Video poker is not like most other casino games — there’s an element of skill involved. As a result, experts have developed a simple video poker strategy for each variant, designed to help you make the best decisions based on your starting hand.
That’s what we’re here to talk about. We’ll start with the basic rules and odds of the game and look at video poker variants you will find at online casinos. Then, we’ll give you all the strategic tips you need to increase your winning chances. Let’s begin.
Basics of video poker
A standard video poker release works like this — you select a game at an online casino, place a bet, and the machine deals you five cards randomly. It’s up to you to decide which ones to keep and which to discard to create a winning poker hand.
The machine then replaces the cards you discarded. If the new cards help you to form a winning hand, you’ll be paid based on the game’s specific paytable. If not, you lose your stake.
With this in mind, you can influence the outcome with your decision, making the game partly skill-based and not simply reliant on luck. In fact, if you use optimal strategy, video poker boasts a return-to-player percentage of between 98% and 100%, making it one of the highest RTP casino games.

Video poker rules and odds
Before we move on to strategy for video poker, you should have an idea of the basic poker hands and odds that determine the payout. Some variations use different pay structures, but here, we’ve outlined the winning hands based on the most popular version, Jacks or Better.
– Pair: Any pair of Jacks, Queens, Kings, or Aces pays 1x.
– Two pairs: Two pairs of cards of any rank pay 2x.
– Three-of-a-kind: Three cards of the same rank pay 3x.
– Straight: Five cards in a row in different suits pay 4x.
– Flush: Five cards of the same suit pay 5x.
– Full house: Three cards of the same rank and a pair of cards of another rank pay 8x.
– Four of a kind: Four cards of the same rank pay 25x.
– Straight flush: Five cards in a row, all of the same suit, pay 50x.
– Royal flush: An Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and 10, all of the same suit, pay 250x.
Most popular video poker games
All video poker variations follow the same basic structure but come with slight rule changes that can impact gameplay and RTP. Let’s explore the most popular options available on the best offshore gambling sites.
Jacks or Better
Jacks or Better is the most popular variant of video poker. Although winning hands only start on a pair of jacks, the payouts beyond this make the game worthwhile. With a strong RTP above 99% when played optimally, it offers one of the best returns among casino games.
Basic Jacks or Better video poker strategy dictates that you should always keep any Jacks, Queens, Kings, or Aces on the first deal unless there is a strong possibility of hitting another high-paying hand.
Deuces Wild
As its name implies, all 2s act as wilds here, meaning they can replace any other card to form a winning hand. This significantly increases the chances of winning, and it means that a Deuces Wild video poker strategy revolves around keeping deuces when you get them.
Moreover, the paytable is different, with the lowest winning hand being three-of-a-kind, which pays only 1x the stake. This makes the rewards lower overall, but that’s the price you have to pay for higher chances of winning.
Joker Poker
Joker Poker is similar to Deuces Wild because the Joker acts as a ‘wild’ and can thus replace any other. The inclusion of the Joker card means that you’ll be playing with a 53-card deck instead of the standard 52.
Payouts vary here depending on the game provider. At the same time, there’s typically one additional winning hand, the Joker Royal Flush, which is actually the second-best hand in this variant.
First Person Video Poker
First Person Video Poker is a special video poker variant developed by specialist live casino provider Evolution. Jacks or Better is the default game, but you can switch to five other variants – including Bonus Poker – that pay up to 800:1 for a Royal Flush.
The game’s main attraction is that you can play up to 100 hands simultaneously, although just one hand is displayed to you at once. The multi-hand aspect starts on the second deal, where the computer distributes up to 100 unique hands while maintaining your selected cards.
How to use the best video poker strategy
Let’s look at how to play optimal video poker and decrease the house edge, where an element of skill increases your long-term odds.
Know the rules of each game
Every video poker variant is different, so it’s crucial to understand the payout structure of the variant you’re playing. Many games display winning hands within the game’s interface, giving you a visual reference for payouts. Others require a slight deviation in your approach.
For example, in Jacks or Better, it’s preferable to keep Jacks and higher-value cards if your hand is empty, while 2s are almost useless. Conversely, in Deuces Wild, you should keep 2s if you have nothing, as their ‘wild’ status can see them formulate high-paying hands.
Focus on pairs
Whenever you’re playing a variant where pairs pay, you should keep low pairs rather than discarding them for a better hand. Even if you have a single high card, a paying pair is generally the better choice, as it offers a guaranteed return and the potential to improve into three-of-a-kind, a full house, or even four-of-a-kind on the second draw.
Some new players make the mistake of breaking up a pair to chase a straight or a flush, but in most cases, this reduces their overall expected return. The golden rule in video poker is to never discard a winning hand in an attempt to build a better one.
Chase straights/flushes wisely
If you want to chase a straight or a flush, do it only when you’re one card shy from either. The risk justifies the high potential payout. If you only have three connected cards or cards of the same suit, the odds of completing the hand are much lower.
Don’t rule out a full discard
No matter the variant, there’s always a reason to discard all five cards. However, when to do it depends entirely on the variant. For instance, you should draw all five cards in Jacks or Better if you have no possible combinations and no Jacks or other high cards.
Avoid keeping a high kicker
Keeping a high kicker in video poker is never a good choice, i.e., a high card that’s not part of a potential winning hand. So, for example, if you have a pair of Jacks and an Ace, there’s no reason to keep the Ace, as it will reduce your chances of winning three-of-a-kind.
Utilize video poker strategy charts
The most important part of any video poker strategy is to find and consult a video poker strategy chart for the variant you’re playing. These charts tell you precisely what to do with your hand to give yourself the best mathematical chance of winning.
In other words, whenever you’re dealt the initial hand, simply find it on the chart and see the optimal corresponding action. It’s that simple.

Some strategy charts merely list hands in order of quality, so the goal is to keep the hand listed the highest. If given two options, go for the one listed higher on the chart.
For example, a Jacks or Better strategy chart lists a 3-card Royal Flush as higher than a low pair. So, if your first deal looks as follows:
5 ◆ | 5 ♣ | Ace ♥ | Queen ♥ | King ♥ |
It’s better to keep the Ace, Queen, and King of hearts and discard the two 5s, despite the chance of hitting a three-of-a-kind.
If a chart seems complicated, you can use a video poker calculator where you only need to type what you’ve received, and the program will tell you what to keep. It works on the same principle and is only there to simplify things and save you time.
Can you increase your odds in video poker?
Yes, of course. Unlike most other casino games, video poker involves an element of skill, meaning that specific actions can improve your odds. As mentioned, the primary way to do this is to use a strategy chart for the variant you’re playing.
Also, pay attention to the specific video poker title you’re playing. For example, the full-pay edition of Jacks or Better offers a greater RTP than a version called 6/5 Jacks or Better. In the latter, a Full House pays 6 coins and a Flush pays 5, which is increased to 9 and 6, respectively, in the former.
Can video poker be profitable?
Yes, it can. However, not only can video poker be profitable, but it’s also one of the most advantageous casino games available. Some players think physical video poker machines offer better returns, but online versions are just as rewarding thanks to their equally high RTP, especially on specific full-pay variants.
To increase your chances of winning real money from video poker, you should play at reputable, licensed online casinos and opt for high-RTP variants. You should also familiarize yourself with the payout rankings specific to your game and, above all, apply the optimal video poker strategy outlined on this page.
Conclusion
Video poker is a distinctive game type that’s both skill- and luck-based, making it a rarity in the online casino world. To win consistently, you must follow the optimal video poker strategy for your respective variant, although a degree of patience, bankroll management, and good fortune are also key to success.
Our advice here should help put you on the right track. By following the correct strategy chart for the version you’re playing, you’ll maximize your chances of winning — especially on video poker titles where the RTP can exceed 100% if you follow all the right steps.
FAQ
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References
- The Ultimate Video Poker Guide (Wizard of Odds)
- Video Poker Strategy: How to Win at Video Poker (Poker News)
- Your Key Guide to Video Poker Strategy (Casino.org)
- Jacks or Better Video Poker Strategy: How to Play & Win? (Poker News)