Joker Poker Video Poker

Joker Poker, also referred to as Joker Wild, is a Jacks or Better video poker variation with the Joker acting as a wild. This simply means that you can use the Joker to replace any other card on the deck for a winning hand. The presence of the Joker therefore means that you will be playing with a 53-card deck rather than the standard 52 cards that most online video poker games require.

How to Play Joker Poker Online

In Joker Poker video poker game you will be dealt five cards. Your main objective should be to keep all best cards so as to complete the best paying winning hand. Discard all cards that you don’t want. You can keep the cards you want by clicking the Hold button below the card or by clicking the card itself. Hold all the cards you wish to keep and then click the Deal button. The dealer will automatically discard and replace all cards that you did not hold.

Joker Poker Winning Hands

The winning hands in Joker Poker, starting from the highest to the lowest, include the following:

• Natural Royal Flush
• Five of a Kind
• Joker Royal Flush
• Straight Flush
• Four of a Kind
• Full House
• Flush
• Straight
• Three of a Kind
• Two Pairs
• Kings or Better

Joker Poker Hand Ranking

• Royal Flush: A hand with five cards of matching suit such as: A, K, Q, J, and 10.
• Straight Flush: Contains five cards of matching suit in sequence.
• Five of a Kind: Consists of a wild card and four cards of same suit.
• Four of a Kind: A hand made up of four cards of the same face value.
• Full House: Any Three of a Kind plus a Pair.
• Flush: A hand with five cards of the same suit, but not in sequence.
• Straight: A hand with five cards in sequence.
• Three of a Kind: Refers to a hand with three cards of the same face value.
• Two Pair: Two pairs such as two 6s and two Aces.
• One pair: Two cards of the same face value, but only if they are Kings or Aces.

Joker Poker Strategy

Joker Poker strategy is fairly simple to learn and master. Dealt hands fall into two categories: Those hands that have a Joker and those that do not. The following strategy will show you what to do when you have a hand with a Joker or without a Joker.

If you are dealt a hand with a Joker:

• Hold Three of a Kind or higher.
• Always keep four cards to a Royal Flush.
• Always keep any four-card Flush and four-card Straight Flush if it includes A, K, or both.
• Keep three cards to Royal Flush.
• Keep paying pairs of High cards (Kings and Aces).
• Keep any three cards to a Straight Flush.
• Hold any four-card Flush without an Ace or a King.
• Hold consecutive four-card Straights.

If you are not dealt any of the above combinations, discard all cards except the Joker. It is important you always keep in mind that the Joker is part of the combination that you are looking for. For instance, two 8s with a Joker is Three of a Kind.

If you are dealt a hand without a Joker:

• Hold four cards to a Royal Flush.
• Keep any three cards to a Royal Flush and four cards to a Straight Flush.
• Keep any three cards to a Straight Flush.
• Keep four cards to any Flush.
• Keep any four-card consecutive Straight.
• Keep cards to a Royal Flush if 1 of the cards is a King or an Ace.
• Keep unsuited Ace and King.
• Keep Ace or King alone.
• Keep two suited Royal Flush cards lower than Ace or King.

If you do not have any of the above combination, discard all cards and draw five new ones.

The Bottom Line

Joker Poker is a simple, enjoyable, and easy game to learn and is great for players of all experience. It's also one of the more simple variations that can be found in real world casinos and has a high payout % of around 98%. I recommend this for players who are getting a bit tired of classic jacks or better and want to try out a game that uses wilds.