Video Poker: Mastering Optimal Play

Video poker differs fundamentally from traditional poker because players compete against a machine rather than other players. The pay table is the most critical element determining your potential returns. Each video poker machine displays its pay table clearly, showing the payout for every hand combination from a pair of jacks up to a royal flush.

A royal flush typically pays 250 coins for a 5-coin bet on most machines, while a straight flush pays between 50 and 100 coins depending on the variant. Full houses range from 8 to 45 coins, and flushes from 5 to 20 coins. These variations significantly impact your long-term returns. Two identical machines may have substantially different expected values based on their pay tables alone.

Professional players study multiple machines before playing, comparing pay tables to identify which offers the best value. This practice of "machine hunting" is fundamental to optimal play and can mean the difference between a 98% return and a 95% return over time.

Return percentages in video poker are calculated based on optimal play with perfect strategy. A machine with a 99.5% return means that, playing with perfect strategy, a player can expect to lose only 0.5% of their wagered money over an infinite number of hands. This compares favorably to many other casino games.

Return percentages vary by video poker variant. Jacks or Better machines typically range from 95% to 99.5% depending on pay table quality. Deuces Wild machines offer returns between 95% and 100%, while Bonus Poker variants may reach 99% to 100% with optimal strategy.

The house edge decreases significantly when players employ correct strategy. Without strategy, a player might face a 5% house edge. With optimal play, this can be reduced to 0.5% or lower on quality machines. This dramatic difference underscores why learning strategy is essential for video poker players.

Video poker strategy involves knowing which cards to hold and which to discard in every possible situation. Strategy charts provide guidance for each machine variant, showing the optimal decision for every potential five-card hand you might receive.

The basic principle is that you should always hold combinations that already have value—pairs, three of a kind, straights, and flushes. When you have nothing, the strategy becomes more nuanced. You might hold a high card, a combination of cards that could develop into a straight, or cards that could form a flush.

Jacks or Better strategy prioritizes holding royal flush combinations first, then straight flushes, then three of a kind. If you have none of these, the strategy evaluates lower combinations like two pair, a pair of jacks or higher, or potential straight and flush draws. Following these charts precisely maximizes your expected value on each hand.

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