Video Poker Game Variants: Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild & More
Last updated: 02 October 2026
Video poker comes in many variants, with differences in paytables, wild cards, bonus payouts and strategy. This guide covers popular games including Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, Bonus Poker, Double Double Bonus and Joker Poker, along with multi-hand and progressive versions.
Compare how the main variants differ, including their typical RTP, volatility and special rules. We also cover featured casinos offering real-money video poker and explain why checking the exact paytable matters before you play.
Quick Picks: Best Video Poker Casinos
Best Video Poker Casinos
Compare the video poker selection, US availability and typical payout speed at our featured casinos.
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| Casino | Video Poker Selection | USA? | Payout Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| iNetBet | 14+ SpinLogic games | ✅ | Same day |
| Lucky Elf | Multiple providers, varies by country | ❌ | 15 minutes |
| Decode | 20+ games, Rival + more | ✅ | 12-48 hrs |
| Winz | Multiple providers | ❌ | Instant |
Casino Beacon Opinion
There is no single "best" video poker variant for everyone. Jacks or Better is the easiest place to start, while wild-card and bonus games can offer more volatility and larger individual payouts at the cost of more complicated strategy.
The paytable matters just as much as the game name. Two versions of the same variant can have different payouts and theoretical returns, while changes to the paytable can also affect the correct strategy. Check the exact version before choosing a strategy chart.
Best Online Casinos for Video Poker Variants
iNetBet
Online since 1999, iNetBet offers 14+ SpinLogic video poker games. New players can claim $20 free with no deposit required, while an 'all games' deposit bonus is available up to $100. Same-day payouts are available.
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Lucky Elf
Lucky Elf offers video poker from multiple providers, with the available games varying by country. It accepts players from Australia, Austria, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway and Switzerland. 15-minute cashouts are available, alongside bonuses worth up to $/€20,000 + 500 free spins.
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Decode
Decode offers 20+ video poker games, including Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, Joker Poker and multi-hand variants, with Rival among the available providers. New players can claim 10 free spins at sign-up plus a 111% first deposit bonus up to $1,111 + $111 free gift.
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Winz
Winz offers video poker from multiple providers, including Jacks or Better, Joker Poker and several Powerpoker variants. Players can claim bonuses worth up to $/€20,000 or 800 free spins, with no wagering requirements. Instant cashouts are available.
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How to Choose a Video Poker Variant
The main differences to consider are RTP, volatility, special rules and strategy complexity. Even closely related games can play differently when the paytable changes or wild cards are introduced.
- For straightforward rules: Jacks or Better is a useful starting point.
- For wild cards: Deuces Wild and Joker Poker use different hand frequencies and strategies.
- For higher volatility: Double Bonus and Double Double Bonus place more emphasis on four-of-a-kind payouts.
- For progressive jackpots: Check both the underlying paytable and the current jackpot before playing.
- For more hands per round: Multi-hand games increase the amount wagered each round when several hands are played simultaneously.
Always check the paytable for the exact game rather than relying on the variant name alone. Different versions can have different theoretical returns and may require different strategy decisions.
Main Video Poker Game Variants
One of the standard video poker formats, paying from a pair of Jacks or better. Full-pay 9/6 Jacks or Better has a theoretical return of 99.54% with optimal strategy.
All four 2s act as wild cards, changing both hand frequencies and strategy. Full Pay Deuces Wild has a theoretical return of 100.76% with optimal play, although other Deuces Wild paytables can return considerably less.
Similar to Jacks or Better, but with different payouts for four-of-a-kind hands depending on their rank. Related bonus games include Bonus Poker Deluxe, Double Bonus and Double Double Bonus.
This bonus variant increases the payouts for selected four-of-a-kind hands, particularly four aces or four 2s, 3s or 4s with certain kickers. The extra emphasis on these less frequent hands increases volatility.
Joker Poker adds a joker to the standard 52-card deck and uses it as a wild card. Paytables and minimum paying hands vary between versions, so the exact rules and strategy should be checked before playing.
Multi-hand games let you play several hands from the same initial deal. You choose which cards to hold, then separate draws are completed for each hand. The underlying variant and paytable determine the theoretical return.
Progressive versions link one or more payouts to a jackpot that increases as the game is played. The growing jackpot can affect the game's theoretical return and may also change the optimal strategy.
Other formats include Aces and Faces, Tens or Better, All American and numerous bonus or wild-card variations. Rules, paytables and strategy can differ significantly even between games with similar names.
Video Poker Variants Compared
The figures below show the theoretical return for specific example paytables with optimal strategy. Other versions of the same variant can have different returns.
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| Variant | Example Paytable | RTP* | Wild Cards | Key Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jacks or Better | 9/6 | 99.54% | No | Pays from a pair of Jacks |
| Deuces Wild | Full Pay | 100.76% | All 2s | Four deuces act as wild cards |
| Bonus Poker | 8/5 | 99.17% | No | Different four-of-a-kind payouts by rank |
| Double Bonus Poker | 10/7/5 | 100.17% | No | Higher four-of-a-kind payouts |
| Double Double Bonus | 9/6 | 98.98% | No | Extra payouts for selected four-of-a-kind hands and kickers |
| Progressive Video Poker | Varies | Varies | Depends on game | One or more payouts increase with the jackpot |
| Multi-Hand Video Poker | Depends on base game | Depends on base game | Depends on game | Several draws are played from the same initial hand |
*Theoretical RTP assumes optimal strategy for the stated paytable. Availability of these paytables varies, and other versions of the same game can return less.
Variant Matchups: What Changes From Game to Game
Jacks or Better normally pays from a pair of Jacks, while other variants can use different minimum hands. Tens or Better, for example, pays from a pair of tens. These rule changes affect both hand frequencies and strategy.
Deuces Wild and Joker Poker introduce wild cards, changing the frequency of made hands and the correct decisions for many starting hands. A Jacks or Better strategy chart should not be used for a wild-card game.
Bonus variants redistribute part of the game's return into enhanced four-of-a-kind payouts. This generally increases volatility and can change the correct strategy compared with Jacks or Better.
In progressive video poker, the jackpot amount can affect both theoretical return and optimal strategy. Strategy should therefore be based on the exact paytable and current jackpot rather than a standard chart for the underlying variant.
Video Poker Variants FAQ
Which video poker variant is easiest to learn?
Jacks or Better is one of the simplest starting points because it uses a standard 52-card deck, has no wild cards and pays from a pair of Jacks. Strategy still depends on the exact paytable.
What's the difference between Jacks or Better and Deuces Wild?
Jacks or Better uses a standard deck with no wild cards. In Deuces Wild, all four 2s are wild, which changes hand frequencies, payouts and the correct strategy.
Which video poker variants can have an RTP above 100%?
Some specific paytables can exceed 100% theoretical return with optimal strategy. Examples include Full Pay Deuces Wild at about 100.76% and 10/7/5 Double Bonus Poker at about 100.17%. These paytables are not available everywhere.
Do I need a different strategy chart for each video poker variant?
Yes. Wild cards, different minimum paying hands and changes to the paytable can all affect the correct hold decisions. Use a strategy chart that matches the exact variant and paytable where possible.
Which video poker variants have higher volatility?
Bonus games such as Double Bonus and Double Double Bonus generally have higher volatility than Jacks or Better because more of their theoretical return is concentrated in less frequent four-of-a-kind payouts. Volatility can also vary between paytables.
Why does the paytable matter when choosing a video poker variant?
The paytable determines how much each winning hand returns. Two games with the same variant name can therefore have different theoretical returns and may require different strategy decisions.