Making Money Off Online Poker
Video poker is one of the highest-paying games in the casino. In fact, select versions offer over 100% payback.
But there are two catches with this high payback:
- You must play the right games and pay tables
- You need to learn proper strategy for a specific game
A casual poker player probably doesn’t think too much about how the casino makes money from poker. They come in, sit down to play, have fun, and (hopefully) go home with more money in their. Bovada is a popular poker online location for people from the U.S. It has a lot of opportunities for real online poker options for making money. It started out in 2011, and it has a real email and phone contact info so that you know it’s legit. People love the racebook and sportsbook options along with casino options, all from the same account. The bright and untouched 1# poker games to make easy money are poker tournaments. Low competition, colossal price pools and entertaining. Almost every poker player loves tournaments, and hence the pool is full of bad players who lose their patience which results in enormous return on investments.
The first point is crucial because video poker offers a wide discrepancy in payback, ranging from 93% to 100.97% (full-pay Loose Deuces).
Unfortunately, Nevada is the only place offering positive expected value (+EV). If you don’t plan on visiting Las Vegas, Reno, or Laughlin any time soon, then your next-best option is online video poker.
Bovada used to have a Joker Poker (kings or better) version that paid 100.05% payback with perfect strategy. But they modified the pay table to offer a lower payback percentage.
You’ll no longer find +EV video poker machines online. But there are still games that offer high payout percentages, including one with over 99.92% payback.
When you add rewards into the equation, you’re looking at close to 100% payback with the top online video poker games. Considering video poker’s volatility, you can win large payouts and potentially earn profits.
They key is to find the best games, though, which I’m going to discuss in this post. I’ll also go over strategy for these internet video poker machines.
Find and Play the Highest-Paying Online Video Poker Games
The easiest way to find the best-paying video poker games is to look at reviews on software developers.
Most online casino game makers serve anywhere from dozens to hundreds of casino clients. But each individual video poker machine offers the same payback across all these internet casinos.
For ExamplePlaytech’s Jacks or Better game offers 99.54% payback at every casino they serve.
I’ve searched dozens of online software providers to find the best games. And here are the top-paying video poker versions:
- Microgaming All Aces (Double Bonus) = 99.92% payback
- RealTime Gaming (RTG) 8/5 Aces & Eights = 99.78%
- Bovada’s Double Jackpot = 99.63%
- RTG 7/5 Aces & Eights = 99.63%
- 9/6 Jacks or Better (offered by many providers) = 99.54%
I’ll cover each of these games below, including their pay tables and how some of them compare to traditional video poker machines.
Microgaming All Aces Video Poker
Microgaming’s All Aces is the king of online poker in terms of payout percentage. This game’s 99.92% payback rivals many of the top land-based video poker machines.
All Aces is the same game as Double Bonus, which delivers bonus payouts for specific 4 of a kinds. But All Aces’ paytable differs by offering larger bonus payouts along with smaller prizes for full houses, flushes, and straights.
This creates more volatility than with a standard Double Bonus game because full houses, flushes, and straights happen more often than bonus hands.
But fans of chasing big payouts will appreciate the larger bonuses. And serious online video poker players will love the 99.92% payback.
Here’s the pay table for All Aces:
Hand | 1 Coin | 2 Coins | 3 Coins | 4 Coins | 5 Coins |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Royal flush | 250 | 500 | 750 | 1,000 | 4,000 |
Straight flush | 60 | 120 | 180 | 240 | 300 |
4 aces | 400 | 800 | 1,200 | 1,600 | 2,000 |
4 2s-4s | 100 | 200 | 300 | 400 | 500 |
4 5s-Ks | 50 | 100 | 150 | 200 | 250 |
Full house | 7 | 14 | 21 | 28 | 35 |
Flush | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 |
Straight | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 |
3 of a kind | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 |
2 pair | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Jacks or better | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
You can play All Aces at any online casino with Microgaming software. But keep in mind that Microgaming operates in regulated gaming jurisdictions.
This means that they don’t serve the US, South Africa, China, and a few dozen other countries.
The UK is a mixed bag in this regard, because some Microgaming casinos have chosen not to obtain UK licensing due to the 15% online gambling tax.
RTG 8/5 Aces & Eights
8/5 Aces & Eights is found in online casinos and certain brick-and-mortar venues, most notably Nevada.
Aces & Eights is a fun game that offers bonuses for four aces, four 8s, and four 7s. The highest of these payouts are for aces and eights, hence the name.
Note:This online video poker machine is less volatile than All Aces because the payouts for a full house and two pair are larger.
RTG offers the highest-paying variation of Aces & Eights. The 8/5 version is characterized by paying 8 coins for a full house and 5 for a flush.
Here’s the pay table for 8/5 Aces & Eights:
Making A Living Off Online Poker
Hand | 1 Coin | 2 Coins | 3 Coins | 4 Coins | 5 Coins |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Natural royal flush | 250 | 500 | 750 | 1,000 | 4,000 |
Straight flush | 50 | 100 | 150 | 200 | 250 |
4 aces or eights | 80 | 160 | 240 | 320 | 400 |
4 sevens | 50 | 100 | 150 | 200 | 250 |
4 of a kind | 25 | 50 | 75 | 100 | 125 |
Full house | 8 | 16 | 24 | 32 | 40 |
Flush | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 |
Straight | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 | |
3 of a kind | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 |
2 pair | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
Jacks or better | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
You can play RTG’s 8/5 Aces & Eights at any internet casino with RealTime Gaming software.
The good thing about RTG is that they serve most markets, including those that are notoriously strict like the US, Australia, and South Africa. I’ve even seen RTG casinos popping up that are marketed towards Aussies and South Africans.
In other cases, RTG leaves it up to the casino on what countries they restrict. One example is Intertops Casino, which restricts the US, France, and Portugal.
But most countries can take advantage of RTG’s 8/5 Aces & Eights along with its 99.78% payback.
Bovada’s Double Jackpot (160-80-80-40-20-8-5-4-3-2-1)
Double Jackpot is available at both land-based and internet casinos, although not in great frequency.
This game is like Double Double Bonus, because it offers special payouts for 4 of a kinds. But Double Jackpot has different bonuses along with unique kickers.
An example of the latter is that Double Jackpot’s top bonus payout is four aces with a king, queen, or jack kicker. Double Double Bonus’ top bonus is four aces with a 2, 3, or 4 kicker.
Bovada offers the best online Double Jackpot payback at 99.63%. They also have another version that delivers 99.36% payback.
Both payout percentages are good in the grand scheme of things. But you obviously want to play the version that offers 99.63% payback.
I’m going to cover both Bovada Double Jackpot pay tables so that you don’t get them mixed up.
Here’s the table for 160-80-80-40-20-8-5-4-3-2-1 Double Jackpot, which offers 99.63% payback:
Hand | 1 Coin | 2 Coins | 3 Coins | 4 Coins | 5 Coins |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Royal flush | 250 | 500 | 750 | 1,000 | 4,000 |
Straight flush | 50 | 100 | 150 | 200 | 250 |
4 aces w/ K-J kicker | 160 | 320 | 480 | 640 | 800 |
4 aces | 80 | 160 | 240 | 320 | 400 |
4 Ks-Js w/A-J kicker | 80 | 160 | 240 | 320 | 400 |
4 Ks-Js | 40 | 80 | 120 | 160 | 200 |
4 2s-10s | 20 | 40 | 60 | 80 | 100 |
Full house | 8 | 16 | 24 | 32 | 40 |
Flush | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 |
Straight | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 |
3 of a kind | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 |
2 pair | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
Jacks or better | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Here’s the pay table for 160-160-160-80-50-9-6-5-3-1-1 Double Jackpot, which offers 99.36% payback:
Hand | 1 Coin | 2 Coins | 3 Coins | 4 Coins | 5 Coins |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Royal flush | 250 | 500 | 750 | 1,000 | 4,000 |
Straight flush | 50 | 100 | 150 | 200 | 250 |
4 aces w/ K-J kicker | 160 | 320 | 480 | 640 | 800 |
4 aces | 160 | 320 | 480 | 640 | 800 |
4 Ks-Js w/A-J kicker | 160 | 320 | 480 | 640 | 800 |
4 Ks-Js | 80 | 160 | 240 | 320 | 400 |
4 2s-10s | 50 | 100 | 150 | 200 | 250 |
Full house | 9 | 18 | 27 | 36 | 45 |
Flush | 6 | 12 | 18 | 24 | 30 |
Straight | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 |
3 of a kind | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 |
2 pair | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Jacks or better | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
You can see that the top version offers the higher payback at 99.63%. This seems strange when considering that the second table delivers bigger payouts for most hands.
But the key difference is that the top pay table offers one more coin for a two pair. You have a 13% chance of being dealt a two pair in Double Jackpot.
You have a 1.1% chance of being dealt a full house, flush, or straight, which each pay one more coin in the second table. But your chances of getting the bonuses payouts are 0.16% or lower.
The result is that the top pay table offers a better payout percentage because of its higher two-pair frequency.
Note:Also note that you can play Bovada’s Double Jackpot at Bovada Casino. Bovada restricts many different countries, including Australia, Canada, South Africa, and the UK.
They do take American customers, except for players from Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Nevada, and New York.
RTG 7/5 Aces & Eights
As explained above, Aces & Eights is characterized by paying bonuses for four aces, 8s, and 7s.
The tricky thing about playing RTG is that they offer two Aces & Eights pay tables, including a lower-paying 7/5 version.
The only difference between the 8/5 and 7/5 table is that the latter offers one less coin for a full house. That difference leaves 7/5 Aces & Eights with 99.63% payback.
Here’s the pay table for RTG’s 8/5 Aces & Eights:
Hand | 1 Coin | 2 Coins | 3 Coins | 4 Coins | 5 Coins |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Natural royal flush | 250 | 500 | 750 | 1,000 | 4,000 |
Straight flush | 50 | 100 | 150 | 200 | 250 |
4 aces or eights | 80 | 160 | 240 | 320 | 400 |
4 sevens | 50 | 100 | 150 | 200 | 250 |
4 of a kind | 25 | 50 | 75 | 100 | 125 |
Full house | 7 | 14 | 21 | 28 | 35 |
Flush | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 |
Straight | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 |
3 of a kind | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 |
2 pair | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
Jacks or better | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
9/6 Jacks or Better
Jacks or Better is one of the most common video poker machines in land-based and online gambling. Many internet gaming providers offer this machine.
Jacks or Better (JoB) has a low-qualifying payout of a pair of jacks or better, hence the name. Most video poker machines start payouts at a pair of kings, two pair, or three of a kind.
The 9/6 version pays the most at 99.54% payout. A full house delivers 9 coins, while a flush offers 6 coins on this pay table.
If you can’t play the other games discussed on this list for some reason, then 9/6 JoB is a more-than-suitable alternative.
Here’s the pay table for this game:
Hand | 1 Coin | 2 Coins | 3 Coins | 4 Coins | 5 Coins |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Royal flush | 250 | 500 | 750 | 1,000 | 4,000 |
Straight flush | 50 | 100 | 150 | 200 | 250 |
4 of a kind | 25 | 50 | 75 | 100 | 125 |
Full house | 9 | 18 | 27 | 36 | 45 |
Flush | 6 | 12 | 18 | 24 | 30 |
Straight | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 |
3 of a kind | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 |
2 pair | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
Jacks or better | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Learn Strategy for the Best-Paying Online Video Poker Games
Finding the top internet video poker machines is only one part of the matter. You must also execute good strategy to earn the maximum payback on each game.
I’ll briefly cover how to learn optimal strategy on each of the machines discussed above so that you can win more money.
Microgaming All Aces Strategy
All Aces is like Double Bonus in terms of strategy because they have the same hands. But All Aces also differs with its payouts for bonuses and lower hands.
The best way to learn All Aces strategy is by using a training program. These point out mistakes as you play games so that you’re less likely to make them in the future.
The only place that I’ve found an All Aces video poker trainer is Beating Bonuses. Other free trainers only cover popular games like Aces & Eights, All American, Bonus Poker, Double Bonus, and Jacks or Better.
You can also buy a trainer, like Video Poker for Winners (VideoPokerforWinners.com) or WinPoker (Amazon.com). These allow you to customize pay tables, meaning they can be used to practice All Aces or any other video poker version.
Another option is to use a strategy chart for 10/7 Double Bonus.
This isn’t entirely accurate for All Aces because of the differing bonus payouts. But it’s still an option if you’re a casual player who’s just trying to learn the basics.
Here’s a 10/7 Double Bonus chart that can earn you solid payback on All Aces. Start at the top and scan down until you find the top hand worth keeping:
- Straight flush, four of a kind, royal flush
- 4 to a royal flush
- Three aces
- Straight, flush, full house
- Three of a kind (except aces)
- 4 to a straight flush
- Two pair
- High pair
- 4 to a flush
- 3 to a royal flush
- 4 to an outside straight
- Low pair
- AKQJ unsuited
- 3 to a straight flush (type 1)
- 4 to an inside straight with 3 high cards
- QJ suited
- 3 to a flush with 2 high cards
- 2 suited high cards
- 4 to an inside straight with 2 high cards
- 3 to a straight flush (type 2)
- 4 to an inside straight with 1 high card
- KQJ unsuited
- JT suited
- QJ unsuited
- 3 to a flush with 1 high card
- QT suited
- 3 to a straight flush (type 3)
- KQ, KJ unsuited
- Ace
- KT suited
- Jack, Queen or King
- 4 to an inside straight with no high cards
- 3 to a flush with no high cards
- Discard everything
RTG 8/5 and 7/5 Aces & Eights Strategy
You can practice both 8/5 and 7/5 Aces & Eights through multiple free video poker trainers. This means that you don’t have to purchase software if you’re only interested in Aces & Eights.
I also found a simplified Aces & Eights strategy chart that will get you close to optimal payback. But I suggest that serious players use a trainer to practice and get the max payback.
The following simplified chart should only be used by beginners who are learning the basics:
- Royal flush, straight flush, 4 of a kind
- 4 cards to a royal flush
- Full house, flush, straight, 3 of a kind
- 4 cards to a straight flush
- 2 pair
- High pair – Jacks or better
- 3 cards to a royal flush
- 4 cards to a flush
- Low pair – 10s or lower
- 4 cards to an open-ended straight
- 2 suited high cards
- 3 cards to a straight flush
- 2 unsuited high cards
- Suited JK, JQ, or J10
- High card
- Discard everything
Bovada Double Jackpot Strategy
Double Jackpot isn’t one of the most popular video poker variations. Therefore, it doesn’t have much strategy available on the internet.
9/6 Jacks or Better Strategy
Jacks or Better is available through both free trainers and has a full strategy chart.
I like using trainers and learning through repetition. But the 9/6 JoB strategy chart is an excellent option for new players who are completely new to video poker strategy.
Here’s the complete strategy chart for 9/6 JoB:
- Royal flush, straight flush, 4 of a kind
- 4 cards to a royal flush
- Full house, flush, straight, 3 of a kind
- 4 cards to a straight flush
- Two pair
- High pair (As to Js)
- 3 cards to a royal flush
- 4 cards to a flush
- Unsuited K-Q-J-T
- Low pair (10s to 2s)
- 4 cards to an outside straight with 0-2 high cards
- 3 cards to a straight flush
- Suited Q-J
- 4 cards to an inside straight with 4 high cards
- Suited K-Q, K-J
- Suited A-K, A-Q, or A-J
- 4 cards to an inside straight with 3 high cards
- 3 cards to a straight flush
- Unsuited K-Q-J
- Unsuited Q-J
- Suited J-T
- 2 unsuited high cards with king high card
- Suited Q-T
- 2 unsuited high cards with ace high card
- Jack only
- Suited K-T
- Queen, king, or ace only
- 3 cards to a straight flush
Does Anyone Make Money From Online Poker
Conclusion
The last step to making money in video poker involves ensuring that your online casino offers video poker rewards.
You won’t earn as many rewards as slots players, because video poker has much higher payback. But comps are a nice bonus in addition to your winnings.
The main two things, though, including finding the top games and learning strategy for them. You’re going to earn well over 99.5% payback if you do these two things.
The one downside is that Microgaming’s All Aces isn’t available to many countries. But almost everybody can play one of the other video poker machines covered here.
Making Money With Online Poker Reddit
With proper strategy on the right games, you won’t have to make an expensive trip to Vegas just to earn money with video poker.