Video poker sits in a unique position among casino games. Unlike slots, the outcome isn’t purely random — the decisions you make on every hand genuinely affect your return. Unlike blackjack, there’s no social pressure, no dealer psychology, no table dynamics. It’s just you, the cards, and a set of mathematically correct decisions.
Get those decisions right consistently, and the best video poker strategy can reduce the house edge to under 0.5% on select games. Here’s exactly how.
Why Strategy Matters So Much in Video Poker
Most casino games give players no choices after they place their bet. Video poker is different — every hand requires you to decide which cards to hold and which to discard. Make optimal decisions every time and you’re playing at the game’s full theoretical return. Deviate regularly and you’re effectively giving the house extra percentage points.
The good news: correct video poker strategy is learnable. The patterns repeat, and with practice, the right play becomes intuitive.
Core Strategy: Jacks or Better (9/6)
Jacks or Better is the game most players should start with. The 9/6 full-pay version (9 coins for a full house, 6 for a flush per coin wagered) returns approximately 99.5% with optimal play.
Key Jacks or Better Decision Hierarchy
- Keep a pat hand (royal flush, straight flush, four of a kind, full house, flush, straight) — never break these
- Keep four to a royal flush — even over a made flush or straight
- Keep three of a kind, two pair, or one pair of jacks or better
- Keep four to a straight flush
- Keep low pair (tens or lower) over four to a flush
- Keep four to a flush over three to a royal flush
- Keep suited JQK, JQA, JKA (three to a royal)
- Keep two high cards (J, Q, K, A) if nothing else qualifies
- Draw five new cards when holding nothing that fits the above
Strategy for Deuces Wild
With four wild deuces in the deck, the strategy changes completely. Natural hands become less valuable; hands requiring deuces to complete become central.
Critical Deuces Wild Rules
- With no deuces: Keep any paying hand; keep four to a royal; keep three to a royal over a low pair
- With one deuce: Keep five-card made hands; keep four to a royal flush; four of a kind is strong — don’t break it
- With two deuces: You’re already holding a strong hand — keep any five-card winner; otherwise draw three cards
- With three or four deuces: The math almost always says keep all deuces and draw to complete
Strategy Comparison Table
| Game | Full-Pay RTP | Strategy Complexity | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacks or Better (9/6) | ~99.54% | Moderate | Beginners and regulars |
| Deuces Wild (full pay) | ~100.76% | Higher | Experienced players |
| Double Bonus (10/7) | ~100.17% | High | Players who study strategy |
| Double Double Bonus | ~98.98% | Moderate-High | High variance seekers |
| Bonus Poker (8/5) | ~99.17% | Moderate | Mid-tier alternative |
Always Play Maximum Coins
This is non-negotiable. Video poker pays a royal flush bonus exclusively when you bet five coins. On a $0.25 machine, that’s $1.25 per hand. On a dollar machine, that’s $5. The royal flush bonus jumps from 250x to 800x — that difference accounts for much of the game’s total return. Never play fewer than max coins unless you’re on a machine where the denomination at max bet exceeds your session budget.
Pro Tips for Smarter Video Poker Play
- Memorize the strategy chart for one game first. Print the 9/6 Jacks or Better chart and practice with free online simulators before wagering real money.
- Find full-pay machines. Not all video poker machines offer full-pay versions. A 8/5 Jacks or Better game drops the RTP from 99.54% to 97.30% — a massive difference.
- Join the casino’s player club. Comp points from video poker play can add 0.2–0.5% effective return on top of the game’s base RTP.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Breaking a winning hand to chase a royal. If you have a full house, keep it. Don’t discard half your hand on a longshot.
- Ignoring the pay table. The numbers on the pay table are everything in video poker. Always verify before playing.
- Playing too fast. Unlike slots, rushing doesn’t help. Take the extra second to confirm your hold decision.
FAQs
Q: Is there a perfect video poker strategy? A: Yes — mathematically optimal strategy charts exist for every variant. Playing perfectly eliminates all strategic error.
Q: Can beginners beat the house at video poker? A: With full-pay machines and optimal strategy, the house edge is under 0.5%. Add comps and the math can turn slightly in the player’s favor.
Q: How long does it take to memorize video poker strategy? A: Most players can internalize Jacks or Better strategy with a few hours of focused practice using free simulators.
Conclusion
Video poker rewards preparation. Learn the strategy chart for 9/6 Jacks or Better first — it’s the clearest path to the lowest house edge available on a casino floor. Find full-pay machines, always bet five coins, and join the players club. That combination makes video poker one of the best bets in any casino.
