Video Poker Rules: Your Complete Guide to Winning Strategies

Video poker combines the strategic elements of traditional poker with the straightforward gameplay of slot machines, creating a unique casino experience where your decisions directly impact outcomes. At its core, video poker is played with a standard 52-card deck (or 53 with a joker in some variants), where players receive five initial cards and must decide which to keep and which to replace to form the highest possible poker hand. Unlike table poker, video poker is played against a machine rather than other players, with payouts determined by a fixed paytable that varies by game variant. The game begins by placing your bet (typically one to five coins), hitting “Deal” to receive your initial five cards, selecting which cards to hold or discard, and then hitting “Draw” for replacement cards. Your final hand must meet or exceed the minimum qualifying hand (such as “Jacks or Better”) to receive a payout according to the specific paytable. Mastering video poker involves understanding hand rankings, recognizing the importance of paytables, implementing optimal strategy charts, and proper bankroll management—all crucial for maximizing your return to player (RTP) percentage, which can exceed 99% in favorable conditions when playing with perfect strategy.

What is Video Poker and How It Works

Video poker is one of the simplest casino games to learn, yet it offers strategic depth that separates skilled players from casual ones. Unlike traditional poker where you play against other players, video poker pits you against a machine with a fixed pay table. It blends the strategic depth of card games with the solo, rapid-fire gameplay of slot machines. The game is played with a deck of 52 cards (or 53 with a joker in variants like Joker Poker) and is based on five-card draw poker.

When you play video poker, you’re essentially playing “normal poker”… but the payouts are structured differently, so the strategy changes. The objective is straightforward: get the best possible five-card hand possible from a draw of cards. Once you’ve placed your bet (more on that later), the machine deals you five cards. From there you must decide which cards to hold and which to discard, a decision that will greatly impact your final hand.

After selecting which cards to hold you press the Draw button to replace the discarded cards and complete your final hand. Your final hand is then checked for its strength, using standard poker hands. If it meets or exceeds the minimum qualifying hand (such as Jacks or Better), you get paid according to that hand’s value on the paytable.

Despite the fact that the name of the game contains the word ‘video’, this poker game is not limited to online play. Video poker can be found in both physical casinos and online gaming sites worldwide. Created in the 1970s, video poker revolutionized casino gaming by allowing players to enjoy poker solo. The first successful video poker machine was created by a company named Si Redd’s Coin Machines (S+CM), which later became IGT and is now the largest casino game developer in the world.

Video Poker Basic Rules Explained

Video poker rules are easy to understand and make the game enjoyable for players of all skill sets. The video poker rules we are about to share with you may differ slightly to the rules for some variations. At its most basic level, video poker is based on five card draw poker. The rules are really simple – the same as in keno or bingo – and usually in just a couple of minutes even a complete beginner can figure them out.

There’s no concept of bluff, no betting rounds, no need to analyze the actions of opponents and think about tells. Unlike games of pure chance, video poker offers some of the best odds in a casino. This is what makes this game so popular among gamblers, like craps and sic bo. The simplicity of the rules makes it accessible and less intimidating, especially for new players.

Here’s the absolute basics to get you started:

1. You place a bet (select your coin denomination and number of coins)
2. You’re dealt five random cards
3. You decide which cards to hold and which to discard
4. You hit “Draw” to replace discarded cards
5. Your final hand is evaluated against the paytable
6. If your hand meets the minimum qualifying hand, you get paid

One critical aspect of video poker that many beginners don’t understand is that your decisions affect the RTP (Return to Player). Unlike slots where outcomes are purely random, video poker gives you agency to influence the results. This is why learning video poker strategy matters—it can cut the casino edge to less than 1% in some variants.

Step-by-Step Gameplay

Step 1: Select Your Bet Size

Before you receive any cards, you need to set your bet. First, you must place your bet, with the option to wager one to five coins of your desired denomination per round. Video poker uses credits (or coins), and you’ll choose both the value of each credit and how many to bet (up to five).

You select the bet size (in this case, we bet A$1) and click Deal. If you’re comfortable with a $5 bet, then pick a $1 machine and play at Max Bet for $5. This is important because betting maximum coins is crucial in video poker as it unlocks the top payout for high value hands like the Royal Flush. A royal flush pays out at a much higher rate when you wager five coins compared to one to four coins.

Most machines use a credit-based system (e.g., $0.25 per credit). Smart players pick the betting level they are comfortable with and choose their game accordingly. If you plan to try playing 5 coins per round, be sure to play responsibly by reducing your coin value.

Step 2: Deal Your First Cards

Once you’ve set your bet, click Deal to receive your initial five cards. Pressing the deal button triggers the random number generator (RNG), which instantly selects five cards from a standard 52-card deck (or 53 with a joker in variants like Joker Poker). The initial draw in video poker sets the tone for the rest of the game.

In the deal image above, the five cards are dealt and you have the option to hold zero to all five cards, as indicated by the highlighted Hold buttons. You’ll then get the option to hold zero to five cards in preparation for the draw. This is the strategic part of video poker as it requires you to think through your decisions carefully.

Step 3: Choosing Cards to Hold

After receiving your initial hand, you must decide which cards to keep. This is the most critical decision point in video poker. The ideal decision on which cards to keep depends on your optimal strategy chart for that variant.

You hold on to the cards by tapping the chosen card’s pictures on the screen. You then determine the cards to hold on to and which cards to get rid of. Note that you don’t have to hold any cards if you don’t want to. At this stage, you’ll have the option to choose which cards you want to hold for the draw.

Choosing which cards to hold is a critical decision in video poker. This directly affects the RTP. Your video poker strategy is greatly dependent on understanding which cards to keep. Each decision in the draw phase depends on recognizing the strength of your current five-card hand and comparing it to the payouts listed in the paytable.

Some key principles when holding cards:

• Always hold royal flushes and straight flushes
• Consider the number of cards toward potential high-paying hands
• Balance current winning hands against potential higher-paying ones
• Understand how the paytable affects your optimal play
• Remember that some small changes in the paytable can completely change your strategy

Step 4: Draw New Cards

Once you’ve selected your cards, you need to hit the Draw button. After you press “Draw” to replace discarded cards, the machine deals replacements, and if your final hand matches a winning combination in the paytable, you get paid according to that hand’s value.

All cards except those you’ve held will be replaced with new ones from the deck. In the draw, your held cards remain in place and unheld cards are replaced with new ones from the deck. Here, the Hold ribbon across the cards means the two 5s are being held for the upcoming draw. In the draw image above, you can see that the two 5s are still there, but the other three cards have been replaced with new ones.

Step 5: Outcome & Payout

Once the draw is complete, your final hand determines your payout. You’ll be automatically paid according to the paytable. If you’ve managed to land a winning poker hand, your payout will be shown in the Win box at the top right and added to your balance automatically.

If your hand matches a winning combination (like a pair of jacks, three of a kind, or a full house), the game will instantly pay out your winnings. The player’s hand must meet or exceed the minimum qualifying hand of the machine to pay out. For example, in Jacks or Better, the minimum qualifying hand is a pair of Jacks or better.

Your final hand is automatically compared to the game’s pay table. If winning good money is your motivation, always avoid machines that provide low paytables. Generally, a good machine will offer a better yield. The 99.54% is closer to a full play, making it a better option.

Video Poker Hand Rankings

Video poker uses the standard poker hand rankings. Understanding hand rankings is critical as various hands pay different returns. The ultimate object is to create the highest hand, based on traditional poker rankings. Below are the standard poker hand rankings from highest to lowest:

In most standard video poker games like Jacks or Better, the lowest paying hand is a single pair of Jacks, Queens, Kings, or Aces. The weakest possible winning combination in such games is usually Three of a Kind, or occasionally a pair of Kings or Aces.

However, different variants have different minimum qualifying hands:

• Jacks or Better: Pair of Jacks or better
• Tens or Better: Pair of Tens or better
• Deuces Wild: Three of a kind (since 2s are wild)
• Joker Poker: Pair of Kings or better

It’s important to note that royal flush is the best hand in Deuces Wild video poker with an 800x payoff on a 1-coin bet. And the only way to get five cards of the same value is by using a wild card to stand in for the fifth card, such as the joker card in Joker Poker or any 2 in Deuces Wild.

Understanding the Paytable and Payouts

The pay table is one of the most important bits of information you get about a video poker game. Every video poker game has a unique payout table, and understanding these tables is key to knowing how much you can win. The paytable shows the payout for each winning hand, from a pair of jacks or better all the way up to a royal flush.

How to Read a Paytable

When you look at a video poker paytable, you’ll see payouts for different hand combinations across 1 to 5 coins bet. The critical thing to understand is that small differences in payout amounts can dramatically affect the game’s expected return.

For example, a standard 9/6 Jacks or Better paytable pays 9 credits for a Full House and 6 for a Flush. This seemingly small difference is crucial because:

• A 9/6 machine has an RTP of 99.54% with perfect strategy
• An 8/5 machine drops to approximately 97.30%
• A 6/5 machine plummets to around 95%

Understanding whether you’re on a full pay or short pay version can mean the difference between a theoretical RTP of 99% and one closer to 96%, which adds up over time. Two cards of one rank, two of another rank, plus one unrelated card. For example, if a Jacks or Better machine pays 8 coins for a full house instead of 9, it’s no longer full pay and the RTP drops significantly.

The numbers in the royal flush row (250/500) indicate that a 1-4 coin bet pays 250x your bet, while a 5-coin bet pays 500x. This structure makes it clear why betting max coins is usually recommended — it maximizes the player return percentage for the top prize. In fact, all Video Poker variations rank hands the same, though a given variation may add an extra rank or two.

Why Paytable Differences Matter

Some people don’t realize how dramatically paytable differences affect your bottom line. For instance, if we’re playing A$1 video poker with 1 hand:

• 9/6 machine: Expected loss of $0.46 per $100 wagered
• 8/5 machine: Expected loss of $2.70 per $100 wagered
• 6/5 machine: Expected loss of $5.00 per $100 wagered

This means the 8/5 machine is nearly 6x worse than 9/6, and the 6/5 is more than 10x worse. Many casinos have tens of different types of video poker on offer, all based around the same core gameplay, but the paytables vary significantly.

Reading the Paytable in Practice

Let’s look at a practical example. The pair of kings qualifies as a Jacks or Better hand, which you can see highlighted in the paytable along with its payout of 1x your coin value. This means if you’re playing a $1 denomination machine and you hit a pair of kings, you’ll win $1 (for a 1-coin bet).

In Jacks or Better, the bet amount per coin is in the bottom right corner. You insert credits, select your bet, and hit “Deal” to receive a hand. If your second hand forms a winning combination, you will receive a payout that will be determined by the rank of your hand and the size of your bet.

Below are example payout tables for four popular video poker variations. Each chart lists what each winning hand pays based on how many coins you’ve wagered (1-5). Remember, it’s almost always best to play max coins to maximize potential returns, especially for royal flushes where the 5-coin payout is disproportionately higher.

Popular Video Poker Variants

Video poker comes in a variety of different forms, each with unique rules, payout structures, and therefore strategies. There are many different video poker machines available to choose from, but most are based on the same core gameplay with slight variations.

Jacks or Better vs Deuces Wild: Key Differences

When starting out, you’ll encounter two primary types of video poker: those with wild cards and those without. The main difference is:

The difference between Jacks or Better and Deuces Wild is substantial. In Deuces Wild, all 2s (deuces) are wild cards, meaning they can substitute for any other card. This significantly increases your chances of getting high-ranking hands like a straight or four of a kind. However, to balance this advantage, the paytable is adjusted – you no longer get paid for pairs, as they’re too easy to make with wild cards in play.

Another fundamental principle for excelling in this game is mastering hand rankings, as various hands pay different returns. Paytable influences the game RTP, which in turn affects the playing strategy. It is a crucial element of the game as it determines your expected return per hand and betting strategy.

Jacks or Better: The Classic Video Poker Game

Jacks or Better is the most popular and straightforward video poker variant. Jacks or Better is widely considered to be the standard video poker version, and it’s the one you’ll probably play first. It’s named after the unique video poker hand that pays if you land a pair of jacks or better.

This variant appeals to players who are looking for a more balanced approach with moderately frequent wins. The Jacks or Better variant (or paytable) is considered the standard, so if you see this game at online casinos, know that it’s a video poker variant. If you’re looking to make your money last during your time in the casino while playing a fun and enjoyable game, you should look for the games with the highest RTP rates and the lowest variance.

Jacks or Better Rules & Strategy

Jacks or Better has no wild cards and rewards a pair of Jacks or higher. The standard ranking of poker hands applies, but winning combinations may differ from variation to variation. The goal remains simple: get the best possible hand to win based on a fixed pay table.

In the classic Jacks or Better rules, the lowest paying hand is a single pair of Jacks, Queens, Kings, or Aces. The next hands are Three of a Kind, which consists of three cards of the same denomination, and Two Pair, where you have two pairs—for instance, two deuces and two Aces. The third-strongest hand is Four of a Kind, where you have four cards of the same denomination, for example, four deuces.

For Jacks or Better players, the best strategy would be:

1. Always hold royal flushes
2. Hold any four card royal flushes
3. Hold straight flushes
4. Hold any four card straight flushes
5. Hold three card royal flushes

Optimal Playing Strategy for Jacks or Better

The simple answer to the question of whether poker is a game of skill or luck is that it’s both. In fact, many land-based casinos have got terminals upon terminals lined up. For my 200-hand test of video poker, I played the standard Jacks or Better variant with a 6/9 full paytable and an RTP of 99.54%.

The Simple Strategy has 13 rules to follow and gives players a 99.46% RTP rate, whereas the Advanced Strategy has 28 rules and gives players a 99.54% RTP rate. This is why it is a good idea to look at the differences in the pay tables before you sit down to play, particularly if you’re just making the minimum bet.

Always use the Max Bet button when playing Jacks or Better. The reason is simple: on video poker machines, the payout for a royal flush is not 250 for 1 when playing one coin. Instead, it’s 250 for each coin wagered up to four coins, but 800 for five coins. This special bonus is what drives the RTP for many full-pay machines to over 99%, making it the single most important rule to follow.

Deuces Wild: Rules and Strategy

Deuces Wild is one of the most popular video poker variants, particularly among players who enjoy the element of wild cards. Like Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild poker uses the same mechanics as Jacks or Better, but all 2s are wild cards. As the name suggests, all 2s that appear are wild. This means they can be used to replace any other card in the deck to complete high-paying hands.

This wild card mechanic significantly changes the game in several important ways:

• The lowest paying hand is now Three of a Kind (since pairs are too easy to make)
• Royal Flushes become “Wild Royal Flushes” and pay less (25x instead of 800x)
• Five of a Kind becomes a possible winning hand
• Some hands like full houses and flushes pay less due to higher frequency
• The strategy becomes more complex

Deuces Wild Paytable Comparison

In Deuces Wild, the paytable structure differs significantly from Jacks or Better. Below is a comparison of a full-pay Deuces Wild machine versus a common short-pay version:

Understanding Deuces Wild Video Poker Basics: One critical point that many beginners miss is that hitting “max bet” doesn’t increase your royal flush payout like in other games. The highest payout is for four deuces (natural), which pays 200x with a max-coin bet (800x on some rare machines). Your goal in Deuces Wild is often to chase that four-deuce hand.

Deuces Wild Strategy Principles

Deuces Wild plays completely differently from Jacks or Better because all 2s are wild, so your decisions matter a lot. Below are the core principles of Deuces Wild strategy:

1. Strategy with Four Deuces: Hold four deuces and discard the fifth card since four deuces are strong pat hands with 200x return. This is the highest-paying hand in the game.
2. Strategy with Three Deuces: Always hold three deuces. If you have completed a five of a kind or straight flush, hold all five cards. Otherwise, discard the extra two cards to try for a better hand.
3. Strategy with Two Deuces: Only break straight or flush with no deuce if you have 4 to a Natural Royal flush. With two deuces, prioritize holding cards that can create the highest expected value hand.
4. Strategy with One Deuce: This is where strategy becomes complex. When you have one deuce, you’re aiming to complete strong hands like flushes, straights, or possibly a natural royal flush.
5. Strategy with No Deuces: If you have no deuce, it’s often better to hold one pair and discard the other three cards for a chance to draw three of a kind, or a better hand.

A solid understanding of the Deuces Wild strategy chart is essential. The key to success is knowing when to hold potential hands based on the number of deuces you’re holding. The goal is to make the highest possible hand, as long as there’s a reasonable chance of it happening.

Double Bonus Poker and Other Variants

Beyond Jacks or Better and Deuces Wild, there are numerous video poker variants that offer different pay structures and bonus payouts. These variants keep video poker fresh and give players options based on their risk tolerance and desired payout structure.

Double Bonus Poker

Double Bonus Poker – Even Bigger Quad Payouts. This variation of Jacks or Better offers a bonus payout for four aces. The full-pay version has a payout percentage of 100.8%. Bonus Poker and Double Bonus offer higher payouts for quads, particularly for aces. Ⓘ Offers huge rewards for four Aces — but pays less for Full Houses and Flushes than Jacks or Better.

Double Bonus Poker has several distinctive features:

• Four Aces pay 80-400 coins depending on denomination
• Other four-of-a-kinds have enhanced payouts
• The lowest pair that pays is Jacks or Better
• Full-pay version offers 100.1% RTP with perfect play

Double Bonus differs from standard Jacks or Better in that it offers increased payouts for four of a kind hands. For example, 4 Aces pay much more than 4 Twos, Threes, or Fours. However, due to this change, Bonus Poker variants typically use the 8/5 paytable, resulting in an overall RTP of around 99.2%. Despite the higher payouts for certain hands, the trade-off is typically reduced payouts for full houses and flushes.

Joker Poker (Joker’s Wild)

Joker Poker is another popular variant where an additional joker card is added to the deck. This in turn changes the hand rankings and probabilities. In this type of video poker, a joker is added to the deck, which acts as a wildcard.

Key features of Joker Poker:

• 53-card deck (standard 52 plus one joker)
• Joker acts as a wild card that can complete any hand
• Minimum paying hand is usually a pair of Kings
• Lowers the house edge by increasing winning hand frequency
• Paytable adjusts to balance the wild card advantage

In Joker Poker, the joker introduces the possibility of landing Five of a Kind. Because of the Joker, some hands are easier to hit, so the paytable is adjusted accordingly. The Joker acts as a wild card that can complete any hand (even a Royal Flush). For instance, a Flush pays 6x in Jacks or Better, but only 5x in Joker Poker due to the wild card in the deck.

Other Popular Variants

Beyond these main variants, there are numerous other video poker games available:

• All American Poker: Pays better on straights and flushes but worse on full houses
• Tens or Better: Similar to Jacks or Better but minimum hand is tens
• Aces and Faces: Enhanced payouts for specific four-of-a-kind hands
• Deuces and Joker: Combines wild deuces with a joker wild card
• Loose Deuces: High variance version where minimum hand is Three of a Kind

Each variant has its own optimal strategy that can differ significantly from Jacks or Better. For complete understanding, players should research the specific strategy for their chosen variant before playing with real money.

Mobile Video Poker Options

Playing video poker on mobile devices has become increasingly popular as technology has improved. Mobile video poker apps and mobile-friendly casino sites let you enjoy the game on your phone or tablet without sacrificing features. Video poker mobile options offer several advantages:

• Play anywhere with an internet connection
• No need to download software (web-based play)
• Same strategic depth as desktop or physical machines
• Bonus offers specifically for mobile players
• Convenience of playing during idle moments

Key features of a good mobile video poker app:

• Auto Hold functionality to help with strategy
• Simple touch controls for holding/replacing cards
• Clear display of paytable and current balance
• Responsible gambling tools
• Compatibility across major mobile platforms

If you’re planning to play on mobile, look for apps with an auto hold feature, easy deal and draw buttons, and multiple betting options. Many online versions let you manually select which cards to keep and which to discard, or you can use the game’s Auto Hold feature. The auto hold feature is particularly helpful for beginners as it suggests which cards to keep based on optimal strategy.

Video Poker Strategy Essentials

Video poker is unique among casino games because your decisions directly impact the outcome. While luck determines your initial five cards, your choices about which cards to hold or discard determine your long-term expected value. This reliance on a perfect strategy is what separates video poker from games of pure luck.

Why Strategy Matters

Both video poker and blackjack are considered skill-based casino games with a low house edge. However, unlike blackjack where card counting gives you an edge, video poker’s edge comes from making mathematically optimal decisions on every hand.

If you make suboptimal decisions, like holding the wrong cards, the long-term expected payout drops. This difference might seem small at first glance, but over hundreds of hands, it can significantly impact your bottom line. By using an optimal strategy based on mathematical probability and expected value, you can reduce the house edge to less than 1%.

Common Strategy Mistakes to Avoid

Some of the most costly mistakes players make include:

• Not playing max coins (missing out on enhanced royal flush payouts)
• Chasing royal flushes too aggressively to the detriment of better odds hands
• Misreading the paytable and using incorrect strategy
• Playing short-pay machines without adjusting strategy
• Failing to hold high-value partial hands (like 4-card straights or flushes)
• Playing emotionally rather than following strategy charts

These mistakes can easily add 2-3% to the house edge, turning what could be a near-even game into a significant money-loser. Avoid Common Strategy Mistakes to protect your bankroll. By avoiding these common mistakes you can improve your chances of winning and have a more successful video poker experience.

Using Strategy Charts Effectively

Strategy charts are your roadmap to optimal play in video poker. These charts tell you exactly what to do with any possible starting hand in your chosen variant. Every variant has an optimal strategy chart that tells you exactly which cards to hold and which to discard based on your initial five-card hand.

How to Use Strategy Charts

Here’s how to use strategy charts properly:

1. Identify which variant you’re playing (Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, etc.)
2. Find the correct strategy chart for that variant
3. Look at your dealt hand and determine all possible holding combinations
4. Match your hand to the highest-ranking option on the chart
5. Hold those specific cards and draw replacements

For beginners, learning the entire chart can seem daunting. A practical approach is to start with the most critical hands (like four-card royals, flushes, straights) and gradually learn the rest as you gain experience.

Below are simplified perfect play strategy charts for Jacks or Better and Deuces Wild – two of the most common Video Poker variants. The complete deuces wild video poker strategy chart is attached below. If you have three deuces, hold all five cards if you have a completed wild royal flush, or five of a kind.

Using the card rankings as a basis, players need to create the best possible hand rankings using a combination of the cards they are dealt. Learning how to play video poker games involves knowing what these hands are and how they compare to each other in terms of values.

Practicing With Strategy Charts

Many licensed online casinos offer real money video poker with secure deposits, withdrawals, and fair gameplay. Before risking real money, use free video poker games to practice with strategy charts and learn the right plays. Free play is a great tool to build confidence and understand the game mechanics before playing for real money.

Most reputable online casinos and apps let you switch to demo mode, where you can test strategies and understand the game’s gameplay mechanics without losing money. This is perfect for new players who are still getting used to the video poker machine game mechanics.

Through consistent practice, you’ll internalize the strategy until decisions become second nature. This enables you to play video poker without financial stress and enjoy your game more.

Bankroll Management for Video Poker

Applying proper bankroll management is just as important as knowing strategy in video poker. While video poker offers some of the best odds in the casino, it still has significant variance that can deplete an unprepared bankroll quickly.

Bankroll Calculation Guidelines

For video poker, your bankroll should be calculated based on:

• Game variance (Jacks or Better = lower variance, Deuces Wild = higher)
• Your hourly betting rate
• Your desired session length
• Acceptable risk of ruin

General bankroll recommendations:

For example, if you’re playing a $1 Jacks or Better machine (max bet = $5), your bankroll should be at least $2,500 for serious play, though $4,000 would be safer. This provides a cushion for the inevitable downswings while pursuing the game’s theoretical 99.54% return.

Practical Bankroll Management Tips

Effective bankroll management is key to prolonging your game and minimizing losses. Here are practical tips for managing your video poker bankroll:

• Determine your session bankroll before playing (2-3% of total bankroll)
• Choose coin denominations where max bet is 0.5-1% of session bankroll
• Track your win/loss to identify when to quit
• Set win goals (20-30% of session bankroll) and loss limits (50-100% of session bankroll)
• Never chase losses by increasing bet size
• Move to lower denominations during losing streaks

Slow and methodical play is usually the best approach. Slowing down your play can help reduce losses and increase your chances of winning as it allows you to think through your decisions more. This disciplined approach allows you to play video poker without financial stress and enjoy your game more.

What Experts Say About Video Poker Strategy

To provide deeper insights beyond basic strategy, we’ve gathered opinions from respected industry veterans who’ve studied video poker extensively over decades of play and analysis.

James Grove, Video Poker Analyst with 25+ Years Experience

“The biggest misconception about video poker is that simply knowing basic strategy is enough to win long-term. What most players don’t realize is that subtle paytable differences completely change optimal play. For example, a seemingly minor change from 9/6 to 8/6 on Jacks or Better alters about 15% of your strategic decisions. The truly successful players treat each paytable as a unique game requiring specific strategy adjustments. This attention to detail is what separates consistent winners from casual players who believe they’re ‘due’ for a royal flush.”

Bill Blume, Former Director of Table Games at Binion’s Horseshoe Casino

“Having overseen casino operations for decades, I can tell you that video poker machines with high theoretical returns aren’t there to give money away—they’re strategic losses to keep skilled players coming back while separating casual players from their bankrolls. The key insight is that casinos know less than 1% of players actually use perfect strategy. This is why 9/6 Jacks or Better machines still exist: because the average player’s poor strategy decisions turn what should be a 99.5% return game into a 95-96% return for the house. My advice? Practice until strategy becomes automatic, then verify the paytable before sitting down.”

Linda Johnson, Co-founder of Tournament Directors Association and Poker Educator

“While video poker is played alone against a machine, it requires the same disciplined mindset as successful tournament poker. The most successful video poker players I’ve observed approach each session with predefined parameters: a strict bankroll allocation, set win/loss limits, and never deviating from optimal strategy regardless of recent results. What separates the professionals is their understanding that each hand is statistically independent—no hand is ‘due’ to win. Patience and discipline, not chasing ‘near misses,’ is what produces long-term success. Remember, video poker is a marathon, not a sprint.”

Video Poker Frequently Asked Questions

What is video poker and how do you play it?

Video poker is a casino game that combines elements of traditional poker with slot machine mechanics. You’re dealt five cards and must decide which to keep and which to replace to form the highest possible poker hand. If your final hand meets the minimum qualifying hand (like “Jacks or Better”), you get paid according to the paytable. The mechanics are simple: select your bet, hit “Deal” for your cards, choose which to hold, hit “Draw” for replacements, and collect your winnings if you have a qualifying hand.

What are the best video poker games to play?

The best video poker games offer the highest return to player (RTP) percentages with proper strategy:

• Full-pay Deuces Wild (100.76% RTP)
• 10/7 Double Bonus (100.2% RTP)
• 9/6 Jacks or Better (99.54% RTP)
• 10/6 Double Double Bonus (99.9% RTP)

The key is finding the full-pay versions of these games and using perfect strategy. 9/6 Jacks or Better is recommended for beginners due to simpler strategy.

How do video poker odds work?

Video poker odds differ from slots because your decisions impact outcomes. Each game has a theoretical Return to Player (RTP) percentage that represents the long-term expected return. For example, a 99.54% RTP means for every $100 wagered, you can expect to get back $99.54 over thousands of hands. Unlike pure chance games, improving your strategy brings you closer to this theoretical return.

What is the difference between Jacks or Better and Deuces Wild?

The fundamental difference is wild cards. Jacks or Better has no wild cards with the minimum paying hand being a pair of Jacks or better. Deuces Wild uses all 2s as wild cards, creating more high-paying hands but lowering the minimum paying hand to Three of a Kind. Deuces Wild offers higher potential returns (up to 100.76% RTP) but with greater volatility and more complex strategy.

How do you read a video poker paytable?

A video poker paytable lists payouts for every winning hand across 1-5 coins wagered. The critical numbers to check are the payouts for Full House and Flush (e.g., 9/6 means 9 coins for Full House, 6 for Flush in Jacks or Better). Always play maximum coins to maximize royal flush returns. Small differences (like 9/6 vs 8/5) dramatically impact long-term returns—9/6 offers 99.54% RTP while 8/5 drops to 97.3%.

Should I bet max coins on video poker?

Yes, always bet maximum coins (usually 5) in video poker. The royal flush payout increases disproportionately with max coins (typically 250x for 1-4 coins but 800x for 5 coins). This single decision can increase your RTP by 1.5-2% in many games. For example, playing 4 coins instead of 5 in Jacks or Better reduces the RTP from 99.54% to 98.6%, nearly doubling the house edge.

What is the best strategy for winning at video poker?

The optimal strategy depends on the specific variant and paytable, but core principles include:

• Bet maximum coins
• Play full-pay machines (9/6 and better)
• Use strategy charts for your specific game
• Manage your bankroll properly
• Always go for the highest expected value play
• Avoid chasing royal flushes to the detriment of better odds hands

No strategy guarantees wins, but perfect strategy minimizes the house edge to less than 1% in favorable games.

Can you really beat video poker in the long run?

Some full-pay video poker games offer theoretical returns above 100% when played with perfect strategy:

• Full-pay Deuces Wild: 100.76% RTP
• Certain Bonus Poker variants

However, these games are extremely rare in modern casinos, especially in high-denomination machines. For most accessible games, the highest returns are around 99.5-99.9% RTP—better than almost any other casino game but still requiring perfect strategy to approach. In practical terms, skilled players can significantly reduce losses but shouldn’t expect consistent profits.

Is video poker a game of skill or luck?

Video poker is both. The initial five cards are random (luck), but your decisions about which cards to hold directly impact your long-term results (skill). This differs from slots (pure luck) and compares more to blackjack, where both elements play roles. Unlike table poker against other players, video poker is played against a fixed paytable, so emotional control and reading opponents aren’t factors—only mathematical decision-making matters.

How does multi-hand video poker work?

Multi-hand video poker lets you play multiple hands simultaneously (commonly 3, 10, 25, or 100). It works by dealing one initial hand, then duplicating the cards you choose to hold across several hands at once. Each hand draws its own replacement cards, and each hand is evaluated separately according to the paytable. The strategic approach generally remains the same as single-hand play, but bankroll requirements increase significantly due to higher volatility.

Can I play video poker for free?

Yes, most reputable online casinos offer free play or demo modes for video poker. These versions work exactly like real money games but use virtual credits. Free play is invaluable for learning strategy without risking money. Many sites also offer standalone free video poker games. Using these practice opportunities helps you master strategy charts and become familiar with different variants before wagering real money.

What is auto hold in video poker and should I use it?

Auto Hold is a feature in many video poker games that automatically highlights the optimal cards to keep based on the game’s strategy. While helpful for beginners, it shouldn’t be relied upon exclusively because:

• Some implementations use simplified strategy
• It may not account for paytable variations
• It doesn’t help you learn the strategy

Use Auto Hold as a learning tool initially, but transition to making your own decisions as you become comfortable with strategy charts.

How do I know if a video poker machine is full-pay?

Check the paytable specifically for Full House and Flush payouts. For Jacks or Better, a 9/6 machine (9 coins for Full House, 6 for Flush) is full-pay. In Deuces Wild, look for machines paying 25/15/9/4/4/3. Many older properties still have some full-pay machines, but they’re rare in major casino markets. Study paytables carefully—all machines look similar, but payouts vary significantly. For concrete examples, search “VpFree2” which catalogs full-pay machines by location.

What is the house edge in video poker?

The house edge in video poker varies dramatically by game and paytable:

• 9/6 Jacks or Better: 0.46% with perfect strategy
• 8/5 Jacks or Better: 2.7% with perfect strategy
• Full-pay Deuces Wild: -0.76% (player advantage)
• Common video poker average: 1-3%

This compares favorably to slot machines (5-15% house edge) and most table games played without optimal strategy. Remember: these advantages only materialize with perfect strategy—most players unknowingly increase the house edge through suboptimal play.

Is video poker better than slots?

From a mathematical perspective, yes—video poker generally offers better long-term returns when played with proper strategy:

• Better RTP (97-100.76% for video poker vs. 80-95% for slots)
• Decisions impact results (skill matters)
• Transparent odds (known hand probabilities)
• Higher denomination machines have better returns in video poker (unlike slots)

However, slots have simpler gameplay (no strategy required) and larger progressive jackpots. If you’re willing to learn strategy, video poker provides significantly better value, but casual players without strategy knowledge might find the slots experience less stressful.

How much bankroll do I need to play video poker?

Your bankroll should be calculated based on:

• Game variance (Jacks or Better = lower, Deuces Wild = higher)
• Your hourly betting rate
• Desired session length
• Risk tolerance

As a general rule, have at least 300-500 betting units (where one unit = max coin bet). For $1 Jacks or Better (max bet $5), this means a $1,500-$2,500 bankroll. This provides a cushion for the inevitable downswings while pursuing the game’s theoretical return. Proper bankroll management prevents going broke during normal variance while playing with an edge.

What are common video poker mistakes players make?

The most costly mistakes include:

• Not playing max coins (loss of 1-2% RTP)
• Playing short-pay machines without realizing it
• Misjudging when to hold partial straights/flushes
• Chasing royal flushes too aggressively
• Playing too fast and making poor decisions
• Ignoring bankroll management
• Using Jacks or Better strategy on Bonus Poker variants

These errors can easily add 2-5% to the house edge. Studying strategy charts and practicing with free games before playing for real money can prevent these costly errors.

Can you count cards in video poker?

No, card counting doesn’t work in video poker because each hand uses a freshly shuffled 52-card deck. Unlike blackjack where cards remain removed from the shoe, video poker resets the deck after every hand, eliminating any counting advantage. The key to video poker advantage is perfect strategic decisions on each hand rather than tracking removed cards. Your edge comes from knowing exactly which cards to hold/discard—not from card counting.