Video Poker Online Payouts and Odds

Video poker online is a cracking casino game down here in New Zealand that blends the strategy of poker with the thrill of slot machines. A key feature is that you can make smart plays based on your initial cards. This means it's not just about luck – you can boost your winning chances with a bit of know-how and savvy moves.

However, much like any casino game, video poker is designed with a house edge. So, while strategy helps, you'll still be relying on a bit of luck to actually pocket any profits during a session.

Next up, we'll dive into the odds and payouts for this game. You'll find out which variations offer the best returns and what the standard paytables look like.

Video Poker Odds in New Zealand

The odds of striking it lucky with video poker can change depending on the specific version you're playing. But generally speaking, video poker often boasts some of the best odds you'll find at online casinos in New Zealand. These usually trump what you'd expect from your average slot machine or online roulette, for instance.

In most cases, the house edge for online video poker games in New Zealand will sit anywhere from less than 0.5% to just over 5%. Usually, you can get this info by clicking on the game details within an online video poker casino.

Understanding Video Poker Payout Charts

While the odds are important, knowing what each winning hand pays out is just as crucial. You’ll want to get your head around the payout charts.

Depending on the game you're playing, you might get decent payouts for simpler hands. In other variations, you'll need to aim for those high-ranking combos and rely on landing a few big wins during a longer gaming session.

So, make sure to study the payout charts for the specific video poker variation you're playing. These charts clearly outline the returns for each hand combination, helping you craft a video poker strategy that suits the situation.

Next, let's look at some example payout tables for the most popular video poker games you'll find available online.

Jacks or Better

Jacks or Better is a classic and one of the most popular video poker variations. It typically rocks a straightforward payout chart. Check out this common example:

• Royal Flush: 1 to 250 (or 4,000 coins when betting max)
• Straight Flush: 1 to 50
• Four of a Kind: 1 to 25
• Full House: 1 to 9
• Flush: 1 to 6
• Straight: 1 to 4
• Three of a Kind: 1 to 3
• Two Pairs: 1 to 2
• Jacks or Better: 1 to 1

The lowest-paying hand is a pair of jacks (or better), and the highest-paying hand is a Royal Flush. The odds of hitting a Royal Flush in Jacks or Better are approximately 1 in 40,000.

Deuces Wild

Deuces Wild is another popular variation of video poker that offers players the chance to hit big payouts. In Deuces Wild, all twos are considered wild cards. It means that they can be used to substitute any card to create a winning hand.

See an example of a Deuces Wild payout chart:

• Natural Royal Flush: 1 to 800
• Four Deuces: 1 to 200
• Wild Royal Flush: 1 to 25
• Five of a Kind: 1 to 15
• Straight Flush: 1 to 10
• Four of a Kind: 1 to 4
• Full House: 1 to 4
• Flush: 1 to 3
• Straight: 1 to 2
• Three of a Kind: 1 to 1

The highest-paying hand in Deuces Wild is a Natural Royal Flush. But players can also hit a Five-of-a-Kind or a Wild Royal Flush, which can be even more lucrative.

Joker Poker

Joker Poker is a variation of video poker online that includes a joker card as a wild card — the 53rd card in the deck. See below an example of a payout chart for a Joker Poker Kings or Better game:

• Natural Royal Flush: 1 to 400
• Five of a Kind: 1 to 200
• Royal Flush with Joker: 1 to 100
• Straight Flush: 1 to 50
• Four of a Kind: 1 to 18
• Full House: 1 to 7
• Flush: 1 to 5
• Straight: 1 to 3
• Three of a Kind: 1 to 2
• Two Pairs: 1 to 1
• Kings or Better: 1 to 1

The highest-paying hand in Joker Poker is a natural Royal Flush. Players can also hit a Five-of-a-Kind or a Wild Royal Flush — that is, a Royal Flush with a Joker.

Best Video Poker odds

The variations of video poker with the best odds are, at the same time, the ones with the lowest house edge. See below the average odds for the most popular variations played online:

• Jacks or Better: 99,54%
• Deuces Wild: 99,42%
• Joker Poker: 98,47%

Have in mind that there are different versions of the same variant. Those are the odds for a standard game, without any extra features that could impact the results.

Video Poker online casino Jackpots

Many online casinos offer video poker games with progressive jackpots. A progressive jackpot increases every time the game is played — if the jackpot is not won.

That can add some emotion to a game. Actually, you can ignore all the best video poker odds available in online casinos if you ever hit a jackpot. But have in mind that, even though the potential payout can be huge, the odds of winning it tend to be very low.