing the occasional winning hand boost into an even bigger one. |
How to Choose the Right Video Poker Game for You
Forget about finding the single “best” video poker game to play. Instead, ask yourself one simple question: What do you want from this session? Once you know the answer, the right game practically orders itself.
If your goal is playing with the best video poker game odds with an easy learning curve, stick with Jacks or Better or Tens or Better.
If bigger prizes and more excitement are the only qualities that’ll scratch the itch, head for Aces and Faces, Double Double Bonus Poker, or Lucky Video Poker.
If you’re simply looking for something different but not so novel, Joker Poker is the easiest way to shake up the menu without making drastic changes to your current strategy.
If you’re still choosing between casino card games in general, it also helps to understand the differences between blackjack and video poker before narrowing your choice to a specific variant.
Quick tip: Before you hit Deal, here’s the deal: Take a few seconds to read the pay table. Two games with the exact same name can pay different amounts for the same winning hands, and that means a lower payout in the long term.
Finally, decide on a budget before you start playing, and treat every session as entertainment rather than a way to make money. If gambling stops being fun or you or someone you know needs support, visit https://www.ncpgambling.org for free, confidential resources.
Play the Best Video Poker Games at Cafe Casino
The best video poker game is the one that matches how you like to play. Whether you prefer the dependable strategy of Jacks or Better, the premium four-of-a-kind payouts in Aces and Faces, or the wildcard whims of Joker Poker, there’s a seat at the Cafe Casino table with your name on it.
The easiest way to find your favorite is to sample a few. Browse the best video poker games online at Cafe Casino, compare paytables, and see which variant clicks with your style.
One last tip before you deal your first hand: don’t be afraid to try something new. The special of the day might surprise you, but the classics became classics for a reason.
Pull up a chair, grab your favorite beverage, and enjoy a few video poker hands at your own pace. The cards will be here whenever you’re hungry for another round.
Which type of video poker will you order?
FAQs
Which video poker game has the best odds?
Jacks or Better consistently wins for the best video poker game odds when you use optimal strategy, and full-pay versions are at the tippy top. Always read the pay table, though. Two games with the same name can offer different payouts and different overall returns.
What is the best video poker game for beginners?
Jacks or Better is one of the best video poker games to play for beginners. It has the simplest rules, a straightforward pay table, and no fancy extras to alter your strategy.
Is video poker a game of skill or luck?
Video poker combines both. The cards you receive are random, but it’s up to you to know which cards to keep and which to discard.
What does “full-pay” mean in video poker?
A full-pay game uses the highest-paying version of that game’s pay table. Those stronger payouts increase your long-term return, which is why experienced players always check the pay table first.
What is the difference between low and high variance video poker?
Low-variance games produce smaller wins more frequently. In high-variance games, big-paying hands are rarer, but those hands pay much more.
Can you play more than one hand of video poker at once?
Yes, and that’s a popular way to play. Many video poker games are multi-hand, with some allowing up to 10 hands. You start with one hand, choose which cards to hold, and then each hand receives its own replacement cards.
At Cafe Casino, you can play multi-hand in Jacks or Better, Joker Poker, Aces and Faces, and Tens or Better.
Which video poker games can I play at Cafe Casino?
Cafe Casino’s lineup includes classic games like Jacks or Better and Tens or Better, bonus variants like Aces and Faces and Double Double Bonus Poker, plus specialty games such as Joker Poker and Lucky Video Poker. Browse the full collection to find the one that matches your style.