Online video poker is a smart choice for anyone who likes casino games. Unlike playing typical slot machines, with online video poker, you can positively affect your overall return by learning the right strategy. The good news is that the strategies for the most popular game are pretty simple to learn. That is, if you make the correct decisions in the discard phase of each hand.
When choosing a video poker game, look at the payback percentage (also called return-to-player or RTP). For slots, most online casino sites display the RTP, and the average is somewhere around 94 percent. So for all the wagers you make on a game, 94 cents of each dollar is returned to you in payouts. In other words, in slots, there’s a 6 percent house edge.
Video poker, on the other hand, has almost no house edge. For instance, the most popular video poker game, which also has the easiest strategy to learn, is Jacks or Better. With the correct strategy, this game offers an RTP of 99.54 percent—or a house edge of 0.46 percent.
It’s important to note that this negligible house edge applies only to the top pay table. To identify the top table, look at the single-credit pay for the full house and the flush. If the full house pays 9-for-1 and the flush pays 6-for-1, that’s the top schedule.
For most of the other popular video poker variations, the top pay table returns over 99 percent—a house edge of less than 1 percent.
So, which sites have the best video poker? The most important factor is the pay schedule, but the selection of games is also important. We’ve looked at all these factors and come up with your best bets for video poker.
Caesars Palace Online Casino
In New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, Caesars Palace Online Casino offers a robust selection of video poker, primarily centered around the industry-standard IGT Game King suite. This all-in-one interface provides a classic, “Vegas-style” experience with titles including:
- Jacks or Better
- Bonus Poker / Double Bonus / Double Double Bonus
- Deuces Wild
- Joker Poker
While New Jersey typically boasts the largest overall game library, the video poker experience remains consistent across all four states. Players can often find “Ultimate X Video Poker,” which adds a multiplier mechanic for increased volatility.
Key Considerations
- RTP & Pay Tables: Most Game King variations at Caesars offer competitive Return to Player (RTP) percentages, often exceeding 99% when playing with optimal strategy and max coins.
- Wagering Requirements: For those clearing a welcome bonus (like the $1,000 deposit match), be aware that video poker often carries a higher rollover—typically 30x—compared to the 15x required for slots.
- Rewards: Every bet contributes to Caesars Rewards. You generally earn 1 Tier Credit and 1 Reward Credit for every $25 wagered on video poker, allowing you to build status and redeem points for hotel stays or dining at physical Caesars properties.
BetMGM Online Casino
BetMGM Online Casino provides a premium video poker experience that mirrors the variety found on their physical MGM Grand and Borgata floors. Their video poker options are available in New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.
Game Selection
The library is anchored by the IGT Game King suite, featuring classic titles like Jacks or Better, Bonus Poker, and Deuces Wild. Beyond the basics, BetMGM stands out with modern variants such as:
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Ultimate X Poker: Offers multipliers for consecutive winning hands (available in Triple, Five, and Ten Play).
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Draw Poker Multi-Hand: Allows players to play up to 10 hands simultaneously.
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Exclusive Variants: Depending on the state, you may find proprietary “MGM Grand” branded table games and unique video poker skins.
Rewards and Wagering
BetMGM is deeply integrated with the MGM Rewards program. On average, you earn 4 BetMGM Rewards Points and 4 Tier Credits for every $100 wagered on video poker. These points are redeemable for “MGM Rewards Points” used for stays at properties like Borgata (NJ) or MGM Grand Detroit (MI).
If you are playing through a welcome bonus (currently up to $2,500 in some states), video poker typically contributes 10% to 20% toward the wagering requirement. This is a significantly lower contribution rate than slots, meaning it will take more volume to clear your bonus funds.
BetRivers Online Casino
Available in New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, BetRivers stands out for offering a player-friendly video poker experience, primarily through its industry-leading bonus terms.
Game Selection
BetRivers features the ubiquitous IGT Game King suite, which includes essentials like Jacks or Better, Double Bonus Poker, and Deuces Wild. In addition to the classics, players can often find:
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Multi-Hand Variants: Triple Play, Five Play, and Ten Play Draw Poker.
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Ultimate X Poker: A high-volatility favorite that rewards consecutive winning hands with multipliers.
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Alternative Providers: You may also find variants like Video Poker Remastered (Roxor) or Regal Poker (Spin Games), which offer slightly different visual interfaces.
The “1x Playthrough” Advantage
The biggest draw for video poker players at BetRivers is the 1x wagering requirement on most bonuses (including the $250–$500 welcome offers). Unlike competitors that set video poker rollover at 30x or higher, BetRivers allows you to clear bonus funds after wagering them just once. Given that many video poker titles have an RTP of 99% or higher, this provides one of the best mathematical chances to convert a bonus into withdrawable cash.
iRush Rewards
Players earn 1 Loyalty Level Point and 1 Bonus Store Point for every $25 wagered on video poker. These points advance your status in the iRush Rewards program and can be redeemed in the “Bonus Store” for wheel spins and guaranteed bonus cash.
Stardust Casino
With offerings in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, Stardust Online Casino offers a refined, retro-themed video poker experience through a partnership between FanDuel and Boyd Gaming.
Game Selection
The platform features the industry-standard IGT Game King suite, which includes essentials like Jacks or Better, Double Double Bonus Poker, and Deuces Wild. Players looking for more action can also find Ultimate X Video Poker, allowing for multi-hand play with high-volatility multipliers.
Rewards and Integration
Stardust’s standout feature is its deep integration with the Boyd Rewards program. Unlike other apps where points stay digital, playing here earns you:
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Boyd Points: Redeemable for online casino bonuses or at 30+ physical properties (including Valley Forge in PA and Borgata in NJ).
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Tier Credits: Progress your status for benefits like hotel stays and dining.
Wagering
While slots are the fastest way to clear bonuses, video poker typically contributes 10% to 20% toward wagering requirements. This means for every $100 bet, $10 to $20 counts toward clearing your bonus, reflecting the game’s high RTP.
Borgata Online Casino
Also just available in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, Borgata Online Casino serves as the premier digital extension of its world-famous Atlantic City resort.
Game Selection
The platform is built around the IGT Game King suite, offering the gold standard of video poker. You’ll find high-RTP staples such as Jacks or Better, Double Bonus Poker, and Deuces Wild. For those seeking modern mechanics, Borgata also features Ultimate X Poker, which uses multipliers to reward winning streaks, and multi-hand variants allowing you to play up to ten hands at once.
Rewards and Wagering
Borgata is a powerhouse for loyalty through MGM Rewards. Players typically earn 4 BetMGM Rewards Points and 4 Tier Credits for every $100 wagered on video poker. These points bridge the gap between digital and physical play, redeemable for hotel stays or dining at the Borgata in AC or any MGM property.
Regarding bonuses, video poker generally contributes 10% to 20% toward wagering requirements. While higher than slots, this reflects the game’s low house edge, making it a favorite for strategic players in NJ and PA.
A Final Word on Video Poker
To get the most out of video poker, first learn the strategy of the game you’re playing. And keep learning. See our archives for info on how to play video poker. Then check back in the coming weeks for basic strategies on Jacks or Better, Double Double Bonus, and more.
Remember: the better your strategy, the more you can squeeze that house edge toward zero.
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