How to Play Video Poker: Key Points
- Video poker is played like five-card draw. You are dealt five cards and must decide which to hold and which to discard to form the best possible poker hand.
- Each game type (Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, etc.) has unique strategies.
- Payouts depend on the game variant (like Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, or Joker Poker). Winning hands and rewards are shown on the machine’s paytable.
- Most online video poker games offer the highest payout (like the royal flush jackpot) only when you bet the maximum number of coins.
In This Guide
What Is Video Poker?
Video poker is a casino game that blends elements of traditional five-card draw poker with the simplicity of slot machines. Instead of playing against other people, players compete against a computerized machine or online software.
The goal is to build the strongest possible poker hand after being dealt five cards, with the machine awarding payouts based on a fixed paytable. Because it uses poker hand rankings rather than random symbols like slots, many players find video poker both skill-based and more engaging than pure chance games.
Video Poker History
Video poker originated in the mid-1970s with the first hit machine, Draw Poker, launched in Vegas in 1979. Its five-card draw format offered a simple low-pressure alternative to table games. New variants like Jacks or Better and Deuces Wild soon followed, rewarding skillful play and giving players real influence over returns.
By the 1990s, video poker was a casino staple, and today it remains valued for its strategy and transparent odds, unlike most slot-style games.
Video Poker vs. Poker
Video poker and traditional poker share several similarities. They use the same 52-card deck and are based on hand rankings in poker. However, they are fundamentally different in gameplay and strategy.
In video poker, players compete against a fixed pay table rather than other opponents, making it a game of mathematical optimization rather than reading opponents and adjusting to their strategies.
In contrast, traditional poker (like Texas Hold’em or Omaha) is a dynamic, psychological game where factors like position, betting patterns, opponents, and deception play a major role.
While luck is a factor in both, video poker has a fixed house edge, whereas in poker, a player’s edge depends on his opponents.
Both are fun and complex strategic games, which is why many poker players love video poker and prefer it to other casino games.
How to Play Video Poker Online: Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Choose the Best Available Video Poker Machine
Not all video poker games have the same odds and payouts. Casinos often offer multiple variations, so you need to select the right video poker machine.
Once you’ve chosen the best option, here’s how a hand of video poker will play out.
Step 2: Choose the Credit and Bet Amount
Video poker machines give you several options for the size of your credit, which is your basic bet size (also called a denomination). After selecting the credit, you choose how many credits to wager per hand – from 1 to a maximum of 5.
It’s recommended to always play the maximum number of credits to maximize the payout if you hit a royal flush.
💡 Pro tip:
It’s better to choose a lower credit and play the maximum number of credits than to play a higher credit for fewer credits.
Step 3: Receive the Starting Hand
After selecting your bet size, click the ‘deal’ button to receive five cards.
Step 4: Choose Which Cards to Hold & Which to Discard
Next, decide which of your initial five cards to hold and which to discard/exchange. After making the selections, click ‘Draw’ to replace the discarded cards and receive your final hand.
Step 5: Continue Playing or Cash Out Your Winnings
If the final hand qualifies for a payout, winnings are automatically credited. The cycle then repeats: you choose the bet, deal, hold, draw, and collect payouts.
If you’re ahead, consider cashing out rather than chasing bigger wins. Be aware that wagering requirements may affect bonus withdrawals, meaning you may need to make a certain number of bets before you can cash out a bonus.
Video Poker Hand Rankings Explained
Here are the basic hand rankings from strongest to weakest:
The basis for hand rankings in video poker is the standard poker hand rankings. However, in many variations, certain hands are given special value or a unique ranking.
For example:
- In Bonus Poker (and some other variations), four aces are rewarded differently from other four-of-a-kinds.
- In Deuces Wild, four deuces are much more valuable than any other four-of-a-kind or even a straight flush.
- Some variations, such as Double Double Bonus, offer higher payouts for four-of-a-kind hands with a specific kicker (usually 2, 3, 4, or ace). Meanwhile, variations with wild cards may rank hands containing them differently.
Here are video poker hand rankings, including special variations:
| Rank | Hand | Description | Used in Variations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Royal Flush | A-K-Q-J-10, all of the same suit | All Variations |
| 2 | Five of a Kind | Five cards of the same rank (possible due to wild cards) | Deuces Wild, Bonus Deuces Wild Joker Poker |
| 3 | Wild Royal Flush | A-K-Q-J-10, suited with one card replaced by a wild | Deuces Wild, Bonus Deuces Wild, Joker Poker |
| 4 | Four Deuces | 2222 plus any other card | Deuces Wild, Bonus Deuces Wild |
| 5 | Four Aces + Kicker | AAAA plus a specific kicker (typically 2, 3, or 4) | Double Double Bonus, Triple Double Bonus |
| 6 | Four Aces (No Kicker) | AAAA plus any other card | Double Bonus, Double Double Bonus, Triple Double Bonus |
| 7 | Straight Flush | Five consecutive cards, all of the same suit | All Variations |
| 8 | Four 2s, 3s, or 4s + Kicker | 2222, 3333, or 4444 plus a qualifying kicker (A, 2, 3, or 4) | Double Double Bonus, Triple Double Bonus |
| 9 | Four 2s, 3s, or 4s (No Kicker) | 2222, 3333, or 4444 plus any card (without kicker bonus) | Double Bonus, Double Double Bonus, Triple Double Bonus |
| 10 | Four 5s-Kings | Four of a kind, using cards from 5 through King | Double Bonus, Double Double Bonus, Triple Double Bonus |
| 11 | Four of a Kind (Any) | Any four cards of the same rank | Jacks or Better, Bonus Poker (standard quads not enhanced by bonus) |
| 12 | Full House | Three of a kind plus a pair | All Variations |
| 13 | Flush | Five cards of the same suit | All Variations |
| 14 | Straight | Five consecutive cards, mixed suits | All Variations |
| 15 | Three of a Kind | Three cards of the same rank | All Variations |
| 16 | Two Pair | Two different pairs | Jacks or Better, Bonus Poker |
| 17 | Jacks or Better | A pair of Jacks, Queens, Kings, or Aces | Jacks or Better, Bonus Poker |
3 Video Poker Brands
Three main groups of video poker games have gained widespread recognition, each offering unique gameplay styles and bonus features:
Top Video Poker Variations & Their Strategies
Video poker has many variations, each with its own paytable and strategy. Some versions give frequent small wins, while others provide lower or even no payouts for common hands but offer exciting, premium payouts for hands like four-of-a-kind. RTP also varies, with some full-pay games even offering a player edge.
Below is a breakdown of some of the most popular video poker variations, including their special rules and core strategy adjustments.
Jacks or Better
Bonus Poker
Bonus Poker Deluxe
Double Bonus Poker
Double Double Bonus Poker
Triple Double Bonus Poker
Deuces Wild Poker
Tips for Playing Deuces
- Never discard a deuce.
- A deuce turns any suited connectors (76 to AK) into playable straight/flush draws.
- With one deuce, you may still break a made flush if you have a strong straight flush draw (e.g., 789 suited plus the deuce).
- With two deuces, break any made flush or straight to chase four deuces or five of a kind (discarding all cards but the deuces).
- With three deuces, you can even break a made straight flush to chase four deuces – only stand pat if holding a Wild Royal Flush.
- With 99 or lower making five of a kind (e.g., 88222), you discard the extra pair to chase four deuces. With TT or higher making five of a kind, however, you stand pat (the high cards block outs to Wild Royals, making the draw less valuable).
- Unlike in other variants, you break a made straight flush (9-K) to chase a Royal Flush.
Deuces truly make the game wild.
Deuces Wild Bonus Poker
Joker Poker
Video Poker Strategy & Tips
How to play video poker and win? There is no one-size-fits-all winning strategy when it comes to playing poker. Understanding how to win at video poker comes down to studying pay tables, selecting the right game, and employing the most effective video poker strategy to maximize returns.
However, here are some valuable expert tips that might help you increase your win rate:
Additional Quick Tips
- Never play the kicker: With a pair, discard all unpaired high cards. For example, with A-K-8-8-7, only keep 8-8.
- Only keep two high cards: If holding two suited high cards, discard any offsuit high cards. With multiple offsuit high cards, like A-K-Q, keep only K-Q, as it has better straight potential. The best high-card combinations to keep are Q-J (best), followed by K-Q, K-J, A-K, A-Q, and A-J.
- Be selective with three to a Royal Flush: While four to a Royal Flush is almost always worth chasing, three to a Royal should only be played if there’s no stronger option, like a low pair, four to a flush, or four to an outside straight.
Video Poker Strategy Example: Jacks or Better Cheat Sheet
Let’s break down how to play five-card video poker hands in Jacks or Better, from strongest to weakest.
You should always keep (stand pat) on your strongest hands: royal flush, straight flush, four of a kind, and full house:
| Royal Flush | STAND PAT |
|---|---|
| Straight Flush | |
| Four of a Kind | |
| Full House |
In Jacks or Better, you never break up a full house to draw for four of a kind. However, this may be different in other video poker variants. Similarly, you do not break a straight flush to chase a royal flush.
If you get dealt other strong (winning) hands, it doesn’t mean you will necessarily keep those cards. Some draws are stronger than made hands.
| Flush | STAND PAT, unless you have four to a Royal Flush |
|---|---|
| Straight |
You usually hold flushes; the only exception is when you have four cards to a royal flush. For example, with AQJT8 of spades, you discard the 8 of spades to try to hit the king of spades. The payout for a royal flush is so much higher that it’s worth breaking a made hand.
Playing two pair or three of a kind is straightforward. You keep the pairs or trips and discard the extra card(s) to improve to a full house or four of a kind.
| Three of a Kind | Discard the other two cards to try to get a Full House or Four of a Kind |
|---|---|
| Two Pair | Discard the fifth card to try to get a Full House |
Playing a single pair depends on the size of the pair. A pair of jacks or better will play differently from a small pair.
| Jacks or Better | Keep the jacks unless you are drawing with 4 cards to a straight flush |
|---|---|
| Lower pair | Keep the pair unless you have:
|
To make it easier to decide which other hands to keep in Jacks or Better, the following list ranks them by strength. These are drawing hands without a made hand. If multiple possible draws are available, the highest-ranking option takes priority.
Here’s a video poker cheat sheet for the remaining hands worth playing:
| 4 cards to a Royal Flush | KQJ (off-suit) |
|---|---|
| 4 cards to a straight flush | QJ |
| 3 cards to a Royal Flush | JT suited |
| 4 cards to a Flush | KQ and KJ |
| 4-card open-ended (outside) straight draw | QT suited |
| 3 cards to a straight flush (best) | AK, AQ, and AJ |
| AKQJ | KT suited |
| 2 cards to a Royal Flush | One high card |
| Three high cards and an inside straight draw (e.g., AKQT, AQJT) | 3 cards to a straight flush (worst) |
| 3 cards to a straight flush (medium) | Discard Everything |
Three to a straight flush appears multiple times in the video poker cheat sheet because not all of these draws are equal. The strongest ones are either perfectly connected (e.g., T-9-8, except for low-end draws like 2-3-4, which are weak) or contain high cards, increasing their value.
💡 Pro Tip
A good rule of thumb for three connected cards of the same suit is: The draw is strongest when the number of high cards is equal to or greater than the number of gaps.
A few examples:
- Strong draws: 8-7-6 (no gaps), J-T-8 (one gap, one high card), or Q-J-8 (two gaps, two high cards) are premium. These hands are often stronger than high-card combinations like suited A-K or A-Q.
- Medium draws: If the number of gaps in the straight draw is one more than the number of high cards, the draw is playable but not as strong.
- Weakest draws: Three-card straight flush draws with two gaps and no high cards, like 10-9-6 or 4-6-8, are the weakest still playable hands in Jacks or Better.
Hands to avoid:
Any hand worse than the ones above should be completely discarded. Throw away low inside straight draws (e.g., 10-9-8-6) and weak three-card flushes (e.g., 10-8-5 of spades) unless they have a realistic chance of making a straight flush.
Video Poker Odds
Video poker is a unique blend of luck and skill, and learning how to play and win is all about influencing outcomes through strategic decisions. While the odds are better than in other casino games, having the right video poker strategy is key to realizing them.
Video poker has one of the lowest theoretical house edges in the casino, making it one of the best games for players. For example, playing Jacks or Better with optimal strategy has an RTP of 99.54% (house edge: 0.46%). Deuces Wild offers an RTP of 100.76%, meaning a perfect player has a small advantage over the casino.
The odds of making a particular hand vary a lot depending on the game and strategy. However, just to get a feel for it, here are the approximate odds of making a particular hand in video poker (applies to the games in which they are winning hands):
- Royal Flush: 1 in 40,000 hands
- Four Aces with Kicker: 1 in 16,000 hands
- Straight Flush: 1 in 9,000 hands
- Four Aces: 1 in 5,500 hands
- Four 2s–4s: about 1 in 2,000 hands
- Four-of-a-Kind: 1 in 425 hands
- Full House: 1 in 87 hands
- Flush: 1 in 90 hands
- Straight: 1 in 88 hands
- Three of a Kind: 1 in 14 hands
- Two Pair: 1 in 10 hands
- Jacks or Better (High Pair): 1 in 5 hands
Video Poker Popularity in 2025
While luck plays a role in video poker, it is also a game of skill, allowing players to influence their outcomes. You can use poker knowledge to develop an optimal video poker strategy, significantly improving your chances of success.
Although payouts vary between game variations, video poker typically offers a return of 98% to 100% with optimal play – some of the best odds in any casino. In certain versions, the house edge even disappears, giving the advantage to players who master how to beat video poker machines. The catch? Executing a perfect strategy is no easy feat.
Most strategic card games in a casino require interaction with dealers and other players, but video poker allows for complete solitude and anonymity while still offering intricate, strategic play and thrilling results. If you love card games but want a break from the social dynamics of poker or other table games, video poker online or in a casino is a great alternative.
The number of different video poker variations is vast, though many players find their favorites and stick with them. Some games provide steady payouts for a range of hands, while others encourage chasing big hands with massive rewards. Understanding how to play video poker and win comes down to selecting the right game and strategy that suits your style.
Now, when you have the essential tools and guidelines to play video poker, you can start with one variation that interests you and build your skills from there.
Don’t worry if you don’t memorize everything on your first read. You can always revisit this guide on how to play video poker whenever you need a refresher. As with anything, practice makes perfect. Good luck, and enjoy your journey with this casino classic.
