🎮 Video Poker
Video poker combines the strategy of poker with the simplicity of a slot machine. Based on five-card draw poker, players receive five cards and choose which to hold and which to discard for replacement cards. Popular variants include Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, Joker Poker, and Double Bonus Poker. With optimal play, some video poker games offer a return rate above 99%.
📋 How to Play
Based on five-card draw poker, video poker is played on a machine similar to a slot. You receive five cards from a standard 52-card deck (or 53 with a Joker). You choose which cards to hold and which to discard. Discarded cards are replaced from the remaining deck. Your final five-card hand is evaluated against the paytable. In Jacks or Better, the minimum paying hand is a pair of Jacks. In Deuces Wild, all 2s act as wild cards. Payouts range from 1:1 for a pair up to 800:1 for a Royal Flush.
💡 Tips for Players
Always play maximum coins (usually 5) to qualify for the enhanced Royal Flush payout. Learn the optimal hold strategy for your chosen variant — strategy charts are widely available. In Jacks or Better, always hold any paying hand (pair of Jacks or better). Never break a winning hand to chase a Royal Flush unless the expected value is higher. Look for "full-pay" machines with the best paytables — Jacks or Better 9/6 returns 99.54% with optimal play.
🎯 Strategy Guide
Video poker is one of the few casino games where skill significantly affects returns. Key Jacks or Better strategy: hold any made hand (pair of Jacks+); hold four to a Royal Flush over anything except a made Royal Flush; hold four to a flush or straight; hold three to a Royal Flush; hold a high pair over four to a flush. With perfect play, Jacks or Better 9/6 returns 99.54%, Deuces Wild Full Pay returns 100.76% (player advantage). Always study the specific strategy for the paytable you are playing.