How to Play Video Poker

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:

  1. Set your bet size: Each credit has a set value, which varies by game, so pick an amount that fits your budget.
  2. 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.
  3. Hold or discard cards: Decide which cards to keep and press the Hold button under each. Cards without a hold will be replaced.
  4. Draw new cards: Hit Draw again to replace any discarded cards. This is your final hand.
  5. 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 paytable

Video Poker Hands

Hands are ranked from the highest to lowest. Let’s go over the most common hand rankings.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. Straight: Five consecutive cards of mixed suits, like 3-4-5-6-7. It’s a decent hand.
  7. 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.
  8. Two Pair: Two sets of pairs, like two 6s and two 10s. It’s a mid-range hand that often results in smaller payouts.
  9. 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.

video poker rankings

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

Video poker offers several exciting variations, each with its unique features and payout structure. Here’s a rundown of some popular options:

five-card 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%.

omaha 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.

seven-card 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%.

pai gow Double Bonus Poker

This variant rewards higher payouts for Four Aces.

caribbean 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.

  1. Choose high RTP games: Opt for variants like full-pay Jacks or Better, to stretch your bankroll over time.
  2. Check the paytable: Always examine the paytable before you play.
  3. Study your hand rankings: Study them to avoid chasing hands that don’t pay out.
  4. Play max coins when it’s beneficial: It can unlock the highest payouts, especially for a royal flush.
  5. Keep low pairs for consistent wins: A pair gives you a scoring hand, whereas breaking it risks missing out on any payout.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. Prioritize 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Full Pay mean in video poker?

Full Pay refers to a machine with the best possible paytable for a video poker game, offering the top RTP.

Which video poker game has the highest payout potential?

Full-pay versions of Jacks or Better can reach up to 99.5% RTP, while Deuces Wild can go as high as 100.8% with optimal play.

How can I improve my chances of hitting a Royal Flush?

A Royal Flush is rare, but maximise your chances by holding onto high-suited cards when they appear. Always play max credits for the biggest payout.

What’s the best video poker game for beginners?

Jacks or Better is a great choice for beginners because it’s simple to learn and offers reliable payouts. For a bit more variety, try Double Bonus.

We use cookies as set out in our privacy policy. By clicking on this pop up, you agree to our policies.