How to Develop Video Poker Skills: A Complete Guide for Beginners

Understanding Video Poker Basics

Before diving into strategies, it's essential to understand how video poker works. Unlike traditional poker, where you play against other players, video poker is a solo game against a machine.

The objective is to form the best possible five-card poker hand, with payouts determined by the game's paytable.

How Video Poker Works

1. Place Your Bet – You choose the number of credits to wager per hand (typically 1 to 5).
2. Receive Your Cards – The machine deals you five random cards.
3. Decide Which Cards to Keep – You can hold or discard any number of cards.
4. Draw New Cards – The machine replaces discarded cards with new ones from the same virtual deck.
5. Evaluate Your Hand – Your final hand is compared to the paytable, and you receive a payout if it qualifies.

Hand Rankings in Video Poker

Knowing poker hand rankings is crucial for making the right decisions. Here’s a standard ranking from highest to lowest:

• Royal Flush – A♠ K♠ Q♠ J♠ 10♠ (highest possible hand)
• Straight Flush – Five consecutive cards of the same suit (e.g., 7♦ 8♦ 9♦ 10♦ J♦)
• Four of a Kind – Four cards of the same rank (e.g., Q♠ Q♦ Q♥ Q♣)
• Full House – Three of a kind plus a pair (e.g., 9♠ 9♦ 9♣ 5♥ 5♦)
• Flush – Five cards of the same suit, not in sequence (e.g., 2♠ 5♠ 9♠ J♠ K♠)
• Straight – Five consecutive cards of any suit (e.g., 5♦ 6♣ 7♠ 8♥ 9♣)
• Three of a Kind – Three cards of the same rank (e.g., 8♠ 8♦ 8♣ 4♥ 2♦)
• Two Pair – Two sets of pairs (e.g., J♠ J♦ 4♠ 4♣ 7♥)
• Jacks or Better – A single pair of Jacks, Queens, Kings, or Aces (only in Jacks or Better).

Understanding these rankings helps in deciding which cards to keep or discard.

Popular Video Poker Variations

Different video poker games have unique rules and payout structures. Some popular versions include:

• Jacks or Better – The most basic version, requiring at least a pair of Jacks to win.
• Deuces Wild – All 2s (Deuces) act as wild cards, increasing the potential for stronger hands.
• Double Bonus Poker – Offers higher payouts for four Aces but reduces other payouts slightly.
• Joker Poker – Includes a Joker as a wild card, allowing more winning combinations.

Each variation has a different strategy, making it important to choose one that suits your playstyle.

House Edge and RTP (Return to Player)

One of the reasons video poker is so popular is its high RTP. A full-pay Jacks or Better game, for example, offers an RTP of 99.54% when played optimally. Other variations, like Deuces Wild, can even exceed 100% if played with perfect strategy.

Unlike slot machines, where the house edge is built into the game, video poker gives skilled players a chance to minimize losses and even gain an edge in some cases.

Choosing the Right Video Poker Game

Selecting the right video poker variation is a crucial step in developing your skills. Different versions have different payout structures, strategies, and house edges. Making an informed choice can significantly impact your long-term success.

Understanding Paytables: The Key to Winning Video Poker

Every video poker game has a paytable that dictates how much each winning hand pays. The difference between a full-pay and a short-pay machine can affect your potential winnings.

Example: Jacks or Better Paytable

The best Jacks or Better game is "9/6 Jacks or Better," meaning it pays 9 coins for a Full House and 6 coins for a Flush when betting one coin.

Shorter pay versions (like 8/5 or 7/5) reduce payouts and increase the house edge, making them worse choices.

How to Identify a Good Paytable

• Look for full-pay versions (e.g., 9/6 Jacks or Better, Full-Pay Deuces Wild).
• Avoid machines with reduced payouts on Full House or Flush hands.
• If multiple paytables are available, always choose the highest-paying one.

Best Video Poker Variations for Players

Here are some of the most popular video poker variations and their approximate RTP when played with optimal strategy:

Pro Tip:

Always check a casino’s paytables before playing.

Online casinos often have better payout versions than land-based ones.

Betting the Maximum Coins: Why It Matters

Video poker machines offer a bonus payout for a Royal Flush when betting 5 coins. For example:

• A 4-coin Royal Flush pays only 1,000 coins,
• But a 5-coin Royal Flush pays 4,000 coins (not 1,250).

Since the jump in payout is significant, always play with 5 coins if your bankroll allows it.

Mastering Video Poker Strategy

Once you've chosen the best video poker variation, the next step is learning how to play each hand optimally. Unlike slot machines, video poker allows players to make strategic decisions that directly affect their chances of winning. By using a solid strategy, you can minimize the house edge and maximize your returns.

The Importance of Optimal Strategy

Each video poker variation has a mathematically correct way to play every possible hand. The goal is to maximize the expected return for each decision. This means:

• Keeping the right cards and discarding the correct ones based on probabilities.
• Avoiding common mistakes, such as holding low pairs when a better hand is possible.
• Adjusting your strategy depending on the paytable and game type.

By following a strategy chart, you ensure that every decision you make is based on statistical probabilities rather than guesswork.

How to Read a Video Poker Strategy Chart

Strategy charts list hands in order of priority. When dealt a hand, you should choose the highest-ranked option from the chart. Here’s an example for 9/6 Jacks or Better.

Basic Jacks or Better Strategy Chart (Highest to Lowest Priority)

• Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Four of a Kind – Always hold these hands.
• Four Cards to a Royal Flush – Always hold and draw one card.
• Full House, Flush, Straight, Three of a Kind – Keep the entire hand.
• Four Cards to a Straight Flush – Hold and draw one card.
• Two Pair – Keep both pairs and draw one card.
• High Pair (Jacks or Better) – Keep the pair and draw three cards.
• Three Cards to a Royal Flush – Keep and draw two cards.
• Four Cards to a Flush – Keep and draw one card.
• Low Pair (10s or lower) – Keep and draw three cards.
• Four Cards to an Open-Ended Straight – Keep and draw one card.
• Two High Cards (J-Q-K-A, unpaired) – Keep and draw three cards.
• One High Card (J, Q, K, A) – Keep and draw four cards.
• Discard All Five Cards – Only if you have no high cards or better options.

Using this strategy correctly improves your RTP, bringing it close to the 99.54% potential of full-pay Jacks or Better.

Adjusting Strategy for Different Variations

Each video poker game requires a unique strategy. Here are some key differences.

Deuces Wild:

• Always keep deuces (since they act as wild cards).
• Never break a made hand to chase a straight or flush.
• Four deuces should always be held rather than drawing for a Royal Flush.

Double Bonus Poker:

• Four Aces are extremely valuable, so prioritize them over other four-of-a-kind hands.
• Adjust your play to chase high-paying hands more aggressively.

Joker Poker:

• Always keep the Joker since it acts as a wild card.
• Pairs become less valuable because of the wild card, so favor straight and flush draws.

Each variation has its own optimal chart, so learning the correct one for your preferred game is essential.

Common Video Poker Mistakes to Avoid

Even experienced players make errors that reduce their winnings. Here are some of the most common mistakes:

• Holding a low pair instead of drawing for a Royal Flush opportunity.
• Breaking up a made Straight or Flush to chase a higher hand.
• Ignoring the paytable and playing on a low-paying machine.
• Not betting max coins, missing out on the 4,000-coin Royal Flush payout.

Avoiding these mistakes and sticking to proper strategy will drastically improve your results.

Practicing and Refining Your Video Poker Skills

Now that you understand video poker strategy, the next step is practice. Even the best strategy won’t help if you don’t apply it consistently. Fortunately, there are several ways to sharpen your skills before risking real money.

Using Free Video Poker Simulators

Practicing free video poker software or online simulators is one of the best ways to improve. These tools allow you to play without financial risk while learning optimal strategy.

Best Free Video Poker Training Tools

• Video Poker Trainer Apps – These provide real-time feedback on your decisions.
• Casino Websites with Demo Games – Many online casinos offer free-play versions of video poker.
• Software Programs – Some paid programs track your errors and help refine your play.

By playing on a simulator, you can train your brain to make correct decisions automatically.

Practicing with Strategy Charts

A great way to reinforce optimal play is to:

1. Print out or open a strategy chart for your chosen game.
2. Play hands on a free video poker simulator.
3. Compare each decision to the chart to see if you made the correct play.

Over time, you’ll memorize the best choices without needing the chart.

Tracking Your Performance

Keeping a game log helps you identify mistakes and areas for improvement.

Track:

• Total hands played,
• Average payout per session,
• Common mistakes and lessons learned.

If you notice repeated errors, go back to the strategy chart and correct them.

Practicing with Low-Stakes Real Money Play

Once you’re confident in your strategy, you can transition to real-money play with low stakes to test your skills. Start with:

• $0.25 or $1 video poker machines in casinos.
• Low-stakes online video poker ($0.10 or $0.25 per hand).

This allows you to experience real-money pressure without risking too much.

Managing Your Bankroll for Video Poker Success

Even with the best strategy, bankroll management is crucial for long-term success in video poker. Properly managing your funds helps you withstand variance, avoid going broke, and maximize your playtime.

Setting a Video Poker Bankroll

Your bankroll should be based on your playing style, stakes, and risk tolerance. Here’s how to determine the right bankroll size:

• Casual Players (Low Risk): 100–300 bets (e.g., $250–$750 for $0.25 machines).
• Serious Players (Moderate Risk): 500–1,000 bets (e.g., $1,250–$2,500 for $0.25 machines).
• Advantage Players (Long-Term Play): 1,500+ bets to handle variance.

The higher the variance of the game (e.g., Double Bonus Poker vs. Jacks or Better), the larger your bankroll should be.

Choosing the Right Stakes

Your bet size should align with your bankroll to ensure sustainable play:

• If you have $500, play $0.25 machines ($1.25 per max bet).
• If you have $2,000, you can play $1 machines ($5 per max bet).
• If you have less than 100 bets left, consider lowering your stakes or switching to a lower-variance game.

Maximizing Casino Promotions and Comps

Casinos offer loyalty rewards, cashback, and promotions that can boost your bankroll. Take advantage of:

• Online Casino Bonuses – Look for deposit bonuses and reload offers with fair wagering terms.
• Comp Points – Many casinos give points for every dollar wagered, which can be redeemed for cash or free play.
• Cashback Offers – Some online casinos refund a percentage of your losses.
• Player’s Club Cards – Always use your loyalty card in brick-and-mortar casinos to earn free play and comps.

Using these perks can significantly extend your playing time and reduce overall losses.

Avoiding Bankroll Mistakes

To stay in control, avoid these common bankroll management errors:

• Not Betting Max Coins – Always bet max to qualify for the highest Royal Flush payout.
• Chasing Losses – Stick to your bankroll limits and avoid increasing bets out of frustration.
• Ignoring House Edge – Playing on low-pay tables can drain your bankroll faster.
• Playing Underfunded – If your bankroll is too small, short-term variance can wipe you out.

Playing Video Poker Smartly in Casinos and Online

Now that you’ve developed your video poker strategy and bankroll management skills, it’s time to focus on playing efficiently in real casino environments. Whether you’re at a land-based casino or playing online, making smart decisions can improve your overall experience and profitability.

Choosing the Best Video Poker Machines in Casinos

Not all video poker machines are the same, even within the same casino. To maximize your odds:

• Find the Best Paytable – Casinos often have different versions of the same game. Look for full-pay machines with the highest possible RTP.
• Check the Denominations – Higher denomination machines typically have better paytables.
• Use a Player’s Club Card – Always insert your loyalty card to earn comps and cashback.
• Avoid Poorly Placed Machines – Machines in high-traffic areas (e.g., near entrances or bars) may have worse payouts.

Pro Tip:

Casinos in Las Vegas, Reno, and Atlantic City are more likely to have full-pay video poker machines compared to smaller regional casinos.

Playing Video Poker Online: What to Look For

Online video poker can be an excellent option, but choosing the right platform is key. Here’s what to consider:

• Licensed and Reputable Casinos – Stick to well-known operators with fair games.
• Game Selection – Ensure they offer your preferred video poker variations.
• RTP Transparency – Some online casinos display game RTPs; look for high-return versions.
• Bonuses and Promotions – Check for video poker-friendly bonuses (some exclude video poker or have high wagering requirements).
• Mobile Compatibility – If you play on your phone, ensure the platform runs smoothly on mobile devices.

	Casino	Withdrawal methods	Accepted currencies
	Riobet Casino	+6	$, €, ₽, ₴
	Stake Casino	+3	$, €, R$, C$
	SlotoCash Casino	+1	$, €
	MrBit casino	+8	$, €, ₽, kr
	JackpotCity casino	+4	$, C$, zł, kr

Responsible Gambling and Managing Session Length

Even with a solid strategy, video poker is still a gambling game with ups and downs. Follow these responsible gaming tips:

• Set a Session Budget – Decide how much you’re willing to spend before playing.
• Take Breaks – Long sessions can lead to fatigue and mistakes.
• Know When to Walk Away – If you hit a big win, consider cashing out instead of chasing more.
• Avoid Emotional Play – Frustration leads to poor decisions. Stick to your strategy.

Online casinos often have responsible gambling tools like deposit limits and session timers—use them if needed.

Final Thoughts

Mastering video poker takes time, but with the right approach, you can improve your skills and increase your chances of winning. Follow proper strategy, manage your bankroll wisely, and always seek out the best paytables.

Good luck, and may the Royal Flush be in your favor! 🎰♠️♦️