When most players think of casino machines, they immediately picture the bright lights of traditional slots.

Unlike slots, which are purely games of chance, Video Poker requires skill and mathematical strategy.

Some specific Video Poker machines, when played perfectly, actually return more than 100% to the player in the long run.

The beauty of the game is that, unlike slots, you can calculate the exact mathematical return of the machine.

We will guide you through the basics of Video Poker strategy and show you how to beat the house edge.

Understanding the Basics of Video Poker

The gameplay is incredibly straightforward, utilizing the standard hand rankings of classic 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.

The lowest winning hand in the most popular variant, Jacks or Better, is a pair of Jacks.

Playing optimally requires memorizing a strategy chart that tells you exactly which cards to hold in every scenario.

The Secret to Winning: Analyzing Paytables

The most critical skill in Video Poker is the ability to read and evaluate the machine’s paytable.

The gold standard for Jacks or Better is the 9/6 paytable, which offers a 99.54% return with perfect play.

Casinos often stealthily reduce these payouts to 8/5 or even 7/5 on machines that look exactly the same.

Never settle for a short-pay machine; always seek out the best possible paytables available in the casino.

Another unbreakable rule of Video Poker is to always bet the maximum number of coins (usually 5).

Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, and More

While Jacks or Better is the most common game, there are several other highly popular variants.

Deuces Wild is a massive favorite where all four ‘2’ cards act as wild cards, substituting for any other card.

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.

Using a Jacks or Better strategy on a Deuces Wild machine is a guaranteed way to lose your money quickly.

Video Poker Strategy Fundamentals

• Look for the Full House and Flush payouts to determine the machine’s value.
• Always bet the maximum 5 coins. It maximizes the Royal Flush payout.
• Use a strategy card. Never guess which cards to hold.
• 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)

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.

Protect your bankroll by refusing to play anything less than the optimal Full Pay games.

Play smart, follow the chart, and enjoy the strategic depth of this incredible casino classic.