Mastering video poker strategy transforms a game of chance into a skill-based pursuit. Whether you play recreationally between slots or study paytables as a side hustle, the right approach reduces variance, improves your expected return, and makes every session more rewarding. In this guide I’ll share practical, experience-driven advice, explain the math behind common decisions, and walk through real examples so you can immediately apply better strategies at the machine or online.
Why a clear video poker strategy matters
Many players treat video poker like slots—press the button and hope for a good result. But video poker is unique: the decisions you make after the initial deal directly affect the expected payout. With the best strategy and favorable paytables, some video poker variants approach a positive expectation for skilled players. Even when the house edge exists, strategy narrows the gap between casual play and optimal play.
From personal experience playing in brick-and-mortar casinos and practicing on simulators, I learned that a consistent, repeatable process—reading paytables, selecting the correct game variant, and following a strategy chart—transforms outcomes. You can see the difference quickly: mistakes that look harmless (discarding a high pair for four to a flush, for example) show up in long-term ROI.
Core concepts every player must know
- Paytable matters: "Full-pay" games return more than reduced-pay versions. Learn the exact paytable before sitting down.
- Expected value (EV): Each decision has an EV. Good strategy maximizes long-term EV, not short-term wins.
- Variance and bankroll: Video poker can swing wildly. A proper bankroll depends on the game’s variance and how long you intend to play.
- Skill vs luck: While the initial draw is random, subsequent choices are pure skill.
How to read a paytable and choose the right machine
Start every session by checking the paytable. For example, Jacks or Better has famously different returns based on the full-pay (commonly called 9/6) and short-pay versions (8/5, 7/5, etc.). A 9/6 Jacks or Better has a much higher return than a reduced table—small changes in payouts for full house or flush swing the expected return considerably.
Look for games with better payouts on rare hands (royal flush, straight flush) and common hands (two pair, full house). Avoid machines with obscure or unusually low payouts; the math behind those tables is simple: the casino increases the house edge.
Practical strategy rules that cover most situations
Below are concise strategy rules you'll use thousands of times. Memorize or keep a strategy card handy; practice makes them second nature.
- Always hold a paying hand (pair of jacks or better, two pair, three of a kind, straight, flush, full house, four of a kind, straight flush, royal flush).
- Hold a high pair (Jacks or better) over four to a straight or four to a flush.
- Hold three to a royal flush over low pairs in most variants, especially when the royal’s value is boosted (progressive jackpots change this rule).
- Hold four to a straight flush or four to a flush over lower-paying singles or two-card options.
- When in doubt between two options, prioritize the one with higher expected value—this often means preferring complete paying hands over drawing to speculative draws.
Example decisions: Jacks or Better
Let’s run through two concrete examples to illustrate thought processes:
Example A: You’re dealt 6♥ 7♥ 8♥ J♣ 2♠. You have three to a straight flush (6-7-8 of hearts). You also have a jack single (J♣). Strategy: Hold 6♥ 7♥ 8♥ (three to straight flush). The EV of chasing the straight/flush/straight-flush combination typically exceeds discarding the straight draw to keep a lone jack.
Example B: You’re dealt A♦ A♣ 2♥ 3♠ 4♣. You have a pair of aces and also four to a flush or straight? In this case, keep the pair of aces. High pairs are stable and give good immediate payout—discarding them for a speculative draw increases variance and usually lowers EV.
Adjusting strategy for different variants
Not every video poker game uses the same strategy. Below are a few common variants and key adjustments.
- Deuces Wild: Wild cards change hand probabilities. You’ll chase wild-based hands (five of a kind, natural royal) and prioritize different starting hands than Jacks or Better.
- Double Bonus: Adjust to prioritize potential four of a kind pay bumps.
- Progressive jackpots: When the royal flush progressive is large enough, strategy shifts to favor five-card royal-chasing hands; three to a royal may become more valuable than a high pair depending on jackpot size.
Bankroll management and session planning
Video poker variance is real. For low-variance play, choose single-line Jacks or Better at full-pay tables and keep bet sizes small relative to your bankroll. For thrill-seekers or when chasing progressives, be prepared for long dry spells and larger variance—your bankroll should reflect that.
Rule of thumb: for full strategy play at a low-variance machine, a bankroll of several hundred to a few thousand units (depending on bet size) offers reasonable protection. If you play multi-hand video poker or progressive games, multiply your recommended bankroll accordingly.
Tools and practice to build expertise
Practice online with free-play versions or dedicated training apps that show correct plays and track mistakes. Use paytable calculators and strategy trainers that let you import the exact paytable and produce an optimal strategy chart. Work through trainer feedback until correct decisions are automatic.
If you want to branch out into social or alternative platforms, try visiting keywords for game options and practice modes—using different environments helps you generalize decision-making across interfaces.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
- Ignoring the paytable: Always check it before playing. Two machines side-by-side can look identical but provide different returns.
- Memorizing only partial strategy: Bad habits form when you memorize shortcuts. Drill full strategy for your chosen variant until you rarely deviate.
- Chasing losses: Video poker has no memory. A strategic restart or session break is better than increasing bet sizes to recoup losses.
- Misjudging progressives: Don’t assume a progressive always changes strategy—calculate whether the jackpot size justifies a change in EV.
How to keep improving—metrics and habits
Track your sessions: hands played, hours, wins/losses, and which mistakes were made. You’ll quickly see patterns—particular decisions that cost you value. Use this log to target improvement areas. My own logs revealed a repeated weakness: overvaluing four to an outside straight when a high pair was present. Once corrected, my short-term results stabilized.
Develop a pre-play checklist: check paytable, confirm bet level, set loss and win limits, and ensure distractions are minimized. Small pre-session rituals make disciplined play repeatable.
Final checklist for every session
- Verify the paytable and choose the best available variant.
- Set your bankroll and session limits before you start.
- Use strategy charts or a trainer until plays are automatic.
- Record key stats and review them periodically for improvement.
- Adjust strategy only when math justifies it (e.g., progressive jackpots).
Conclusion: make strategy your competitive edge
Adopting a rigorous video poker strategy is the single best way to tilt the game in your favor. The difference between a casual player and a competent, informed player is measurable in EV and session volatility. Start by learning paytables, practicing with training tools, and applying the concise rules in this guide. Over time your decisions will become instinctive and your results will reflect the effort.
For more ways to practice and expand your game knowledge across different platforms, check out keywords.
Play with discipline, keep learning from your sessions, and treat strategy as an evolving skill—your future wins will thank you.
