Video poker is where strategy meets chance. This game combines poker strategy with the simplicity of slots. To help you not just play but succeed at video poker, this guide will walk you through practical strategies, explore popular variants and explain winning hand combinations.
How Video Poker Works
It’s a solo game, making it perfect for a relaxed poker experience. You’re dealt five cards and choose which to keep or swap, aiming for the best possible hand.
Note:If you’re new to poker, video poker is a great starting point. It focuses on developing hand strategies and offers a low-pressure way to learn to play.
How to Play Video Poker Online
Follow these simple steps to start playing confidently:
- Set your bet size: Each credit has a set value, which varies by game, so pick an amount that fits your budget.
- Deal your first hand: Press the Deal button to receive five cards. Look over your cards to see if you have a good hand or which cards might improve it.
- Hold or discard cards: Decide which cards to keep and press the Hold button under each. Cards without a hold will be replaced.
- Draw new cards: Hit Draw again to replace any discarded cards. This is your final hand.
- Check your results: If your hand matches any winning combination on the paytable, you receive a payout.
Video Poker Paytable
The paytable is your go-to guide. It lists each winning hand and shows the payout amount based on your bet size. Typically displayed at the top of the screen, the paytable adjusts according to how many credits you bet, usually ranging from one to five.
Video Poker Hands
Hands are ranked from the highest to lowest. Let’s go over the most common.
- Royal Flush: The best hand, made up of the 10, Jack, Queen, King, and Ace, all of the same suit. It’s extremely rare, but it pays the highest.
- Straight Flush: Five consecutive cards of the same suit. For example, 5-6-7-8-9 all in hearts. It’s a strong hand, but not as rare or valuable as a Royal Flush.
- Four of a Kind (Quads): Four cards of the same rank, like four 7s or four Jacks. This is a solid hand that often leads to decent payouts.
- Full House: A combination of three of a kind and a pair. For instance, three 8s and two 4s. It’s a reliable hand that can win in many situations.
- Flush: Five cards of the same suit, but not in sequence. For example, 2-5-8-10-K all in spades. It’s a strong hand but less valuable than a Straight Flush.
- Straight: Five consecutive cards of mixed suits, like 3-4-5-6-7. It’s a decent hand.
- Three of a Kind: Three cards of the same rank, such as three Queens. It’s a fairly common hand but not very high-paying on its own.
- Two Pair: Two sets of pairs, like two 6s and two 10s. It’s a mid-range hand that often results in smaller payouts.
- Jacks or Better: A pair of Jacks, Queens, Kings, or Aces. This is the lowest-ranking winning hand in most video poker games, and it’s the starting point for many variations like Jacks or Better.
Odds of Winning
Here are the possibilities of receiving poker-winning hands. Some game variations can adjust these values.
| Video Poker Hand | Average Payout with Max Credits | Average Winning Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Flush (first dealt) | 4000:1 | 1 in 650,000 |
| Royal Flush (player assisted) | 4000:1 | 1 in 40,000 |
| Straight Flush | 250:1 | 1 in 9,150 |
| Four of a Kind | 125:1 | 1 in 423 |
| Full House | 45:1 | 1 in 90 |
| Flush | 30:1 | 1 in 85 |
| Straight | 20:1 | 1 in 80 |
| Three of a Kind | 15:1 | 1 in 13 |
| Two Pairs | 10:1 | 1 in 20 |
| Jack or Better | 5:1 | 1 in 2 |
Popular Video Poker Variations
Video poker offers several exciting variations, each with its unique features and payout structure. Here’s a rundown of some popular options:
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Jacks or Better
This variant pays out on any hand with a pair of jacks or higher, making it straightforward and approachable, with an RTP of around 99.5%. |
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Deuces Wild
All 2s (deuces) act as wild cards, giving players more chances to form winning hands. A full-pay version offers an RTP of about 100%, though payouts for lower hands are reduced. |
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Bonus Poker
Similar to Jacks or Better, but with bonus payouts for specific Four of a Kind hands. The RTP typically hovers around 99.2%. |
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Double Bonus Poker
This variant rewards higher payouts for Four Aces. |
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Joker Poker
With the addition of a joker as a wild card, players have more flexibility to form winning combinations, making this version quite fun for strategists. |
Pro Tip:For beginners, start with Jacks or Better. This version is easy to understand, has high RTP (around 99.5%) and offers steady payouts.
Video Poker Strategy Charts
Strategy charts are a handy tool that helps you decide which cards to keep or discard based on your hand. Study them, memorise and practice.
| Player’s Hand | Cards to Drop | Cards to Keep | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 0 | 5 | Highest-paying hand—keep it intact |
| Straight Flush | 0 | 5 | Rare and valuable—don’t discard anything |
| Four of a Kind | 0 | 5 | Guaranteed payout; keep all cards |
| Full House | 0 | 5 | Keep this strong hand for a consistent payout |
| Four to a Royal Flush | 1 | 4 | Prioritize the chance to hit the top payout |
| Flush | 0 | 5 | Keep the complete flush; it’s already a winning hand |
| Three of a Kind | 2 | 3 | Try for Four of a Kind or Full House |
| Straight | 0 | 5 | Keep the completed straight for a solid payout |
| Four to a Straight Flush | 1 | 4 | Chase the premium Straight Flush payout |
| Two Pair | 1 | 4 | Discard the kicker to go for a Full House |
| High Pair | 3 | 2 | Hold the pair and aim for improvement |
| Three to a Royal Flush | 2 | 3 | Risk it to pursue the highest-paying hand |
| Four to a Flush | 1 | 4 | Complete the Flush for a decent payout |
| Low Pair | 3 | 2 | Keep the pair and aim for improvement or trips |
| Four to a Straight | 1 | 4 | Hold onto the chance for a Straight |
| Three to a Straight Flush | 2 | 3 | Try for this rare hand, but be mindful of risk |
| Two to a Royal Flush | 3 | 2 | A calculated risk for the top payout |
| Two High Cards | 3 | 2 | Retain high cards for better combinations |
| One High Card | 4 | 1 | Keep the high card as a foundation for a better hand |
| Nothing | 5 | 0 | Discard all cards and start fresh |
Video Poker Tips
Here are some practical tips to increase your odds and become a high-level player.
- Choose high RTP games: Opt for variants like full-pay Jacks or Better, to stretch your bankroll over time.
- Check the paytable: Always examine the paytable before you play.
- Study your hand rankings: Study them to avoid chasing hands that don’t pay out.
- Play max coins when it’s beneficial: It can unlock the highest payouts, especially for a royal flush.
- Keep low pairs for consistent wins: A pair gives you a scoring hand, whereas breaking it risks missing out on any payout.
- Go for the Royal Flush if possible: If you’re one card away from a Royal Flush, it’s worth breaking up a straight or flush to chase it. Otherwise, hold onto your current hand for a solid payout.
- Skip the kicker in Jacks or Better: Focus on keeping valuable pairs or high cards instead of adding a kicker card. Retaining a kicker (like an Ace alongside a pair) doesn’t increase your odds.
- Prioritise Straight Flushes over partial hands: When aiming for a big payout, only keep three cards if you’re close to a straight flush. Avoid holding them, hoping for a standard straight or flush.
Conclusion
To win at video poker, focus on continuous learning and applying strategies as you go. Start with the basics, and gradually incorporate advanced tactics. Always stay calm, think strategically, and remember to play responsibly.
