Video poker combines luck and skill in a way that offers smart players an edge. Unlike slots, video poker lets you make choices that affect your chances of winning.
This means using the right strategy can turn a losing game into a winning one.
The key to winning at video poker is learning perfect strategy for your chosen game and sticking to it every time. Most players make decisions based on gut feelings, which costs them money.
By following proven strategies, players can reduce the house edge to less than 1% or sometimes even gain a slight advantage.
Video poker machines come in many varieties, each with its own optimal approach. Games like Jacks or Better and Deuces Wild have different pay tables that require different strategies.
Choosing games with the best pay tables and playing at a comfortable pace also helps maximize your chances of success over time.
Understanding Video Poker Fundamentals
Video poker blends slot machine simplicity with poker strategy, offering players better odds than most casino games. Understanding how these machines work, recognizing hand rankings, and analyzing paytables are essential skills for any serious player.
How Video Poker Machines Work
Video poker machines use random number generators (RNGs) to deal cards from a virtual 52-card deck. Unlike slots, video poker involves skill and decision-making.
Players start by placing a bet of 1-5 credits, then receive five cards. The key moment comes when deciding which cards to hold and which to discard.
Players press buttons to select cards they want to keep, then hit the “draw” button to replace discarded cards with new ones from the same deck.
Most machines display possible winning hands and their payouts directly on the screen. Modern video poker machines offer various game variations, but they all share this same basic mechanism of draw and discard.
Essential Poker Hands and Rankings
Video poker uses standard poker hand rankings, from highest to lowest:
- Royal Flush: A, K, Q, J, 10 of the same suit
- Straight Flush: Five sequential cards of the same suit
- Four of a Kind: Four cards of the same rank
- Full House: Three of a kind plus a pair
- Flush: Five cards of the same suit, not in sequence
- Straight: Five sequential cards of mixed suits
- Three of a Kind: Three cards of the same rank
- Two Pair: Two different pairs
- Jacks or Better: A pair of jacks, queens, kings, or aces
Understanding these rankings is crucial because different hands trigger different payouts.
The most common strategy involves holding high pairs and drawing to potentially stronger hands like flushes or straights when possible.
Paytables and Payout Structures
Paytables display what each hand pays and vary significantly between machines. The paytable is the most important factor in determining a game’s return percentage.
A “9/6” Jacks or Better machine pays 9 credits for a full house and 6 for a flush (per credit wagered). This offers approximately 99.5% return with perfect play.
Lesser paytables like “8/5” or “7/5” significantly reduce potential returns.
Always play maximum credits (usually 5) to qualify for the royal flush bonus. A royal flush typically pays 800 credits with 1-4 coins bet, but jumps to 4,000 credits (800 per coin instead of 250) when playing 5 coins.
Different video poker variants offer unique paytables. Deuces Wild, Bonus Poker, and Double Double Bonus each have distinct payout structures that require adjusted strategies.
Key Strategies for Winning at Video Poker
Video poker combines luck with skill, making strategy crucial for success. By mastering optimal play patterns and understanding pay tables, players can significantly increase their expected value and reduce the house edge.
Optimal Play: Expert Approaches and Mistakes to Avoid
Winning at video poker requires knowing exactly which cards to hold and which to discard in every situation. The most common mistake players make is holding “kickers” with pairs, which reduces winning chances.
Another error is breaking up straight flushes to chase royal flushes when the expected value doesn’t justify it. Expert players use strategy charts or video poker analyzers to make optimal decisions.
These tools calculate the expected value of each possible play. For example, holding a low pair (like two 5s) often has higher expected value than holding four cards to a flush.
Practice makes perfect. Many casinos offer free play modes, and online video poker quiz programs can test your decision-making skills.
The goal is to make these optimal decisions automatically, without hesitation.
Simple Strategy vs. Intermediate Strategy
Simple strategy focuses on basic rules that apply to most video poker games:
- Always hold royal flush, straight flush, four of a kind, full house, or three of a kind
- Never break a paying hand to draw to a royal flush
- Hold high cards (J, Q, K, A) over lower cards
- Discard all five cards if you have no high cards or potential winning combinations
Intermediate strategy involves more nuanced decisions based on specific game variations. For Jacks or Better, this includes:
- Holding three cards to a royal flush instead of a low pair
- Keeping two suited high cards over three to a straight
- Understanding when to break a low pair for a potential straight flush
The difference between simple and intermediate strategies can change the house edge by 1-2%, which is significant over time.
Strategic Considerations for Pay Tables
Pay tables dramatically affect optimal strategy and expected return. Full-pay Jacks or Better (9/6) returns 99.54% with perfect play, while 8/5 games return only 97.3%.
Always check the pay table before playing. Different video poker variations require different strategies:
| Game Type | Key Strategy Adjustment |
|---|---|
| Deuces Wild | Never hold a kicker with deuces |
| Double Bonus | More aggressive with four-card straights |
| Joker Poker | Different approach to holding wild cards |
The most profitable machines typically have the worst locations in casinos. Look for full-pay machines in less prominent areas.
Many players use video poker strategy calculators to determine the exact expected value based on specific pay tables.
Understanding Strategy Mismatches
A strategy mismatch occurs when players apply the wrong strategy to a particular video poker variant. This mistake can cost 2-5% in expected return.
For example, using Jacks or Better strategy on a Bonus Poker machine leads to frequent errors. Signs you’re experiencing a strategy mismatch:
- Unexpected frequency of losses
- Bankroll depleting faster than normal
- Consistent “near misses” on draws
Each video poker variant has unique optimal play patterns. Double Bonus rewards four-of-a-kind hands more heavily, making pairs more valuable to hold.
Deuces Wild strategy differs completely from non-wild card games. Video poker strategy makers and hand analyzers can identify the game you’re playing and provide correct strategy.
Many experienced players specialize in just one or two variants to master their strategies completely rather than trying to memorize many different approaches.
Analyzing Popular Video Poker Variants
Different video poker variants require specific strategies to maximize your chances of winning. Each game has unique pay tables and special features that affect optimal play decisions.
Jacks or Better
Jacks or Better is the foundation of video poker games. It pays out when you have at least a pair of Jacks or higher.
The full-pay version (9/6) offers a 99.54% return with perfect play. Key strategy points for Jacks or Better:
- Always hold royal flush, straight flush, and four of a kind
- Never break a royal flush or straight flush for any reason
- Hold three of a kind over a low pair
- Keep a high pair (Jacks or better) over four cards to a flush
The game’s simplicity makes it perfect for beginners. Look for machines offering 9/6 paytables, meaning full houses pay 9-to-1 and flushes pay 6-to-1.
Deuces Wild and NSUD
Deuces Wild makes all 2s wild cards, dramatically changing strategy. Not-So-Ugly-Deuces (NSUD) is a common variant with slightly different payouts.
In Deuces Wild:
- Keep all wild cards (deuces)
- A natural royal flush pays more than a wild royal flush
- Four deuces is the second-highest hand
- Three of a kind is typically the minimum paying hand
Strategy focuses on using deuces effectively to create strong hands. Full-pay Deuces Wild can offer over 100% return with perfect play, though such machines are increasingly rare.
Pay special attention to how many deuces you have when making decisions. Even a single deuce significantly changes optimal play.
Bonus Poker Variants
Bonus Poker variants include Bonus Poker, Double Bonus, and Double Double Bonus. These games offer enhanced payouts for specific four of a kind hands.
Double Double Bonus pays especially well for four aces with a kicker (fifth card) of 2, 3, or 4. This creates interesting strategy adjustments:
- Sometimes correct to break up a paying hand for a chance at premium four of a kinds
- Aces are more valuable than in other games
- Kickers matter significantly with certain four of a kind hands
These games typically have lower payouts for full houses and flushes to compensate for the bonus payouts. This results in more volatility—bigger wins but more frequent losses.
Joker Poker and Specialty Games
Joker Poker adds a joker as a wild card to the deck. This creates a 53-card deck and unique strategies.
In Joker Poker:
- Kings or Better is typically the minimum paying hand
- Five of a kind becomes possible
- Natural royal flushes pay more than wild ones
Specialty variants like Ultimate X, Multi-Strike, and Bonus Streak add multipliers or progressive elements. Dream Card and Quick Quads offer special features that can improve hands.
These games often have higher volatility but offer exciting gameplay. The complexity requires using video poker analyzers to determine optimal play.
Pay tables vary significantly between machines, so always check before playing.
Managing Bankroll and Casino Edge
Smart bankroll management is key to successful video poker play. Understanding the casino’s mathematical edge and planning your money accordingly can extend playing time and improve winning chances.
Calculating Expected Return and Variance
Expected return in video poker represents your theoretical long-term results based on perfect play. Full-pay Jacks or Better offers about 99.54% return, meaning a 0.46% house edge.
This is far better than most slot machines, which typically have 5-10% house edges. Standard deviation measures result volatility.
For a typical video poker game, this falls between 4-6 per hand, depending on the specific variant. Higher variance games like Deuces Wild have larger swings but potentially bigger payouts.
To calculate your expected hourly loss:
- Multiply hands per hour (typically 400-600) by average bet
- Multiply by house edge percentage
Example: Playing $1.25 per hand at 500 hands hourly with 0.5% house edge = $3.13 expected hourly loss.
Bankroll Size and Risk of Ruin
Your bankroll should be sized according to your risk tolerance and game variance. Professional players recommend 3-4 times the royal flush payout as a minimum bankroll for serious play.
For casual players, consider these guidelines:
- Short sessions: 100x your base betting unit
- Regular play: 200-300x your base betting unit
- Professional approach: 500-1000x your base betting unit
Risk of ruin represents your chance of losing your entire bankroll. Simulation results show that with a 300x bankroll, your risk of ruin drops below 5% in most games.
Always separate your gambling funds from living expenses. Track your results to identify winning strategies and problem areas.
Maximizing Value with Video Poker Bonuses
Casino promotions can significantly boost expected value and sometimes create positive expectation situations.
Player’s club cards typically return 0.1-0.3% through comps and cashback.
Online casinos often offer deposit bonuses that can temporarily eliminate the house edge.
When evaluating these offers, consider:
- Playthrough requirements
- Game restrictions
- Maximum cashout limits
Double points promotions are particularly valuable for video poker players.
These promotions effectively double your return from the player’s club, potentially creating positive expected value when combined with high-return games.
Take advantage of match play coupons and free play offers.
These effectively reduce the casino advantage while maintaining the same prize structure.
Advanced Video Poker Techniques and Tools
Once you’ve mastered the basics, specialized tools and techniques can significantly improve your video poker results.
These advanced approaches help serious players gain an edge through mathematical analysis and strategic decision-making.
Analyzing Simulation Results
Simulation results form the backbone of professional video poker strategy.
These computer-generated analyses run millions of hands to determine the exact expected return for different playing decisions.
Professional players study these simulations to understand the mathematical probabilities behind holding or discarding specific card combinations.
For example, simulations show that holding an open-ended straight (like 5-6-7-8) offers better returns than keeping just a low pair in Jacks or Better.
Sometimes discarding a paying pair to chase a straight flush draw is mathematically correct, despite seeming risky.
Serious players often create their own simulations using specialized software to test theories or analyze unusual paytables not covered by standard strategy charts.
Using Video Poker Calculators and Analyzers
Video poker analyzers and calculators are essential tools for optimizing play.
These programs instantly evaluate hand strengths and recommend the mathematically best play.
A video poker hand analyzer will examine your current five cards and calculate the expected value of every possible holding combination.
This removes guesswork from tough decisions like whether to keep two high cards or a low pair.
Popular tools include:
- Strategy trainers that flag mistakes in real time
- Paytable analyzers that calculate exact return percentages
- Odds calculators that show probabilities for specific hands
Many of these tools are available as smartphone apps, allowing practice away from casinos.
Regular use of these analyzers helps ingrain optimal decisions into your muscle memory.
Multi-Hand and Progressive Jackpot Strategies
Multi-hand video poker (also called n-play) requires adjustments to standard strategy.
Playing 3, 5, or even 100 hands simultaneously increases volatility but doesn’t change basic odds.
In multi-hand games:
- Bankroll requirements increase proportionally to hands played
- Winning sessions become less frequent but potentially larger
- The mathematical edge remains unchanged despite appearances
Progressive jackpot machines demand special consideration.
When jackpots grow large enough, these games can actually offer positive expected value.
Smart players track progressive meters and pounce when jackpots exceed certain thresholds.
Multi-strike poker, with its increasing multipliers on consecutive wins, requires distinct strategies.
The correct approach often involves taking more risks on higher levels where payouts are multiplied.
The double-up option available after wins should be used selectively.
This feature has a true 50/50 chance with no house edge, making it worth considering for mathematical purists.
Tips for Playing Online and in Casinos
Where and how you play video poker can significantly impact your success.
Different environments offer unique advantages and challenges that smart players learn to navigate.
Differences Between Online and Land-Based Play
Online video poker offers convenience and often higher payout percentages than casino floors.
Most online platforms provide 99%+ return games, while physical casinos may offer lower returns, especially in tourist areas.
Online play tends to move faster, allowing for more hands per hour.
This means quicker potential profits but also faster losses if playing poorly.
Many online casinos offer free-play options to practice without risking money.
Land-based casinos provide comp benefits through player cards—free meals, hotel stays, and other perks based on play volume.
These add real value to your overall return.
The graphics and interfaces differ too.
Physical machines have tactile buttons, while online versions use mouse clicks or touchscreen interactions.
Selecting the Best Machines and Games
Look for full-pay machines with optimal paytables.
In Jacks or Better, search for 9/6 machines (9x for full house, 6x for flush), which offer about 99.5% return with perfect play.
Best Games by Return Percentage:
- Deuces Wild (100.76%, full-pay)
- Double Bonus Poker (100.17%, full-pay)
- Jacks or Better (99.54%, 9/6 paytable)
- Bonus Poker (99.17%, 8/5 paytable)
Online casinos often display return percentages directly.
In physical casinos, examine the paytables before sitting down.
Consider volatility too.
Higher variance games have bigger payouts but longer dry spells.
Lower variance games provide steadier, smaller wins.
Responsible Gaming Practices
Set time and money limits before playing. Decide on a budget you can afford to lose and stick to it strictly.
Never chase losses by exceeding your predetermined limits.
Take regular breaks during play sessions. Video poker requires mental focus, and fatigue leads to mistakes.
Bankroll Management Tips:
- For low volatility games: 100x max bet minimum
- For high volatility games: 250x max bet minimum
- Track wins and losses to assess your performance
Use player cards and loyalty programs to earn comps. Don’t increase your betting just to earn rewards faster.
Never play video poker as a way to make money. While skill helps maximize returns, the house still holds a mathematical edge in most games.
