Video Poker Guide 2026
Video poker combines the strategic depth of poker with the convenience of a slot machine. With the right game and optimal strategy, you can achieve some of the lowest house edges in the casino — even below 0.5%. This guide covers the most popular variants, how to read pay tables, and the strategies that maximize your return.
How Video Poker Works
Video poker plays from a standard 52-card deck (53 with a joker in some variants). You're dealt five cards, choose which to keep (hold), and discard the rest for new cards. Your final five-card hand determines your payout based on the pay table.
1. Bet
Select your coin value and number of coins (always bet max for best RTP).
2. Deal
Receive five cards from a freshly shuffled 52-card deck.
3. Hold
Choose which cards to keep. This is where strategy matters most.
4. Draw
Discarded cards are replaced. Your final hand is evaluated against the pay table.
Jacks or Better
The most common video poker variant and the best starting point for new players. The minimum qualifying hand is a pair of jacks or higher. The "9/6" full-pay version offers 99.54% RTP with optimal strategy.
| Hand | 9/6 (Full Pay) | 8/5 | 7/5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 800* | 800* | 800* |
| Straight Flush | 50 | 50 | 50 |
| Four of a Kind | 25 | 25 | 25 |
| Full House | 9 | 8 | 7 |
| Flush | 6 | 5 | 5 |
| Straight | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Three of a Kind | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Two Pair | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Jacks or Better | 1 | 1 | 1 |
* Royal Flush pays 800× at max coins (5 coins bet). At fewer coins, it pays 250×.
RTP comparison: 9/6 full pay = 99.54% | 8/5 = 97.30% | 7/5 = 96.15%. The difference between a 9/6 and 8/5 machine is enormous over time. Always seek out full-pay machines.
Deuces Wild
In Deuces Wild, all four 2s act as wild cards, substituting for any card to form the best hand. This dramatically changes the strategy and pay table. The minimum qualifying hand is three of a kind (since wild cards make pairs trivial).
Key Differences from Jacks or Better
- • Four deuces (2s) act as wildcards — the strongest hand is four deuces (200× payout)
- • Natural royal flush pays more than a wild royal flush
- • The minimum paying hand is three of a kind, not a pair
- • Full-pay Deuces Wild has a theoretical RTP of 100.76% — one of the only games with a player edge
- • Strategy is significantly different — hold deuces over almost everything else
Other Video Poker Variants
Bonus Poker
RTP: 99.17%Based on Jacks or Better with enhanced payouts for four of a kind hands. Four aces pay 80× instead of 25×. Slightly lower pays for full house and flush compensate.
Double Bonus Poker
RTP: 100.17%Even higher four of a kind payouts than Bonus Poker. Four aces pay 160×. Two pair pays only 1× (instead of 2×), significantly changing the strategy and increasing volatility.
Joker Poker
RTP: 98.60%Uses a 53-card deck including one joker as a wildcard. The minimum qualifying hand is typically two pair or kings or better. Different strategy required for the single wild card.
Aces and Faces
RTP: 99.26%Enhanced payouts for four aces (400×) and four face cards (200×). Other payouts are similar to Jacks or Better. Good for players who enjoy chasing premium four of a kind hands.
Video Poker Strategy Tips
Always bet the maximum number of coins. The Royal Flush bonus at max coins is essential for achieving the best RTP.
Learn the specific strategy for each variant — Jacks or Better and Deuces Wild have completely different hold/discard decisions.
Never break a winning hand to chase a royal flush, except when you have four to the royal.
Look for full-pay (9/6) Jacks or Better machines. The pay table is clearly displayed on every machine — check before you play.
Practice with free video poker trainers online before playing for real money. They tell you when you make a strategy mistake.
Multi-hand video poker (3, 5, 10 hands) increases variance without changing the house edge. Use it for more excitement, not as a strategy advantage.
Best Casinos for Video Poker
These casinos offer full-pay video poker machines with the best pay tables and multi-hand options.
