Joker Poker Video Poker
Joker Poker is a fun, low volatility video poker variant because you can form winning hands easier.
In this game, an extra 53rd card (Joker) is added, which acts as a Wild and substitutes for any other card.
In our complete guide to Joker Poker video poker, find out how to play, where to play and what are the best strategies to improve your winning chances.
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How to Play Joker Poker
Like all formats of video poker, Joker Poker is easy to play. The action is based on the 5-card draw poker format. Instead of a standard 52-card deck, an extra 53rd card is added here: the joker.
This joker card is wild and can substitute for all other cards. The aim is to create the best possible poker hand from a deal and re-draw. The better the hand, the bigger the payout.
Winning Hands in Joker Poker
The hand rankings in Joker Poker are based on 5-card draw poker.
To form a winner, you’ll need to land a pair of kings or better. Here’s the ranking of winning hands, starting from lowest to highest.
- Pair of Kings or Better. For example, 2 kings or 2 aces.
- Three of a kind – Three cards of the same value. For example, three 7s.
- Straight – Five cards that have values that run consecutively. They don’t all have to be of the same suit. For example, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 of any suit.
- Flush – Five cards of the same suit. For example, 2, 4, 10, Q and A all of which are diamonds.
- Full House – This hand contains a 3 of a kind combination and a pair. For example, 3 kings plus 2 fives make a Full House.
- Four of a Kind – Four cards of the same value. For example, four queens.
- Straight Flush – This is a straight where all the cards are also the same suit. For example, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 of clubs.
- Royal Flush (With Joker) – A 10, J, Joker, K, A straight where all the cards are the same suit. Here, the Joker substitutes for the Queen.
- 5 of a kind – 4 cards of the same value plus the joker. For example, four 7s plus a Joker.
- Royal Flush (No Joker) – The best hand is a suited 10, J, Q, K, A combination with no Jokers. This is also known as a natural Royal Flush.
Joker Poker RTP & Payouts
Joker Poker’s RTP (Return to Player) rate will vary by casino and game provider. The full pay Joker Poker has an RTP of 100.46%.
This RTP higher than almost any other casino game, including Blackjack, Roulette, and slots. However, there are also versions where the RTP is as low as 95.46%.
Based on the full pay Joker Poker version, here’s how the payouts shape up.
Hand | Prize in coins |
---|---|
Pair of Kings or Better | 1 |
Two pair | 1 |
3 of a kind | 2 |
Straight | 3 |
Flush | 5 |
Full House | 7 |
4 of a kind | 20 |
Straight Flush | 50 |
Royal Flush (including Joker) | 100 |
5 of a Kind | 200 |
Royal Flush 9with no wild) | 800 |
Joker Poker Strategy
In Joker Poker, your decisions have an impact on the outcome. Using proper Joker Poker strategy can boost your winning opportunities.
The first rule of Joker Poker is to never discard a Joker. These can be very valuable, and you should never get rid of one.
Here are the full strategy charts:
What to Play if you’re Dealt a Hand Without a Joker
Dealt Hand | Hold or Discard |
---|---|
Royal Flush | Hold all 5 cards |
Straight Flush | Hold all 5 cards |
4 to a Royal Flush | Hold the 4 flushing cards, get rid of the other 1 |
Four of a Kind | Hold the 4 of a kind, discard the other card |
Full House | Hold all 5 |
Flush | Hold all 5 |
4 to a Straight Flush | Hold 4, discard the other card |
Three of a Kind | Hold the trips, and discard other 2 cards |
Made Straight | Hold all |
3 to a Royal Flush (with K or Q High) | Hold the 3, discard the other 2 cards |
Two Pairs | Hold the pairs, discard the other card |
3 to a Royal Flush (with Ace High) | Hold the 3, and discard the other card |
Pair of Aces or Kings | Hold the pair, discard other 3 cards |
4 to a Flush | Discard the other card |
3 to a Straight Flush (no gaps) | Discard other 2 cards |
One pair, Queens or lower | Hold the pair, discard the other 3 cards |
T,J,Q,K ( any suit) | Discard the other cards |
3 to a Straight Flush ( with gaps) | Discard other 2 cards |
A-K (suited) | Discard other 3 cards |
K-10, K-J or K-Q (suited) | Discard other 3 cards |
4 to a Straight (no gaps) | Discard the other card |
A-10, A-J or A-Q (Suited) | Discard other 3 cards |
Single Ace or King | Discard other 4 cards |
10-J, J-Q or 10-Q (Suited) | Discard other 3 Cards |
All Other Hands | Discard All 5 cards |
What to Play if Your Hand Includes a Joker
Dealt Hand | Hold or Discard |
---|---|
Royal Flush (No Wild) | Hold all 5 cards |
5 of a Kind | Hold all 5 cards |
Royal Flush ( including Wild Joker) | Hold all 5 |
4 of a Kind | Hold the 4 of a kind and discard the other card |
4 to a Wild Royal Flush | Hold the 4 of a kind and discard the other card |
Full House | Hold all 5 Cards |
4 to a Straight Flush with no Gap | Hold 4 and discard the other card |
Flush | Hold all 5 cards |
4 to a straight Flush | Hold the 4 and discard the other card |
Straight | Hold the straight |
Three of a Kind | Hold the trips and discard the other 2 |
4 to a Flush with A and/or K | Hold 4, discard the other card |
3 to a Straight Flush (with no gaps) | Hold 3, discard other 2 cards |
3 to a Straight Flush (with gap/s) | Hold 3, discard other 2 cards |
Joker with 10-J-K, 10-Q-K or J-Q-K (unsuited) | Discard the other card |
4 to a Straight (no gaps) | Discard the other card |
4 to a Flush with no Ace or King | Discard the other card |
Joker with 3 straightening cards | Discard the other card |
Joker plus an Ace | Discard other 3 cards |
Joker plus a King | Discard other 3 cards |
Joker plus 4 low value cards | Keep the joker, discard the other 4 cards |
All other hands | Discard all 5 cards |
Pros & Cons of Joker Poker
Joker Poker has a comparatively high RTP to most video poker variants. especially if you get your hands on the Full Pay version.
It’s a rare game with an RTP that can go over 100%, pulling far ahead of all casino games, including slots and table games.
- RTP is high
- Simple to play
- Element of strategy not found in many other casino games and slots
- Play at maximum 5 credits for the best prizes
The extra wild joker spices up action and makes for easier, more frequent winning combinations. On the flipside, certain hand combinations pay out less because of Joker Poker’s lower barrier of entry.
Overall though, you have a high-paying, action packed game in Joker Poker.
Joker Poker Alternatives
Joker Poker has almost no drawbacks, but getting your hands on the Full Pay version can be difficult in online casinos.
In case of no access to the Full Pay version, you can explore different video poker formats with higher RTP, such as Deuces Wild, Jacks or Better and Aces and Faces.
These variants are also simple to play, but maxing out your coin level per stake is a must for the maximum payouts.
Deuces Wild
Jacks or Better
Aces and Faces
Conclusion
Joker Poker is a simple take on Video Poker that only boosts your chances of winning without stripping away the original formula.
The extra joker in the 53-card deck makes it much easier to form winning hands. The game’s RTP is one of the best around, and Joker Poker is easy to get into.
As such, we recommend it to beginners and experts alike. Try it out in demo mode for practice or jump right into real money action.
FAQs
What is a wild joker?
Joker Poker is played using a 53 rather than 52-card deck. The extra card is a Joker. This wild card can count as any other card in a winning combination, from a pair of kings right up to a royal flush. The wild also makes it possible to form 5-of-a-kind winners which can be very valuable.
What is the Joker Poker maximum win?
As in all forms of video poker, the hand you’re really hoping to see is a royal flush. In Joker Poker, this pays 800/1 if you’re playing at the maximum 5 credits level. This natural royal flush mustn’t include a joker. Make a royal flush that does include the joker and the payout is still decent 100/1.
Is Joker Poker the best of video poker?
Joker Poker is one of the most popular forms of video poker. This is thanks to the presence of the wild joker which adds an extra level to the gameplay, by making it easier to form winning combinations across the board.
Can you play Joker Poker for free?
Most online casino sites give players the chance to play Joker Poker in demo mode. This allows you to get used to the game’s mechanics and also brush up on your strategy, without having to risk your own cash. Take advantage of this opportunity if you can.