How do you play video poker?
Video poker is a casino game that blends slots with five-card draw poker. It’s fast, easy to play, and all about making the best poker hand you can from five cards. You’re not playing against other people, just the video poker machine. Here is a step-by-step guide to play this game:
- Place your entry
– Choose how many Gold Coins or Sweeps Coins you want to play with.
- Get your hand
– The game deals you five cards.
- Choose cards to keep
– Tap the ones you want to hold.
- Draw new cards
– The rest get replaced.
- Win or lose
– If your final hand matches a winning combo (like a pair of Jacks or better), you win
There are multiple versions of video poker, some examples include Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, or Bonus Poker. These different versions all have unique payout rules, which can typically be found before you start playing. So be sure to check this information to get a deeper understanding of the different requirements to win in each free video poker game.
Can you play online video poker for free in the US?
Online casino video poker requires real money and is banned or heavily regulated in most US states. However, you can play video poker legally in the vast majority of US states at sweepstakes casinos. Since these casinos use virtual currencies such as Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins instead of real money, they operate under sweepstakes laws. These laws are significantly more relaxed than traditional gambling and do not require specific licenses. This key difference means that you can find and play free video poker games legally in most US states at sweepstakes casino sites.
What makes the best video poker game?
When you’re playing
free sweepstakes casino games
like video poker, you want to make sure you’re playing the best versions of these games. Here are some of the most important factors to look for when selecting a game:
- Player-friendly payout tables:
Look for versions like Jacks or Better with full-pay tables (a 9/6 payout is the gold standard). Better payouts mean you get to keep more of your free virtual currencies on average.
- Simple, strategic gameplay:
The best games reward smart decisions, not just chance. You should feel like your choices matter.
- Fast, smooth interface:
Whether you're tapping on an app or playing in a browser, the controls should be smooth and easy to use.
- Bonus features or variants:
Unique game types like Deuces Wild, Double Bonus, or games with jackpots add excitement and variety.
- Leaderboards or tournaments:
Competitive elements like weekly leaderboards or poker challenges can be another way to interact with the game.
- Fairness & RNG certification:
Top-tier video poker games use certified random number generators (RNGs) to ensure every deal is fair.
Where can US players find video poker games?
Ready to test out a casino video poker game for the first time? Well, it’s important to find the right sweepstakes casino, as this can make or break your experience. I’d recommend using Real Prize, Stake.us, or Sidepot.us. Here’s why:
RealPrize - Play video poker with SC and redeem real prizes
Pros and cons of RealPrize
- Excellent Daily login bonus of 5,000 GC and 0.30 SC
- Fast gift card redemptions often within 24 hours
- Quality sweepstakes casino games from top providers like NetEnt and Pragmatic Play
- Seven-tier VIP program with increasing rewards
- PayPal supported for purchases and redemptions
- Small game library of only 200+ titles
- Live chat support limited to higher VIP tiers
- No dedicated sweepstakes casino app
Sign up to the RealPrize sweepstakes casino, and you’ll receive a sign up bonus of 100,000 Gold Coins and 2 free Sweeps Coins. You can also log in once every 24 hours to receive a login bonus of 10,000 Gold Coins and 1 free Sweeps Coin. There are plenty of other ongoing promotions to ensure you’ve always got the virtual currencies you need to play free poker games.
Moreover, you can use your free Sweeps Coins to play video poker online at RealPrize Casino. If you win more Sweeps Coins during this gameplay, they could be eligible for use in prize redemptions. If you have a fully verified account, meet the 1x playthrough requirement, and accumulate at least 100 eligible Sweeps Coins, you can redeem a real cash prize.
Stake.us - Claim an exclusive sign up bonus
Stake.us: Pros & Cons
- 1200+ casino games
- Safe and legit
- Cool promo deals
- Live chat support
New players at Stake.us can register using the promo code PROMOBOY to receive an exclusive welcome package. This offer includes a whopping 55 Stake Cash, 260,000 Gold Coins, and a 5% rakeback on your losses, providing a perfect kickstart to your experience. The main video poker game at this site is a Stake Original, meaning it has been produced in-house. Moreover, the game offers a coin multiplier of up to 800x if you land a Royal Flush hand, plus the house edge is only 1%, offering a high RTP rating.
In addition to the welcome bonus, you can also find
Stake drop codes for existing players. These codes are typically distributed on social media pages, chat channels, and the email newsletter. They can be redeemed on the official website for rewards, which can include free Gold Coins and Stake Cash.
Sidepot.us - Exciting new sweepstakes casino
Sidepot.us: Pros & Cons
- Generous welcome bonus
- Modern website design
- Wide variety of games
- Responsive customer support
The welcome bonus at Sidepot.us includes a whopping 10,000 Fliff Coins and 1 free Fliff Cash. This is a relatively new sweepstakes casino, but it is a sister site of Fliff, which is a well-respected and established social sportsbook. Sidepot brings a modern look and feel, with a website that is easy to use, making it easy to find the games you’re looking for. However, if you encounter any issues, whether they be related to games, account management, or anything else, there is a competent support team on hand to help. This team can be contacted via email, live chat, or social media.
How to register at a sweepstakes video poker casino?
The registration process is very similar no matter where you choose to play. This is also true whether you’re playing the
best video poker apps
or websites, as every casino tends to use a universal registration form. Here is a generic guide you can follow when signing up to a new casino:
- Visit the casino’s website
- Click Sign Up or Register.
- Enter your personal details (name, email, date of birth).
- Create a secure password.
- Confirm your email address via the verification link.
- Agree to the terms & confirm your location.
- Log in and claim your welcome bonus.
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How to find the best sweepstakes casinos to play video poker online?
Spotting a good sweepstakes casino site that offers free video poker games can be a challenging task, but an important one. Picking the wrong site could lead to you wasting a significant amount of time on a poor gaming experience. That's where we come in at Promo Guy. You can read all of our reviews to get the lowdown on the best sweepstakes casinos. The promotional banners on this page include some of the top-performing casinos so you can get started immediately.
However, if you want to do some of your own research, be sure to consider some of the following features:
Any serious sweepstakes casino will provide a wide variety of generous bonuses and promotions. These are essential to ensure you’ve got enough free coins to play the various video poker machine games on offer. Here are some of the most popular promotions to look out for:
- Sign up bonus:
All new players will receive a free sign up bonus on registration, typically including free Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins.
- Daily login rewards:
You can log in to the casino every 24 hours to claim free Gold Coins and/or Sweeps Coins.
- Referral offers:
Send your friends a referral code or link. When they join, you will be eligible to receive rewards that can include free virtual currencies.
- Social media giveaways:
Follow the casino on social media for the chance to participate in free giveaways and competitions, where you can win free GC and SC and other rewards.
- Tournaments:
Compete against other players in leaderboard competitions and tournaments to win a share of a prize pool. This can include gameplay on video poker games.
Redemption rules
A sweepstakes video poker casino is free to play, but you do have the possibility to redeem SC winnings for real money prizes. If you meet the casino’s requirements, then you could be eligible to receive one of these cash prizes. So, check the rules carefully and ensure they offer realistic rules. Here are some of the most important aspects to look out for:
| Redemption rule |
Description |
Industry standard |
| Account verification |
You must have a fully verified account to redeem prizes. This includes submitting proof of ID and residential address. |
Required at all legitimate casinos. |
| Playthrough requirement |
The number of times promotional Sweeps Coins must be played through before they can be used in prize redemptions. |
Between 1x and 3x playthrough requirement. |
| Minimum redemption |
The minimum amount of eligible Sweeps Coins required to claim a prize. |
Between 10 and 100 eligible Sweeps Coins. |
Moreover, the best sweepstakes casinos provide a diverse and efficient selection of payment methods. The most common payment for redemptions is bank transfer, but other options include Skrill, crypto, and debit cards. Average processing times should be between 1 to 5 business days.
Support services
The best sweepstakes casinos to play video poker offer a variety of support services that are available 24/7. The go-to support method for many players will be live chat, as it can immediately connect you with a support agent, so look for this as a top priority. However, other support options could include telephone, live chat, social media, and even help centers, FAQ pages, or detailed guides. Additionally, the support agents should be friendly and knowledgeable about all aspects of the casino, ensuring that your queries are dealt with promptly.
Final verdict on playing poker video games at sweepstakes casinos
To summarize, video poker games offer fast-paced, exciting gameplay mechanics that blend elements of slots and poker. These games can be played for free in a majority of US states, thanks to sweepstakes casinos. At these sites, you can play the game using Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins, which are obtained for free through a variety of bonuses and promotions. You can even use your Sweeps Coins to potentially redeem real cash prizes if you meet the site’s playthrough and eligibility requirements. The best sweepstakes casinos to find these poker games include Real Prize Casino, Stake.us, and Sidepot.us. I’d highly recommend checking one of these sites out today.
Get off to a great start with these sweepstakes casino bonuses
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2.
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Wagering (WR): 3x
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27.5 SC FREE and 57.5K Gold Coins
Wagering (WR): 1x Bonus
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100% matched Purchase Offer: 40 Fliff Cash FREE + 80,000 Fliff Coins
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Video poker FAQs
💰 Can I win real money playing free video poker online?
No, you cannot win real money while playing video poker at sweepstakes casinos. However, you can play games with Sweeps Coins, and any winnings generated can be used to redeem real prizes, including cash. However, you will need to meet various eligibility requirements set by the casino.
📱 Do I need to download a video poker app to play on mobile?
Not always. Most sweepstakes casinos are fully mobile-optimized, but some do offer apps on the App Store or Google Play. This gives you the option to pick based on what best suits your preferences.
❓ Can I play video poker with a free SC no deposit bonus?
It is not possible to claim a
free SC coins casino no deposit bonus, but there is a simple explanation. Sweepstakes casinos do not allow real money deposits of any kind, so no deposit bonuses do not exist. Instead, you can claim free Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins through a variety of no-cost promotions.
What other games do we cover?
At PromoGuy, we provide a large selection of guides for many different game types. This includes:
Daily picks from betting experts on odds boosts and casino promos
