Master Video Poker Strategy: Win More Consistently

Video Poker blends elements of traditional poker. However, instead of playing against other players, you are against the machine, where you aim to form the best poker hand out of 52 cards.

A quick video poker strategy guide is necessary if you’ve never played.  It will help you when playing, as this game involves quick and skilled decision-making. You must know which cards to keep and which ones to discard. It makes it a top-choice casino game, perfect for savvy players. Keep reading for our best tips and strategies to help you enhance and improve your game. 

Video Poker Basic Rules and Hand Rankings

While the gameplay of video poker may combine slots and poker, video poker rules differ from slots in that your hand and decisions determine the game’s direction. This is why it’s vital to learn how to play the game. 

The video poker basics are that you are dealt five cards and can choose to keep or discard any number to form the best possible poker hand. 

The game follows traditional video poker hand rankings, from highest to lowest: Royal Flush (A, K, Q, J, 10 of the same suit), Straight Flush (five consecutive cards of the same suit), Four of a Kind, Full House (three of a kind and a pair), Flush (five cards of the same suit), Straight (any suit of five consecutive cards), Three of a Kind, Two Pair, and Pair (usually Jacks or better).

Our table below highlights the Jacks of Better Hands, some examples, and the types of payouts you can receive. 

 

Hand Ranking	Example Hand	The payout for A$1
Royal Flush	A, K, Q, J, 10 (same suit)	250
Straight Flush	8, 9, 10, J, Q (same suit)	50
Four of a Kind	10, 10, 10, 10, 2	25
Full House	3, 3, 3, 6, 6	9
Flush	2, 4, 8, J, Q (same suit)	6
Straight	5, 6, 7, 8, 9	4
Three-of-a-Kind	7, 7, 7, 2, 5	3
Two Pairs	9, 9, K, K, 5	2
Jacks or Better	J, J, 4, 7, 9	1

Key Video Poker Strategies for Popular Variants

With so many video poker variations to choose from, we’ve highlighted six. Each option has unique rules, with some subtle differences between them. 

Jacks or Better Strategy

The Jacks or Better strategy is the most familiar variation. You’ll get a payout only if your hand contains at least two jacks, which differs from regular poker.  The other rules to consider when playing this version and our Jacks or Better Video Poker tips include the following. 

 

• There are nine different winning hands you can achieve when playing. But winning a hand means it must contain at least a pair of jacks. 
• The best hand in Jacks or Better is the Royal Flush, which will pay out 250x of your bet. The winning amounts won’t alter in the payscale, which you can find inside the game’s info button or on the screen as you play. 
• You won’t receive a payout if your hand contains a pair lower than jacks. 
• In Jacks or Better, the optimal strategy involves holding any winning hand, especially high pairs like Jacks or Better. Discard low cards if they don’t form a high pair, straight, or flush potential. Always aim to complete a royal or straight flush, and keep high cards (J, Q, K, A) when unsure.

 

You can only win on one hand, so if you create two within the same round, only the highest-value hand will receive the payout. 

Deuces Wild Strategy

Deuces Wild is a popular video poker variant resembling typical five-card draw poker with a unique twist.: Every “deuce” (or two) acts as a wild card. It means any two can be transformed into any card needed to complete a winning hand. It provides a significant advantage when you’re just one card short.

The standout feature of Deuces Wild is the unique role of the number two video poker wild cards. If, for example, your hand contains a pair of Aces and a deuce, the deuce will turn into an Ace, giving you an instant hand of three of a kind. It always chooses the most favourable card hand for you. Our top Deuces Wild tips include the following:

 

• The best Deuces Wild strategy involves holding onto any deuces you get. They can transform into any card. Always aim to complete high-ranking hands. 
• Prioritise keeping high-ranking cards like straights, flushes, and four-of-a-kind hands.
• In Deuces Wild, unlike Jacks or Better, you won’t earn payouts for pairs or two pairs. This means you can’t count on the frequent small wins typical of other poker games. 

 

You should start with smaller bets to get a feel for the game and learn how to use the wild deuces best to maximise your winnings.

Double Bonus Poker Strategy

Double Bonus Poker is a Jacks or Better variation and high-payout video poker game. It is similar to Jacks or Better, except that the payouts for four-of-a-kind are increased, and the payouts for two pairs are lower. Our Double Bonus Poker tips include the following: 

 

• Aim for Four of a Kind, as this hand is the highest payer, paying out up to 800 coins on a maximum bet. Always hold onto a card to try and score a four-of-a-kind Video Poker Double Bonus.  
• Holding high pairs over low pairs increases your chance of getting a high-value hand. 
• Chase the Big Hands. If you have three cards matching a straight flush or four cards matching a flush, discard any other cards to enhance your chances of winning more. 

• Keep High Cards. If you have Aces and Kings, even when you don’t have a winning hand. They offer the potential for future strong hands, including the valuable four-of-a-kind payouts.
• Maximise Your Bet.  If you have the funds, always bet the maximum number of coins, as lower bets reduce your returns. 

 

This version has high variance, so you can expect to lose more across your gaming sessions than win. However, just one of the big wins can put you straight into profit. 

Joker Poker Strategy

Joker Poker adds a fun twist by including a Joker as a wild card. It can substitute for any other card to help you create the best possible hand. This video poker wild card can turn an average hand into a winning one. Here are our Joker Poker tips on how to use the Joker to your advantage:

 

• Treat the Joker as flexible, which can help you complete or enhance any high-ranking hand when you get it. For instance, a Joker can match one of your pairs if you have two pairs and a Joker.
• With the Joker in play, your focus should shift towards building the highest possible hands. Aim for hands like a Royal Flush, Five of a Kind (using the Joker), or a Wild Royal Flush. The presence of the Joker increases your chances of hitting these top-tier hands, which offer the biggest payouts.
• If you don’t get a Joker, keep high cards (King, Queen, Jack, Ace) or any combination that might lead to a strong hand. High cards can help you form a winning combination in the next draw, and they are essential for aiming at higher payouts like straights or flushes.
• Always hold onto hands that have the potential to turn into four of a kind or higher with a Joker. For example, if you have three of a kind and a Joker, keep the Joker and aim for a four-of-a-kind or a higher-ranking hand.

 

The best Joker Poker Strategy is your wild card ace up your sleeve, so play smart with it. 

Aces and Faces Strategy

This high-payout video poker game is based mainly on Jacks or Better. Where it differs is that video poker aces or face cards can receive bonus payouts. You will notice that you’ll usually hold onto a winning hand, with four cards to a Royal Flush being the only exception. Always aim for the Royal Flush in that instance.

Also, you keep four cards if you have a Straight Flush rather than choosing any less than a three-of-a-kind hand. Our Aces and Faces strategy tips include the following: 

• Aim for four-of-a-kind hands by holding and building towards these combinations. For example, if you have two or three Aces or face cards, keep them and discard the rest to try and complete a four-of-a-kind.
• Keep any pairs of Aces or face cards you’re dealt. These are your keys to the bigger payouts. If you don’t have a pair, hold onto high cards, increasing your chances of forming a winning hand in the next draw.
• It might be worth pursuing if you have a hand that could turn into a straight or a flush with just one more card. Mainly if these hands include Aces or face cards. 

 

Patience and strategic play are your best allies in this rewarding video poker game.

Tens or Better Strategy

Tens or Better is similar to Jacks or Better. Not all versions of Tens or Better are created equal, and choosing the correct version with a favourable pay table is crucial. Here’s our Tens or Better strategy tips for you:

• Always hold on to a pair of tens or higher-ranking video poker tens cards unless you have a strong potential for a straight or royal flush.
• Don’t break up a flush or straight unless you’re one card away from a royal flush. If you have three cards to a straight flush, hold them and draw the remaining two cards.
• Always keep four cards to a royal flush, even if it means discarding a pair or a lower-paying hand.
• Never break up a strong hand like a three-of-a-kind, four-of-a-kind, or two pairs. Also, keep your hand intact if you have four cards to a flush or straight.
• Use simple logic and assess your hand’s potential. A flush, straight, or high pair often outweighs holding three cards, leading to a royal flush.

Not all Tens or Better games are the same. Our top video poker tip is always looking for a “full pay” version, which offers the best payout rates for each hand. This ensures you get the highest possible returns from your bets.

Choosing the Best Pay Tables

Selecting the right video poker pay tables can significantly maximise video poker returns. It details the payouts for different hands. Here’s a simple guide to help you find and choose the best pay tables video poker:

• Go for “Full Pay” Options: A “full pay” table is the gold standard because it offers the highest payouts. For Jacks or Better, this is the 9/6 pay table.
• Compare Payouts for Common Hands: Minor differences in these payouts can significantly improve your winnings over time. For instance, a good pay table in Double Bonus Poker will give you a higher reward for four of a kind, especially with Aces.
• Use Pay Table Guides:  There are handy charts and guides available that list the best pay tables for each video poker game. These can be lifesavers, helping you quickly spot which machines or online games offer the best payouts.
• Check Reviews and Resources: Our online reviews and video poker websites highlight which casinos have the best pay tables. These resources can help you find the most profitable games to play.

Always compare and aim to find the most favourable pay tables before playing. 

Managing Your Bankroll

Video Poker bankroll management is crucial to a successful game. As with any form of online gambling, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement and overspend on the budget, which could leave you short on essential bills. 

 

Therefore, you must set your video poker limits and always know when to stop. We’ve got some bankroll tips to help you manage this successfully, as follows:

 

• Set a Budget: When you get paid, whether weekly or monthly, put aside the amount you can afford to spend without impacting your finances. 
• Stick to Budget: If you’ve depleted your budget after a few unsuccessful video poker games, don’t chase your losses and end up breaking the bank.
• Set Limits: Most of our top-rated, safe online casinos in Australia offer ways to put responsible gambling limits on your account. They include deposit and time limits. You can set these for daily, weekly or monthly periods. Once you reach your limit on time or deposit, you can’t deposit or play again till the new period kicks in. 

 

Playing safely and responsibly on video poker or any other casino game means you can enjoy it as entertainment. Never use gambling to earn extra income.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Do you want to improve your video poker winning chances? If so, avoiding common video poker errors will help you to stay on top.

 

We’ve got the most common ones to consider when playing. The primary one is not understanding the paytable payout structure. Paytables can vary between online casinos, and you will want to choose a site that offers you the best returns. 

Focus on learning the different variations and the best ways to approach each. Before you begin, learn the game basics and your best strategies. We’ve already touched on responsible gambling, but this is a must.

Always play with a set budget and stick to it. Significant losses can take the fun out of the gaming experience, and they’re one of the biggest video poker mistakes players can make. 

 

Lastly, use the casino bonuses and promotions. These give you bonus funds to play and extend your playing time. However, always check the terms before claiming and ensure you can play your preferred video poker online casino game when using them. 

Advanced Tips for Experienced Video Poker Players

If you’ve got the basics of video poker sorted and are ready to take your game to the next level, it’s time to explore our expert video poker strategies. Improve video poker skills with our top tips:

Perfect Your Hand Analysis

Advanced players know the game isn’t just about holding and discarding based on basic strategy. Get into the habit of analysing each hand’s potential thoroughly. Consider the chances of hitting a straight or flush versus holding onto high cards or pairs. Sometimes, breaking up a minor win to chase a higher potential payout is smarter.

Practice Progressive Betting

As you become more comfortable, experiment with progressive betting strategies. This involves increasing your bet size after wins or specific hands to capitalise on streaks. However, do this carefully and keep track of your bankroll to avoid substantial losses.

Analyse Your Game

Use software or online tools to track and analyse your play. This can help you identify patterns, strengths, and areas for improvement. Reviewing your sessions can provide you with valuable insights and help refine your strategy.

Stay Updated and Keep Learning:

Video poker constantly changes with new variants and strategies. Stay updated with the latest developments, or watch advanced play tutorials. 

 

Incorporating these advanced video poker tips into your gameplay can help you improve and adjust your game plan. 

Conclusion

If you’ve enjoyed our video poker summary and are ready to improve gameplay, we recommend you practice video poker strategies. It will help you familiarise yourself with all the variations and differing rules. You can also play video poker at many real money casinos in Australia for free in demo mode. Use this opportunity to try out these strategies risk-free.

 

Put your video poker skills to the ultimate test and take your pick from hundreds of titles, or continue reading our blogs. Our beginner’s guide to master poker strategy offers further reading here!

Video Poker FAQs

What are the best video poker games to play for beginners?

Jacks or Better is a recommended version. Its rules are easy to understand, and it focuses on hands with pairs of Jacks or Better. Another excellent option for beginners is Tens or Better, which offers similar and uncomplicated gameplay. 

How does video poker differ from traditional slot machines?

The main difference between video poker vs slots is that video poker involves some skill, and winning on the slots is purely down to luck. You can change the video poker game’s outcome based on your decisions, whereas with slots, you can’t alter them. 

Can I play free video poker online?

Yes, you can. You can play the demo version at many online casinos. It is an ideal opportunity to hone your skills without risk, especially for a beginner. You can practice your strategies and try differing bet amounts similar to what you would use when playing with real money to gain an accurate picture. 

How can I win when playing video poker?

Unfortunately, there is no guaranteed method. The best advice we can give you is to play with a strategy, practice first, and aim for video poker variations with higher paytables. Stick to your budget and adjust your wager to increase your chances of winning.