Microgaming Video Poker
Microgaming is one of the oldest names in online gaming, founded in 1994 and long headquartered in Douglas, Isle of Man. On UBET its video poker collection brings the classics into your browser: Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, Aces & Eights and multi-hand variants, all playable instantly with no download. The standout fact for players: video poker carries some of the highest theoretical return-to-player figures in the casino, with full-pay Jacks or Better exceeding 99% RTP under correct strategy.
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About Microgaming
Microgaming was founded in 1994 and is credited with developing some of the earliest online casino software. The company has been headquartered in Douglas on the Isle of Man since 2001, a jurisdiction known for its established e-gaming oversight.
Over the decades Microgaming built one of the largest content libraries in the industry, spanning slots, table games and video poker. Its games are licensed under major regulators including the UK Gambling Commission, the Malta Gaming Authority and the Government of Gibraltar. On UBET, the video poker titles from this catalogue run directly in your browser — no app or download needed.
Signature games and how they feel
Video poker sits somewhere between slots and table poker. You are dealt five cards, choose which to hold, and draw replacements for the rest — the final hand is paid according to a fixed table, from a pair of Jacks up to a Royal Flush. There is no dealer to beat and no bluffing; it is you, the paytable and the decisions you make each hand.
Jacks or Better is the purest form: a standard 52-card deck, pays out from a pair of Jacks or higher. Deuces Wild changes the rhythm by turning all four 2s into wild cards, which creates bigger, more frequent big hands but a lower floor on small ones. Aces & Eights and other variants tweak the paytable to reward specific quads. Microgaming also offers multi-hand versions, where you play the same held cards across several hands at once — faster action and swingier results.
What to try first
If you are new, start with single-hand Jacks or Better. It has the simplest strategy, the gentlest variance, and it teaches the core discipline of video poker: keep the cards that give you the best mathematical chance, not the cards that look nice.
Once you are comfortable, Deuces Wild is a natural next step for players who enjoy chasing wild-card combinations. Save the multi-hand versions for when you understand hold decisions well, because they multiply both the pace and the size of your swings.
RTP and strategy — the honest angle
Video poker is one of the few casino formats where skill measurably changes your expected return. Because payouts follow a published table rather than a spinning reel, the theoretical RTP can be calculated exactly. A full-pay 9/6 Jacks or Better machine returns over 99% with perfect play, and full-pay Deuces Wild can approach or exceed 100% in theory — though those exact paytables are rare, and real returns depend on the specific version you sit down to.
The catch is the phrase 'with optimal strategy.' Those high numbers assume you make the mathematically correct hold on every single hand; loose play gives a chunk of that edge back. Always glance at the paytable before betting, since a lower-paying version quietly reduces the return. None of this guarantees a win — variance is real and every session can lose. Treat strategy as a way to play smarter and stretch your bankroll, not as a promise of profit.
Fairness and licensing
Microgaming's games use random number generation to deal cards, and the studio operates under licenses from established regulators including the UK Gambling Commission and Malta Gaming Authority. The fixed paytables mean the return character of each title is transparent and verifiable, which is a large part of why video poker appeals to strategy-minded players. Set a budget before you play and treat it as entertainment first.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions
Is video poker really higher RTP than slots?
Yes, in general. Full-pay video poker titles like Jacks or Better can return over 99% with correct strategy, which is typically higher than most online slots. The key qualifier is that this return depends on playing the mathematically optimal hold on every hand and on the specific paytable of the version you choose.
Which Microgaming video poker game should a beginner start with?
Single-hand Jacks or Better is the friendliest starting point. It uses a standard deck, has the simplest strategy, and has lower variance than wild-card or multi-hand versions. Once you are confident with hold decisions, Deuces Wild and multi-hand variants add more action.
Do I need to download anything to play on UBET?
No. Microgaming's video poker titles launch instantly in your browser on UBET, so you can play on desktop or mobile without installing an app. You simply open the game and start playing.
Does strategy guarantee I will win?
No. Strategy improves your long-run expected return and helps you avoid giving back the game's edge, but video poker still involves real variance and any session can lose. Correct play is about playing smarter and stretching your bankroll, not about guaranteed profit.
What is the difference between Jacks or Better and Deuces Wild?
Jacks or Better uses a standard 52-card deck and pays from a pair of Jacks upward. Deuces Wild turns all four 2s into wild cards and uses a different paytable, which produces bigger and more frequent premium hands but weaker low-end payouts. The two games therefore feel quite different to play.
Why does video poker suit careful players?
Because your decisions genuinely matter: with correct hold/discard play, Microgaming video poker returns are among the highest on UBET — often above 99% on full-pay tables. The pay table on each machine tells you the exact variant and return; learn one variant well rather than hopping between them.
Can the RTP of video poker games change between casinos?
Some studios ship games in more than one RTP build and each operator chooses which to run, so a number quoted on the web isn't automatically the one you're playing. The authoritative figure is always the game's own information/rules panel during your session — check it there rather than trusting third-party lists.