If you are a video poker enthusiast who enjoys Joker Poker, you will also appreciate the extra fun that Double Joker Poker offers. As the name of the game suggests, instead of playing with a single wild Joker, the deck contains two extra wild Jokers.
Having two wild cards increases your chances of winning, which is why some of the usual payouts are lowered. Even so, Double Joker is considered a rather fruitful game and many casino enthusiasts prefer this game to other video poker variations.
There are different variations of Double Joker, which means some versions have paytables with altered payouts. Naturally, this will affect the RTP and may potentially reduce your profits. This is why you must learn how to find the version that offers the best payouts.
When playing Double Joker, it is also important to use the right strategy. This is especially true when you have wild cards in your hand. Depending on the number of Jokers you hold, you should consult different strategy charts and coordinate your actions with the wilds you are dealt. This will help you enjoy a more lucrative game of Double Joker and boost your excitement.
How to Play Double Joker
If you are wondering how to play Double Joker, there is nothing to worry about. While the game is played with 54 cards because of the additional wild Jokers, the rules are the same as in any other video poker variation.
You start by choosing the size of the bet you would like to make. Usually, players can select the denomination of the coins so their bets fit their budgets. When playing Double Joker, you are advised to bet the maximum number of coins, which is five, because that is the only way to collect the bonus payout for a Natural Royal Flush.
Once your bet is placed, you receive 5 cards. Depending on the hand you are holding and the strategy you are using, you might want to discard some or all of your cards. Once you have decided, the cards you discard are replaced with new ones from the deck. If you land a winning hand, you will receive the payout that corresponds to the hand you form.
Double Joker Additional TipsA common additional bet that virtual players can make on Double Joker is the option to double their winnings after any win. If you decide to take advantage of this bonus bet, you will see a face-up card on the play screen and the backs of four other cards. Your goal is to pick a card that is of higher value than the one facing up. If you succeed, your reward is doubled. However, if you fail to beat the initial card on the screen, you lose your payout.
Double Joker Video Poker Gameplay
Double Joker Variations and Their Paytables
Many video poker aficionados enjoy playing Double Joker because of the high expected return the game offers. This, however, is true only for players who know which version of the game to play. If you want to know which Double Joker game to play, look for the paytable that provides the best possible payouts.
Full-Pay Double Joker
The easiest way to recognize whether a Double Joker version is full-pay is to take a look at the payout for Four of a Kind. If this hand pays 9 credits for a 1-coin bet, you have found a full-pay variation of the game. When using a perfect strategy, the expected return on this Double Joker version is 99.97%. This percentage is definitely good news for players who are on the lookout for a lucrative video poker option. The paytable for the full-pay variant of Double Joker is:
| Hand | Payout |
|---|---|
| Natural Royal Flush | 250 to 1 |
| Wild Royal Flush | 100 to 1 |
| Five of a Kind | 50 to 1 |
| Straight Flush | 25 to 1 |
| Four of a Kind | 9 to 1 |
| Full House | 5 to 1 |
| Flush | 4 to 1 |
| Straight | 3 to 1 |
| Three of a Kind | 4 to 1 |
| Two Pair | 1 to 1 |
Short-Pay Double Joker
While video poker devotees will benefit from playing full-pay Double Joker, they may often come across a version that has lowered the payout for Four of a Kind to 8 to 1. This may not seem like a big drop, but it significantly reduces the RTP, making it 98.10%. As you can see, your chances of a profitable game in the long run will be affected by the lower payout on Four of a Kind. The paytable for this short-pay variant is shown below:
| Hand | Payout |
|---|---|
| Natural Royal Flush | 250 to 1 |
| Wild Royal Flush | 100 to 1 |
| Five of a Kind | 50 to 1 |
| Straight Flush | 25 to 1 |
| Four of a Kind | 8 to 1 |
| Full House | 5 to 1 |
| Flush | 4 to 1 |
| Straight | 3 to 1 |
| Three of a Kind | 4 to 1 |
| Two Pair | 1 to 1 |
Strategy to Use on Double Joker Poker
Playing Double Joker simply for fun can be entertaining, but it is better to play while maximizing your chances of winning. For this purpose, you will have to learn the correct Double Joker strategy. The key is to consider how many Jokers you hold, because the strategy differs for hands with no Jokers, one Joker, or two wild cards. The number of Jokers determines hand rankings and guides your decisions.
Holding No Wild Jokers
| Hand | Decision |
|---|---|
| Royal Flush, Straight Flush | keep your hand |
| Four cards to a Royal Flush | draw one card |
| Four of a Kind, Full House | keep your hand |
| Flush, Straight | keep your hand |
| Three of a Kind | draw two cards |
| Four cards to a Straight Flush | draw one card |
| Two Pair | draw one card |
| Three cards to a Royal Flush | draw two cards |
| Four cards to a Flush | draw one card |
| One Pair | draw three cards |
| Three cards to a Straight Flush (open) | draw two cards |
| Four cards to a Straight (open) | draw one card |
| Three cards to a Straight Flush | draw two cards |
| Q and J, Q and 10, J and 10 of the same suit | draw three cards |
| Four cards to a Straight | draw one card |
| K and Q, K and J, K and 10 of the same suit | draw three cards |
| Two cards to a Straight Flush (in consecutive order) | draw three cards |
| A and K, A and Q, A and J, A and 10 of the same suit | draw three cards |
| Any two cards to a Straight Flush | draw three cards |
| No winning hands | Discard all five cards |
Holding One Wild Joker
| Hand | Decision |
|---|---|
| Wild Royal Flush, Five of a Kind, Straight Flush | keep your hand |
| Four of a Kind | draw one card |
| Four cards to a Wild Royal Flush | draw one card |
| Full House | keep your hand |
| Four cards to a Straight Flush (open) | draw one card |
| Flush | keep your hand |
| Four cards to a Straight Flush (one gap) | draw one card |
| Straight | keep your hand |
| Three of a Kind | draw two cards |
| Four cards to a Straight Flush (two gaps) | draw one card |
| Three cards to a Wild Royal Flush | draw two cards |
| Three cards to a Straight Flush (open) | draw two cards |
| Four cards to a Straight (open) | draw one card |
| Three cards to a Straight Flush (one gap) | draw two cards |
| Four cards to a Flush | draw one card |
| Three cards to a Straight Flush (two gaps) | draw two cards |
| Joker and 10 | draw three cards |
| Any four cards to a Straight | draw one card |
| Joker and 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or J | draw three cards |
| One Joker | draw four cards |
Holding Two Jokers
| Hand | Decision |
|---|---|
| Wild Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Five of a Kind | keep your hand |
| Two Jokers and Q+J, Q+10 or J+10 | draw one card |
| Four of a Kind | keep your hand |
| Two Jokers and K+Q, K+J or K+10 | draw one card |
| Two Jokers and A+K, A+Q, A+J or A+10 | draw one card |
| Four cards to a Straight Flush | draw one card |
| Three cards to a Wild Royal Flush | draw two cards |
| Flush | keep your hand |
| Two Jokers and 6, 7 or 8 | draw two cards |
| Two Jokers and 5 or 9 | draw two cards |
| Two Jokers | draw three cards |
Conclusion
For those who enjoy video poker with wild cards, Double Joker is a wonderful option. It resembles Joker Poker but adds another wild card to the deck, increasing your chances of landing a winning combination. The game is very entertaining, and for those who know how to find the right variation, it can also be very rewarding.
Despite the many Double Joker variations with less favorable paytables, the full-pay variant can definitely elevate your gambling experience and ensure generous paybacks over the long term. The good thing about playing online is that you can browse through various Double Joker variants until you find the best-paying one.
The strategy for Double Joker revolves around the number of Jokers you hold. This helps you determine hand rankings and make the best decision under different circumstances. Using the right strategy will help you increase your chances of a profitable game and will make your gambling experience more enjoyable.