How to Play
Video Poker
Combine the excitement of slots with poker skill. Master Jacks or Better strategy and enjoy some of the best odds in the casino with up to 99.54% RTP.
📖Game Overview
Video poker is a casino game based on five-card draw poker, played on a computerized console similar to a slot machine. Unlike slots, video poker is a skill game—your decisions significantly affect the outcome. With optimal play, video poker offers some of the highest returns in the casino, often exceeding 99% and sometimes over 100%.
The most popular variant is Jacks or Better, where the minimum paying hand is a pair of Jacks. This guide focuses on Jacks or Better, though the concepts apply to other variants like Deuces Wild, Bonus Poker, and Double Bonus.
🎯How to Play Video Poker
Step-by-Step Process
🏆Poker Hand Rankings
Video poker uses standard poker hand rankings (from highest to lowest):
💰Pay Tables Comparison
The pay table determines your expected return. Here's a comparison of common Jacks or Better pay tables:
| Hand | 9/6 (Full-Pay) | 8/5 | 6/5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 800 | 800 | 800 |
| Straight Flush | 50 | 50 | 50 |
| Four of a Kind | 25 | 25 | 25 |
| Full House | 9 | 8 | 6 |
| Flush | 6 | 5 | 5 |
| Straight | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Three of a Kind | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Two Pair | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Jacks or Better | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| RTP (optimal play) | 99.54% | 97.30% | 95.00% |
💡 Payouts shown are for 5-coin max bet. Always look for 9/6 machines for the best odds.
⭐Why Always Bet Max Coins
The Royal Flush payout creates a disproportionate bonus at max bet:
This bonus increases RTP from 98.37% (1 coin) to 99.54% (5 coins) in 9/6 Jacks or Better.
🧠Basic Strategy for Jacks or Better
Optimal strategy involves holding the combination with the highest expected value. Simplified hierarchy:
Strategy Priority (Highest to Lowest)
- 1.Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Four of a Kind — Always hold
- 2.4 Cards to Royal Flush — Even if it breaks a pair!
- 3.Full House, Flush, Straight, Three of a Kind — Always hold
- 4.4 Cards to Straight Flush
- 5.Two Pair
- 6.High Pair (Jacks or Better)
- 7.3 Cards to Royal Flush
- 8.4 Cards to Flush
- 9.Low Pair (2s through 10s)
- 10.4 Cards to Outside Straight
Example Strategy Decisions
K♠ K♥ 10♠ J♠ Q♠
✅ Hold: 10♠ J♠ Q♠ K♠ (4 to Royal) — Break the pair!
5♣ 5♦ 6♣ 7♣ 8♣
✅ Hold: 6♣ 7♣ 8♣ (3 to Straight Flush) — Break low pair
3♣ 3♦ 4♠ 5♠ 6♠
✅ Hold: 3♣ 3♦ (Low pair beats 4-card straight)
🎰Video Poker Variants
🃏 Jacks or Better
RTP: 99.54% (9/6)
Min Hand: Pair of Jacks
Best for beginners, lowest variance
🎴 Deuces Wild
RTP: 100.76% (full-pay)
Min Hand: Three of a Kind
All 2s wild, higher variance
💎 Bonus Poker
RTP: 99.17%
Enhanced Four of a Kind payouts
💰 Double Bonus
RTP: 100.17% (full-pay)
Very high 4oaK, high variance
💡Tips & Common Mistakes
🌐Where to Play Video Poker Online
When playing online video poker, look for:
Proper Licensing
UKGC, MGA regulated
Full-Pay Tables
9/6 Jacks or Better
RNG Certified
eCOGRA, iTech Labs
Game Variety
Multiple variants
Strategy Charts OK
Guides permitted
Bonuses
Check requirements
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is video poker and how does it work?
Video poker is a casino game based on five-card draw poker, played on a computerized console. You're dealt five cards, choose which to keep (hold) and which to discard, then receive replacement cards. Payouts are based on the final poker hand according to a pay table. Unlike table poker, you play against a pay table, not other players.
What is Jacks or Better video poker?
Jacks or Better is the most common video poker variant. The minimum paying hand is a pair of Jacks or higher (Jacks, Queens, Kings, or Aces). A full-pay Jacks or Better machine (9/6) returns 99.54% with optimal play, making it one of the best games in the casino.
What does 9/6 Jacks or Better mean?
9/6 refers to the payouts for Full House (9 coins) and Flush (6 coins) on a 1-coin bet. This is 'full-pay' Jacks or Better with 99.54% RTP. Casinos often offer 8/5 (97.30% RTP) or 6/5 (95.00% RTP) versions with worse payouts. Always look for 9/6 machines for the best odds.
How do I read a video poker pay table?
Pay tables show payouts for each hand based on coins bet (usually 1-5 coins). Key numbers to check: Royal Flush (should be 800 for 5 coins), Full House, and Flush. Compare these to determine the game's RTP. Higher payouts for Full House and Flush mean better player odds.
Why should I always bet max coins (5 coins)?
The Royal Flush pays disproportionately more at max bet: 250:1 for 1-4 coins but 800:1 for 5 coins. This bonus significantly increases RTP. For example, 9/6 Jacks or Better returns 98.37% at 1 coin but 99.54% at 5 coins. Always bet max coins or play lower denominations.
What is optimal strategy in video poker?
Optimal strategy is a mathematically correct way to play every hand to maximize RTP. It involves holding specific card combinations based on expected value. For example, hold a low pair over four cards to a flush, or break a low pair to draw to four cards to a Royal Flush. Strategy charts are available for each variant.
What is the RTP (Return to Player) in video poker?
RTP varies by game and pay table. Full-pay Jacks or Better (9/6): 99.54%. Deuces Wild (full-pay): 100.76%. Bonus Poker: 99.17%. Double Bonus: 100.17%. These are with optimal play. Poor strategy can reduce RTP by 2-5%. Video poker offers some of the highest RTPs in casinos.
Should I hold a low pair or draw to a straight/flush?
Generally hold the low pair. A pair has higher expected value than drawing to most straights or flushes. However, hold four cards to a Royal Flush over any pair. Hold four cards to a straight flush over a low pair. Optimal strategy charts provide exact guidance for every situation.
What is the difference between Jacks or Better and Deuces Wild?
In Deuces Wild, all 2s are wild cards that can substitute for any card. This changes strategy significantly and typically offers higher RTP (up to 100.76% full-pay). However, minimum paying hand is Three of a Kind (not a pair), and pay tables differ. Deuces Wild requires different optimal strategy.
Should I hold a kicker with a pair?
No, never hold a kicker (unmatched high card) with a pair in Jacks or Better. Holding the pair alone gives you better odds of improving to Three of a Kind, Full House, or Four of a Kind. The kicker reduces your chances of improvement without adding value.
What is a Royal Flush and how often does it hit?
A Royal Flush (10-J-Q-K-A of the same suit) is the highest hand, paying 800:1 at max bet. It occurs approximately once every 40,000 hands with optimal play. While rare, the large payout significantly contributes to the game's overall RTP, which is why max bet is crucial.
Can I beat video poker with optimal strategy?
Some full-pay variants (Deuces Wild, Double Bonus) offer over 100% RTP with perfect play, theoretically giving players an edge. However, variance is high, requiring large bankrolls. Most players will experience losses due to variance and imperfect play. Video poker offers the best odds but isn't guaranteed profit.
What is variance in video poker?
Variance measures how much your results fluctuate around the expected RTP. High variance games (Double Bonus, Deuces Wild) have larger swings with bigger payouts but longer losing streaks. Low variance games (Jacks or Better) have steadier results. Higher variance requires larger bankrolls to weather downswings.
Are video poker machines fair and random?
Licensed casinos use certified Random Number Generators (RNG) that simulate a fair 52-card deck. Each card has equal probability of appearing. Machines are regularly tested by independent agencies (GLI, eCOGRA, iTech Labs). Results are truly random—there are no 'hot' or 'cold' machines.
What bankroll do I need for video poker?
A general guideline is 3x the Royal Flush payout for your session bankroll. For $1 denomination (5 coins = $5 per hand), that's 3 × $4,000 = $12,000. For quarter machines ($1.25 per hand), about $3,000. This helps you survive variance until hitting larger payouts. Play lower denominations if your bankroll is smaller.
Last Updated: January 31, 2026