Joker’s Wild Poker: Rules, Strategies & Expert Tips

In this article, I’ll introduce you to Joker Poker, also known as Joker’s Wild Poker, one of the most popular video poker games thanks to its exciting pace and frequent winning hands. The addition of a joker as a wild card means you can complete more winning combinations, with the joker showing up in roughly one out of every ten hands. The Joker’s Wild strategy is straightforward to learn, and I’ll include a strategy card to help you play your best.

How to Play Jokers Wild Poker

Jokers Wild Poker uses a standard 52-card deck plus one Joker, which acts as a wild card and can substitute for any card. This boosts your chances of making a winning hand, but keep in mind the house edge is usually higher compared to games like Jacks or Better.

• Expected Payout: Around 98.50%, which is over 1% lower than Jacks or Better.

 

• Two Main Versions: Kings or Better and Two Pairs or Better.

 

• Kings or Better: Offers payouts for a pair of Kings or a pair of Aces, making it the version with better odds if you can choose.

Tip: For the biggest wins, always play the maximum number of coins. If needed, lower the coin value so you can bet the max and be eligible for the top jackpot.

Unique Jokers Wild Poker Hands

• Natural Royal Flush:The highest-paying hand is 10, J, Q, K, A of the same suit, without using a Joker.

 

• Royal Flush with Joker: Still pays well, but less than a natural Royal Flush.

 

• Five of a Kind: The second-best hand, only possible because of the Joker. It beats a Royal Flush with Joker but is below a natural Royal Flush.

If you are dealt a Joker, you don’t have to decide what it represents. The computer automatically counts it as the best possible card for your hand.

Before You Start

Make sure you’re familiar with all the video poker rules and the poker hands for reference. Understanding these will make playing Jokers Wild Poker much easier and more enjoyable.

Once you’re comfortable with the basics, you’re ready to learn the best strategy for Jokers Wild Poker!

Jokers Wild Poker Paytable

Payouts for Jokers Wild Poker can differ between casinos and software providers, so it’s important to compare your options before playing. I recommend looking for games that offer the highest payout for a Natural Royal Flush, as this is where the biggest wins are found.

The paytable below shows a typical structure for the Kings or Better version of Jokers Wild Poker. Whenever you have a choice, I suggest playing Kings or Better rather than Two Pair or Better for the best odds.

You’ll notice that in Jokers Wild Poker, the minimum hand required for a payout is usually a pair of Kings or better. While some casinos may offer different variations, this is the most common paytable format.

Below, I’ve shown a typical Jokers Wild Poker game. You can choose the coin value. I’ve used a 1 unit coin in this example, meaning a total bet of 5 units since 5 coins are being played. If you play 4 coins, the maximum payout for a Natural Royal Flush is 3,000 coins, but playing 5 coins raises that payout to 5,000 coins. I always recommend playing the maximum coins to make sure you don’t miss out if you hit the big win!

Jokers Wild Poker Strategy Charts

To get the best results in Jokers Wild Poker, use the strategy tables below. The first table applies when you don’t have a Joker in your initial five cards. The second table is for hands where you’re dealt a Joker right away.

Here’s how to use these tables: Start at the top and move down the list. When you find a hand that matches your cards, hold those cards and discard the rest. This method helps you consistently make the best possible play for every hand.

Follow this step-by-step approach every round to give yourself the strongest odds of hitting a payout.

No Joker

With Joker

While the strategy tables above provide the best possible approach for Joker Poker, remember that every hand can be different. Some players like to trust their instincts and change their play occasionally. If you feel confident making a different move in a specific situation, it’s okay to adjust your strategy from time to time.

Terminology

• High Card: King or Ace. A pair of these will return your stake, so it’s usually worth holding onto them. Note: Because of the payout structure in Kings or Better, the value of high cards can be different from other video poker games.

 

• Outside Straight: Four consecutive cards where either end card can complete a straight. Example: 5, 6, 7, 8 (either a 4 or a 9 completes the straight).

 

• Inside Straight: Four cards with one number missing in the sequence needed for a straight. Example: 5, 6, 8, 9 (only a 7 will complete the straight).

 

• Pair: Two cards of the same rank. In Joker’s Wild, a pair of Kings or better is usually the lowest winning hand.

 

• Three of a Kind: Three cards of the same rank.

 

• Straight: Five cards in numerical order, any suit.

 

• Flush: Five cards of the same suit, any order.

 

• Full House: Three of a kind plus a pair.

 

• Four of a Kind: Four cards of the same rank.

 

• Five of a Kind: Four cards of the same rank plus the Joker.

 

• Straight Flush: Five consecutive cards of the same suit.

 

• Royal Flush: Ace, King, Queen, Jack, Ten of the same suit.

 

• Natural Royal Flush: Royal flush made without the Joker.

 

• Wild Royal Flush: Royal flush made with the Joker as a wild card.

 

• Draw: Discarding unwanted cards and receiving new cards in their place.

 

• Hold: The cards you choose to keep after the initial deal.

 

• Pay Table: The list of payouts for each winning hand.

 

• Wild Card: The Joker, which can substitute for any card.

 

• Qualifier: The minimum hand required for a payout (usually Kings or Better in Joker’s Wild Poker).

Jokers Wild Poker Tips

I’ve compiled these key Jokers Wild Poker tips to help you make better decisions and enjoy greater success at the tables:

• Always play the maximum number of coins to be eligible for the highest payout, especially for a Natural Royal Flush.

 

• Choose the “Kings or Better” version when possible, as it offers more frequent payouts than “Two Pairs or Better.”

 

• Use a strategy chart until you’re comfortable with the best moves in every situation.

 

• Never break up a winning hand like a straight, flush, or full house to chase a higher payout, unless you’re one card away from a Natural Royal Flush.

 

• If you’re dealt a Joker, keep it and let the machine use it as the best possible card for your hand.

 

• Hold pairs over single high cards, as pairs give you more chances to improve to three of a kind, full house, or even four or five of a kind with the Joker.

 

• Don’t chase every draw. Focus on plays with the best mathematical value over time.

 

• Check the paytable before playing. Different casinos and software providers can offer very different payouts for the same hands.

 

• Take your time with every decision. There’s no rush, so make sure you’re choosing the strongest hold for every hand.

 

• You can practice with free Jokers Wild Poker games right here on our site before playing for real money. It’s a great way to build confidence and refine your strategy.

Related Articles:

Jacks or Better Strategy
Deuces Wild Strategy