5 Best Video Games That Let You Play Poker

One of the oldest and most popular card games in history is poker. Over the years, the game has undergone various variations and modifications. Meanwhile, non-poker-related video games have adopted various concepts and technologies from poker. A 2024 Frontiers in Psychology study explored overlaps between emotion regulation in video games and its use as a poker strategy. The findings are especially important in the wake of the rise of the esports industry since researchers recognize the importance of adaptive emotion regulation even in traditional sports.

The more competitive a video game player aims to be, the more likely they are to experience “tilt” — a state of emotional frustration or mental confusion — negatively impacting their performance. While seemingly a common occurrence among avid gamers, tilt can be avoided by managing emotion regulation. This is, of course, commonly practiced among poker enthusiasts and professionals.

Thankfully, there are lots of opportunities for gamers to learn poker strategies and concepts without leaving their trusty game consoles and devices. Aside from poker- and casino-exclusive games, many of the best video games across different genres offer poker minigames that players end up enjoying as much as the main game. Below, we’ll take a look at five of the best video games that let you play poker:

Grand Theft Auto 5

Rockstar Games’ Grand Theft Auto franchise has always been every gamer’s favorite getaway, an opportunity to pursue a life of crime without real-life consequences. The critically acclaimed and best-selling Grand Theft Auto 5 was a fan favorite thanks to the game’s many creative heist missions. One of the game’s most popular places to hit, of course, is the luxurious Diamond Casino & Resort. Aside from the high-paying heists, however, players can also visit the famed Casino on GTA Online to play three-card poker and make in-game money ($GTA). Today, fans are brimming with excitement at the thought of Grand Theft Auto 6 finally releasing this year—twelve years after GTA 5’s release in 2013. With the success of GTA 5’s Online mode, fans are dying to see what the new online lobbies will look like in GTA 6.

GTA 6 being set in Florida-based Vice City will also mean introducing a potentially new fictional casino chain. There have also been speculations about GTA 6 potentially using cryptocurrency for its online mode. If true, this could mean that players get to play with crypto in online minigames like poker, much like in real life. Online casino Americas Cardroom is a pioneer when it comes to providing players with various crypto options for deposits and withdrawals, creating a speedier and safer experience for players. It would make sense for the game to follow the lead of one of real life’s most prominent and groundbreaking casino platforms. If GTA 6 did join the crypto revolution, it would also be a huge moment in the evolution of the game and how Rockstar makes money in the crypto age.

Prominence Poker

Available for free on Steam, Prominence Poker is a card game where players from around the world can compete with each other — alongside some AI — to build rep, prestige, and bankroll. For casual players or newcomers, the game provides a semi-realistic online poker experience without risking real money. At the same time, the game allows you to customize your character to distinguish yourself from your enemies. This creates a wacky balance between competitive online poker gameplay as well as casual silliness in terms of the game’s aesthetic and general mood.

Set in the fictional city of Prominence, Prominence Poker players gamble their way up to a final showdown with “The Mayor.” Aside from the singleplayer story, players can also enjoy a multiplayer experience with regularly scheduled events, daily challenges, tournaments, and ranked modes. If you’re interested in trying real-life online poker and still need practice, Prominence Poker is a great way to get some reps in while still being competitive.

Far Cry 3

Ubisoft’s 2012 first-person shooter game Far Cry 3 is regarded as one of the better installments in the franchise, with a deeper emphasis on storytelling compared to its predecessors. Another loved aspect of the game, however, is its poker minigame. Despite being a minigame, poker plays an important role later in the game, including a side mission where you need to win $2,000 at a poker game to return $300 to a character. The minigame can be played at different difficulties, with higher levels having higher buy-ins.

The poker minigame in Far Cry 3 was so popular that fans wondered why it was removed from 2021’s Far Cry 6. While the sixth installment was praised for small improvements in gameplay and many memorable characters like Philly and the Maximas, many felt it lacked the high-stakes escapism that poker provided in Far Cry 3. Instead, players could take a break from the open world’s missions and play dominoes or participate in cockfights to make winnings.

Red Dead Redemption 2

Another Rockstar Games installment in this list, Red Dead Redemption 2, is highly praised for its immersive and rich open-world setting. Like other open-world games in this list, poker was a no-brainer minigame to be included. Playing poker and blackjack are some of the best ways to make money in Red Dead Redemption 2, alongside other activities like bounty-hunting, train-robbing, and treasure hunting. For players who may be feeling fatigued from the game’s action-packed missions and activities like robberies, poker provides a laidback break and a chance to win some in-game dollars.

Part of Red Dead Redemption 2’s commitment to immersion and world-building, players can scour the game’s large map for various saloons and poker tables. The amount of money you can earn depends on where you decide to gamble. For example, the $1 buy-in at camp limits the maximum profits you can win, while Saint-Denis’ fancier saloon provides a much higher possibility of winning big.

Yakuza Kiwami

Finally, starting all the way back in 2006, the Yakuza series is a wacky cult favorite thanks to its arcade-style combat and humorous storytelling. At the same time, the games are highly known for their equally silly minigames and side quests. 2016’s Yakuza Kiwami offered three different poker variations as minigames: Texas Hold’em, Pineapple Hold’em, and Omaha Hold’em. For those unfamiliar with the latter two variations, the game offers separate tutorials to help you familiarize yourselves. Yakuza’s poker minigame also includes the Royal Joker Card, which gives a boost to your next set of cards.

If you’re not familiar with the Yakuza series and would like to join the bandwagon, Yakuza 0 is a great start and is credited with popularizing the series among gamers in the West. While not as rich as most of the installments in the franchise, Yakuza 0 still retains the franchise’s tendencies for a ridiculous screwball plot and a host of quirky characters. Instead of poker, however, Yakuza 0’s minigames include Mahjong, Japanese chess Shogi, and various billiards modes like nine-ball.