Video Poker machines can be found in almost all casinos. But like many other games, a multitude of variants are available and it is sometimes difficult to choose the one you want to play.

That is why we have chosen here to present you the "Joker Poker" version, one of the most widespread in the World.

Inspired by the Jack's or Better variant, Joker Poker has just one exception that makes all the difference, as it's names indicates: a Joker is added to the classic 52 card game.


Rules of Joker Poker


--> After betting, you obtain 5 cards, which represent your first draw.

--> Among those 5 cards, you select those to keep or exchange according to what you wish to obtain (value’s chart to follow).


--> After the selection is done, your second and last draw appears. It is at this right moment that you discover if you won or not.

To win at Video Poker Joker Poker, you will at least need a pair of King.

Here are the combinations in order, accompanied by the amount of the potential gains and corresponding probabilities:


Hands Potential winnings Probabilities
Royal Straight Flush 1000 0,003%
Five of a Kind 200 0,009%
Royal Straight Flush with Joker 100 0,01%
Straight Flush 50 0,06%
Four of a Kind 17 0,8%
Full House 7 1,56%
Flush 5 1,59%
Straight 3 1,70%
Three of a Kind 2 13,3%
Two Pairs 1 11%
Pair of Kings and pair of Aces 1 14%
Nothing 0 56%

Optimal Strategy of Joker Poker


To increase your chances of success and the payout of the machine, a strategy needs to be employed. Whether you have a Joker or not during your first draw will change the way to play. Different decisions have to be made.

That's why we will present the Winnergambling optimal strategy with 2 charts and concrete examples.

The purpose of these charts are to help you make your decisions after the first draw. Prioritize cards to hold or pull depending on the situation (top to bottom) in which you are:


Combinations WITHOUT JOKER
#1 - Natural Royal Straight Flush, Straight Flush
#2 - 4 cards with a Natural Royal Straight Flush draw
#3 - Four of a Kind, Full House, Flush
#4 - 4 cards with a Straight Flush draw
#5 - Three of a Kind, Straight
#6 - 3 cards with a Royal Straight Flush draw, Ace high
#7 - Two Pairs
#8 - 3 cards with a Royal Flush draw, Ace high
#9 - Pair of Kings or Aces
#10 - 4 cards with a Flush draw
#11 - 3 cards with a Straight Flush, no gap
#12 - Small Pair
#13 - Unsuited TJQK
#14 - 3 cards with a Straight Flush draw and either of the following: 1 gap (5, 7, 8) or 2 gaps & high card (9, T, K)
#15 - Suited* AK
#16 - 4 cards with an open handed Straight draw
#17 - 3 cards with a Straight Flush draw and 2 gaps (e.g. 4, 6, 8)
#18 - Suited TK, JK, QK
#19 - Suited AT, AJ, AQ
#20 - Ace or King
#21 - Suited JT, JQ, TQ
#22 - Replace all cards

Note: "Suited" = of the same color.


Combinations WITH JOKER
#1 - Four of a Kind or better
#2 - 4 cards with a King high Royal Straight Flush draw
#3 - Full House
#4 - 4 cards with an Ace high Royal Straight Flush draw
#5 - 4 cards with a Straight Flush draw, no gap, excluding A/2/3, and 2/3/4
#6 - Flush
#7 - 4 cards with a Straight Flush, 1 or 2 gaps, including A/2/3 and 2/3/4
#8 - Three of a Kind, Straight
#9 - 4 cards with a Flush draw and 1 or 2 high cards (K/As)
#10 - 3 cards with a Straight Flush draw or Royal Flush Straight draw
#11 - 3 cards with a Straight Flush draw and 1 gap (e.g. 4, 5, 7)
#12 - Joker + Ace or Joker + King
#13 - 3 cards with a Straight Flush draw and 2 gaps (e.g. 4, 5, 8)
#14 - 4 cards with an open handed Straight draw (e.g. 3, 4, 5, 6 o 9, T, J, Q)
#15 - 4 cards with a Flush draw and no high cards
#16 - Joker + 6 or 7 or 8
#17 - Joker + T or 5 or 9
#18 - Joker + Jack
#19 - Nothing, only keep the Joker

Practical examples of Joker Poker

Case n°1:

Nothing very interesting here. After looking at the chart number 1 "Without Joker" and down in the list, you find yourself in the #15 position. We keep the Ace and the King of spades hoping to get at least a pair of Kings.


Case n°2:

Looking at the "With Joker" chart, we are in position #9 and keep the Joker and the 3 hearts to draw the Flush.


Case n°3:

We have here a three of a kind either the #8. So we keep the two Jacks and the Joker hoping for even better.


Case n°4:

#11 with a Straight Flush draw. We keep the 6, 8 and 10 of spade.


Case n°5:

In this case we flopped a Straight, but if we refer to the chart the Straight Flush draw comes in #5 to #8 for the simple Straight. So lets draw the Straight Flush!


Tip: Always bet the maximum possible on the machines. Nice jackpots awaits you if you hit a Royal Straight Flush!

If this amount is a bit too high for you, find another machine with a smaller denomination.


You are now ready to launch your career in Video Poker Joker Poker!


Also discover all our infographies to learn rules and strategies of the table games in less than 5 minutes for: Blackjack, Roulette, Baccarat, Three Card Poker, Stud Poker, Craps, Sic Bo, Casino War, Ultimate Poker and our guides on other games such as slot machines or video poker.


CasinosAvenue.com can’t be held for any losses, which may be incurred by any player, gambling addiction problems or consequences generated by their actions. The company provides gaming advices in good faith and recommends responsible gaming. Gambling can be addictive. Play responsibly. If you think that you might have a gambling problem, please go to Adictel’s website: www.adictel.com/en/.


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