How to Play Video Poker in Australia is one of the most searched topics among real money casino players looking to improve their online gaming strategy in 2026. Video poker remains one of the most popular real money casino games at Australian online casinos because it combines traditional poker decision-making with fast-paced casino gameplay.
Unlike standard online pokies that rely purely on chance, video poker allows players to influence outcomes through strategic decisions, giving experienced players better long-term winning potential. Understanding video poker paytables, hand rankings, and optimal hold strategies can significantly improve your overall RTP and reduce the house edge.
Whether you are completely new to online video poker or looking to sharpen your existing strategy, this guide covers everything Australian players need to know about how to play video poker online.
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What Is Video Poker?
Video poker is an online casino card game inspired by traditional five-card draw poker. At the start of each round, players are dealt five cards and must choose which ones to keep and which ones to replace in an attempt to form a winning hand.
Unlike live poker games, video poker does not involve competing against a dealer or other players at the table. Instead, winnings are paid according to the game’s preset paytable and the strength of the final hand you create.
Online video poker games use Random Number Generator (RNG) technology to produce completely random card outcomes. Each hand is separate from the previous one, meaning past wins, losses, or streaks have no impact on future results.
The most popular video poker variants in Australia include:
- Jacks or Better
- Deuces Wild
- Joker’s Wild
- Bonus Poker
- Double Bonus Poker
- Double Double Bonus Poker
Each version has slightly different rules, paytables, and winning strategies.
Why Australians Play Video Poker Online
Video poker continues to grow in popularity at Australian online casinos for several reasons:
Higher RTP Percentages
Many video poker games offer Return to Player (RTP) percentages above 99% when played with optimal strategy. This is significantly higher than many online pokies.
Skill-Based Gameplay
Unlike slot machines, video poker involves player decisions. The cards you choose to hold or discard directly affect your long-term winning chances.
Fast Gameplay
Hands are completed quickly, making video poker ideal for players who enjoy fast-paced casino gaming.
Flexible Betting Limits
Australian online casinos offer video poker games for both low-stakes and high-roller players.
Large Jackpot Potential
Royal Flush jackpots can deliver massive payouts, especially when betting maximum credits.
How to Play Video Poker Step-by-Step
Learning how to play video poker is straightforward. Most online video poker games follow the same structure.
Step 1 – Choose an Online Casino
Select a trusted Australian-friendly online casino that offers quality video poker games with strong RTP percentages and fair paytables.
Look for casinos that provide:
- Mobile compatibility
- Fast withdrawals
- Secure payment methods
- Licensed gaming software
- Multiple video poker variants
Step 2 – Deposit Real Money
Create your casino account and fund it using your preferred banking method.
Popular Australian payment options include:
- Visa
- Mastercard
- Bank transfer
- Cryptocurrency
- E-wallets
Step 3 – Select Your Bet Size
Choose how many credits you want to wager per hand.
Most video poker games allow players to bet between one and five credits. Betting maximum credits is usually recommended because Royal Flush payouts increase substantially at max bet.
Step 4 – Receive Your Five Cards
Press the “Deal” button to receive your initial five-card hand.
You then decide which cards to:
- Hold
- Discard
Step 5 – Draw New Cards
Discarded cards are replaced with new cards from the virtual deck.
Your final five-card hand determines whether you receive a payout.
Step 6 – Get Paid According to the Paytable
Winning hands are paid based on the game’s paytable.
The stronger your poker hand, the larger your payout.
Video Poker Hand Rankings
Before playing real money video poker, it is important to understand which card combinations produce winning payouts. Every hand in video poker follows a specific ranking system, where stronger hands return bigger rewards than weaker combinations.
The winning hands are ranked in the following order:
- Royal Flush
- Straight Flush
- Four Matching Cards
- Full House
- Flush
- Straight
- Three Matching Cards
- Two Different Pairs
- High Pair (Jacks, Queens, Kings, or Aces)
Royal Flush Meaning in Video Poker
The Royal Flush is the most valuable hand available in standard video poker games. It is made up of the five highest cards in a deck, all belonging to the same suit.
A Royal Flush contains:
- Ace
- King
- Queen
- Jack
- Ten
For example, all five cards could be hearts, spades, clubs, or diamonds.
This combination appears very rarely during gameplay, which is why casinos award extremely large payouts for it. Players who wager the maximum number of credits can often unlock top prizes worth 4,000 credits or even higher depending on the machine and paytable.
Understanding Video Poker Paytables
The paytable is one of the most important aspects of video poker strategy.
A paytable determines:
- Your potential payouts
- The game’s RTP
- The house edge
Why Paytables Matter
Small differences in paytables can significantly affect long-term returns.
For example:
- A full-pay 9/6 Jacks or Better game returns approximately 99.54%
- An 8/5 Jacks or Better game returns approximately 97.30%
Over thousands of hands, this difference becomes extremely important.
What Does 9/6 Mean?
The numbers refer to payouts for:
- Full House = 9 credits
- Flush = 6 credits
Higher numbers generally mean better player returns.
How to Play Jacks or Better Video Poker
Jacks or Better is the most popular video poker variant in Australia.
To win, you need at least:
- A pair of Jacks
- Queens
- Kings
- Aces
Anything lower does not receive a payout.
Typical Jacks or Better Paytable
- Royal Flush — 250x
- Straight Flush — 50x
- Four of a Kind — 25x
- Full House — 9x
- Flush — 6x
- Straight — 4x
- Three of a Kind — 3x
- Two Pair — 2x
- Jacks or Better — 1x
Basic Jacks or Better Strategy
Good beginner strategy includes:
- Always hold winning hands
- Keep four cards to a Royal Flush
- Hold low pairs over single high cards
- Avoid chasing inside straights
- Hold four cards to a Flush or Straight when possible
Jacks or Better is ideal for beginners because it has simple rules and excellent RTP potential.
How to Play Deuces Wild Video Poker
Deuces Wild changes the game significantly because all 2s become wild cards.
Wild cards can substitute for any rank or suit.
Because winning hands become easier to make, payouts are adjusted accordingly.
Common Deuces Wild Payouts
- Natural Royal Flush — 250x
- Four Deuces — 200x
- Wild Royal Flush — 25x
- Five of a Kind — 15x
- Straight Flush — 9x
- Four of a Kind — 5x
- Full House — 3x
- Flush — 2x
- Straight — 2x
- Three of a Kind — 1x
Deuces Wild Strategy Tips
- Never discard a deuce
- Chase premium hands aggressively
- Strategy differs heavily from Jacks or Better
- Learn proper wild-card strategy charts
How to Play Joker’s Wild Video Poker
Joker’s Wild uses a 53-card deck that includes a Joker wild card.
The Joker can substitute for any card needed to complete a winning hand.
Joker’s Wild Payout Examples
- Natural Royal Flush — 250x
- Five of a Kind — 200x
- Wild Royal Flush — 100x
- Straight Flush — 50x
- Four of a Kind — 20x
- Full House — 7x
- Flush — 5x
- Straight — 3x
- Three of a Kind — 2x
- Kings or Better — 1x
Joker’s Wild is more volatile than standard video poker but offers exciting high-paying hands.
Best Video Poker Strategy Tips
Using proper strategy is the key to reducing the house edge.
Always Bet Maximum Coins
Maximum bets unlock enhanced Royal Flush payouts.
Without max betting, overall RTP decreases substantially.
Learn the Correct Hold Strategy
Optimal decisions matter in video poker.
Poor card-holding decisions increase the casino advantage.
Play Full-Pay Machines
Always compare paytables before playing.
Better paytables offer better long-term returns.
Manage Your Bankroll
Set clear betting limits and avoid chasing losses.
Video poker still involves variance, even with perfect strategy.
Practise with Free Games
Many online casinos offer free-play demo versions that allow players to practise before wagering real money.
Common Video Poker Mistakes
New players often make costly strategy errors.
Ignoring the Paytable
Many players focus only on game themes instead of RTP and payouts.
Playing Too Fast
Fast gameplay can lead to poor decisions and bankroll losses.
Not Betting Max Coins
This is one of the biggest mistakes in video poker.
Chasing Impossible Draws
Inside straights and weak draws often reduce expected value.
Video Poker RTP and House Edge
Video poker generally offers some of the best RTP percentages in online casino gaming.
Typical RTP Ranges
- Jacks or Better — Up to 99.54%
- Deuces Wild — Up to 100.76%
- Bonus Poker — Around 99%
- Joker’s Wild — Around 99%
However, these RTP figures usually assume optimal strategy.
Casual players often achieve lower actual returns due to incorrect play decisions.
Can You Win at Video Poker?
Yes, players can absolutely win at video poker.
However, video poker is still a casino game with built-in variance.
Even skilled players experience losing streaks.
The goal of strategy is not to guarantee wins but to:
- Reduce the house edge
- Increase RTP
- Improve long-term results
Players who learn proper strategy generally perform far better than casual gamblers who play randomly.
Mobile Video Poker in Australia
Most Australian online casinos now offer mobile video poker compatible with:
- Android devices
- iPhones
- Tablets
Mobile video poker allows players to enjoy:
- Fast gameplay
- Touchscreen controls
- Real money wagering
- Instant access anywhere
Many casinos also offer dedicated mobile apps for video poker gaming.
Responsible Gambling When Playing Video Poker
Video poker should always be played responsibly and viewed as a form of entertainment rather than a way to make money. Although video poker offers higher RTP percentages and strategic gameplay, there is still no guaranteed way to win consistently.
Australian players should always gamble within their financial limits and avoid chasing losses after losing sessions. Setting a strict bankroll before starting can help maintain control and prevent unnecessary spending.
Responsible gambling tips for video poker players include:
- Set deposit and wagering limits before playing
- Never gamble with money needed for bills or daily expenses
- Take regular breaks during long gaming sessions
- Avoid gambling while emotional or under the influence of alcohol
- Understand that losing streaks are a normal part of casino gaming
- Use casino responsible gambling tools where available
Many online casinos also provide features such as:
- Deposit limits
- Session reminders
- Cooling-off periods
- Self-exclusion tools
If gambling stops being enjoyable or begins affecting your finances or wellbeing, seek professional support immediately.
How to Play Video Poker FAQs
- What is video poker?
Video poker is a casino game that combines five-card draw poker with slot-style gameplay. Players receive five cards and decide which cards to hold or discard in order to create winning poker hands.
- Is video poker based on skill or luck?
Video poker involves both luck and skill. The cards are dealt randomly using RNG software, but player decisions directly affect long-term results and RTP percentages.
- What is the best video poker game for beginners?
Jacks or Better is usually considered the best option for beginners because it has simple rules, straightforward strategies, and high RTP potential.
- Can you play video poker for real money in Australia?
Yes, many Australian-friendly online casinos offer real money video poker games across desktop and mobile devices.
- What does RTP mean in video poker?
RTP stands for Return to Player. It represents the theoretical percentage of wagered money a game returns to players over the long term.
- Why should you bet maximum coins in video poker?
Betting maximum coins often unlocks the highest Royal Flush payouts. Playing fewer coins can significantly reduce the game’s overall RTP.
- What is the highest-paying hand in video poker?
The Royal Flush is the top-paying hand in most video poker games and can award 4,000 credits or more when maximum coins are wagered.
- Is video poker better than online pokies?
Video poker generally offers higher RTP percentages and more strategic gameplay, while pokies focus more on entertainment features and jackpot potential.
- Can you play video poker on mobile devices?
Yes, most modern online casinos offer mobile-compatible video poker games for Android phones, iPhones, and tablets.
- What is the difference between Jacks or Better and Deuces Wild?
Jacks or Better requires at least a pair of Jacks to win, while Deuces Wild uses all 2s as wild cards that can substitute for other cards to create stronger hands.
Expert Verdict on How to Play Video Poker
Learning how to play video poker is one of the best ways for Australian casino players to improve their understanding of online gambling strategy.
Compared to traditional online pokies, video poker offers:
- Better RTP percentages
- More strategic gameplay
- Lower house edges
- Greater player control
Beginners should start with Jacks or Better because it provides simple gameplay and some of the best odds in online casinos.
As your experience grows, you can explore advanced variants like Deuces Wild and Joker’s Wild while improving your strategy and bankroll management skills.
With the right approach, video poker can become one of the most rewarding and enjoyable online casino games available in Australia today.
Archie brings over six years of experience in the iGaming sector, offering expert insights and creating top-notch content that helps players make smart choices. Archie uses his extensive knowledge to deliver detailed and impartial casino reviews, ensuring readers receive accurate and trustworthy information.
