Video poker is the perfect mix of slot machines and traditional poker. Not only can you make smart
strategy
decisions to improve your chances of winning, you can also get lucky and hit huge jackpots. If you’ve
ever had
questions about how to win at video poker or how it works, this is the page for you. We’ll unpack video
poker in
detail and explain everything in really simple terms to get you playing and winning fast.
#1 - how to play
There are lots of different kinds of video poker but they all work roughly the same way. You’ll find
video
poker in real life casinos, often among the slot machines and on the counter at casino bars, as well as
at all
the best online casinos. Getting started playing video poker is really simple. Just follow these easy
steps:
Choose your coin value and how many coins to bet
1
Press Deal to receive five cards
2
Select which cards you want to hold in order to make the best possible poker hand
3
Press Draw and your un-held cards will be exchanged for new ones
4
Make a qualifying poker hand
5
Get paid according to the game’s paytable
6
Your game screen
Regardless of which video poker game you choose to play, the game screen will look a lot like this. Hover
over
the different parts of the example screen below to learn about all the different elements of the most
popular
video poker games.
1
Payout Table
Find out how much each poker hand pays out depending on how many coins you bet.
2
Your Cards
This is your poker hand. Select which cards you want to hold and exchange the others
during the
draw.
3
Coin Value
Set the amount each coin or credit is worth.
4
Action Buttons
Choose how many coins to bet and hit Deal. Select the cards you want to hold and then hit
Draw.
5
More Info
Check out your balance, how many coins you’re betting and how much you’ve won.
1
Payout Table
Find out how much each poker hand pays out depending on how many coins you bet.
2
Your Cards
This is your poker hand. Select which cards you want to hold and exchange the others during
the
draw.
3
Coin Value
Set the amount each coin or credit is worth.
4
Action Buttons
Choose how many coins to bet and hit Deal. Select the cards you want to hold and then hit
Draw.
5
More Info
Check out your balance, how many coins you’re betting and how much you’ve won.
Different games, sites, and machines all have slightly different layouts and buttons but they’re really
similar. You won’t have any problems picking up a new game quickly.
No matter where you go, you’ll always find the same handful of really popular video poker games. This
includes
Jacks or Better, Bonus Poker, Double Bonus, Double Jackpot Poker and
Deuces Wild to name just a few.
The winning hands
Video poker uses traditional poker hands to determine how much you win. Most of us are familiar with the
hands
but it’s worth spending a minute going through the chart below to make sure you’ve got it all straight.
HAND
ROYAL FLUSH
STRAIGHT flush
4 0F A KIND
full house
Flush
STRAIGHT
3 of a kind
two pair
CARD
ROYAL FLUSH
STRAIGHT flush
4 0F A KIND
full house
Flush
STRAIGHT
3 of a kind
two pair
All video poker games use the same poker hands but the payouts can be way different depending on which
game
you’re playing. This is a really key concept in video poker so keep reading to learn more about it in
the next
two sections.
practicing your strategy
Ready to put your new strategy to the test? Well, now's the time. Try your hand at your favourite
strategy
with our play Video Poker games.
A paytable tells you the payouts for all the winning poker hands for that game. All the winning hands are
listed
in the left column. As you move to the right in the table it tells you the payouts depending on how many
credits
you bet.
All the numbers refer to the number of coins you will win for each winning hand. Notice that the odds get
better
as you bet more credits per hand. The best odds are always reserved for when you bet max credits.
HOW PAYTABLES CAN DIFFER
The most important differences between video poker games are the levels of risk and reward, also called
variance. Looking at the game’s paytable is the easiest way to figure out how risky a game is. Some
games have
really big payouts but you have to hit huge hands to get them. Others have smaller payouts but you only
have to
hit smaller hands to win.
WILD CARD GAMES
The biggest difference you’ll see in pay tables is in games that use wild cards. Since
it’s so much
easier to make big hands when you have wild cards, the minimum winning hand is always way
bigger and the
corresponding payouts are smaller compared to non-wild card games.
PROGRESSIVE JACKPOT GAMES
Similar to slots, some video poker games have a progressive jackpot that keeps growing
until someone
wins it. A little bit out of each bet goes to the jackpot which usually means the payouts
are a little bit
worse compared to non-jackpot games.
We always advise checking the paytable before you start playing, as it will greatly impact how much you
can
win.
#3 - Video poker betting
When you start a new game of video poker, the first thing you have to do is select how much you want to bet.
If
you’ve never played before it can be a bit confusing but don’t worry, it’s really simple. Just follow these
steps
to make sure you’re on the right track.
Choose Which game you want to play. For example, Jacks or Better or
Deuces
Wild
Choose the denomination of coin, sometimes called credit, you want to bet.
Choose how many coins you want to bet on each hand.
Press the “Deal” button to start your first hand.
#4 - odds, house edge, and payouts
Some of the reasons video poker is so popular are the odds, payouts, and house edge. They’re all really good
compared to lots of other popular casino games. In this section we’ll explain how the house edge works in
video
poker and explore the odds of getting different hands and their payouts.
Hand
Royal Flush
Straight Flush
4 Of Kind
Full House
Flush
Straight
3 Of a Kind
Two Pair
Jacks or Better
Nothing
Total Return
Variation
payout
4000
250
125
45
30
20
15
10
5
0
frecquency
64.345748
284.08995
640.1617
29919.766
28626.273
29184.676
193489.19
335990.7
57697.91
1417562.9
probability
0.00%
0.01%
0.24%
1.15%
1.10%
1.12%
7.45%
12.93%
21.46%
54.54%
occurs
40390.55
9148.37
423.2722
86.86431
90.78932
89.05221
13.43207
7.735214
4.660157
1.8334
return
1.98%
0.55%
5.91%
10.36%
6.61%
4.49%
22.33%
25.86%
21.46%
0.00%
99.54%
19.51468
Remember, the payouts for the same poker hands can be totally different depending on the game you’re playing.
Also note that when there’s a wild card involved, the chances of getting big hands go way up.
HOW THE HOUSE EDGE WORKS
The house edge refers to the statistical advantage that casinos build into their games in order to turn a
profit. The good news when it comes to video poker is that if you use proper strategy, the house edge
can be
less than one per cent.
how to calculate house edge
First calculate the odds of making
each winning
poker hand.
Next figure out how much each winning
hand pays
out.
Compare the odds and payouts to see
how much, on
average, you will win for every $100 you bet.
The difference between how much you
bet and how
much you win, expressed as a percent, is the house edge.
Video poker is similar to blackjack in that the house edge changes dramatically based on how smart a
strategy you’re playing. Making lots of mistakes in video poker will send the house edge through the
roof while
making all the right moves will send the casino’s edge plummeting to almost nothing.
video poker
payouts
One thing that’s really important to understand is that different kinds of video poker have different
payouts.
When you’re playing Deuces Wild, for example, the payout for a full house is tiny. The same hand in
Jacks or
Better, however, pays out three times as much. So how do you use what we’ve learned about video poker
payouts to
pick the game that’s right for you?
risk/reward ratio
Games like Jacks or Better have bigger
payouts for
smaller, more common hands and smaller payouts for big hands.
Games like Double Bonus Poker are
weighted more
towards bigger payouts for big hands with smaller payouts for small hands.
Games like Deuces Wild are the most
heavily
weighted towards big hands with a much higher minimum qualifying hand.
Choosing the right game comes down to identifying how much risk you’re willing to take on in exchange
for
the chance to win bigger prizes. Jacks or Better has low risk and low reward so you can make a smaller
bankroll
last a long time. Games like Double Bonus Poker, on the other hand, are more volatile but give you the
chance to
win a bigger prize.
#5 - different types video poker
There are tons of different games that all fall within the video poker category. That means there’s always
something new to test your luck and strategy. Each game has its own special twist and rewards a different
kind of
strategy. Check out the most popular video poker variations below to see which one appeals to you.
Check out the most popular video poker variations below to see which one appeals to you.
jacks or better
This is the lowest variance video poker game. The minimum winning hand is a pair of jacks
or better
which pays out 1 to 1. The payouts are weighted more heavily towards smaller hands. That
means less risk
and less reward. The highest hand is a Royal Flush which pays out 4,000 coins when you bet
max credits.
Look for machines that pay out nine credits for a full house and six credits for a flush,
these are known
as 9/6 Jacks or Better or “full-pay”.
Main Points
Low risk, relatively low reward
Royal flush still offers big prize
Roughly 0.5% house edge with basic
strategy
Popular Games
9/6 Jacks or Better
9/5 Jacks or Better (Flush pays 5
credits)
8/6 Jacks or Better (Full house
pays 8 credits)
wild card
Wild card video poker games have more risk and more reward compared to Jacks or Better.
The minimum
winning hand is usually three of a kind which pays out 1 to 1. You’ll notice the payouts are
a lot lower
than other games but because there are wild cards it’s way easier to make big hands. Wild
Card games are
fast-paced and offer tons of action.
Main Points
Higher risk/reward ratio
Lots of action
Higher minimum winning hand
Popular Games
Deuces Wild
Joker Poker
Double Joker Poker
pick’em/pick a pair
This style of game plays a lot differently compared to the ones we’ve covered so far and
it’s a lot of
fun. Instead of being dealt five cards, you receive two pairs of cards. One appears on the
left and one on
the right of your screen. You must choose one of the cards on the right. This card is added
to the two
cards on the left and then two more cards are automatically dealt to make your five-card
hand.
Main Points
Extremely low house edge
Less complicated strategy
decisions
Lower minimum winning hand (pair
of nines)
Popular Games
Pick'em Poker
Pick'em Poker Deuces Wild
Pick'em Poker Double Double Bonus
Multi-Play (Multi-Hand)
Multi-hand or multi-play video poker is an exciting twist that’s available on most popular
games like
Jacks or Better and Deuces Wild. In this version the gameplay is the same, except when you
hit the Draw
button. Instead of just dealing your draw once, the machine will automatically deal three,
five, 50, or
even 100 hands, depending on the machine. A fresh deck is used for each hand and you get
paid out on
winning hands just like in the single-play version.
Main Points
Tons of action and winning hands
The more hands you play, generally
the worse the
payouts become
Use caution because you must bet
on each hand
and it adds up fast
Popular Games
Jacks or Better Multi-Hand
Deuces Wild Multi-Hand
Double Bonus Multi-Hand
Progressive Jackpots
Progressive jackpot video poker is a special add-on that’s available in many of the most
popular video
poker games. In these games a small part of each bet goes towards a huge jackpot that keeps
growing until
someone wins it. The upside is that if you get lucky you can win a seriously big prize. The
downside is
that the jackpot comes at the expense of worse payouts for some of the other smaller
hands.
Main Points
Chance of winning massive prize
Payouts for smaller hands are
worse
Available in all popular video
poker games
Popular Games
Jackpot Deuces
Poker Ride
Jacks or Better Jackpot
Nowadays there are tons of different video poker games and variations. That means there really is something
for
everyone. If you love poker or slot machines, it’s worth giving video poker a try. It’s also worth noting
that
software developers are constantly innovating new games and gimmicks so keep an eye on our comprehensive
casino
reviews for the latest releases.
#6 – Video Poker Strategy
Depending on the casino games you play, you might not be familiar with how to learn and use a proven
strategy.
Roulette and baccarat, for example, don’t really have complicated strategies beyond choosing which outcome
to bet
on.
Video poker is much more similar to blackjack where a solid strategy makes a massive difference to how much
you
win or lose.
We can’t stress this enough. When it comes to video poker, learning the basics will make a big difference.
With
our help you can do it quickly and easily right now. In the next section we’ll break down our top tips to
get your
video poker game up to speed.
How to Read Strategy Charts
Optimal video poker strategy is all about memorizing the correct decisions for every different kind of
hand you
might be dealt. For example, do you hold three to a royal flush or a big pair? What about four to a
flush versus
two pair?
Strategy charts are tables that show you what to do with every kind of hand you can be dealt. They’re
easy to
use and they contain everything you need to know to play perfect video poker strategy.
jacks or better strategy chart
Since there are so many different kinds of video poker, it’s really important to learn the
strategy
that’s designed specifically for the game you’re playing. Get our free video poker strategy
charts to learn
the right decision for every situation you might encounter.Download Your FREE Strategy Chart
Start by memorizing the most common and important situations. These will make the biggest difference to
your
game in the short term. After you know the basics, continue to the more complicated situations to take
your
strategy to the next level.
a note on strategy cards
The closer you can play to perfect strategy, the lower the house edge will be and the better your
chances of
winning become.
That said, strategy cards can only take you so far and it’s important to incorporate them into an
overall
strategy that works for you. After you’ve developed your strategy, the next challenge is to always
stick to it
no matter what.
Our Top Video Poker Tips
A well-rounded video poker strategy is crucial to winning but there are a few individual tips that can
make a
huge difference if you don’t know them. Below are the three most important pieces of video poker advice
from our
gambling experts.
ALWAYS BET MAX CREDITS
The payouts are almost always better for the player when you bet max credits. If you can’t
afford to
bet max credits, look for a game with a lower coin denomination that will allow you to bet
five coins per
hand without busting your bankroll.
LOOK FOR 9/6 JACKS OR BETTER
Different casinos offer different pay tables for video poker. If you’re playing Jacks or
Better, make
sure to choose machines that pay 9 to 1 on a full house and 6 to 1 on a flush. These are
known as
“full-pay” games.
FREE DRINKS IN LAS VEGAS
One of the most fun ways to play video poker is for free drinks at casino bars in Las
Vegas. Depending
on the casino, you can pop a $20 in the machine, play a few hands and drink for free. It’s a
great way to
socialize with your friends if you’re on a budget.
In addition to these tips, make sure to download and study the more advanced strategy chart from the
last
section. It’ll make a big difference in your chances of winning.
#7 - Offline video poker
Even before the internet existed people were playing video poker in casinos all over the world. The child of
traditional slot machines and poker games, offline video poker continues to offer players an awesome way to
test
their skill and their luck.
the main differences
online
offline
online
internet casinos
Online video poker can be played at all the best casinos on the internet. Check our
reviews to see who
has the biggest and best selection of games.
Big Bonuses
One big perk of playing video poker online is the huge bonus you can get for signing up
and depositing.
Welcome bonuses can kick start your bankroll so it’s a great reason to try out new
sites.
More Privacy
If you like to be in your own world and get some much-needed privacy when you’re playing
video poker,
playing online might be the ticket for you.
offline
Live Casinos
In real bricks and mortar casinos you can find video poker machines mixed in amongst the
slot machines
and located on the counters at most casino bars.
Loyalty Programs
Real life casinos don’t offer bonuses like online but they do have VIP programs you can
sign up for.
Make sure to sign up and use your member card every time you play video poker to earn
valuable points
and rewards.
More Social
Playing video poker in a casino is fun for groups of friends or meeting new people so if
you’re a
social butterfly, playing in a live casino is a great choice.
Whether you’re playing online or offline, the rules and strategies for all the different video poker
games
are exactly the same. Brushing up on the basics and then working on more advanced strategies is a great
approach
to playing on the internet and at bricks and mortar casinos.
Video Poker Tournaments
Just like slot machines, video poker is also offered in a tournament format and it’s an awesome way to
compete
against other people while playing the game you love. Tournaments are usually limited to a certain
number of
hands or period of time and whoever finishes with the biggest profit wins.
tournaments at a glance
Everyone starts with the same bankroll
and the
same game.
The goal is to make the biggest profit
in a
certain time or number of hands.
Prizes go to the top finishers with
the winner
getting the biggest prize.
Video poker tournaments are often set up as a promotion by the casino to reward its best players. In
order to
qualify you must be signed up for the rewards program so it’s another great reason to always use your
rewards
card when you play at an offline casino.
Expected Etiquette
Since you’re playing one-on-one with your own machine, there are a lot less etiquette rules to worry
about
compared to a game where you’re interacting with other players and a dealer.
That said, there are a few key rules to be aware of to make your experience as smooth as possible. It’s
also
important to remember that these rules only apply to offline video poker in real-life casinos.
free drinks
If you’re playing to get free drinks, always tip the bartender at least $1 for every
drink. Most
casinos will also ask you to play continuously and sometimes they’ll even make you bet max
credits if
you’re drinking for free.
button-slapping
The single biggest pet peeve of video poker players is when someone beside them is loudly
smacking the
buttons every time they make a play. Don’t do it. In fact, don’t make any overly loud noises
that may
annoy other players.
Personal space
If there’s a long row of free machines, consider leaving a buffer of a machine or two
between you and
strangers who are also playing. It’s definitely possible to be social and make conversation
while also
respecting people’s personal space.
#8 - History of video poker
It wasn’t until the 1970s that the first real video poker machine was invented but its ancestors can be
traced
all the way back to the end of the 1800s. Since then, video poker’s come a long way. More games, better
graphics
and of course bigger prizes have all contributed to video poker’s popularity in gambling establishments all
over
the world and the internet.
1891
The Sittman and Pitt Company in New York release the world’s first poker machine. It had five
wheels which
each had ten playing cards printed on them. The machine’s wheels would spin and come to rest to
make a
five-card poker hand. Ten years later they introduced a draw version that allowed players to
choose which
cards to hold and re-spin to replace the others. Gambling was illegal at the time so winning
hands were paid
in cigarettes and liquor.
1970s
A man named Si Redd who worked for Bally’s Gaming presented an idea for a new game called video
poker.
Bally’s rejected the idea and Redd took the patent to Fortune Coin Company in Reno, Nevada. By
the beginning
of the 1980s Redd was mass-producing video poker machines and putting them in casinos all over
the United
States. Redd went on to create the company International Gaming Technology (IGT) which became a
serious
force in the casino industry.
1994
When the first online casino was created in 1994 it wasn’t long before video poker was available
on
people’s home computers all over the world. Nowadays software developers have created even
better versions
of video poker with flashy graphics and exciting innovations. People love online video poker for
the same
reasons they love it offline: Low house edge and the chance to use strategy to improve your odds
of winning.
Video poker continues to be a massively popular game both online and in bricks and mortar casinos all over
the
world. One of the biggest reasons is that it appeals to a lot of different people. Slots players appreciate
the
one-on-one aspect and exciting graphics while poker players love the chance to actually use some strategy to
try
to beat the casino. And if you’re a beginner, video poker is an easy and fun first step into the world of
online
gambling.
#9 - glossary
Just like all gambling games, video poker has its own set of special words and slang. If you want to fit in
next
time you’re at the casino, brush up on the preferred nomenclature with our handy video poker glossary below.
