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How to play no download video poker
Playing free online video poker games has never been easier. By following these steps, you'll be playing the best video poker variants within minutes:
- Scroll up to the free video poker games featured on this page.
- Using the filter 'All game types', select 'video poker'.
- Pick from over 168 free online video poker games. You can further filter by game name or provider.
- Once you've found a free video poker game, click the 'Play for free' button.
- Enjoy your glitch-free, no download gaming experience!
Pros and cons of playing free video poker
We're big enthusiasts of playing video poker for free because there are tons of benefits attached. But, like with most things, there are also disadvantages. Check out the table below to get a balanced view of the pros and cons of free vs real money video poker before you dive in…
- Play without risking your bankroll
- Familiarize yourself with new games
- Practise different betting systems
- Simply play for fun
- Enjoy longer play sessions
- You can't win real money
- Can't interact with other players
- Ineligible for casino bonuses
Popular multi-hand versions of the game
Multi-hand video poker takes the excitement of regular free online video poker up a notch. You'll get rapid card action you just don't get when playing with one hand. As the name suggests, you're playing with multiple hands at the same time, so you need to make a wager on each hand. Of course, it's important to note that you're still playing on a single deal.
Here are some of the best free online video poker games with multiple hands:
Top 5 free video poker games
Most Canadian online casinos offer free versions of video poker. Whether you're a newcomer or have more experience, you'll soon discover free video poker variants such as Pai Gow, Jacks or Better and Deuces Wild. So, which of these options is best? Here are our favourites:
The most popular online video poker variant is also arguably still the best. This game is built on the concept that all two cards (known as deuces) act as wild cards.
Under this rule, a two card can replace any other card to help form a winning hand. For example, you can change a two for a King if you already have two Kings, giving you more chance to build a good hand (from a pair to a three of a kind).
Ideal for beginners, Jacks or Better is the simplest form of free video poker. Even so, the basic gameplay is impressive enough to appeal to high rollers and more experienced players.
It removes all quirky rules and simply gives users one goal – build a hand with a pair of Jacks or better. Yes, it is all right there in the name! You can still swap cards once, but any pair under Jacks will not form a winning hand.
The joker card in a standard deck plays a role in this variant. Specifically, Joker Poker has an additional card making 53 cards in a game. You guessed it, that extra card is a joker, who acts as a wild card substituting any other card to help form winning combinations.
But, this variant also has a higher base winning hand, with two Kings being the lowest possible pair you can win with.
All Aces Poker has quickly grown in popularity in recent years and is now one of the most played free online video poker variants. It borrows the principles of bonus poker machines at land-based casinos by rewarding players more if they get a four-of-a-kind winning hand (four cards of the same value).
In this game, getting four Aces in a hand comes with even bigger rewards. The downside is the value of winning with two pairs is cut by 50% to compensate for the bonus wins.
Developed by casino software giant IGT, Triple Play Draw Poker is a multi-hand variant popular both online and at brick-and-mortar casinos. Instead of playing with a single hand, you'll play with three. Because you bet on the same deal, you have more chance of winning.
Then again, you can also lose more as you bet on all hands. IGT puts the Triple Play mechanic on variants such as Deuces Wild and, most notably, Draw Poker.
Classic video poker for free
There are plenty of different video poker variants around, each with a unique twist. While these games are enjoyable, sometimes the frills-free video poker classics are the best as they offer a nice change of pace from the modern.
Classic video poker is based on a standard five-card draw – it's your hand versus the computer's hand. Sometimes this traditional gameplay provides a nice change of pace from the modern feature-rich variants, so why not check out one of the popular titles below?
Video poker slots
Video poker games take the best elements of slots and authentic poker and combine them into a unique gaming package. You're still playing poker in the traditional sense, so video poker slots are technically not online slot machines. There are no reels, and you don't spin to see a random combination that may win or not.
You play poker hands as you would at the casino table, but instead of playing against other players, you play against a machine. This machine uses the same random number generator (RNG) software used in slot machines. Each hand is dealt at random, and there is no direct or indirect influence, meaning all hands are fair.
| Video poker slot | RTP | Coins for a full house | Coins for flush | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Jacks or Better (Rival) | 99.54% | 9x | 6x |
 |
American Poker V (Wazdan) | 95.96% | 12x | 9x |
 |
Joker Poker MH (Play'n Go) | 95.01% | 6x | 4x |
 |
Aces and Eights (Habanero) | 99.09% | 7x | 4x |
Free video poker with no registration
People love playing free video poker, but many don't want the hassle of registering for an online casino if they're not parting with any cash. Some casino operators ask customers to register before they can access game demos, which can be frustrating when it involves providing personal details and sending copies of your photo ID as well as proof of address.
Of course, there are online casinos out there that allow you to access games for free without signing up, so keep your eyes peeled.
OGCA's top tips for playing free video poker
With the following video poker tips, you can gain more betting know-how and build your confidence toward becoming an experienced video poker player:
Knowing the odds for winning hands will help you make more accurate betting decisions. You will understand the quality of a hand you hold and the likelihood of being able to form a winning hand.
The more you play, the better you will be at poker. Poker is ultimately a game of luck, and you do not influence the cards you are dealt. Even so, by practising video poker for free, you start to make smarter decisions about when what, and how to bet.
Poker strategy charts are fascinating tables that highlight specific betting patterns and decisions for each hand combination. Again, they will not guarantee you a win, but a chart can help you understand the best betting decision for all scenarios you face when playing free multi-hand video poker games.
A flush is higher value simply because you have fewer card combinations to make one. Straights have more potential card combinations, so they are, in theory, easier to create.
Basic combinations are the foundations of winning hands. Firstly, they can provide you with a win on their own but are also the building blocks for creating higher value hands such as straights and flushes.
Play video poker for real money
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FAQs
You can play video poker for free by visiting one of the free video poker casinos we recommend on this page. Our industry experts have found the best online casinos for Canadians that currently offer demo versions of video poker variants from leading providers.
