Video poker is one of the most exciting games you can find at online casinos. Indeed, the game of video poker combines the best of both worlds with slots and poker. Playing the game gets exhilarating since it strikes the perfect balance between luck and skill.
Online casinos have taken the fun a notch higher thanks to high-tech graphics and cross-platform compatibility. The harmonious combination has helped to video poker one of the best pastimes for players looking to enjoy some casual wagering.
In this review, you will learn all you need to know to play the game. In addition, we will highlight some of the best online platforms where you will be able to enjoy some real-money gambling.
Where Can You Play Video Poker for Real Money?
Unfortunately, when it comes to online video poker, there is a limited choice of online casinos to try. Since players are required to play at a casino registered in their state, you may find yourself confined in terms of options.
With that being said, the states with a regulated online wagering industry are as follows:
| New Jersey |
| Pennsylvania |
| West Virginia |
| Michigan |
| Virginia |
Is it Safe to Play Video Poker Online?
Online casinos hoping to establish themselves in the US market must overcome several hoops before they are able to operate. Much of the red tape surrounding online casino licensing comes from the complex interpretation and interaction between state and federal laws. Even so, players can take advantage of online video poker at regulated casinos in their state. This means that to play video poker, players are required to be physically located in the boundaries of the state, even if it’s for online play.
Although we only recommend trying your luck at legal and regulated online casinos, offshore sites do still exist. Despite their presence, it is important to note that offshore casinos come with no guarantees, often rope players into scams, and payouts are not definite.
So, let’s get into the discussion of legal online casino options, and why regulated casinos are the best for you and your bankroll.
Licensing
Starting off with the most complex aspect of online gambling in the US, licensing. Licensing comes from regulatory bodies created to keep players safe. The main reasons why there is a slew of red tape surrounding online gambling is because states are required to amend local legislation all while disrupting the existing procedures. Even so, there are a couple of licensing boards that upholding integrity in the US online wagering industry. These boards allow casinos to include real money online video poker in their lineup.
One of the most forward-thinking licensing boards in the US is the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (NJDGE). In fact, the NJDGE has been the regulator for casinos in Atlantic City since the 1970s. The NJDGE paved the way for adding online alternatives in 2013, and online gambling in NJ has been revolutionary. Since then, a flurry of online casinos popped up in the wake of the online casino boom, creating a large-scale market for online wagering products.
RNG Audit
A random number generator (RNG) is software with a mathematical formula that gives random numbers replacing physical shuffling by a croupier. RNGs are a key part of the online gambling industry because they keep games fair. For online video poker, an RNG shuffles the cards, making it impossible to count cards.
An audit of a casino’s RNG is meant to ensure that a platform remains fair for players. Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) is one of the leading testing and consultancy companies in the US and worldwide. The company offers a range of products and services to keep online casinos fair.
Game Audits
Game audits are not to be confused with RNG audits. While RNG audits check for fairness, the game audits check the quality of games at a casino. For instance, if you played Jacks or Better, a game audit would check graphics and game features, among other aspects. This means that you get a title with the full range of features, including a responsive interface, quick loading times, and error-free gameplay when you play online video poker for real money.
Guaranteed Payouts
Obviously, winning cash is the point of playing video poker for real money. Players want to know that they will get their winnings when they beat the house. As previously mentioned, US players should stay on guard when playing at casinos not registered in the US. Your winnings are only guaranteed when you play at a regulated US casino.
Real Money Video Poker VS. Free Video Poker
There is a wide variety of real money online video poker machines to choose from. In addition to betting for real money, these machines typically give you the option to play free demos. Both options come with different advantages you should be aware of before settling on what mode to play.
| Real Money Video Poker | Free Video Poker |
|---|---|
| Earn real cash for the rounds you win | No risk of losing your bankroll |
| Enjoy the full range of game features | Get a grip of the game before wagering for real money |
| A wide range of games to choose from | Play the latest game versions risk-free |
Video Poker Games Available Online
One of the best things about playing video poker online for real money is getting to choose from a wide range of variations. Game providers are constantly introducing new games that feature different modes and ways of playing. While the game's principles remain the same, each comes with small features that call for you to tinker with your strategy.
Here are the top three video poker games and the special features for each.
| Video Poker Game | Special Features |
|---|---|
| Jacks or Better | The lowest winning hand is a pair of jacks. |
| Deuces Wild | Played with a 5-card draw, all 2s on the deck are considered as wilds. |
| Magic Deal | Includes magic cards that act as wilds except they must be specific cards that the player does not already have on their draw. |
Video Poker Bonuses and Promotions
Like all other games in an online casino, video poker offers different types of bonus rewards to keep players incentivized to play. These can come in the form of welcome bonuses or no-deposit bonuses. We composed the two reward types to find out more about the features and the fine print for each.
Welcome Bonuses
Many casinos offer real money online video poker for US players. New players get a match bonus when they sign up. Bonus cash for new players often falls in the range of $100-$1,000. Such a reward, for example, promises to match your first deposit so that you get $200 to play with when you make a $100 deposit. Typically, you have to make a minimum deposit of $10 to qualify for such a bonus.
The wagering requirement for this type of bonus is usually x40. With this type of higher wagering requirement, players must be mindful of casinos with unreasonable wagering requirements that make it harder to clear the bonus.
No Deposit Bonuses
In addition to the previous welcome bonus, another type of bonus you may encounter is a no deposit bonus. A no deposit bonus is a reward you get without any deposit obligations. Being a video poker player, you will encounter an array of no deposit rewards available at legal US online casinos. Such bonuses give you free chips to bet with, in addition to free spins. The maximum bonus amount for such a reward is typically minimal, as casinos give anything in the range of $20 to $50 as a no deposit reward playable on video poker. The wagering requirement for a no deposit bonus is usually x30 or below.
Video Poker Tournaments
Registered US online casinos offer many enticing tournaments with huge prizes for patrons who play online video poker for real money. You will find up to 50 variants of the game at the best video poker sites. With such a wide selection of variations, casinos are constantly rolling out new video poker tournaments.
Traditionally, there are two popular formats for video poker tournaments. These are hand-based and timed tournaments. Hand-based tournaments award prizes for good video poker hands. On the other hand, timed poker tournaments give you chips or credits to play with for a specified period, typically a 30-minute interval. The prizes for such tournaments vary depending on their type. Players win varied dollar amounts from $20 to $1,500. Contests reward players according to a leaderboard that is checked at the end of the tournament, while other contests may pay for the highest hands in every round.
Conclusion
All in all, video poker is an exciting casino game that can be profitable for players with a good strategy. It is quite simple to play, making it suitable for players who want to enjoy some casual wagering.
Players looking to enjoy some video poker should only trust a regulated US online casino for the best experience. This way, you know your winnings are guaranteed, and the casino offers games with the latest software updates and features.
Online Video Poker FAQs
Is video poker different from slots?
Yes. While video poker includes the same type of gameplay applied to slots, players also have to play poker to come up with a winning hand. The game combines the randomness from slots with the strategy you would apply in a poker game.
What is a video poker strategy?
In video poker, strategy has to do with the cards you hold and drop to make a winning hand. Video poker games often get played using a strategy that directs players on what moves to make at every instance of the game.
Are video poker sites reliable?
Yes and no. There is a slew of online casinos offering players different variants of video poker. You have to choose a regulated US casino that guarantees your bankroll’s safety. Off-shore casinos often have suspicious terms of playing that might have you in a fix when it’s time to make your withdrawals.
Is online video poker legal?
Yes. For the most part, online video poker is legal. However, you need to find casinos registered in the US for legal real-money wagering. It is important to note that you also need to be in the state the casino is registered in physically.
Can I play online video poker for real money?
Yes. Online casinos offer video poker and give players a choice to wager their bankroll for a chance to win real cash. You also can play free demos that don’t need you to make any deposits to play. Free demos come in handy for players still learning how to play the game.
Can I get a bonus on video poker?
Yes. Online casinos always give players incentives such as no deposit bonuses and welcome bonuses to get them to sign up. Such rewards are often given on video poker, allowing you to play with extra cash from the casino.
