How to Play Video Poker: A Beginner's Guide
Video poker is one of the few casino games where your decisions genuinely influence the outcome. Unlike slot machines, which rely entirely on chance, video poker rewards strategy and skill. With the right approach and an understanding of paytables, you can achieve some of the highest return-to-player (RTP) percentages available; over 99% on certain machines. This guide breaks everything down so you can learn the rules, master key strategies, and choose the games that give you the best shot at long-term success.
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The Basics of Video Poker
At its core, video poker is a simple draw game based on five-card poker. Your goal is to make the strongest hand possible, with payouts shown on an on-screen paytable. All versions share these principles:
- You play against the machine, not other players.
- Each game lists winning hands and their payouts.
- After an initial deal, you hold the cards you want and draw replacements to finish your hand.
Controls are straightforward: “Deal” starts the hand, “Hold” locks in cards, “Draw” completes your hand, and the paytable highlights your payout.
How to Play Video Poker Step-by-Step
It's important to understand the basic gameplay mechanics before playing any poker game. This section will walk you through each step of the process, giving you a foundation for effective play.
Step 1: Select Your Bet Size
Decide how much you want to wager. Video poker uses credits (or coins), and you’ll choose both the value of each credit and how many to bet (up to five). Betting the maximum usually unlocks the highest payout for a Royal Flush.
Tip: Use the Bet One or Bet Max buttons to make things faster.
Step 2: Deal Your First Cards
Press Deal to receive your opening five cards. Some games deal face down, others face up — either way, these are your starting point.
Step 3: Hold the Cards You Want
Under each card, you’ll see a Hold button. Click on the cards you want to keep. The goal is to build the strongest poker hand by replacing weaker cards.
Step 4: Draw New Cards
Hit Draw to replace the cards you didn’t hold. These new cards complete your hand.
Step 5: Outcome & Payout
Once the draw is complete, the game will highlight your best hand in the paytable. Your winnings will be credited automatically, and a new round begins.
Video Poker Hand Rankings
Winning hands mirror standard poker. From highest to lowest:
| Hand Name | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Flush | A, K, Q, J, 10 of the same suit | A♠️ K♠️ Q♠️ J♠️ 10♠️ |
| Straight Flush | Five consecutive cards, same suit | 5❤️ 6❤️ 7❤️ 8❤️ 9❤️ |
| Four of a Kind | Four cards of the same rank | 9♣️ 9♦️ 9❤️ 9♠️ 2♦️ |
| Full House | Three of a kind plus a pair | 3♠️ 3♦️ 3♣️ 6♠️ 6♣️ |
| Flush | Five cards of the same suit | 2♦️ 5♦️ 7♦️ J♦️ Q♦️ |
| Straight | Five consecutive cards, any suit | 4♣️ 5♦️ 6♠️ 7❤️ 8♠️ |
| Three of a Kind | Three cards of the same rank | 7♣️ 7♦️ 7♠️ 2♠️ 5❤️ |
| Two Pair | Two different pairs | 8♠️ 8♦️ 5♣️ 5♠️ J♠️ |
| Jacks or Better | Pair of Jacks or higher | J♣️ J♦️ 4♠️ 6♠️ 9♠️ |
| High Card | No other hand | A♠️ 7♣️ 5♦️ 3♠️ 2❤️ |
Understanding Payouts & Betting
Most machines use a credit-based system (e.g., $0.25 per credit). A standard 9/6 Jacks or Better paytable pays 9 credits for a Full House and 6 for a Flush. Betting five credits is key — it boosts the Royal Flush prize from 250:1 to 4,000 credits.
| Hand | 1 Credit | 5 Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 250 | 4,000 |
| Straight Flush | 50 | 250 |
| Four of a Kind | 25 | 125 |
| Full House | 9 | 45 |
| Flush | 6 | 30 |
| Straight | 4 | 20 |
| Three of a Kind | 3 | 15 |
| Two Pair | 2 | 10 |
| Jacks or Better | 1 | 5 |
Popular Video Poker Variations You Should Know
Before trying any video poker machine, get familiar with these popular variations to find the game that best matches your playing style and experience level:
- Jacks or Better: The foundation of video poker, requiring a pair of Jacks or higher to win. It features the classic 9/6 paytable (9 credits for a Full House, 6 for a Flush). Remember to always keep high pairs; only break a pat straight or flush when you have four cards for a royal flush. Recommended for: Beginners seeking straightforward gameplay.
- Deuces Wild: Creates exciting possibilities with all twos serving as wild cards. Natural Royal Flush awards 800:1 per credit while Four Deuces pays an impressive 200:1 in full-pay versions. Always hold pat hands of Five of a Kind or better; discard everything except Deuces when holding fewer than three. Recommended for: Intermediate players comfortable with more complex decisions.
- Double Bonus: Delivers enhanced payouts specifically for four-of-a-kind combinations. Four Aces deliver 160:1 per credit in full-pay versions, creating higher volatility. Hold high pairs more aggressively than in other variations; consider chasing kickers (such as an Ace with a 2, 3, 4) when appropriate. Recommended for: Advanced players who can handle the higher variance.
- Joker Poker: Introduces a Joker to the standard deck as a valuable wild card. An expanded 53-card deck requires a minimum hand of Kings or Better to win. Prioritize using the Joker to complete Straights and Flushes rather than strengthening low pairs. Recommended for: Intermediate players seeking a balanced challenge.
Video Poker Strategy
Developing a solid poker strategy is key to success in video poker. Understanding common pitfalls and using proven techniques can improve your overall experience and potential returns.
Top Video Poker Mistakes Players Make
Even experienced players can fall into these common traps that reduce their chances of success. Review these common errors and their solutions to improve your performance:
- Neglecting Paytable Analysis: Overlooking paytable variations can cost you significant potential returns. Always check that you're playing a full-pay or favorable paytable before committing to your bankroll.
- Insufficient Betting Strategy: Playing with minimal bets reduces potential winnings and lowers the game's overall RTP. Whenever possible, bet five credits to maximize returns, especially for Royal Flush payouts.
- Poor Card Selection: Keeping unnecessary cards can significantly weaken your draw potential. Reference a strategy chart specific to your chosen game variant for optimal hold decisions.
- Emotional Bankroll Management: Attempting to recover losses quickly often leads to depleted funds. Establish firm session limits and respect them regardless of outcomes.
- Playing Without Strategic Guidance: Relying on intuition rather than proven strategies increases the house edge substantially. Study and implement optimal strategy charts for your preferred video poker variation.
Video Poker Success Tips for New Players
Starting out can be intimidating, but these fundamental principles will help you build a solid base for success:
- Comprehensive Paytable Evaluation: Carefully examine the machine's paytable before playing to identify the most favorable games.
- Risk-Free Skill Development: Use free practice games to build confidence and perfect your decision-making without financial pressure.
- Strategic Hand Selection: Prioritize high pairs and potential flush combinations when deciding which cards to hold.
- Maximum Return Betting: Whenever your bankroll permits, bet the maximum credits to unlock enhanced Royal Flush payouts.
- Disciplined Bankroll Protection: Establish and adhere to a predetermined budget, avoiding the temptation to chase losses.
- Optimal Decision-Making Resources: Leverage strategy charts and guides to inform your play decisions and maximize potential returns.
Start Playing Video Poker
Understanding video poker mechanics, selecting the best-paying game variations, and implementing proven strategies are the cornerstones of any skill-based game. Regular practice on free platforms allows you to refine your decision-making abilities without financial risk.
With the knowledge from this guide, you're now equipped to apply strategic principles that can significantly improve your gameplay experience and potential returns. Test your skills on our recommended video poker platforms, where you can implement these strategies in practice mode before transitioning to real bets.
Both games challenge you to build the strongest poker hand, but that’s where the similarities end. Video poker is a one-player experience where you compete against a programmed paytable rather than other people. Traditional poker, on the other hand, pits you against live opponents and includes tactics like bluffing and reading tells. Betting formats also vary, with video poker using set wagers per hand while table poker often involves raises, calls, and pots.
Video poker blends the structure of draw poker with the simplicity of a slot machine. You play against a computerized deck, aiming to make the best five-card hand possible. After the deal, you choose which cards to keep and which to swap, then the machine evaluates your final hand and pays out according to the displayed paytable.
There’s a wide selection of video poker titles, each with its own twists. Popular options include Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, Joker Poker, Aces & Eights, and bonus-heavy versions like Double Bonus Poker. Some casinos also feature hybrid games such as Ultimate Texas Hold’em or Caribbean Stud Poker, giving you fresh takes on the classic draw-and-hold format.
Start by choosing your wager, then press Deal to receive five cards. Decide which cards to keep by tapping the Hold buttons, then draw new ones to complete your hand. Once you lock in your cards, the game compares your result to its paytable and automatically awards any winnings. While certain variants tweak the rules slightly, this core sequence stays the same.
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