Last Updated on June 24, 2024
Video poker is the low key favourite for many experienced casino players. But regardless of skill level, video poker is an easy game to pick up and even beginners can quickly start to see why it’s so exciting. Traditionally, video poker is seen as a simpler game than poker and appreciated for its bit of solitude as you’re playing against a machine rather than against other players. Famed for its low house edge, this game can offer more than decent payouts.
While originally played against machines in casinos and pubs, nowadays you can play video poker online. This of course also includes casinos not on Gamstop, and players in the UK will find that video poker is widely available at these sites.
What is Gamstop?
Those in the UK who have a gambling addiction can block themselves from all UK licenced online casinos via Gamstop, a free registration programme. Once you have signed up with Gamstop, you will no longer be able to play at online casinos that hold a licence from the UK Gambling Commission.
Online casinos that are not licenced by the UKGC are not affected by Gamstop and remain accessible. If you know you have a compulsive gambling problem, it is important to stay away from these sites.
How to Play Video Poker Online
If you want to play video poker online, it really couldn’t be any easier. All you have to do is to go to an online casino and sign up for an account. Then, make a deposit so you can partake in real money gambling. Common payment methods you can use include debit cards and prepaid vouchers like Paysafe. At gambling sites not with Gamstop, you can also use a credit card. E-wallets like Skrill, Neteller or Ecopayz are also extremely popular; they’re similar to Paypal except that they are just more widely accepted at online casinos. Some sites might even accept cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin.
From the casino’s lobby, you will find their portfolio of games. Video poker is often listed under table games. Simply select the game you’d like to play and you’re good to go. The games will sport varying designs, but they are all extremely easy to figure out. Usually you can play free video poker games in demo mode, but these won’t let you win any money.
What are the Online Video Poker Rules?
If you’ve played video poker before, you will find that it’s really all the same online. Once you start a game, typically by pressing the Deal button, you will be dealt 5 cards. Then you can exchange some or all of the cards to make a winning combination. It’s very similar to regular poker in that the best hand is a Royal Flush, followed by Straight Flush, Four of a Kind, Full House, Straight, Three of a Kind, Two Pair, and Jacks or Better.
The exact rules will vary according to the specific game you are playing. If you’re new to a game, you can usually find an Info or Help icon in a corner of the game’s screen. Click on it and you’ll get more detailed instructions.
We’ve also summarised the basic rules to the most popular video poker games for you below.
Jacks or Better:
The lowest hand you need to win is Jacks or Better, and the highest payout will be with the Royal Flush.
Deuces Wild:
The key here is that 2s act as Wilds, which can help you get a Royal Flush or another winning combination. However, a pair of Jacks is not a win as you need a minimum of Three of a Kind in this game.
Aces and Faces:
Similar to Jacks or Better, except that highest payouts are tied to your Face cards, which are King, Queen and Jack, as well as the Ace card.
Best Video Poker Casinos Not on Gamstop 2024
It’s not too difficult to find a casino not on Gamstop to play video poker online. We’ve put together a list of some of the best gambling sites not on Gamstop if you’re looking for video poker.
Bonus 225% up to:
£3,000 + 225 FS
Welcome Package
*Only for new registrations and only for their first deposit
Fortune Clock Casino has a great choice of video poker games like Deuces Wild, Joker Poker, Jacks of Better, Super Video Poker and a whole lot more. With your first deposit you get to double up your bankroll with the 100% bonus, and there are numerous reload bonuses and other promos after that. Fortune Clock is a casino not with Gamstop and credit cards are accepted for banking.
MyStake Casino has an amazing choice of video pokers. Whether it’s Joker Poker, Double Bonus Poker, Aces and Faces, Triple Bonus Poker, Aces and Deuces, and just about any video poker game you can think of, you will be able to find it at MyStake. This site is well designed and the rest of the game portfolio is also strong. MyStake accepts credit cards, Ecopayz, Skrill, Neteller, Paysafe as well as Bitcoin.
150% Bonus up to:
€6,500
Welcome Package
*Only for new registrations and only for their first three deposits.
Rolletto Casino is another site with an exceptional selection of video poker games. You’ll find Jackpot Poker, Double Bonus Poker, Joker Poker Kings, as well as classics like Jacks or Better, and Aces and Faces. Rolletto is a gambling site not with Gamstop. Payment methods accepted here include Visa, Mastercard as well as cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum. While UK players are welcome, the GBP is not accepted and when not using a cryptocurrency, the casino banks with Euros.
Rogue Casino is not on Gamstop and has a decent choice of video poker games. It covers all the basics like Aces and Faces, Jacks or Better, Joker Poker and Deuces Wild. The first deposit bonus is huge at 400% going all the way up to 2,000 Euros. Since the site is not with Gamstop, you can use Visa and Mastercard for payments. Other options include cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum, as well as Paysafe Card. They don’t accept the British pound, but the exchange into Euros is seamless with their banking.
£5,000 + 50 FS
Welcome Package
* Only for new registrations and only for their first deposit
Vegas Wild Casino is a good choice for UK players looking for video poker games not on Gamstop. The selection includes Bonus Poker, Deuces Wild, Joker Poker, Double Jackpot Poker and more. Of course their video poker games can also be played for free in demo mode. Vegas Wild banks with the British pound and you can use Visa and Mastercard for banking. After the generous 300% welcome bonus, there are big bonuses available for returning players, often well above 100%.
Tips to Win Video Poker
Casino games always involve some luck, which means there are no guarantees. Nonetheless, there are some tips and basic strategies to winning video poker. Some skills and practice can definitely better your odds for winning. After all, video poker is known to have the highest payout of all casino games. Below are some tips to win video poker.
- Practice is key. Play free video poker games available at online casinos and then start with smaller bets.
- If you have a winning hand, do not try to trade it for a better hand. Say you already have Straight Flush; don’t try to trade it for a Royal Flush. The odds won’t be good.
- The exception to trading up is when you only need one card to get a Royal Flush.
- Faces are high value cards and will give you more options. Although the Ace is a higher value card than the Face cards, it will be easier to form a winning hand with Faces.
How to Play Video Poker for Free
It’s certainly much easier to find free video poker games online than offline. Just pop by any online casino and you will see that you can give their games a shot for free. Some sites may require that you register for an account first, some not. The free games will be in demo mode though, which means you won’t be winning any real money. However, you can switch over to real money video poker as long as you have some credit in your casino account.
When you make your first deposit an online casino, you can usually claim a welcome bonus that will give you free chips to play.
Types of Video Poker Bonuses
Online casinos always have different bonuses and promotions happening, including casinos not on Gamstop. Most of these tend to be geared towards slots and you won’t really find a bonus for video poker specifically. However, below are some common online casino bonuses that will give you free chips that can be used for video poker games.
Welcome Bonus: Most casinos will give you a bonus with your first deposit. It’s typically a 100% bonus so it will give you the same amount of free chips as your actual deposit.
Reload Bonus: A deposit bonus for returning players, although it’s often less than 100%.
Cashback: Some casinos not on Gamstop will also have cashback offers that give you back a percentage of your loss.
Loyalty points: Sometimes called comp points, you get points for every real money wager you make and then you can trade points for bonuses.
Pros and Cons
If you want to play video poker at casinos not with Gamstop, will it be different from playing at a regular UK online casino? Below are some of the advantages and disadvantages.
- Credit cards can be used for deposits
- Many e-wallets accepted for banking
- Higher bet limits as well as deposit limits
- Good choice of different video poker games
- Regulated by one of the most respected gambling authorities
- UK problem gamblers will not be blocked
- Players not protected by UK gambling regulations
Non Gamstop Video Poker FAQ
Yes. The casinos not with Gamstop listed on this page will let you play their free video poker games. Note that these are fun mode, or demo games, and don’t pay out real money.
Yes. It is legal for UK residents to play video poker and other casino games at gambling sites not with Gamstop.
Popular video pokers like Jacks or Better, Aces and Faces, Deuces Wild, Double Bonus Poker and many more are available at sites not with Gamstop. Of course, different sites will have a different selection.
As always, it will vary with each specific game, but online video poker has a RTP that typically ranges from 97 to 99%. Double Bonus Poker is known for having the best odds and can have a RTP of 100.15%.
