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In general, Joker Poker is an easy game to pick up and master, especially if you’ve played Jacks or Better before.
Here’s a guide to Joker Poker basics, including:
As well as a few other tidbits that will help you make informed choices.
Joker Poker Rules
As we previously mentioned, Joker Poker is based on the Jacks or Better video poker format but plays slightly differently. Both variations of the game have different qualifying hands. A pair of Kings is the qualifying hand for Joker Poker, whereas Jacks or Better requires a pair of jacks to ‘open the pot.’
To illustrate how Joker Poker works, we’ve put together a mini step-by-step guide:
First, find an online casino that offers Joker Poker. It’s not as prevalent as Jacks or Better or Deuces Wild, so you’ll have to dig a bit deeper. Alternatively, you can select a site from our list to save yourself time and hassle.
Sign up for an account and make a deposit.
In the game library, select Joker Poker. Many casinos offer a demo version of their games, which can be a great learning tool before you play for real money.
Select the number of hands you wish to play per round. The provider may allow you to play one hand at a time or multiple hands simultaneously (5, 10, 50, 100).
Set your stake. Coin denominations typically range from 0.2 to 20.
Press Deal. You’ll be dealt five hands. The goal is to form the best hand possible. It is up to you to determine which cards you wish to keep (by pressing the hold button) and which to discard from the five. As far as the rules are concerned, you can keep all five or get rid of all five.
Press Draw. A new set of cards will be dealt in exchange for any cards you replaced.
Collect winnings (if any). If you have two pairs of Kings or strong hands after two dealings, you will be paid according to the paytable.
Joker Poker Payback Percentage
The house edge in Joker Poker — and other video poker games — varies depending on the format and provider in question. The full-pay variant of Joker Poker has an RTP of 100.64%, but this version isn’t available online.
The payback percentage of Joker Poker games offered in USA online casinos is around 99%. Both the Habanero and Playtech iterations are at 98.60%.
Hand Ranking in Joker Poker
Using the 5-card draw poker hand rankings, the royal flush sits at the top as the best hand possible in Joker Poker and the one that pays the most. On the other side of the spectrum is a pair of Kings — the hand that yields the smallest payout.
Most formats of Joker Poker use the following hand rankings, starting from highest to lowest:
- Royal Flush
- Straight flush
- Full house
- Three of a kind
- Flush
- Straight
- Three of a kind
- Two Pair
- Pair
Should You Play Joker Poker Video Poker?
There are few casino games with better odds than Joker Poker. If you rate games by their payback percentage, Joker Poker should be near the top.
In terms of Joker Poker vs. other video poker variations, that’s up for debate. A joker increases the chances of getting a high-ranking hand and adds to the excitement. However, some might find the reduction in payout off-putting.
Conclusion
There are many things to like about Joker Poker, but perhaps its most notable feature is its outstanding payback percentage, which is approximately 99% in most online casino variants. It’s worth noting, however, that while the wild card theoretically increases your chances of getting a premium hand, that doesn’t mean flushes and full houses will come flying around all the time.
FAQ
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