To the untrained eye, a video poker cabinet looks exactly like a standard, luck-based slot machine.

If played with absolutely perfect strategy, certain video poker variations offer some of the highest payout percentages in the entire casino.

How to Identify a Winning Video Poker Machine

The casino adjusts its house edge entirely by changing the payouts for specific hands, usually the Full House and the Flush.

The gold standard for beginners is the classic ‘Jacks or Better’ variation, specifically the ‘9/6’ paytable.

• Always play ‘Max Coins’ (usually 5 coins); the payout for a Royal Flush jumps exponentially when playing the maximum bet
• If you cannot afford to play 5 coins at the $1 level, drop down to the $0.25 level so you can afford the maximum bet
• Never sit down at a ‘6/5’ Jacks or Better machine; the casino has increased its edge dramatically to steal your money

The Importance of Perfect Strategy in Video Poker

Playing based on ‘gut feeling’ or superstition will instantly destroy the incredibly low house edge you worked hard to find.

Casinos legally allow you to hold a printed strategy chart in your hand while playing video poker; they do not consider it cheating.

Leave the flashy, high-variance slot machines to the tourists, and grind out the video poker machines like a professional.