If you are a video poker devotee who enjoys Joker Poker, then you would also appreciate the additional fun element that Double Joker Poker has introduced to players. As the name of the game hints, instead of playing with a single wild Joker, you actually have a deck with two extra wild Jokers.
Having two wild cards will expand your winning chances which is, of course, the reason why some of the usual payouts are lowered. Despite that, 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 that there will be options that offer paytables with alterations in the payouts. Naturally, this will affect the RTP and may potentially cause you a smaller profit. This is why you will have to learn how to find the option that will award you with 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. According to the number of Jokers you are holding, you will have to use different strategy charts and coordinate your actions with the wilds you are dealt with. This will help you achieve the most lucrative game of Double Joker and boost the level of excitement.
How to Play Double Joker
If you are wondering how to play Double Joker, then you do not have to worry too much. While the game is played with 54 cards due to the additional wild Jokers, the rules are just like those of any other video poker variation.
You start by choosing the size of the bet you would like to make. Usually, players have the freedom to select the denomination of the coins so that their bets can fit their budget. When playing Double Joker, you are advised to bet the maximum coins which is set at 5, as it will allow you to collect the bonus payout if you land a Natural Royal Flush.
Whenever you are ready with your bet, you will be dealt 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 are done with your decision, the cards you have decided to change will be replaced with new ones from the deck. If you land a winning hand, you will receive the payout that corresponds to the combination you have formed.
Double Joker Additional TipsA common additional bet that virtual players can make on Double Joker is to double their profit whenever they win. If you decide to take advantage of this bonus bet, you will see a face-up card on the playscreen and the backs of four other cards. Your goal is to pick a card that is of a higher value than the one facing up. If you succeed, your reward will be doubled, however, if you fail to beat the initial card on the screen, you will lose your payout.
Double Joker Video Poker Gameplay
Double Joker Variations and Their Paytables
There are many video poker aficionados who enjoy playing Double Joker and this is due to the high expected return that the game is offering. 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 bet on, then you have to 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 rewards 9 credits for staking 1 coin, then you have succeeded in finding 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 often might 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 will seriously affect the RTP, making it 98.10%. As you can see, your chances for a fruitful game, in the long run, will be affected by the lower payout on Four of a Kind. The paytable for this short-pay variant looks the following way:
| 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 might keep you entertained for a while, but it is much better to play knowing that you increase your chances of winning. For this purpose, you will have to learn how to use the strategy for Double Joker. The specific thing to know when determining your moves is to keep in mind how many Jokers you have in your hand. This is due to the fact that the strategies for a hand with no Jokers, a hand with a single one and a hand with two wild cards are different. The number of Jokers will determine the rank of hands and will help you decide how to act.
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 Joker 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, 9 | draw two cards |
| Two Jokers | draw three cards |
Conclusion
For those who find pleasure in playing video poker with wild cards, Double Joker is a wonderful solution. It resembles Joker Poker but has added 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 different variations of Double Joker with not so good paytables, the full-pay variant can definitely elevate your gambling experience and ensure generous paybacks in 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 are holding. This will help you determine the ranks of hands and make the best decision under different circumstances. Using the right strategy will help you increase your chances for a lucrative game and will make your gambling experience more enjoyable.