Discover today's ultimate guide on online video poker in Australia 2024!
Video poker is one of the most popular casino games among Aussie players. In this article, you will find all the information you need: rules, tips for beginners, combinations, popular video poker games, and advantages and disadvantages of video poker online for real money. The best video poker casinos in Australia are waiting for you!
There are many casino games, but one of the most classic and oldest is of course poker, adapted to new technologies and new online casino sites. There are several different types, as well as several game modes and other different settings. This is how video poker was born and is enjoying great success.
The main difference between video poker and live poker is the absence of wagering, the most exciting and difficult phase of playing with human partners when you weigh your chances of success and need to increase the rate or leave the game to avoid a larger loss. In online video poker, strategies and tactics such as bluffing are powerless, it is useless to make an impenetrable “poker” face to try to mislead partners about their cards. Video poker has existed for almost half a century, it appeared in 1967 and in 1975 almost every casino or arcade had slot machines of this type.
Video Poker Online also has its specific terminology. It not only contains general concepts of gambling but also an exclusive video poker lexicon. Let’s mention just a few of the most important video poker terms that will help you play real money casino games properly.
Here are the general rules based on which any type of video poker is built. To play this addictive game, it is important to understand how the game unfolds. It’s easier to learn if you have basic knowledge of video poker for free.
While the gameplay may be a mix of slots and poker, video poker differs from slots in that you can control the direction of the game by improving your hand. That’s why it’s important to know how to play them:
In online casino video poker, using a strategy chart or guide proves to be one of the most effective ways to ensure long-term success. It offers clear and simple instructions on how to play different hands, making it a valuable tool, especially for less experienced players.
The winning hands in video poker are almost the same as in regular poker, though there may be certain differences depending on the video poker variant you choose. These differences might include unique hands or altered hand rankings specific to certain video poker variants.
With payouts typically starting from a pair of Jacks or better in some variations, video poker hand ratings are ranked in the following order: Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Four of a Kind, Full House, Flush, Straight, Three of a Kind, Two Pair, and Jacks or Better. We recommend you read an article to better understand all poker combinations.
The last decade has seen a boom in the number of video poker variants developed by software companies. Here are the most popular video poker variants among Australian players.
Nowadays, video poker is represented by a variety of emulator programs from well-known providers. They are equipped with a paytable and have a different number of lines. Jackpots can also be played. You can use different variations of the game, which we will consider in the following paragraphs.
Video poker Jack or Better has a progressive jackpot that averages A$12,000 and breaks down once every 2 weeks. The special feature of this video poker is that it is multi-hand, which means that from one spin you get 5 cards for 10 hands!
At the same time, you can only win the jackpot on the first hand and only if the royal flush lands. If the largest combination falls on the other hand, you will receive a prize of A$4,000. Jacks or Better is one of the cheapest variants of video poker. However, the variance is low, meaning you will win quite often, but not by much.
Tens or Better is a popular video poker machine that is very similar to the game Jacks or Better. However, it is much easier to win in Tens or Better as you only need to collect a few tens or better to get paid (compared to jack pairs in Jacks or Better).
Because it is easier to collect a winning combination here, the Tens or Better machine offers lower payouts compared to other types of video poker such as Joker Poker. This game has a slightly lower variance than most other video poker machines because the number of paying combinations is higher.
Deuces Wild is a popular video poker game that we play online with a standard 52-card deck. In this type of video poker, deuces are wild cards and can substitute for any other cards to form a winning combination. This in turn makes it easier for you to collect winning combinations, but the paytable will be a little tighter than other types of video poker like Aces and Eights or Jacks or Better.
Deuces Wild video poker online is a simple and easy-to-learn game whose gameplay is more or less similar to that of any other type of Internet video poker. Before the deal begins, the player makes a bet and is given five cards to use. The player can keep all five of their cards or replace up to five cards to get new cards in hopes of a stronger hand and a winning combination.
Joker Poker, also known as Joker Wild, is a variant of Jacks or Better video poker in which the Joker acts as a Joker. This means that you can use the Joker to replace any other card from the deck to form a winning combination. The presence of the Joker in the game means that you are playing with a 53-card deck, rather than the standard 52-card deck used in most online video poker games.
In video poker from Joker Poker, you are dealt five cards in your hand. Your main goal is to keep the best cards to make the best winning combination out of them. Throw away any cards that don’t seem right for you. You can leave the cards you want by clicking the Hold button under the card itself or by clicking on the card itself. Leave any cards you want to keep and then click the Deal button. The dealer will automatically discard and replace the cards you did not want to keep.
Aces and Faces is a video poker, the main feature of which is the presence of modified card combinations, for which you receive a payout according to their seniority and the size of the bet made. Almost all combinations are standard, except Kare, as video poker gives out three different payouts for different card combinations.
The video poker interface is represented by a series of function keys, five discarded cards, a table of possible combinations and dedicated buttons for adjusting settings. The game symbols are playing cards from 2s to Aces, which are drawn randomly. If 5 cards form a paying combination, the combination is highlighted in the paytable and the amount flashes in the column corresponding to the bet size.
We have carefully looked at each operator and recommended only the best video poker sites to you. Below are the casino selection tips that we pay particular attention to when evaluating online casinos:
We have reviewed and found the best responsible gambling websites in Australia by implementing the strict casino verification process mentioned.
Exploring the world of online video poker can be thrilling and, with the right guidance, incredibly straightforward. Here's a step-by-step guide to get you started on your video poker journey in just five easy steps.
Your first step is finding a trustworthy online casino that offers a variety of video poker games. Look for casinos with positive reviews, transparent terms of service, and a valid gaming license. Ensure they feature your preferred video poker variations alongside other games you might enjoy. Our site lists numerous reputable casinos where you can safely play video poker, enjoy bonuses, and engage in other exciting gambling activities.
Once you've picked your casino, the next step is to register. Fill out the registration form with your personal and contact information, agree to the terms and conditions, and verify your registration via email or SMS code. If you have a promotional code, this is the time to use it, either during registration or when making your first deposit.
With your account set up, it's time to deposit funds. Choose your preferred payment method, input the amount you wish to deposit, and follow the instructions. If you're aiming for a welcome bonus, ensure your deposit meets the minimum requirement to activate the offer.
Many online casinos offer a welcome bonus for new players. This bonus can significantly extend your playtime. Check if the bonus can be used on video poker games and understand the terms associated with it. Often, you'll receive a bonus matching your deposit, such as a 100% match up to a specific amount.
Now that your account is funded, including any bonus money, you're ready to play. Navigate to the casino's game library and explore different video poker games. Many casinos offer the option to play in demo mode, allowing you to practice without risking real money. Utilize this feature to hone your skills and develop your strategy before playing with real stakes.
The success and profitability of a gambling site largely depend on the content posted on it. Video poker online offers games from the best software providers – with original gameplay and high-quality visualization.
Verified casino providers whose products are popular with players:
Working with software providers is beneficial for several reasons:
So RTP is simply the ratio between the money wagered on the video poker machine and the money redistributed on average. We need to understand this concept of average. For Aussie players, profitability is too often mistaken for gambling. Therefore, always consider this theoretical rate and know it is not the only metric to consider.
Each game has a minimum and maximum bet a player can make. Therefore, before starting a real money game, the player must check the betting limits for the video poker game of his choice. As with video slots, bets are made on a winning line. If the slot machine has multiple lines, bets are placed on all or some of them. A certain number of coins with different values can be placed on each line. The amount of winnings also depends on the number of coins.
| Video Poker Hand | Odds | Payout (on max coins bet) |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 1 in 40,000 | 800 to 1 |
| Straight Flush | 1 in 9,000 | 50 to 1 |
| Four of a Kind | 1 in 400 | 25 to 1 |
| Full House | 1 in 90 | 9 to 1 |
| Flush | 1 in 85 | 6 to 1 |
| Straight | 1 in 89 | 4 to 1 |
| Three of a Kind | 1 in 13 | 3 to 1 |
| Two Pair | 1 in 8 | 2 to 1 |
| Jacks or Better | 1 in 7.5 | 1 to 1 |
The coin system in video poker casinos is a crucial aspect that players must understand to optimize their gameplay and manage their bankrolls effectively. In video poker, bets are placed not in traditional currency amounts but in coins. The value of these coins can vary from one casino to another and even from one video poker machine to another within the same casino.
Here’s how the coin system works:
| Hands | 1 Coin | 2 Coins | 3 Coins | 4 Coins | 5 Coins |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal flush | 250 | 500 | 750 | 1000 | 4000 |
| Straight flush | 50 | 100 | 150 | 200 | 250 |
| 4 of a kind | 25 | 50 | 75 | 100 | 125 |
| Full house | 9 | 18 | 27 | 36 | 46 |
| Flush | 6 | 12 | 18 | 24 | 30 |
| Straight | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 |
| 3 of a kind | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 |
| 2 pairs | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
| Jacks or better | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Despite the simplicity of the rules, a variety of strategies have been invented for video poker online that are only applicable to a specific group of games. We will not describe all existing strategies, especially since you can find this information in the description of a specific game or in the strategic sections of the casino website where you are going to play video poker. However, video poker, like blackjack, has its optimal strategy invented that can be used in most games. It shows itself particularly well in varieties that are close to Jacks or Better. In this popular version of online video poker, winning combinations start with a pair of jacks.
The principle of optimal strategy is pretty simple. The player must adhere to the following recommendations for holding cards: it is worth leaving any finished combination, putting all consecutive or same-colored cards (two pairs, high and low pairs, cards for straight and flush) on hold as offsuit and suited high cards from Jack to Ace. If the above matches are not present, it makes sense to keep a high card or exchange the whole hand at once (this is the most extreme option). With this strategy at Jacks or Better, the house edge is reduced to 0.5%.
Since there are many online video poker options and it is almost impossible to remember all the rules and strategies of the game, special programs have been developed to help players analyze combinations.
With the help of such a program, the player can manually set such a parameter as a combination and find out which cards are optimal in this case and in which version of the game. In addition, the player has access to other useful data, for example, options for the result of the exchange, tables with the percentage of possible winnings, the total number of card combinations received, etc.
Online gambling involves the transmission of a large amount of personal data to the casino site’s server. So, if you have passed the verification, your data will be transferred to the casino: first and last name, date of birth, and home address. In addition, you often need to send photos or scans of your passport or other documents, utility bills or bank statements, and images of a bank card.
To protect all this information, the casino uses cryptographic tools – it encrypts the communication channels between the server and the player’s computer. This is done using SSL encryption. In addition, the customer database itself is protected as much as possible. This means that no third parties can intercept and access this critical information.
In the video poker online casino, cards are dealt fairly. After shuffling the deck, the order of the cards in it is fixed and cannot be changed. Software that shuffles and deals cards cannot control who wins and who loses. It just distributes the cards, and everything else depends on the players.
The outcome of each spin is determined by complex random number generation software. It cannot be controlled and influenced by players or other people to ensure a fair environment and gaming experience.
All video poker games have a certain feature that determines the percentage of return to the player (% RTP). This information can be found on the page of each casino game along with information about the game rules. RTP is thoroughly tested and verified for every game.
Mobile video poker games in Australia look just as good on mobile devices, if anything they look even better. They are usually not very graphic-heavy, so there is no risk of lag or glitches. They are easy to use for mobile phones, regardless of the operating system they are equipped with.
Nowadays, there is hardly a game that you can’t play on mobile devices, thanks to the brand new developments in HTML code and the endless efforts of providers to give players the best possible experience. With innovators like Quickfire and Playtech, video poker software is constantly being improved to work with the latest updates for all mobile operating systems.
It is important to continue to gamble responsibly, even when playing on your tablet or smartphone. Below you will find tips on how you can protect yourself and your data when playing online casino video poker games on a mobile device:
Also, you should avoid some mistakes that are very popular among gamers:
Video poker is at the top of the list of favorite games among players in Australia. On our free gaming platform, we offer you numerous variants of video poker, with different payouts, and stakes and also with different software.
We encourage you to play video poker responsibly. Please follow all the above tips and enjoy playing at the trusted video poker online casinos from our list.
Before starting the video poker game, familiarize yourself with the control panel, the table of combinations and the payments relying on it. If you want to practice, demo mode is always available. Thanks to the opportunity to play video poker for free, you will gain experience and work out your strategy until it becomes automatic.
Video poker is just one of the areas of online casino gaming. It is also worth familiarizing yourself with online roulette and pokies, which are just as exciting.
If you want to play video poker at some Australian online casino, read other players’ reviews about the casino you have decided to play at. It is better to give preference to well-known brands (although you can often surprise newcomers to the market with pleasant bonuses or other goodies). Maybe you’ll also hit a big jackpot.
The heart of the video poker machine is the Random Number Generator or RNG. An RNG is a software algorithm that ensures a truly random outcome of the game. The RNG is executed hundreds of times per second. The RNG has billions of possible outcomes for any given set of cards. Once the Start, Deal or Bet button is pressed (or the first coin is deposited), the outcome is determined regardless of the game or the number of coins wagered. You can always test poker games for free to make sure the games are fair.
The chances of winning are different for all poker slots. The RNG guarantees that the game results are random, so you cannot determine them in advance. You have to know the rules of the game well and be very attentive. Therefore, there are ways to make the winnings larger. One must always look for machines and poker games with higher RTP.
No strategy brings guaranteed profits or makes the odds higher. You have to learn the rules of the game and play responsibly. Many casinos offer free poker games. You can play poker for free to learn the game.
All types of mobile video poker can be played on any mobile device that has the necessary functionality. Most casino games are optimized for mobile devices. Its graphics and sound quality are no worse, and in some cases even better, than in an online casino. Mobile video poker is also available for free on a mobile device. Players also have greater opportunities to win something. The bonuses are usually higher when playing mobile games, and the special offers are more frequent and generous. You can also play free poker or real money poker on a mobile phone.
The main advantage of any online casino is an opportunity to play video poker, as well as other games, and free online poker without registration or for real money. The two options have their advantages and disadvantages. When playing free poker, you don't have to risk your own money to test a casino or game. Therefore you cannot have the winnings paid out. When playing real money poker you can enjoy a variety of special offers and bonuses and you can withdraw all winnings.
The most popular video poker game is "Jacks or Better." This game is widely appreciated for its straightforward rules and high RTP (Return to Player). It's an excellent starting point for beginners and remains a favorite among seasoned players for its balanced blend of skill and luck.
Yes, many online casinos offer free versions of video poker. Playing for free allows you to learn the game's rules, try out different strategies, and get comfortable with the gameplay without risking real money. It's a great way to practice before playing video poker for real money.
The best payment method for playing online video poker for real money depends on your preferences and what's available at your chosen casino. E-wallets like Payz, Skrill, and Neteller are popular for their fast processing times and enhanced security features. Cryptocurrencies like Tether offer anonymity and low fees, while traditional methods like credit cards and bank transfers are widely accepted and reliable. Choose a payment method that offers convenience, low fees, and quick transactions for the best online video poker experience.
