Introduction
Joker Poker is a classic video poker game from Amusnet, the Bulgarian provider formerly known as EGT. It plays like standard five-card draw, with one twist: a Joker is added to the deck as a wild card. That extra card makes some hands easier to complete and adds one that isn't possible in regular poker, Five of a Kind.
The official specs stand out for a casino game: a 99.31% RTP and a volatility rating of 2 out of 5. There's also a chance to trigger Amusnet's Jackpot Cards bonus.
This guide covers how to play Joker Poker, how the Joker changes the game, and what the RTP figure means in practice.
Joker Poker at a Glance
Specification | Details |
|---|---|
Game | Joker Poker |
Provider | Amusnet (formerly EGT) |
Game Type | Video poker |
Deck | 52 cards + 1 Joker (wild) |
Release Date | 10 December 2014 |
RTP | 99.31% |
Volatility | 2 / 5 (low to medium) |
Max Win | 950x max bet |
Features | Jackpot Cards bonus, Gamble, Autoplay |
Platforms | Desktop and mobile |
Minimum Winning Hand | Not published; check the in-game paytable |
What Is Joker Poker?
Joker Poker is a video poker game, not a slot. You play against a paytable, not other players. Each hand, you get five cards, choose which to keep, and replace the rest. Your final hand is paid according to its poker ranking. Like the football-themed instant-win game Goal Mine World, it's a casino game that doesn't use spinning reels.
The Joker is wild, so it can stand in for any card to make the best possible hand. For example, three Queens plus the Joker count as four of a kind.
Because you decide which cards to keep, your choices affect your results in a way they don't in slots. In a slot like Torii Tumble or Bill & Coin, you can choose a bonus mode, but that choice doesn't change the long-term RTP. In video poker, the cards you hold do. For more on how different game types compare, see our guide to understanding casino game odds.
How to Play Joker Poker
Open the game in demo mode or at a casino that offers it.
Set your bet using the in-game controls. Bet limits are set by the casino.
Press DEAL to receive five cards from a 53-card deck.
Hold the cards you want to keep by tapping them. You can hold none, some, or all five.
Press DRAW to replace the cards you didn't hold with new ones from the deck.
Collect any win. Your final hand is paid according to the paytable.
Choose whether to gamble your win, or collect it and play the next hand.
Before your first hand, check the paytable to see which hands pay and how much. Our guide to reading a game's info screen before your first spin explains what to look for.
Joker Poker Hand Rankings
These are the hands that typically pay in Joker Poker. The exact order, payouts, and minimum winning hand vary between versions, so Amusnet's in-game paytable is the final word.
Hand | What It Is |
|---|---|
Five of a Kind | Four cards of the same rank plus the Joker |
Royal Flush | 10, J, Q, K, A of the same suit (a natural royal usually pays more than one made with the Joker) |
Straight Flush | Five cards in sequence of the same suit |
Four of a Kind | Four cards of the same rank |
Full House | Three of a kind plus a pair |
Flush | Five cards of the same suit |
Straight | Five cards in sequence |
Three of a Kind | Three cards of the same rank |
Two Pair | Two different pairs |
High Pair | A pair of high cards (many versions require Kings or better) |
Joker Poker Features
The Wild Joker
The Joker substitutes for any card to complete the highest-paying hand available. With 53 cards in the deck, you'll see it in some hands and not others. It's what makes Five of a Kind possible.
Jackpot Cards Bonus
Jackpot Cards is Amusnet's bonus that appears across many of its slots, keno games, and video poker titles. According to third-party reviews, it works like this:
Trigger: it can start at random, regardless of your hand.
The pick: 12 face-down cards appear, and you pick cards until you reveal three of the same suit.
The prize: the suit you match decides which of four jackpot levels you win.
Jackpot Cards is a progressive system, so its prizes grow over time. Our guide to how progressive jackpots work explains the concept. Whether the bonus is active depends on the casino.
That's different from the fixed jackpots in slots such as Wheel Big Winner Red Hot Spins and Frank Pantera, which pay a set multiple of your bet.
Gamble Feature
After a win, you can choose to gamble it for a chance to increase it, or collect it. Gambling has a random outcome, and you can lose the win you risked. Our guide to understanding social casino game odds explains how chance-based features like this work. The in-game rules explain exactly how the gamble works in this game.
Autoplay
Autoplay deals hands automatically. Check the in-game settings to see how it handles holds, and remember that in video poker, the cards you hold affect your return.
Joker Poker RTP, Volatility and Max Win
RTP: 99.31%. This is one of the highest RTPs you'll see on a casino game. Two things are worth knowing:
It's a long-term figure. RTP is calculated over a very large number of hands and doesn't predict any session.
It assumes optimal play. Video poker RTPs are based on making the best decision every hand. Holding the wrong cards lowers your actual return.
Volatility: 2 out of 5. Amusnet rates this game low to medium volatility, so smaller wins tend to come more often than in high-volatility games. For how the two figures fit together, see volatility vs RTP, or read more about what volatility means.
Max win: 950x the max bet, according to Amusnet.
Tips for Playing Joker Poker Well
Video poker is one of the few casino games where your decisions matter. No approach guarantees a result, since the cards are dealt at random. But a few basic principles help you play closer to the stated RTP:
Always hold the Joker. It's wild, so it helps any hand.
Keep hands that already pay. Don't break up a paying hand unless the paytable makes a bigger draw clearly worthwhile.
Know the minimum paying hand. If the game pays on Kings or better, a pair of Jacks or Queens doesn't win on its own.
Use a strategy chart. Like blackjack, video poker has mathematically best plays for each hand. Our blackjack basic strategy guide shows how the same chart-based approach works in another decision-based game.
It also helps to avoid the common mistakes new players should avoid, such as skipping the rules or playing without a budget. Every deal is still random; our guide to how RNG ensures fair gameplay explains why.
Joker Poker vs Jacks or Better
Feature | Joker Poker | Jacks or Better |
|---|---|---|
Deck | 52 cards + Joker | 52 cards |
Wild Cards | Joker | None |
Five of a Kind | Possible | Not possible |
Minimum Hand | Varies (often Kings or better) | Pair of Jacks |
Amusnet RTP | 99.31% | 98.45% (reported) |
Jackpot Cards | Yes | Yes |
Is There a Free Demo?
Yes. Amusnet's official game page has a Play Demo button, available after you confirm you're 18 or over. It's a good way to learn the holds and practise with the paytable before playing.
Our first-time player checklist covers what else to check before you start. If you're new to sweepstakes casinos, our guide to Gold Coins vs Sweeps Coins explains how free-play coins work at SpinSaga.
Who Might Enjoy Joker Poker?
Poker fans: players who like classic five-card draw poker.
Decision makers: players who want their choices to affect the outcome.
High-RTP seekers: players looking for a high-RTP game with low-to-medium volatility.
Jackpot fans: players who like the chance of a random jackpot bonus.
If you're still deciding which type of game suits you, our guide on how to pick the best online casino game walks through the options. If you enjoy decision-based card games, our guide to online blackjack rules and variations is a good next read. For joker-themed slots, try 3 Wild Jokers Carnival at SpinSaga, or browse SpinSaga's featured games.
Responsible Play
Cards are dealt at random, and good decisions improve your long-term return but never guarantee a win. Set a time and spending limit before you play; our simple session budget framework can help. Treat the game as entertainment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Joker Poker?
A video poker game from Amusnet, played with a 52-card deck plus a wild Joker.
Who makes Joker Poker?
Amusnet, formerly known as EGT.
What is the Joker Poker RTP?
99.31%, assuming optimal play. It's a long-term theoretical figure.
What is the max win in Joker Poker?
950x the max bet, according to Amusnet.
Is Joker Poker high volatility?
No. Amusnet rates it 2 out of 5 (low to medium).
What does the Joker do?
It's wild and can substitute for any card, making Five of a Kind possible.
What is the minimum winning hand?
It varies by version; many Joker Poker games need Kings or better. Check the in-game paytable.
What is the Jackpot Cards bonus?
A random bonus where you pick cards until you match three of the same suit, which decides your jackpot level.
Does strategy matter in Joker Poker?
Yes. The cards you hold affect your return, but every deal is still random.
Can I play Joker Poker for free?
Yes. Amusnet's official page has a free demo for players aged 18 or over.
Source: Amusnet – Joker Poker
