Two games can both say “Jacks or Better” and still pay very different amounts. For example, a 9/6 version returns 99.54% with perfect play, while an 8/5 version returns about 97.30%.
This guide compares the online video poker sites open to US players and explains how each popular game pays. It also shows you how to read a paytable in seconds.
After that, it covers RTP, bonus rules and where online video poker is legal. The casinos ranked here are offshore operators, not state-licensed sites, so check your state’s rules first.
We checked the welcome offers below against each casino’s own published terms on October 15, 2026. Where an offer is still being confirmed, we point you to our full review instead of guessing.
Before you play: Seven US states run live, state-licensed online casinos. Maine has legalized them but has not launched. The sites ranked below are offshore and hold no US state license.
Affiliate disclosure: CasinoUS earns a commission when you sign up through some links on this page. That never changes the facts we report or the order we use. Our advertising and affiliate disclosure explains how this works.
Key Insights: Video Poker for US Players
Video poker for US players comes down to three checks: the paytable, the bonus rules and the site’s legal status. These are the numbers worth knowing before you deal a hand.
- Full-pay 9/6 Jacks or Better returns 99.54% with perfect strategy. The 8/5 version returns about 97.30%.
- House edge is 100% minus RTP. So a 99.54% return means a 0.46% house edge.
- Full-pay Deuces Wild returns about 100.76% with perfect play, but full-pay versions are hard to find.
- Casinos often count video poker for less than slots toward bonus wagering. Read the contribution chart before you claim an offer.
- Seven states have live, licensed online casinos. Maine legalized them in January 2026 but is still writing its rules.
What to Look for in a Video Poker Site
The best video poker site for you depends on its games and rules, not the size of its welcome offer. These are the six things worth checking.
- Video poker selection: the number of variants and whether multi-hand formats are offered.
- Paytables: whether full-pay versions, such as 9/6 Jacks or Better, are available.
- Bonus fit: the wagering requirement and how much video poker counts toward it.
- Payments: withdrawal limits and processing times for card and crypto.
- Mobile play: whether the video poker lobby works in a phone browser.
- Transparency: whether the bonus terms and user agreement are published and easy to find.
When comparing real money casino games, check the rules, payout potential and betting requirements for each game before choosing where to play. For this update, we compared each casino’s published welcome bonus terms on October 15, 2026. Before you deposit, open the casino’s video poker lobby and check the paytable of the game you plan to play.
Our full casino rating method covers licensing, payments and support across every review on CasinoUS.
Top Online Video Poker Casinos for USA Players
Editorial Statement: Every operator featured on Casino US goes through our own independent review process. We test the platforms, dig into the terms, and form our own conclusions before anything gets published. Some links on this site are affiliate links, and we may earn a commission when a reader signs up through them — but that relationship has zero bearing on how we score or talk about a casino. If a site falls short somewhere, we say so, commercial partnership or not. Our evaluation criteria are laid out publicly, and every review — good, bad, or mixed — reflects what our team found, not what a partner wants us to say.
Affiliate Disclosure: Casino US is written and maintained by a team with real experience in the US online gambling space, and every page follows our internal editorial standards for accuracy and fairness. By browsing this site, you're agreeing to our Terms and Conditions. Some of the links you'll find here are affiliate links, meaning we may earn a commission if you sign up with an operator through them — this never changes which sites we recommend or how we rate them. You can read more in our full Advertising & Affiliate Disclosure. Keep in mind that online casino gambling is regulated on a state-by-state basis, so double-check that it's legal in your location before playing. You must be 21 or older to gamble. If gambling stops feeling like fun and starts feeling like a problem, the National Problem Gambling Helpline is available anytime at 1-800-522-4700.
How to Play Video Poker
Video poker plays like five-card draw against a machine, with one chance to swap cards. Every game follows the same five steps.
- Pick a game and read its paytable. The paytable is the chart of what each hand pays. Check it first, because it sets your long-run return.
- Choose your bet. Set the coin value, then the number of coins per hand, usually one to five.
- You get five cards face up.
- Tap the cards you want to keep. Every card you don’t hold gets swapped.
- The game replaces your discards once and pays any winning hand from the paytable.
That’s the whole game. The skill sits in step 4, where a strategy chart tells you the best hold for every hand. If you want a fuller explanation of the game’s mechanics, consult our guide to video poker rules before choosing a variant and developing your strategy.
Video Poker Hand Rankings
Most video poker games use standard poker hand rankings, from Royal Flush down to the lowest paying hand. This table shows the order for Jacks or Better, the base game most variants build on.
| Hand | What it means | Example |
| Royal Flush | A, K, Q, J and 10 of one suit | A♠ K♠ Q♠ J♠ 10♠ |
| Straight Flush | Five cards in a row, all one suit | 9♥ 8♥ 7♥ 6♥ 5♥ |
| Four of a Kind | Four cards of the same rank | 7♣ 7♦ 7♥ 7♠ K♦ |
| Full House | Three of a kind plus a pair | Q♠ Q♥ Q♦ 4♣ 4♥ |
| Flush | Any five cards of one suit | K♦ 10♦ 8♦ 5♦ 2♦ |
| Straight | Five cards in a row, mixed suits | 8♣ 7♦ 6♠ 5♥ 4♣ |
| Three of a Kind | Three cards of the same rank | 9♠ 9♥ 9♦ K♣ 3♠ |
| Two Pair | Two different pairs | J♥ J♣ 6♦ 6♠ A♥ |
| Jacks or Better | A pair of jacks, queens, kings or aces | Q♣ Q♦ 8♠ 5♥ 2♣ |
An ace can count high (A-K-Q-J-10) or low (5-4-3-2-A) in a straight. A pair of 10s or lower pays nothing in Jacks or Better.
Other variants change the bottom of the table. For instance, Deuces Wild usually starts paying at three of a kind and adds Five of a Kind.
Joker Poker usually starts at a pair of kings. Always check the game’s own paytable for its lowest paying hand.
Video Poker Games and Paytables
The same game name can hide very different paytables, and the paytable decides your return. This table shows the common versions, what they pay back with perfect strategy, and the matching house edge.
| Game | Paytable | RTP | House edge | Notes |
| Jacks or Better | 9/6 (full pay) | 99.54% | 0.46% | Easiest strategy. Best place to start. |
| Jacks or Better | 8/5 | 97.30% | 2.70% | Same game on screen, much worse return |
| Bonus Poker | 8/5 | 99.17% | 0.83% | Best common Bonus Poker paytable |
| Double Bonus Poker | 10/7/5 (full pay) | 100.17% | -0.17% | Hard to find online |
| Double Bonus Poker | 9/7/5 | 99.11% | 0.89% | Common short-pay version |
| Double Double Bonus | 9/6 | 98.98% | 1.02% | Biggest swings on this list |
| Deuces Wild | Full pay | 100.76% | -0.76% | Rare online. Harder strategy. |
| Joker Poker (Kings or Better) | Full pay | 100.65% | -0.65% | 53-card deck with one joker |
Every figure assumes perfect strategy and max-coin bets. A negative house edge means the game pays back more than you bet over a very long run. It does not mean you will win in a session.
For a closer look at game selection and payout potential, read our guide to video poker with the best odds to understand which variants offer the strongest theoretical returns.
What the Paytable Numbers Mean
Paytable names come from the payouts per coin for key hands. In Jacks or Better, “9/6” means a Full House pays 9 coins and a Flush pays 6, per coin bet. On Double Bonus, “10/7/5” adds the Straight payout as a third number.
So when you see “8/5 Jacks or Better”, the Full House pays 8 and the Flush pays 5. That one-coin cut on each hand drops the return from 99.54% to about 97.30%.
Jacks or Better
Jacks or Better is the base game, and a pair of jacks or higher is the lowest paying hand. It has the simplest strategy of any variant and steady, low swings. Start here if you are new to video poker.
Bonus Poker and Double Bonus Poker
Bonus Poker plays like Jacks or Better but pays more for some Four of a Kind hands. Double Bonus pushes those quad payouts higher, especially for four aces. In return, it pays only 1 coin for Two Pair, so your balance swings more between big hits.
Double Double Bonus Poker
Double Double Bonus adds kicker payouts. A kicker is the fifth card that sits beside your Four of a Kind.
Four aces with a 2, 3 or 4 kicker pay far more than plain four aces. As a result, this game swings harder than any other variant here.
Deuces Wild
In Deuces Wild, all four 2s are wild and can stand in for any card. The full-pay version returns about 100.76% with perfect play, but you will rarely find it online. Its strategy is also harder, and mistakes cost more than in Jacks or Better.
Joker Poker
Joker Poker adds one joker to a standard 52-card deck, and the joker is wild. Most versions start paying at a pair of kings rather than jacks. The best Kings or Better paytable returns about 100.65%, but lower paytables are common.
Multi-Hand Video Poker
Multi-hand video poker deals one starting hand and copies your holds across 3, 5, 10 or more hands. Each hand then draws its own replacement cards. The strategy stays the same, but your bet multiplies by the number of hands, so your balance moves faster.
RTP and House Edge Explained
RTP, or return to player, is the share of all bets a game pays back over millions of hands. House edge is the rest, so house edge equals 100% minus RTP.
For example, 9/6 Jacks or Better has a 99.54% RTP and a 0.46% house edge. Over $1,000 in total bets, the long-run average cost is about $4.60. On 8/5 Jacks or Better, the same $1,000 costs about $27 on average.
These figures are averages over a very long run, not a forecast for one session. Your actual results can swing well above or below them.
Why Max Coins Matters for the Royal Flush
On standard Jacks or Better paytables, a Royal Flush pays 250 coins per coin at one to four coins. At five coins, it jumps to 4,000 coins, or 800 per coin. The published RTP figures assume that five-coin jackpot, so playing fewer coins lowers your return.
Video Poker Strategy Basics
Good video poker strategy means making the hold that pays best over time for your exact game. These four habits matter most.
Read the Paytable First
Before your first hand, check the Full House and Flush payouts. On Jacks or Better, look for 9 and 6. If the game shows 8 and 5 or lower, you are playing a short-pay version.
Use a Chart Built for Your Exact Game
Each variant and paytable has its own strategy chart, and a chart for one game can be wrong for another. For instance, on 9/6 Jacks or Better, a pair of jacks beats four cards to a flush. So you keep the pair.
But four to a flush beats a low pair, so you break the low pair and chase the flush.
Following the chart instead of a hunch is how you get close to the published RTP. Playing by feel gives a lower return, though how much lower depends on the game and the mistakes.
Bet Max Coins Only If It Fits Your Budget
Max coins gets you the full Royal Flush payout, as covered above. However, if five coins goes beyond your budget, lower the coin value instead of the number of coins.
Set Your Limit Before You Start
Video poker returns are high, but they are still below 100% on almost every game you will find. Decide on a dollar limit before you play and stop when you reach it.
Video Poker Bonuses and Wagering Rules
A casino bonus can stretch your video poker play, but only if video poker counts toward the wagering requirement. Two terms decide whether an offer works for you.
First, the wagering requirement is how much you must bet before bonus money becomes withdrawable. Ignition sets 25x on your deposit plus bonus, while Café sets 40x on its match bonus.
Second, game weighting (or contribution) is the share of each bet that counts toward that requirement. Many casinos count video poker at a reduced rate or exclude it. At 10% weighting, a $10 video poker bet clears only $1 of your requirement.
Before you claim any offer, check these four things:
- The wagering multiple, and whether it applies to the bonus only or deposit plus bonus.
- The video poker contribution percentage.
- The time limit for meeting the requirement.
- Any max cashout or max bet rule while the bonus is active.
If a bonus counts video poker at a low rate, you may be better off playing without it. Our guide to low-wagering casino bonuses lists offers with smaller playthrough requirements.
Free Play, Mobile and Online Poker Compared
Video poker comes in a few formats, and each suits a different goal. This section covers free play, mobile play and how video poker differs from online poker.
Free Video Poker vs Real-Money Play
Free video poker uses play credits, so you can practice strategy without risking money. Real-money play uses your own funds and pays real winnings.
| Free play | Real-money play |
| No deposit or account needed on most demo games | Needs an account and a deposit |
| Good for learning a strategy chart | Pays real winnings |
| No prizes or bonuses | Bonuses available, with wagering rules |
| Some variants may be real-money only | Full game range |
If you want to practise without risking your own money, you can play video poker for free and familiarise yourself with different variants before switching to real-money games. Practice the exact variant and paytable you plan to play for money. Our free casino games page lists demo versions you can try.
Playing Video Poker on Mobile
Video poker suits a phone screen, because every decision is a tap on Hold or Draw. Before you play on mobile, check that the paytable is fully visible on your screen. Our guide to mobile casinos compares browser play and apps.
For another convenient way to play in your browser, explore no download video poker and learn more about instant-play options without installing additional software.
Video Poker vs Online Poker
Video poker and online poker share hand rankings, but they are different games. The table shows the main differences.
| Video poker | Online poker |
| You play alone against a fixed paytable | You play against other people |
| Return is set by the paytable and your holds | Results depend on other players’ decisions |
| No bluffing | Bluffing and reading opponents matter |
| Play at your own pace | Play at the table’s pace |
If you prefer competing against other players rather than a fixed paytable, explore real money online poker and learn how player-versus-player games differ from video poker. If you want player-versus-player games like Texas Hold’em, see our guide to online poker.
Is Online Video Poker Legal in the US?
Online video poker is legal where your state has licensed online casinos, and state law sets the rules everywhere else. Here is how the picture looks in October 2026.
States With Live, Licensed Online Casinos
Seven states run live, state-licensed online casinos: Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and West Virginia. Rhode Island is the most recent to go live, in March 2024.
In these states, a state regulator licenses each operator and handles player complaints. Players must be 21 or older.
Maine legalized online casinos in January 2026, with exclusive rights for the four Wabanaki Nations. However, the state’s Gambling Control Unit is still writing its rules, and no site has launched. Its director has pointed to early 2027 as the most likely launch window.
Offshore Video Poker Sites
The eight casinos ranked on this page are offshore. They accept US players but hold no license from any US state. No US state regulator can step in if you have a dispute with one of them.
Whether using an offshore site breaks the law where you live depends on your state.
Our offshore casinos guide explains how these sites work and what protections you give up.
Responsible Gambling
Video poker has better odds than most casino games, but the house still keeps an edge on almost every version. Treat it as paid entertainment, not a way to make money.
These steps keep play under control:
- Set a dollar limit before each session and stop when you hit it.
- Use deposit limits and session reminders where the casino offers them.
- Take a break every hour or so.
- Don’t play to win back money you have lost.
- Don’t play when you’re stressed, upset or drinking.
- Only bet money you could lose without missing a bill.
If gambling stops feeling like fun, free help is available 24/7.
Call the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-MY-RESET (1-800-697-3738). The older number, 1-800-522-4700, still connects to the same service. You can also visit NCPG or read our responsible gambling page for tools and support.
Video Poker FAQs
These answers cover the questions US players ask most often about video poker. For more answers about gameplay, payouts and common rules, browse our video poker questions guide.
What Is Video Poker?
Video poker is a casino game based on five-card draw poker, played alone against a machine. You get five cards, choose which to hold, and draw once to replace the rest. The game then pays your final hand according to a fixed paytable.
Unlike slots, your hold decisions affect your long-run return.
Is Video Poker Legal in the United States?
Yes, in seven states with live, licensed online casinos. These are Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and West Virginia.
Maine has legalized online casinos but has not launched. Elsewhere, the position depends on state law. Offshore sites accept US players without a US state license.
Which Video Poker Game Has the Highest RTP?
Full-pay Deuces Wild returns about 100.76% with perfect strategy, the highest of the common games. Full-pay Joker Poker and full-pay Double Bonus also top 100%.
However, these versions are rare online. Full-pay 9/6 Jacks or Better, at 99.54%, is the easiest high-return game to find and learn.
What Does 9/6 Mean in Video Poker?
The numbers 9/6 mean a Full House pays 9 coins and a Flush pays 6 coins per coin bet. This is the full-pay version of Jacks or Better, returning 99.54% with perfect strategy. An 8/5 version pays 8 and 5 instead and returns about 97.30%.
Can You Play Video Poker for Free?
Yes. Many casinos and game sites offer demo versions that use play credits instead of money. Free play is the best way to learn a strategy chart before you bet.
Make sure the demo uses the same variant and paytable as the real-money game you plan to play.
Does Video Poker Count Toward Bonus Wagering?
Sometimes, but often at a reduced rate. Many casinos count video poker at a lower share than slots, and some exclude it entirely. For example, at 10% weighting, a $10 hand clears only $1 of your requirement.
Check the casino’s contribution chart before you claim a bonus.
How Does a Royal Flush Pay in Video Poker?
On standard Jacks or Better paytables, a Royal Flush pays 250 coins per coin at one to four coins bet. At five coins, it pays 4,000 coins. Published RTP figures assume that five-coin payout, so betting fewer coins lowers your return.
Can You Play Video Poker on Your Phone?
Yes. Video poker works well in a mobile browser, because every decision is a tap on Hold or Draw. Before playing, check that the full paytable fits on your screen.
Some sites also offer apps, but availability varies by casino.
More Video Poker Guides
Explore these related guides to learn more about video poker fairness and how the game compares with slots.
Video Poker Fairness: Find out whether video poker machines are rigged and how paytables, random number generation and game rules affect outcomes.
Video Poker vs Slots: Compare the two casino games, including their mechanics, strategy requirements and potential returns.
