Top Free-To-Play Online Video Poker

Poker is undoubtedly one of the most universally loved casino games in the world. Fancy suits, cigars, drinks, and, of course, the poker face, are all of the game’s charm.

Poker is believed to have originated in 16th-century Europe and the game “poque”, which had many of the core elements we still see in poker today. As the French made their way to North America, they brought “poque” along, and the game grew in popularity during the 18th and 19th centuries, becoming one of the most played casino games.

What started as a fairly simple game has now evolved into a variety of versions, each with its own set of rules and styles of play!

When it comes to free video poker, regardless of which variant you choose, they all have one thing in common - you don’t need to spend a cent to play!

What Free Video Poker Games Are Available?

When it comes to online video poker, there are plenty of options to choose from, giving you the chance to find the one that’s perfect for you. Whether you’re into classics or prefer something with modern features, you’ll likely find an option suited to your style.

Since poker is a card game that mixes skill, strategy and luck, it’s no surprise that there are a few rules to follow. That being said, each version of poker comes with its own set of rules and covering all of them would take a while. Instead, let’s boil it down to a core concept - the goal is to make the best possible combination out of cards you are dealt (including community cards, if you are playing a variant with them).

Texas Hold ‘em Poker

Texas Hold ‘em is definitely one of the most popular poker variants around. It’s played in casinos worldwide and is the go-to version for most poker tournaments. The game starts with you being dealt two face-down cards. After that, three out of five community cards will be revealed, with one more card being revealed in each round - up to a total of five!

Seven Card Stud

In Seven Card Stud, each player places an ante before receiving two face-down cards and one face-up card (the “Door Card”). The first round of betting begins with the player showing the lowest Door Card. In the next three rounds each player gets a face-up card. In the final round players receive their last face-down card, followed by the last betting round.

Five Card Draw

Five Card Draw is what many poker enthusiasts consider the most simple version of the game. It has two betting rounds and a single draw phase. You’re dealt five face-down cards, and then a betting round begins. After that, you can choose how many cards to discard and replace. Once every player is holding five cards, the final betting round begins!

Razz

Razz poker is a version of stud poker in which you will be playing for a low hand instead of a high hand. You’re dealt seven cards and must use the best five to form your low hand. Unlike Texas Hold ‘em, Razz is played with individual hands and not community cards!

Omaha

Omaha poker is one of the most complex poker versions out there. Despite sharing some of the same rules with Texas Hold ‘em, such as them both being community-based games, it still has its own rules that propel it to a league of its own. Each player gets four cards, while five cards are dealt on the table. You will then need to make the best combination using only two out of four cards you were dealt, and three of the cards that are on the table!

Best Free Video Poker Games

As you can see, there are plenty of video poker games out there. And that’s a good thing because it gives you numerous opportunities to find the one that suits you best. So, which one should you try?

Deuces Wild Video Poker

Deuces Wild Video Poker, brought to you by Rival Gaming, is essentially a classic five-card draw poker, but with a twist. Deuces (cards with a value of 2) act as wild cards. This means they can substitute any of the cards you are holding in order to help you form a winning combination. The lowest-paying hand in this game is three of a kind, so keep that in mind if you’re used to being happy with a pair! Plus, after each win you’ll get the chance to double your winnings. You’ll be able to play a mini-game where you guess which of the four face-down cards is higher than the dealer’s. But be careful - if you make a wrong guess, you’ll lose your win!

Joker Poker Aces

Joker Poker Aces by WM is another fun twist on five-card draw poker. Instead of the usual 52-card deck, this game adds a 53rd card - the Joker. When you draw a joker you’ll have a higher chance of forming a winning hand as it can substitute for any card needed to complete a combination!

Free Video Poker vs Real Money Video Poker

Now that we’ve covered some of the most popular versions of video poker and the basics of how to play, let’s take a look at the differences between free video poker and real money video poker. There are obviously a few key differences between the two, each with its pros and cons. In the end, the choice is yours, and there’s no right or wrong answer - just your personal preference!

Keep in mind, no matter which version you go for, poker is always fun and engaging!

Free Video Poker

The biggest advantage of free video poker is the fact that you don’t need to spend real money to play.

This makes it a great option for beginners, as you can explore different versions of the game, try out different combinations and experiment with betting strategies without pressure!

Another big upside to free video poker is how easy it is to get started.

Many online casinos have demo poker games - sometimes, you’ll have to register to access them, but other sites and platforms will let you play as a guest. In any case, it’s not too much hassle finding any variant to enjoy without depositing. 

Real Money Video Poker

The biggest selling point of real money video poker is, of course, playing with real money. This automatically means you have a chance to win real money as well.

Real money video poker adds a level of thrill and excitement that comes with betting cash. You can’t just play on autopilot - you’ll need to think through your strategies and decisions carefully!

Let’s not forget the bonuses and promotions that many online casinos offer to their paying players!

As you can see, each version has its advantages and drawbacks. The choice is completely up to you, but either way, you’re in for a good time!

Instant Play vs Download

Just like with many other online casino games, video poker can be accessed in several ways. Let’s look at two of the most popular ones as they are the easiest and most player-friendly ways to play - instant play free video poker and download free video poker.

Instant Play Free Video Poker

One of the biggest advantages of instant play video poker is definitely how easy it is to get into action.

With this option you can skip all the hassle- no need to register on different websites, make deposits, or even remember your passwords!

Another perk is how quickly you can jump between games. As no download is required, if you don’t like one game, just close it and give another one a go right away!

The only catch? You’ll need a stable internet connection to play. If your connection isn’t solid, or you have no internet access at all, you might want to consider downloading the game instead!

Download Free Video Poker

Download video poker shares some of the same perks as instant play - both are easy to access, but, with one key difference.

You only need an internet connection to download the game; after that, you can play offline, anytime, anywhere you want!

However, downloading multiple games can quickly take up a lot of space on your device, so make sure to manage your downloads and delete games you’re not using!

Both options come with their own pros and cons, but the best part is you have total flexibility to choose the one that suits your style! In the end, it’s all about finding what works best for you!

Free Video Poker: Advantages and Disadvantages

By now we are used to seeing various online games have their own good and bad sides, and free video poker is no exception to that either. As you have learned by now, free video poker lets you enjoy the game of poker without spending any real money, but, it is up to you to decide if it is your cup of tea!

Advantages of Free Video Poker

The biggest perk of free video poker is, as you might have guessed, is that it’s completely free!

You play with free coins and credits, so you can experiment with strategies, betting options, different game versions - basically explore entirely without pressure!

Another bonus? It’s hassle-free! No required registrations, no deposits - simply load up the game and you are all set!

Plus, you get to enjoy most of the benefits of real money poker, but without the worry about losing actual money! It’s a great way to get acquainted with the game without any financial risk!

Disadvantages of Free Video Poker

The main downside of free video poker? Your wins aren’t real. Since you’re not playing with real money, any “winnings” are just in virtual credits and coins, leaving you with no actual cash reward.

Playing for free means you will also be missing out on some of the many perks that come with real money play - welcome bonuses, loyalty programs and other promotions that casinos offer their paying players!.

And, let’s face it - without the risk of real money, you won’t experience the same rush, whether you are celebrating a big win or feeling the sting of a close loss.

Free Video Poker Software

Thanks to the global popularity of video poker, many providers now offer free instant-play demos of their games! This means that you have countless options to choose from - always a plus when you’re hunting for a new game!

• iSoftBet - Since its debut in early 2010, iSoftBet has quickly become one of the most popular providers. They offer a variety of games, including slots like Scrolls of Ra and Miraculous Ladybug, as well as several versions of video poker - multi-hand variants, progressive draw poker and bonus poker! To top it all off, they also offer cross-platform games, making them available on mobile devices with both Android https://www.android.com/ and iOS!

• Oryx Gaming- Oryx Gaming is another well-known provider with a strong reputation for quality. Whether you’re into slots, card games, or even keno and bingo, Oryx’s portfolio has you covered. All their games share one thing in common - top-notch quality!

• Realtime Gaming - One of the veterans in the industry, RTG has been around since 1998. And, as the saying goes, “with age comes wisdom.” RTG has mastered not only the classics like slots and blackjack, but also offers everything from scratch games to craps and pretty much any other game you can think of!

Where to Play Free Video Poker

By now, you probably know that when it comes to playing free video poker (or any other casino game for that matter), the options are pretty much endless. A quick internet search will bring up thousands of results, whether it’s online casinos or instant-play demos. If that sounds like too much to sift through, many game providers also offer demo versions of their games directly on their websites!

But, if navigating the internet isn’t your thing, don’t worry - we’ve prepared a few outstanding sources that you won’t want to miss!

First up, check out our Online Video Poker page. Here you’ll find a list of real-money video poker games that you can sort by preference - recently published games, alphabetically or even by rating. On top of that, we’ve got reviews of each game to keep you up to speed!

Another place you definitely want to visit is lcb.org. It’s packed with reviews, user ratings, and demo versions of various video poker games - a perfect place if you’re just starting or want to try something new!

If you’d also like to get down to all the nitty-gritty of video poker and learn how to play it to the best of your abilities and like a pro, try Wizard Of Odds. For aspiring poker players looking to play for real money, The Wizard also offers a handy video poker app that supports 18 different games and lets you analyze paytables and hands to improve your strategy. 

At the end of the day, finding a solid poker game to enjoy is easy, and you’ve got plenty of great places to explore!

Commonly Asked Questions About Free Video Poker

• What is Free Video Poker?

Free video poker is a version of video poker that can be played completely free. It also isn’t limited to a single game of poker, but covers Texas Hold ‘em, Omaha, Five Card Draw and many others!

• How Many Cards is Free Video Poker Played With?

It is usually played with 52 cards, but, depending on the game, it can have even more - 53 for instance, with the 53rd card being the joker!

• Can I Win Big Playing Free Video Poker?

Unfortunately, by playing free video poker you give up on real-money winnings, as you aren’t wagering real money either but free virtual currency instead!

• Is Free Video Poker Available on Mobile Devices?

Yes, a lot of free video poker games can be played on the phone, making it a great option for players who spend a substantial amount of time on their phones!

• Do I Need to Register and Deposit anywhere in Order to Play Free Video Poker?

No, you do not! This is exactly why free video poker is popular among players. It is easy to dive right into action - simply load up the game and hit draw!