Updated: 05/10/2024

Best Online Video Poker Casinos in New Zealand

Updated: 05/10/2024

Video poker merges two popular games – poker and slots – and combines them into one of the most exciting games at an legal online casino. We have researched and tested a wide range of video poker games in New Zealand to save you time and give you all the tools you need to secure big winnings. Video poker offers extremely competitive odds, but you need to possess skill and knowledge to take advantage of these.

Popular Games

There are many different online video poker games. Here’s a look at some of the most popular ones:

  • Jacks or Better – The most basic variant of the game is ideal for novice players
  • Deuces Wild – Deuces or twos act as wild cards. These can be substituted for any card in the deck, improving your chances of winning
  • Aces and Eights – Similar to Jacks or Better, but features higher payouts on four of a kind for Aces, 7s and 8s
  • Joker Poker – The Joker acts as a wild card, giving you more opportunities to get a winning hand
  • Double Bonus Poker – Based on Jack or Better, but with bonus payouts on four of a kind of 2s, 3s, 4s, 5s, Kings and Aces

Video Poker Rules

The rules of video poker are simple – you are dealt five cards, you choose which to hold and which to discard, your discarded cards are replaced and you are paid out according to the value of your hand.

Jacks or Better is the most well-known video poker game. It requires at least one pair of Jacks in your hand in order to start winning.

Most games are played with a deck of 52 cards. The rules are generally the same across all variants, with some subtle differences.

For example, in Deuces Wild the number 2 (deuce) is the wild card and stands in for others in order to form a winning hand.

The traditional poker hand rankings are used to determine the winners of the game. For instance, a royal flush (A, K, Q, J, 10, all the same suit) is the best hand and will pay out the biggest amount.

In progressive video poker, there is a separate jackpot exists which keeps increasing until one lucky player scoops the prize. When the jackpot is paid, it resets to zero and starts to build again.

How to play like a professional

Best Game Tips

Video poker is a skillful game, although you will need to put in plenty of practice in order to hone your craft.

The professionals would always choose a game that has a low house edge to increase their chances of winning. Free play options are a great way to familiarise yourself with the different games, so take advantage of these before spending real money.

There are lots of different promotions and bonuses available on video poker, and using these can give even more opportunities to win big.

Remember to take a break from playing at an online casino during each session to keep your mind fresh and never play the games if you are under the influence of alcohol.

How to win/Best Strategies

As with most casino games there is an element of luck to video poker, but apply the correct strategies and your chances of winning can be greatly improved.

Each game will have different winning combinations, so spend time learning these so you know what to do when you are dealt certain cards. Find a strategy chart that lists the card combinations and that tells you what you should hold or discard.

For instance, if you’re dealt only one high card in Jacks or Better, hold it and draw four new cards, or if you have a pair of 10s, hold them and draw three new ones. In Joker Poker, if you have the elusive joker in your hand always hold any four-card Flush without an Ace or a King.

There are numerous other recommended strategies to play in video poker, so keep your chart close at hand to boost your chances of winning.

Payout

Pay tables in video poker are displayed on the game, which makes it easy for you to decide which hands to try and achieve. Payouts are usually based closely on the following odds:

  1. Royal Flush – 250/1
  2. Straight Flush – 50/1
  3. Four of a Kind – 25/1
  4. Full House – 9/1
  5. Flush – 6/1
  6. Straight – 4/1
  7. Three of a Kind – 3/1
  8. Two Pair – 2/1
  9. Jacks or Better – 1/1

The majority of online casinos in New Zealand offer Jacks or Better with a 9/6 ‘full pay’ table. This means that if you were to get a Full House you’ll be paid 9/1, and 6/1 on a Flush.


Contributor

Kendall Y. Phillips

Kendall Y. Phillips

Responsible for exploring the gambling market and finding new local brands for our analysts and authors.

Interests: Casinos, Betting

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