When most players think of casino machines, they immediately picture the bright lights of traditional slots.
However, Video Poker is a fundamentally different game that offers vastly superior odds to the player.
If you play with optimal strategy, certain Video Poker variants offer a house edge of almost zero.
Because the game uses a standard 52-card deck, the probabilities of hitting specific hands are completely transparent.
We will guide you through the basics of Video Poker strategy and show you how to beat the house edge.
Understanding the Basics of Video Poker
Every round begins with the machine dealing you five cards from a virtual 52-card deck.
You can hold all five cards if you are dealt a winning hand, or discard all five if the hand is terrible.
The machine then replaces your discarded cards with new ones drawn randomly from the remaining deck.
To win your bet back in standard games, you usually need at least a pair of Face Cards.
Because your decisions directly impact the final hand, your skill level dictates the overall payout percentage.
The Secret to Winning: Analyzing Paytables
Before you insert a single coin, you must look closely at the payout schedule displayed on the screen.
The gold standard for Jacks or Better is the 9/6 paytable, which offers a 99.54% return with perfect play.
Playing an 8/5 machine instead of a 9/6 machine will cost you hundreds of dollars over the long term.
Never settle for a short-pay machine; always seek out the best possible paytables available in the casino.
Another unbreakable rule of Video Poker is to always bet the maximum number of coins (usually 5).
Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, and More
While Jacks or Better is the most common game, there are several other highly popular variants.
In Deuces Wild, the two-cards are wild, making huge hands like Four of a Kind much more common.
If you can find a good Deuces Wild paytable and play perfectly, you will theoretically make a profit over time.
These volatile games appeal to players who want larger jackpot hits without relying entirely on the rare Royal Flush.
Regardless of which variant you choose, you must download and study the specific strategy chart for that exact game.
Video Poker Strategy Fundamentals
Always check the paytable before playing. Hunt for 9/6 Jacks or Better. Always bet the maximum 5 coins. It maximizes the Royal Flush payout. Use a strategy card. Never guess which cards to hold. Do not break up a winning hand to chase a bigger payout. Analyze every hand carefully; a single mistake costs you money.
Identifying Full Pay Machines
Poker HandGreat Machine (9/6)Bad Machine (8/5) Royal Flush250 (800 on Max Bet)250 Full House98 House Edge0.46%2.70%
If you want the best possible chance to beat the casino, Video Poker should be your absolute go-to game.
The combination of a 99.5%+ return and the possibility of hitting a massive Royal Flush is mathematically unbeatable.
Do not be intimidated by the strategy; with a little practice, the correct holds become second nature.
Always remember to play max coins and stay away from the terrible 7/5 or 6/5 machines hidden in the lobby.
May the cards fall perfectly for you, and we wish you a profitable Video Poker session.