Best Video Poker Strategy - Top Strategies to Win At Video Poker

Video poker is one of those casino games that is not purely based on luck, but on some strategic decisions that players can make. In recent times, multiple strategies for playing video poker have been developed, which can affect the outcome of the game and help players enhance their playing experience.

These strategies help to improve your risk management, enjoy the game, and avoid overspending as you follow the steps of the strategy. In this guide, we are going to take a deep dive into the world of video poker and understand some of the best strategies that can help you win video poker and improve your gambling experience.

If you are a beginner in video poker, we have a special section explaining how to play it. Additionally, you will find several techniques for risk management and various tips on how to reduce your losses and increase your wins.

Understanding the Basics of Video Poker – Rules and Odds

The difference between video poker and slots is that poker gives a chance to have a say in the direction of the game. This makes the game more interesting and enjoyable. While the rules of video poker may differ depending on the variety, the general rules of playing poker are as follows:

To play video poker, first, you need to select an online casino and create an account with it. Next, you go to the live casino section and select the type of video poker you want to play.
To start the game, you need to decide the amount of your bet and click on the Deal. After that, you will be handed 5 cards, and 5 more cards will be on the board. While you can see all five of your cards, only one of the cards on the board is revealed.
Next, you can take a look at the cards and decide whether you want to fold any of your cards or draw new ones to replace them.
Then you click on the Bet or Fold to reveal the results of the game. If you get the winning combination, you will receive a payout based on the strength of your final.
Finally, you can decide to take your winnings or continue playing the game with another hand.

While these are the general rules, the winning hands and payout vary across different varieties of video poker and online casinos. Here are some of the most popular video poker game varieties.

Jacks or Better

Jacks or Better is a popular type of video poker where the hands are based on traditional poker hands. However, the winning hand starts with 2 jacks, meaning that you will need to have a pair of jacks or a stronger hand to win the round. Here are the winning combinations in Jacks or Better.

Royal Flush: A, K, Q, J, 10 of the same suits.
Straight Flush: Five consecutive cards of the same suit.
Four of a Kind: Four cards of the same rank.
Full House: Three cards of one rank and two cards of another rank.
Flush: Five cards of the same suit, not in sequential order.
Straight: Five consecutive cards of mixed suits.
Three of a Kind: Three cards of the same rank.
Two Pairs: Two sets of pairs.
Jacks or Better: A pair of Jacks, Queens, Kings, or Aces.

Bonus, Double Bonus, and Double, Double Bonus

Here is another popular variety of video poker which is quite similar to Jacks or Better. However, Bonus Poker offers more winning hands compared to Jacks or Better. Consequently, the payouts are much lower in Bonus Poker based on the fact that the chance of getting a winning hand is higher.

Odds and Payouts of Video Poker

In addition to the rules of playing video poker, players must pay attention to the payouts and odds of forming winning hands.

Payouts differ from casino to casino and before starting the game, players can explore the payout for each winning hand in the information section. The higher the hand, the more the payout. Though higher-ranking hands receive the largest payouts, they are less likely to occur than the low-ranking hands.

When it comes to the odds, there are three things to pay attention to:

Return to Player (RTP): The RTPs of video poker games varies depending on the game variant and the specific paytable. Hence, make sure to check the RTP before selecting a game or the casino.
Odds of Forming Winning Hands: The odds of forming winning hands in video poker depend on the variant being played and the paytable. Hands such as Jacks or Better are more common and have higher probabilities of occurring, while hands like Royal Flush are rarer but offer larger payouts.
Strategy: Employing optimal strategy is crucial for achieving the highest possible RTP in video poker. Strategies involve knowing which cards to hold and which to discard based on the initial dealt hand. We will speak about strategies in detail in the next sections.

Why Should You Use a Video Poker Strategy?

Using a video poker strategy is essential for several reasons – starting from effective bankroll management to maximizing your chances of winning. Here are some benefits players can get if they employ an effective video poker strategy.

Minimizing losses – A well-defined strategy helps minimize losses during losing streaks. By knowing which cards to hold and which to discard, you can mitigate losses and preserve your bankroll for future gameplay sessions.
Reducing the House Edge – Video poker games have a lower house edge compared to many other casino games, especially when played with optimal strategy. By minimizing the house edge, you can decrease the casino’s advantage and increase your odds of winning.
Controlling your emotions and avoiding overspending – Using a video poker strategy is also crucial for efficient bankroll management. When players hit a losing streak, it is difficult to control emotions, and this can lead to unreasonable decisions. If you have a strategy, you stick to it and don’t take extreme steps that can harm your bankroll management and lead to huge losses.
Maximizing winnings – Employing a strategy maximizes your chances of winning in the long run. By making optimal decisions based on the cards you’re dealt, you can increase your expected return and improve your overall profitability.
Getting more excitement from the game – If you employ a specific strategy, you get the feeling that the outcome of the game does not only depend on your luck, but you can influence the direction of the game. This helps to build confidence while playing meanwhile bringing you more excitement from the depth and complexity of the process.
Long-term success – Consistently using a video poker strategy can lead to long-term success and profitability. By discovering proven principles and techniques and by continuous learning, you can improve your gameplay over time and achieve positive results in the competitive world of video poker.

Best Video Poker Strategies Explained

Now that you are familiar with the best video poker strategies, let’s see how you can apply these strategies in your game. In this section, we are going to explore all of the top 5 video poker strategies included in our list to better understand how they work and how they can maximize your winning chances.

Understand Video Poker Pay Tables – Essential Video Poker Strategy to Learn

Understanding video poker pay tables is the most essential strategy if you want to maximize your winnings and make informed decisions about the gameplay. The pay tables introduce different payouts that you will get for various hand rankings in descending order of strength. Usually, hand rankings match with the hand rankings in classic poker. However the rules may slightly differ across video poker varieties.

An Example of a Paytable for Jacks or Better Video Poker Type

While in some poker varieties, the payouts may start from the highest-ranking card, there are other types of video poker where the winners only get the payout if they have a pair of Jacks or a higher-ranking hand.

It is also essential to note that the highest-ranking hands are less likely to occur compared to the lowest-ranking hands, and still, they promise higher payouts. The payouts listed in the paytable represent the number of coins won for each winning hand.

On paytables, you will find the hands ranked and the amount of coins next to the hand you will get if you get that hand. For example, Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Four of a Kind, and Full House are the highest-ranking hands and can bring you higher payouts. Understanding this may help you make a more reasonable decision about which card to drop to get a better chance of winning the hand.

Different variants of video poker may feature variations in the paytable structure, including the payouts for specific hand rankings. Be familiar with the specific paytable for the variant you’re playing, as variations can impact your overall expected return and profitability.

Paytables also vary from casino to casino, so be careful which casino you select, as it also can impact the outcome of the game.

Jacks or Better Strategy – Best Strategy to Win at Jacks or Better

Jacks or Better strategy is the best strategy for the video poker variety called Jacks or Better. It involves making the best decisions based on the cards you’re dealt, and the potential payouts listed in the paytable.

The strategy is based on the fact that in order to win, you must hold at least a pair of Jacks. Other hands that rank as winning hands in classic poker or other video poker varieties don’t bring you victory in this type of video poker.

Considering the rules, the Jacks or Better strategy recommends always keeping a winning hand. Winning hands guarantee a payout, so there’s no need to risk breaking up the hand in hopes of improving it.

If you’re not dealt a winning hand, assess your cards and hold any high cards that could potentially form a winning hand. Holding onto these cards increases your chances of forming a high-ranking hand on the draw.

One of the rules of this strategy is to hold potential Straights, Flushes, and Straight Flushes. If you have four cards to a straight or flush, the strategy recommends holding all of them to increase your chances of completing the hand on the draw. Similarly, if you have three cards to a royal flush, hold all three for the chance to hit a lucrative royal flush.

The Highest-ranking Hands for Jacks or Better

Similarly, if you’re not dealt any high cards or potential drawing hands, prioritize discarding unmatched low cards in favor of drawing new cards in hopes of forming a winning hand. Holding low cards that don’t contribute to potential straights, flushes, or pairs reduces your chances of improving your hand.

Learn Rankings and Winning Hands – Video Poker Strategy to Increase the Chances of Winning

Learning the rankings and winning hands in video poker is fundamental to developing an effective strategy and maximizing your chances of success. This helps you make a better decision about which cards to hold as you know which cards have the potential to win in the game.

One of the tips with this strategy is to hold onto cards that could potentially form strong hands, such as four cards to a flush, straight, or royal flush.

Once you form a made hand, avoid breaking it up unless you have a specific strategy-based reason to do so. Breaking up hands unnecessarily can decrease your chances of receiving a payout. The strategy also suggests playing with the maximum number of coins whenever possible.

This ensures that you can get the highest payout. Practicing poker regularly is also a good tip for this strategy, as it helps you familiarize yourself with hand ranks and refine your strategy.

The Highest-ranking Hands for Jacks or Better

If it’s hard for you to remember all the rankings, you can use a chart that gives you a visual aid and helps you quickly check what cards could form a winning hand from the ones you have. By understanding hand rankings and formulating a winning strategy based on optimal decision-making, you can improve your skills and increase your chances of success in video poker.

Use a Video Poker Chart – Efficient Strategy to Keep the Highest-Ranking Hands

Another popular strategy in video poker is using video poker charts, otherwise known as video poker strategy cards. It is a visual reference tool that guides players on which cards to hold or discard based on the initial dealt hand in a game of video poker.

It helps players make optimal decisions to maximize their chances of forming winning combinations and receiving higher payouts. Before using this strategy, familiarize yourself with the hand rankings in video poker and hands ranking in the specific type of video poker you are going to play.

These rankings determine the strength of your hand and the potential payout. Once you know the rankings in video poker, it gets easier to use the strategy chart. All you need to do is to check your cards and see what hands you have got.

An Example of a Video Poker Strategy Chart

After that, you need to take a look at the chart and see what is recommended to do with your hand. In the chart, you will find information matching with the specific initial dealt hand and the information consulting how many cards you need to replace when you are dealt with a specific hand.

Follow the recommendations closely to optimize your gameplay and increase your chances of winning.

Know When to Play Max Coins – Best Strategy to Maximize Your Potential Winnings

Before deciding whether to play max coins, review the pay table of the video poker game you are playing. It’s essential to understand the payouts for different hand rankings as they differ from casino to casino.

A great deal of attention must be paid to the payout for Royal Flush as it offers a huge payout, especially when you play with the maximum number of coins.

Max Coin Strategy Example

It is also important to evaluate your budget and risk tolerance to decide whether you can play max coins or not. The reason for this is that playing max coins increases your wager size and potential losses if luck isn’t on your side.

Ensure that you are comfortable with and can afford the increased bet size. Take into account any variant-specific considerations when you decide whether you play max coins or not.

Tips to Win at Video Poker

There are several factors that can affect the outcome of the game and increase your winning chances. Here are some important tips to consider if you want to win at video poker.

Learn the Rules: Familiarize yourself with the rules and winning hands of video poker. Consider that different varieties of video poker have different rules regarding the winning hands. Hence, explore in detail the rules of the video poker variant you are playing.
Explore the Payouts: Besides learning the rules, it’s helpful to know the payouts for each winning hand. The strongest hands bring you the highest payouts, so you need to keep the cards that are more likely to bring you a strong winning hand.

Choose the right casino: Payouts and varieties of poker differ from casino to casino. Hence, it’s necessary to select an online casino that offers the most profitable payouts. You need to also make sure that the casino supports the variety of video poker games you are interested in. Finally, some of the best crypto and bitcoin casinos also offer welcome bonuses for video poker so you can also make use of the bonus if you select the relevant casino. To do so, we suggest that you visit our guide about the best video poker sites in 2024.
Use Optimal Strategy: Study and practice optimal video poker strategy for the specific variant you’re playing. Use strategy charts or guides to make the best decisions based on the cards you’re dealt. Stick to the recommended plays to maximize your expected return and minimize the house edge.
Practice Patience: Like Blackjack and other table games, Video poker is a game of skill and strategy that requires patience and discipline. Avoid impulsive decisions and take your time to analyze each hand carefully. Don’t rush through your gameplay and make sure to stick to your chosen strategy.
Keep Learning: When it comes to video poker, there is always room for development. Continuously learn about the odds of getting certain hands, as well as practicing different strategies to have a better understanding of how the game works.

6 Essential Risk Management Strategies for Video Poker Betting

Effective risk management is crucial for success in video poker betting. Here are some essential strategies to help you manage your risk and optimize your gameplay.

1. Setting a Budget

Determine the maximum amount of money you are willing to risk at playing video poker and stick to it. Your budget should be an amount you can afford to lose without leaving an impact on your financial stability. Once you reach your budget limit, stop playing without giving in to temptation and try to avoid chasing losses.

2. Pick the Right Game

Online casinos offer multiple varieties of video poker, each with its own nuances and specific rules. While all of them may follow the general video poker rules, there can be differences related to the winning hands, payouts, etc.

Make sure that you read the instructions for different poker varieties and pick the one that is more enjoyable for you. Additionally, get familiar with the payout each winning hand offers to do the right calculations for your strategy.

3. Set Win and Loss Limits

Set reasonable limits on how much you want to win at playing video poker and how much you can afford to lose. Stick to these limits you determined before starting the game and make sure to leave the game at the right time even if you hit the losing streak and don’t make a profit from the game.

Remember that greed or chasing losses may lead to unreasonable decisions and huge losses.

4. Taking Breaks

Video poker sessions can often be mentally exhausting, especially during extended gameplay. Take regular breaks to rest, recharge, and refocus your mind. Avoid playing when you are tired, stressed, or distracted, as it can have a bad impact on your decision-making and lead to poor outcomes.

5. Manage Your Emotions

Pay attention to your emotions while playing video poker. Avoid letting emotions like anger, greed, or frustration determine the direction of the game and affect your betting decisions. Stay calm, rational, and disciplined even during the losing streaks, and keep a positive mindset to make sound choices. Don’t let your emotions control you, and make sure you make reasonable decisions.

6. Maintain a Win-loss Track Record

Keep track of your video poker sessions, including wins, losses, and betting patterns. Reviewing your gameplay data can help identify trends, areas for improvement, and opportunities to refine your strategy. Use the track record to adjust your approach and enhance your overall performance.

Conclusion

In conclusion, enhancing your experience of video poker requires a combination of skill, strategy, and discipline. Throughout this guide, we’ve explored the fundamental strategies necessary to minimize your losses and maximize your chances of success.

From understanding the rules and odds of various video poker variants to using the right strategy for responsible bankroll management, each aspect plays a crucial role in achieving profitable outcomes.

Our guide is a valuable source for players with different levels of video poker experience. Whether you are just stepping into the world of video poker or you are already familiar with the game and want to improve your skills, you will find useful tips and strategies to increase your proficiency in this journey.

While strategies are important to increase your chance of winning, it is also crucial to control your emotions and set realistic expectations from the game. Finally, you should also explore other casino techniques such as the best roulette strategy.

FAQs

What is the most profitable video poker strategy?

The most profitable video poker strategy varies depending on the specific variant of the game being played, as well as the paytable and payout structure. However, there are some general principles and strategies that can help maximize your chances of winning in most video poker games. This includes holding cards that are more likely to lead a winning hand, holding cards that bring the highest wins, and using a strategy chart, etc.

Does video poker have better odds than other casino games?

Yes, video poker generally offers some of the best odds in the industry, which makes the game more profitable for players. It offers better odds than many other casino games, particularly when played with optimal strategy. Unlike many casino games that rely purely on luck, video poker is a skill-based game. With proper strategy and decision-making, players can significantly influence the outcome of each hand.

What is the winning percentage in video poker?

The winning percentage is a term similar to the Return to Player (RTP) percentage, which varies depending on several factors, including the specific variant of video poker being played, the paytable, and the player's skill level. However, in general, video poker games offer RTP percentages that are typically over 99% when played with optimal strategy.

Can you make a living off video poker?

While it’s possible to make a living off video poker for highly skilled players who consistently employ optimal strategy and have access to favorable games with high RTP percentages, relying only on video poker is a challenging task. Though video poker not only includes the element of luck but also a skill, you should approach it with realistic expectations and keep learning about the game to minimize your losses.