Online Poker for Real Money & for Free

Are you searching online for the ultimate poker experience? That’s a commendable ambition because this table game is one of the oldest ones. Poker is over 200 years old, and it currently has millions of fans worldwide. Originating in New Orleans, this game has stood the test of time and has become one of the most beloved and enduring card games. This all-encompassing review is all about online poker. We will dive deeper into the basic rules, analyze the main types and bonuses, and review some tips that might help you get the most out of the gameplay. Get ready to dive deeper into the exciting world of playing online poker for real money!

What is a Video Poker? 

When searching for the best online poker in South Africa, you will see that video poker is available at any online casino. It’s a unique variation of traditional poker that combines slot machines and five-card draw poker elements. In this game form, you are dealt a hand of five cards on a screen and have the opportunity to discard and replace any or all of these cards to form the best possible poker hand. Your main goal in this game is to achieve a winning hand ranking according to the game's paytable. 

Video Poker offers various game variations, including Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, and Joker Poker, each with its own rules and payout structures. Beyond this, the game is a perfect combination of strategy, luck, and fast-paced gameplay.

Real Money Poker vs Free Poker 

Real Money Poker

Pros:

1. The chance to win cash prizes.
2. Higher stakes which can lead to more competitive gameplay.
3. Many online poker sites offer bonuses, promotions, and loyalty rewards.
4. Playing with real money on the line can motivate players to improve their skills and strategies.
5. A more immersive poker experience.

Cons:

1. The risk of losing money.
2. Stress or anxiety for some players.
3. Legal restrictions or regulations governing real money online poker in South Africa.

Free Poker

Pros:

1. Enjoy the casino games without any financial risk.
2. Easy access to players of all skill levels.
3. Learning opportunities.
4. A more relaxed and casual atmosphere.

Cons:

Free poker games need more excitement and motivation that comes with the potential to win real money.
It may provide a different level of skill development than playing for real money.

Can South Afrikaans Play for Real Money? 

It goes without saying that the most exciting thing about playing casino poker is the chance to win big. You can play poker online in South Africa at any trusted online gambling website. Many reputable online casinos and poker sites welcome players from South Africa and offer a variety of real-money poker games. You only need to register your account, top it up, and choose any poker variation you like. You can be a newbie or an experienced gambler - the choice is always broad. Nevertheless, the question of utmost concern is choosing a licensed and regulated online platform to ensure a secure gaming experience. 

Main Types of Video Poker 

Are you searching online for the best “online casino with poker”? That’s a commendable ambition, but first, you need to learn more about the main game types. As we have already mentioned, there are many casino poker games, each with specific peculiarities. Let’s briefly review some of them:

Deuces Wild

Deuces Wild is a video poker variation where all '2s act as wild cards. While some versions of Deuces Wild boast pay schedules with a theoretical return exceeding 100 percent (when played perfectly), they are rare. Instead, players often encounter more common pay schedules with a lower theoretical return. 

How to win at Deuces Wild 

• Master Basic Strategy - This includes knowing which hands to keep and discard when dealing with different combinations. You can use strategy charts or practice with free online resources to enhance your decision-making skills.
• Leverage Wild Cards - Take advantage of the wild '2s in Deuces Wild to increase your chances of forming winning hands. 
• Play Max Coins - Many Deuces Wild games offer enhanced payouts, particularly for rare hands like a Natural Royal Flush, when you wager the maximum number of coins. Following this tip will ensure you get all the valuable winnings.

Jokers Wild 

This poker variation has an added advantage as compared to other games. Here, the Joker can act like a wild card and substitute for any card you want. This unique attribute significantly enhances the potential for creating winning combinations.

How to win at Jokers Wild

• If you have the joker in your hands, always hold it.
• Only break up a winning hand once you have four cards to a royal flush.
• Get some practice before playing for real money. A free demo version allows you to test your skills before making real money deposits.

Double Double Bonus

It is an exhilarating variation of South African online poker that builds upon the classic game with added excitement and potential rewards. In this variant, players aim to form winning poker hands using a standard 52-card deck. The main distinctive feature of this game is its enhanced payouts for specific four-of-a-kind hands.

How to win at Double Double Bonus Poker

• Master Optimal Strategy - Learn more about the optimal strategy for Double Double Bonus Poker. You should know which cards to hold and which to discard in various situations. 
• Focus on High-Paying Hands - You should prioritize holding cards that contribute to premium hands, such as Four Aces with 2, 3, or 4 kickers, as these combinations offer lucrative payouts.
• Bet Max Coins - To capitalize on the game's enhanced payouts, always wager the maximum number of coins allowed per hand. 

Double Bonus

It’s a Jacks or Better poker variation with a bonus payout for four aces. The RTP of this game can reach 100.2%.

How to win at Double Bonus Poker

• Always play casino poker online with a strategy: You should understand which cards to hold and which to discard in different situations. 
• Capitalize on Bonus Opportunities - Take advantage of bonus payouts available in Double Double Bonus Poker by focusing on hands that trigger additional rewards. 
• Practice patience: In doing so, you will maximize opportunities and mitigate all risks.

Jacks or Better 

It’s one of the most popular online poker variations, where you win the game if your final five-card hand has a pair of jacks or better. Even this game has a few variations depending on the software supplier. Here’s the payout table:

How to win at Jacks or Better

When you see that you have four cards to a Flush or a Straight, hold all four cards and draw only one additional.
Always keep three cards to a Royal Flush (when you have them).
When you finally have a pair of cards, you need to hold them and draw three extra cards better.

Aces and Faces

It is a captivating variant of video poker that adds an exciting twist to the traditional game. When playing this game, gamblers strive to form winning poker hands using a standard 52-card deck. True to its name, Aces and Faces Poker offers premium rewards for hands such as Four Aces or Four of a Kind with face cards

How to win at Aces and Faces

• Always keep any pairs if you have them. Even if these are low cards, they can soon become more rewarding.
• Gamble on a Flush or Straight if you have four cards to one. Doing so will give you a better chance to receive a stronger payout.
• Control your budget and set limits on your bets.

Tens or Better 

This poker variation operates similarly to Jacks or Better and is renowned as one of the simplest games found in casinos. When you start playing, you must determine the number of coins you wish to wager per hand (from one to five). You should better begin with five coins, as significant bonuses are awarded for achieving a royal flush with a five-coin bet.

How to win at Tens or Better

Remember that low pairs don’t pay out a lot.
If you have nothing, you should better keep any Tens.
Always bet five coins.

Joker Poker 

In this poker variant, players aim to form winning poker hands using a standard 52-card deck. The game also has an additional Joker, which serves as a wild card. The presence of the Joker improves players' chances of creating stronger hands because it can substitute any other card in the deck.

How to win at Joker Poker

• Try to put together the most valuable hands according to the payout table.
• Choose the maximum bet (“Bet Max” or “Max Bet”). In doing so, you improve your winning chances.
• Avoid playing at a lower amount, as this strategy is ineffective in the long run.

Best Mobile Video Poker Games & Apps 

The most exciting thing about this game is that you can play online whenever possible. Almost all gambling websites are mobile-optimized or have a dedicated mobile app. Let’s dive deeper into mobile poker gambling and analyze how we rate mobile casinos.

How do we choose mobile casinos?

Before recommending this or that online casino, we conduct thorough research and evaluate various factors to ensure that only the best mobile casinos make it onto our list. We usually consider the quality and variety of mobile video poker games available, the reliability and responsiveness of the mobile app or website, the security measures in place to protect players' personal and financial information, the availability of bonuses and promotions specifically for mobile users, and the overall user experience on mobile devices. As you can see, our goal is to provide you with the most trusted mobile casinos!

Mobile devices you can play on

No matter what mobile devices you use, iOS or Android, mobile poker casinos are compatible with these platforms. You can use mobile websites or applications and undoubtedly enjoy a seamless gaming experience on your preferred mobile devices. By the way, the game quality is not compromised.

Mobile casinos vs. apps

Mobile casinos offer instant access to a wide range of poker games directly through the browser. As a result, gamblers are provided with flexibility and convenience without the need for downloads. On the other hand, dedicated poker apps typically offer a more streamlined and optimized experience, with enhanced graphics, smoother gameplay, and additional features. 

However, not all online casinos have a dedicated mobile casino app. More often than not, websites are just mobile-optimized.

The Basic Rules of Video Poker 

Are you eager to get started and play poker games online? That’s a commendable ambition as this game has many variations, so the most demanding users will undoubtedly find something for themselves. However, the basic rules are the same. Let’s briefly review each of them.

• Hand rankings
  Learn more about the hierarchy of poker hands. They usually range from the highest-ranking Royal Flush to the lowest High Card. When you understand the rankings, you can determine the strength of your hand compared to your opponents.
• Betting rounds
  When playing poker, you can call, raise, or fold based on the strength of your hand. This game involves multiple rounds of betting.
• Dealing and Discarding
  In many poker variations, including video poker, players are dealt a hand of cards, which they can then choose to keep or discard in exchange for new cards. 
• Winning Hands
  Different poker variants have specific rules regarding winning hands and payouts. Whether it's a pair of Jacks or better in Jacks or Better video poker or a full house in Texas Hold'em, you must understand the winning criteria.
• Showdown
  It’s the phase of the game where the remaining players show and compare their hands to determine the winner of the game.

How We Rate the Best Video Poker Games 

We aim to provide our users with the best SA poker sites that boast an impeccable reputation on the web. Therefore, we do thorough research to ensure our users get access to only trusted gambling websites. Here are the main criteria we consider:

Bonuses and Promotions

All trusted gambling websites usually have a variety of bonuses for new and regular users. We check what bonuses are offered, their terms, and wagering requirements.

Fairness and Security

We prioritize sites that adhere to strict fairness and security standards. We assess factors such as licensing from reputable gaming authorities, compliance with industry regulations, and using encryption technology to safeguard players' personal and financial information.

Real Money and Free Options

You know that some games have a free demo mode, a superb chance to test the gameplay and determine if it suits your needs. We assess sites based on their offerings of real money and free play options to cater to diverse player preferences.

Mobile Gaming Options

We want to ensure that games are mobil- optimized and you can play your favorite poker from any mobile device. The best online poker websites have dedicated third-party apps, so you can install them on your device and enjoy the benefits of mobile gambling.

Quick Cashouts

We also analyze sites based on their ability to provide quick cashouts to players. We want to ensure that winnings are disbursed promptly and without unnecessary delays.

Game Variety

Another significant factor we usually pay attention to is the number of online poker rooms. A diverse selection of high-quality video poker games improves the overall gaming experience and caters to players with varying preferences. We assess sites based on the variety of video poker variants, including popular options such as Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, Joker Poker, and more.

Quick Tips for Video Poker 

Now, it’s time to run over a few tips and tricks that might raise your winning chances.

1. Learn the basic strategy
   Remember that poker is a strategy-based game; it’s not like playing slots, where your success depends on pure luck. Examine the game rules and understand which cards to hold and discard in different situations.
2. Always Bet Max Coins
   When possible, bet the maximum number of coins allowed per hand. Many video poker games offer enhanced payouts. When you bet max coins, you can rest assured that you don't miss out on valuable winnings.
3. Take Advantage of Bonuses and Promotions
   You should prefer games that offer generous bonuses and promotions. These can provide added value and increase your potential winnings, especially if you meet the bonus requirements.
4. Practice Good Bankroll Management
   Don’t forget to set a budget for your video poker sessions and stick to it. Remember that good bankroll management ensures you enjoy extended play sessions without risking significant losses.

Poker Glossary