How to Play Video Poker

This guide is for new video poker players who want to learn how to play.

Here, I’ll show you the game rules, hand rankings, and a simple step-by-step on how to get started. We’ll also look at common paytables and share some tips to help you win.

So, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned player, this guide will make video poker easy to understand and enjoy.

Video Poker Rules

As I’ve mentioned, the goal is to make the best possible hand. Here are the basic mechanics.

• Place Your Bet: The game begins with a bet, usually between one and five coins.
• Deal: You are dealt five cards by the machine.
• Hold or Discard: Choose which cards to keep (hold) and which to discard. Click on the cards you want to hold. This is where strategy and decision-making come into play.
• Draw: Random new cards replace the discarded ones. This is the random part of the game, ensured by a Random Number Generator (RNG).
• Payout: Your final hand is compared to the paytable, and you are paid based on its strength.

This is the basic process for every video poker game. However, different variations introduce unique rules and paytables that affect gameplay and payouts. For example:

• In Deuces Wild, all twos (deuces) are wild cards.
• In Joker Poker, a joker is added as a wild card.

Each video poker game you find will display a paytable on the screen, showing the payouts for different hands. Here’s the layout of the game.

Hand Rankings

The hands in video poker are almost the same as those in traditional poker. However, depending on the variant, there may be some differences.

The Royal Flush is the best poker hand in this game, followed by a Straight Flush.

How to Play Video Poker in 5 Easy Steps

Now that you understand the rules and know that there are different variations and paytables, here’s a summary to help you get started.

This step-by-step guide will help you choose the best game, understand the paytable, place your bets, and play your hand to maximize your chances of winning.

1. Pick a Game

   Start by choosing a video poker variation that suits you. My personal favorite is Deuces Wild because the wild cards add an extra layer of strategy.
   
   Popular options include Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, and Joker Poker. Each variation has slightly different rules and paytables, so take some time to explore other options and find one that interests you.
   
   Trust me, finding the right game can make a big difference in your enjoyment and success.

2. Review the Paytable

   Familiarize yourself with the paytable before playing. The paytable shows the payouts for different hands and helps you understand what combinations to aim for.
   
   In my experience, look for paytables with favorable payouts, such as 9/6 for Jacks or Better, meaning 9 coins for a full house and 6 coins for a flush.
   
   This gives you better odds and can significantly impact your winnings.

3. Place Your Bets

   Video poker machines offer various bet formats, usually allowing you to bet between one and five coins per hand.
   
   The minimum bet is often as low as $0.05, while the maximum can be up to $100 or more. Consider your bankroll and betting strategy when placing your bets.
   
   I always recommend betting the maximum number of coins because of the higher payouts.

4. Start the Game

   Click the deal button to draw five cards.
   
   Review your hand and decide which cards to hold and which to discard. Click on the cards you want to keep, and then click the draw button to replace the discarded cards with new ones.
   
   This hold/draw mechanic is where your strategy comes into play. Your decisions will directly impact your final hand, so think carefully about which cards to keep.

5. Get the Outcome!
   

   After the draw, your final hand is evaluated against the paytable.
   
   The machine will automatically calculate your winnings based on the strength of your hand. If your hand matches one of the winning combinations, you’ll receive a payout according to the paytable.

Video Poker Paytables

One of the advantages of video poker is seeing the “price” or financial return you can expect when playing. This is why, in many cases, it is a “beatable” game and why it always has the best value for your dollar.

You will find paytables displayed in coins or multipliers.

• When shown in coins (like below), the paytable indicates the payout for each winning hand based on the number of coins bet.
• When shown as multipliers, it represents the multiple of your bet amount that you can win.

Jacks or Better Example Paytable

Jacks or Better is the best introduction to video poker because it has a simple paytable to understand. In this game, you need at least a pair of Jacks to get paid.

Notice that the payout for the Royal Flush is significantly higher when betting five coins, which is why betting the maximum is often recommended.

Here are the standard payouts for Jacks or Better.

Hand	1 Coin	2 Coins	3 Coins	4 Coins	5 Coins
Royal Flush	250	500	750	1000	4000
Straight Flush	50	100	150	200	250
Four of a Kind	25	50	75	100	125
Full House	9	18	27	36	45
Flush	6	12	18	24	30
Straight	4	8	12	16	20
Three of a Kind	3	6	9	12	15
Two Pair	2	4	6	8	10
Jacks or Better	1	2	3	4	5
Return %	98.37%	98.37%	98.37%	98.37%	99.54%

Deuces Wild Example Paytable

When you play a round of Deuces Wild, all deuces in the deck are wild and can be substituted for any card’s rank and suit. That makes things a bit different on the paytable, specifically for big hands that include wilds.

The higher payouts for hands like Four Deuces and the Natural Royal Flush contribute to the high return percentage, which can exceed 100% with perfect strategy.

Check out the full pay table, and note the difference in royal flushes.

Hand	1 Coin	2 Coins	3 Coins	4 Coins	5 Coins
Natural Royal Flush	300	600	900	1200	4000
Four Deuces	200	400	600	800	1000
Wild Royal Flush	25	50	75	100	125
Five of a Kind	15	30	45	60	75
Straight Flush	9	18	27	36	45
Four of a Kind	5	10	15	20	25
Full House	3	6	9	12	15
Flush	2	4	6	8	10
Straight	2	4	6	8	10
Three of a Kind	1	2	3	4	5
Return %	99.67%	99.67%	99.67%	99.67%	100.76%

Full Pay vs. Short Pay Paytables

You must look at the video poker paytables to know if they’re playing full pay or short pay. This gives you an indication as to how much each winning combination pays for each bet level.

How to Identify Full Pay vs. Short Pay Machines

To determine whether you’re playing on a full pay or short pay machine, check the paytable displayed on the game. Here are some tips:

• Jacks or Better: Full-pay machines have a 9/6 paytable (9 coins for a full house, 6 coins for a flush). Paytables showing 7/5 or 8/5 indicate short-pay machines.
• Deuces Wild: Look for high payouts for hands like Four Deuces or a Natural Royal Flush. Full pay versions offer payback percentages close to or over 100%.
• Other Variants: Each variant has a standard full paytable. Familiarize yourself with these to ensure you’re playing on a machine with the best returns.

Video Poker Game Variations

Video poker comes in many variations, each with its own paytable.

Most are based on Jacks or Better, the most fundamental and straightforward form of video poker.

This game is easy to learn and has one of the highest RTP rates, making it a great starting point for exploring other versions.

Below, you’ll find quick reviews of the top video poker games.

Tips to Win

Do you want to learn some tips that can give you an extra boost and lean the odds in your favor? Check out some of these recommendations when playing video poker.

Expert Tip

Video poker combines skill and luck. Mastering the strategy can reduce the house edge and make the game more enjoyable and profitable.

-John Grochowski, Casino Gaming Expert

Video Poker History – Did You Know?

Video poker had a humble beginning. The first “draw poker” machines were built in the mid-1970s when the first personal computers were being designed.

The first video poker was Si Redd’s Coin Machines (SIRCOMA), but the first commercially successful draw poker machine was produced by International Game Technology (IGT) in 1979.

These games had a niche entertainment value in the 1980s, but most casino gamblers forgot them. As electronic gaming machines (EGMs) became more popular, gambling writers began to discover the value of video poker.

Differences Between Video Poker and Regular Poker

While both video poker and regular poker are based on poker principles, they differ significantly in gameplay, strategy, and social interaction.

Video poker is a solitary game against a machine, focusing on optimal decisions based on a paytable. Regular poker, on the other hand, is a social game played against other players, involving complex strategies like bluffing and reading opponents.

Here’s a summary.

Aspect	Video Poker	Regular Poker
Gameplay	Played against a machine	Played against other players
Goal	Get the best possible hand according to the paytable	Win chips from other players
Strategy	Decisions based on paytable; no bluffing	Complex strategies, including bluffing
Payouts	Fixed payouts displayed on the machine	Payouts come from the pot made up of players’ bets
Speed	Faster, no waiting for other players	Slower, involves waiting for players’ moves

Final Thoughts

I hope this guide has helped you understand the ins and outs of playing video poker. Remember, the key to enjoying and succeeding at this game is choosing the right variation, understanding the paytables, and using the best strategies.

Whether you’re just starting or looking to improve your game, taking the time to learn and practice can make all the difference.

Playing video poker should be fun and exciting. Don’t be discouraged by losses, and always play responsibly. If you have any questions or need further advice, feel free to explore more of our guides.

Happy playing!