Long before Megaways reels and live game shows took over online lobbies, many Australian club goers knew a quieter corner of the gaming room. Tucked between rows of pokies sat draw poker machines, where players held their best cards, swapped the rest and hoped a royal flush would light up the screen. For years, these games faded into the background as flashier pokies grabbed the attention. Now video poker is enjoying a genuine revival, and a new generation of Australian players is discovering why the game has such a loyal following.

The appeal is easy to understand. Video poker combines the speed and simplicity of a pokie with real decision making. Every hand asks you to choose which cards to hold and which to discard, and those choices have a direct effect on your results over time. With the right paytable and sound strategy, video poker can also offer some of the highest return to player figures available in an online casino. This guide explains how video poker works, introduces the most popular variants and shares practical tips for playing well.

How Video Poker Works

Video poker is based on five card draw poker, but instead of playing against other people, you play against a paytable. There is no dealer to beat and no opponents to bluff. Your goal is simply to make the strongest poker hand possible.

The Deal and the Draw

Each round begins with you placing a bet and receiving five cards. You then choose which cards to hold by tapping them. When you press draw, the cards you did not hold are replaced with new ones from the same virtual deck. Your final five card hand is then compared with the paytable, and any winning combination is paid accordingly.

Hand Rankings

Video poker uses standard poker hand rankings. From lowest to highest, these include a pair, two pair, three of a kind, a straight, a flush, a full house, four of a kind, a straight flush and the royal flush, which is an ace, king, queen, jack and ten of the same suit. The minimum qualifying hand depends on the variant you are playing.

Coins and the Royal Flush Bonus

Many video poker games let you bet between one and five coins per hand. In most versions, a royal flush pays a much higher rate when you bet the maximum number of coins. For example, in classic Jacks or Better, a royal flush often pays 250 coins per coin bet at lower levels but jumps to 4,000 coins at five coins. This is why many experienced players choose a smaller coin value and bet the maximum number of coins.

Why Video Poker Is Trending Again

Several factors are driving the comeback. Players are increasingly interested in games where their choices matter, and video poker delivers that in a fast, easy to learn format. The growing popularity of skill influenced games, such as blackjack and live poker variants, has encouraged players to look for similar experiences elsewhere in the casino lobby.

Transparency is another big factor. Video poker paytables are displayed openly on the screen, so you can see exactly what each hand pays before you play. Combined with RTP figures that can be very high in well designed versions, this openness appeals to players who want to understand the games they choose. Finally, video poker works beautifully on mobile, with simple card layouts and large hold buttons that suit touch screens.

Popular Video Poker Variants

Video poker comes in many forms, each with its own rules and strategy. These are the variants you are most likely to find.

Jacks or Better

Jacks or Better is the classic starting point. The minimum paying hand is a pair of jacks or higher, and the paytable follows standard poker rankings. Versions with strong paytables can offer an RTP above 99 percent when played with optimal strategy. It is the ideal game for beginners because the strategy is relatively straightforward.

Deuces Wild

In Deuces Wild, all twos act as wild cards and can substitute for any other card. This makes strong hands much more common, so the minimum paying hand is usually three of a kind. The paytable includes special hands such as four deuces and a wild royal flush. Deuces Wild requires a different strategy from Jacks or Better, but it is popular for its frequent strong hands and exciting moments.

Bonus Poker

Bonus Poker plays like Jacks or Better but pays extra for certain four of a kind hands, such as four aces or four of a kind in low ranks. To balance these bonuses, some smaller hands pay slightly less. It suits players who enjoy chasing bigger four of a kind payouts.

Double Bonus and Double Double Bonus

These variants raise the bonuses even further, with larger payouts for specific four of a kind combinations, sometimes boosted again depending on the fifth card in the hand. They offer more volatility, with bigger wins balanced by lower payouts on common hands such as two pair.

Joker Poker

Joker Poker adds a single joker to the deck as a wild card. The minimum paying hand is often a pair of kings or better. The joker increases the chances of strong hands while keeping the game close to the classic format.

Multi Hand Video Poker

Multi hand games let you play several hands at once, often three, ten or more. You receive one starting hand, choose which cards to hold, and those held cards are copied across every hand. Each hand then draws its own replacement cards. Multi hand play adds excitement and spreads results across many outcomes, but it also multiplies your total stake per round.

Reading the Paytable

The paytable is the most important feature of any video poker game. Two games with the same name can have very different returns depending on how much they pay for key hands. In Jacks or Better, for example, the payouts for a full house and a flush are especially important. A version paying 9 for a full house and 6 for a flush returns more over time than one paying 8 and 5. Always compare paytables before choosing a game, and check the RTP in the game information screen.

Simple Strategy Tips

Video poker strategy can become detailed, but a few basic principles cover a large share of decisions. Always hold any paying hand you are dealt, unless you have four cards to a royal flush, which is worth chasing. Hold a pair of jacks or better over most drawing hands. Hold four cards to a flush over a low pair in Jacks or Better. Avoid keeping a single high card alongside a pair, known as holding a kicker, as it usually lowers your chances of improving the hand.

In Deuces Wild, never discard a deuce, as wild cards are the key to strong hands. Because each variant has its own optimal choices, using a strategy chart designed for your specific game is one of the best ways to play well. Many players keep one open while they learn.

Playing Video Poker at UFC Casino

For Australian players who want to explore this classic game alongside modern casino favourites, UFC Casino offers a broad game lobby featuring online pokies, live dealer tables and a range of other titles, all easy to access on mobile and desktop. If video poker options are available in the lobby, taking a moment to compare paytables before choosing a game helps you find the version with the best value.

If you would like help finding video poker games, understanding a particular variant or sorting out anything related to your account, you can send a quick message to UFC Casino live chat and get pointed in the right direction.

Making Every Hand Count

Video poker rewards patience and consistency. Choose one or two variants and learn them well rather than switching between many games. Play at a coin value that lets you bet the maximum coins comfortably within your budget. Take your time with each decision, as video poker has no betting clock, and the extra second spent thinking can make a real difference over many hands.

Holding Your Limits as Firmly as Your Cards

Video poker gives you more control than most casino games, but it never removes the element of chance. Even with perfect strategy, losing streaks happen, and the house edge still applies to every version that returns less than 100 percent. Strategy improves your long term results, but it cannot guarantee a win in any single session.

The same discipline you apply to holding the right cards should guide how you manage your session. Choose a budget before you deal your first hand, decide how long you will play and stop when you reach either limit. Do not increase your coin value to chase a royal flush or recover losses, and keep your gaming funds apart from money needed for daily life. Take short breaks to stay sharp, and end the session whenever the game stops feeling relaxing. Played with a clear plan, video poker is a satisfying blend of skill and luck, and the best hand you can hold is one that keeps your gaming firmly in balance.