When most players think of casino machines, they immediately picture the bright lights of traditional slots.
However, Video Poker is a fundamentally different game that offers vastly superior odds to the player.
Some specific Video Poker machines, when played perfectly, actually return more than 100% to the player in the long run.
You are not relying on a hidden slot algorithm; the paytable clearly dictates the exact statistical value of the game.
We will guide you through the basics of Video Poker strategy and show you how to beat the house edge.
The Mechanics: How Video Poker Works
The basic premise of all Video Poker games is based on traditional five-card draw poker.
You can hold all five cards if you are dealt a winning hand, or discard all five if the hand is terrible.
Once you hit ‘Draw’, the cards you threw away are replaced, finalizing your final five-card hand.
Payouts scale dramatically up to the Royal Flush, which is the ultimate jackpot of Video Poker.
Because your decisions directly impact the final hand, your skill level dictates the overall payout percentage.
The Secret to Winning: Analyzing Paytables
Before you insert a single coin, you must look closely at the payout schedule displayed on the screen.
The gold standard for Jacks or Better is the 9/6 paytable, which offers a 99.54% return with perfect play.
Playing an 8/5 machine instead of a 9/6 machine will cost you hundreds of dollars over the long term.
Therefore, your first task is always to hunt down the “Full Pay” versions of your chosen variant.
Another unbreakable rule of Video Poker is to always bet the maximum number of coins (usually 5).
Popular Variants of Video Poker
While Jacks or Better is the most common game, there are several other highly popular variants.
In Deuces Wild, the two-cards are wild, making huge hands like Four of a Kind much more common.
These advantageous machines are rare in physical casinos today but can still sometimes be found online.
Double Bonus Poker offers massive rewards for hitting four Aces, but reduces the payout for two pair to compensate.
Regardless of which variant you choose, you must download and study the specific strategy chart for that exact game.
Video Poker Strategy Fundamentals
- Look for the Full House and Flush payouts to determine the machine’s value.
- Play Max Bet on every single hand to get the best mathematical RTP.
- Memorize the optimal hold decisions to eliminate the house edge.
- Never discard a high pair to draw for a straight or a flush.
- Take your time. There is no dealer rushing you to make a decision.
Jacks or Better Paytable Comparison (1 Coin)
| Hand Rank | Optimal Payouts | Reduced Payouts |
|---|---|---|
| Four of a Kind | 25 | 25 |
| Flush | 6 | 5 |
| Player Return | Excellent | Poor |
It completely removes the mindless repetition of slots and replaces it with rewarding, strategic gameplay.
The combination of a 99.5%+ return and the possibility of hitting a massive Royal Flush is mathematically unbeatable.
Keep a strategy card open on your phone or printed out next to your keyboard when playing online.
Always remember to play max coins and stay away from the terrible 7/5 or 6/5 machines hidden in the lobby.
Good luck chasing that elusive Royal Flush, and enjoy the lowest house edge the casino has to offer.