Play Free Video Poker Games

Defining Video Poker Free

Free video poker is is an online game that lets players enjoy poker without risking real money, using virtual credits for practice and fun. Players can engage with free video poker online on a number of different sites, practising their skills until they’re ready to play for real money.

There are quite a few casino sites which offer free online video poker, and some are better than others, so we’re going to provide some help and guidance intended for newcomers. Poker is generally found on sites that offer a range of different casino games, such as slots and roulette, but poker is one of the most popular and enduring.

Pros and Cons of Playing Video Poker for Free

There are advantages and disadvantages to everything in life, and our expert testers have summarised the pros and cons of free online video poker in the following handy table:

• Enables players to practise their poker skills before they’re ready for the big time

• There’s no risk of losing real money when playing for free

• It’s easy to find great online poker websites where you can play multiple poker variants

• Compatible with playing on mobile devices for on-the-go players

• When playing for free, it’s not always possible to win real money

• Free video poker doesn’t always come with as many bonuses as other casino games

Top RTP Video Poker Games in 2024

One of the key things to consider when playing any casino game is the return to player (RTP) rate. This determines how much of each stake is returned to the player on average. In the case of poker, it’s sometimes possible for this to be over 100% if the player’s strategy is perfect.

In the following table, we’ll break down the RTP rates for different types of poker. These can vary a bit depending on which site you’re on and what game you’re playing, but here’s an overview:

How to Play Video Poker for Free

The process of playing free online video poker is more straightforward than live casino poker, but if you’re new to it, then you’ll want some guidance. In this section, we’ll explore exactly what you need to do in order to begin playing video poker for free.

1. Find your poker site: Some online casinos are better than others, and it’s worth shopping around. Choose from a trusted list of all poker sites in the UK.
2. Get registered: Once you’ve checked that free video poker is available, you may need to sign up and open a new account at the site, but not always.
3. Choose a poker game: There are many variations of poker, spanning ‘ring games’ and ‘tournaments’. The former are ongoing, and the latter are scheduled.
4. Enter the game: Follow the on-screen instructions to join the game of your choosing and familiarise yourself with the rules of the specific poker format.
5. Enjoy playing free online video poker: You’re ready to go, so check that you’re using a free-to-play option, and place your bets… even if they’re not real money bets!

The Main Rules of Playing Video Poker for Free

The best thing about free online video poker is that you can learn the rules without risk, but here’s an overview of poker rules:

• How to win: Players win by building the best possible hand out of five cards. Hand values are critical. A royal flush is typically worth the most, followed by a straight flush, four of a kind, full house, flush, straight, three of a kind, and two pairs.
• Place your bets: Whether playing for real money or not, you’ll need to select your stake size and place a bet if you want to play. In free poker, this involves a virtual currency.
• Dealing and drawing: Once cards have been dealt, assess your hand. You will have the opportunity to swap and draw replacement cards. Keep the pay tables in mind when doing this, and try to build the most valuable hand.
• Collect your winnings: Your final hand will be compared to the game’s pay table to determine your returns.
• Develop your strategy: Free video poker games allow the player to hone and perfect their strategy. Think of these games as a training ground for the real thing.

Video Poker: Essential Terminology

Poker has been around for a long time, and a language has developed around it. This may be daunting, so here’s a guide to the most common poker lingo:

• All in: This is when a player puts all of their funds into the pot.
• Buy in: A player has to ‘buy in’ before they can play a game.
• Blind: A blind is a bet that players to the left of the dealer have to place.
• Dealer: The person responsible for distributing cards and winnings.
• Pair: Any two cards with matching values.
• Three of a kind: Three cards of the same values but with different suits.
• Straight: Five cards in numerical sequence.
• Flush: Five cards in the same suit but not in sequence.
• Full house: Three of a kind plus a pair of a different suit.
• Straight flush: Five cards of the same suit in sequence.
• Royal flush: The best hand; a straight flush with the highest being an ace.

Free Video Poker vs. Real Money Poker

There are some key differences that players need to be aware of between online free video poker and other types of real money poker. In this section, we’ll explore what these differences are and how they affect players.

Free Online Video Poker Variants

As we’ve touched on above, there are various different types of poker, and they’re all great fun! It’s vital that players understand the key similarities and differences between these versions, so let’s take a closer look.

Deuces Wild

Deuces Wild is a version of poker in which the 2s are worth more than in others, so it’s worth prioritising them when making your hand. The RTP of Deuces Wild can be over 100%, which means that the player has the edge over the dealer.

Double Bonus Poker

This popular variation of poker also has a high RTP rate, making it a good choice from the player’s perspective. There are multiple added bonuses in this version, which correspond to a four of a kind hand. These result in boosted payouts, so aim to get a hand with these in.

Triple Play

Triple Play is a type of multiple hand poker that enables the player to play three hands at the same time. This is great if you’re a multitasker, but it’s probably not the best choice for complete beginners. There may even be other variants within this type of game.

Jokers Wild

A single Joker card is included in this poker deck, so it has 53 cards in total. The Joker is wild, so it’s a very good card to have in your hand and can produce big wins. In this version, payouts aren’t made for lower bets, including hands worth less than two kings.

Double Double Bonus

This is a development of the aforementioned ‘double bonus’ variant. It introduces an extra four of a kind bonus and pays out more. The RTP is around 100% on this one, so players stand a very good chance of winning their money (even virtual money) back.

Multi Play

Multi play versions of poker, like triple play, allow the player to have multiple hands going at the same time. This makes for a more engaging experience and more chances to win (if you’re playing with real money). Some games allow more than 50 hands!

Video Poker on Mobile Devices

Most video poker games online are well optimised to run on mobile devices, whether that’s through an app or an online browser. This is perfect for players who like to play through their smartphone or tablet, which is an increasingly popular way of doing things.

These games function in the same way no matter what screen you use, and mobile devices offer added convenience and portability. If you would like to practise your poker skills whilst on a commute or during your lunch break, have a look for the best app for poker in the UK.

Why Play Our Free Video Poker Games?

The Slotozilla experts have combed the internet to bring you all of the latest and greatest exciting UK casino games. Here are some of the reasons why our recommendations are the best way to play video poker for free:

• We’re experienced: Players can benefit from the Slotozilla team’s expertise in the area of online casinos. Our recommendations are informed by our own experiences.
• Our suggestions are varied: Our recommended list of free video poker games includes all of the different variants mentioned above.
• High RTPs: We prioritise the games which promise the best possible returns to players.
• Fair and tested: The games we recommend are always made by respectable developers and hosted by licensed, regulated, trustworthy casinos.
• No financial risk: The main benefit of these games is that they offer players an opportunity to practise without risking any money.
• No registration: In the case of many free video poker casinos, it’s not even necessary to register and open an account unless you want to play for real money.

Tips and Strategies for Playing Online Video Poker

In accordance with our experience and expertise, here are some of the best strategies that newcomers can adopt if they’re looking to boost their chances of winning when playing poker:

• Based on our observations, the best thing players can do is practise. Free video poker is the best way to do this, and players should refrain from spending real money until they’ve really honed their game.
• Our research has shown that players don’t always understand the variant they’re playing. For this reason, we strongly recommend reading the full game rules before getting started.
• Keep an eye out for basic combos. Simple pairs and three of a kinds are sometimes a more attainable goal than going straight for the royal flush. Therefore, there’s a lower chance that you’ll end up with a dud hand.
• Get rid of unpaired cards. When given the chance, trade in any cards that aren’t working for your existing hand rather than waiting for the perfect card to come up, which may never happen.

Final Thoughts – Is Free Video Poker Worthwhile?

According to our research, there are many advantages to playing online video poker for free, especially if you’re planning on playing for real money some time in the future.

If you need a training ground where you can perfect your poker strategies, then free games are the ideal choice for you.

Our experts found there to be many great options open to UK players at the moment. These span a wide variety of different game types and developers. Poker can be quite a complex game, especially for newcomers, and the best thing that players can do to boost their chances is to ensure that they understand the full rules.

So yes, playing free poker is absolutely worthwhile!