What is Video Poker?
Video poker uniquely combines the excitement of slot machines with the strategic thinking required in classic poker. Unlike slot machines—which rely entirely on luck—video poker rewards your decisions and skill.
Played on electronic machines, video poker deals five cards from a standard 52-card deck. You choose which cards to keep or discard. Discarded cards are replaced, forming your final poker hand.
Popular variants include:
Why Video Poker is Special
Video poker stands out as one of the rare casino games where the house edge can approach zero—or even become negative with perfect strategy and favorable pay tables. This makes it uniquely attractive to players looking for a game where skill truly matters.
Basic Rules of Video Poker
Playing video poker is straightforward once you understand these simple steps:
- Place Your Bet
Always wager the maximum five coins. Betting the maximum unlocks the highest possible payout—particularly important for a Royal Flush, which typically pays 4000 coins for a five-coin bet instead of just 250 coins for smaller bets. - Receive Your Cards
You’ll initially receive five cards dealt randomly from a 52-card deck. - Hold or Discard:
Select which cards to keep (hold) and which to discard. This choice is crucial—your strategy here directly impacts your odds of winning. - Replacement Cards:
Cards you discard will be replaced by new ones from the remaining deck, forming your final poker hand. - Check Your Hand & Claim Your Win:
Your final hand is evaluated against the machine’s pay table. Payouts are awarded accordingly.
Note: In certain variants like Bonus Poker, you might be given an option to double down by gambling your winnings in a high-risk bonus round.
Winning Hands and Payouts in Video Poker
The table below illustrates the hierarchy of winning hands, example combinations, payouts for a maximum 5-coin bet, and explanations for each hand for a standard Jacks or Better game:
| Winning Hand | Example Hand | Payout (5 Coins) | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Flush | A♥ K♥ Q♥ J♥ 10♥ | 4,000 | The highest possible hand: Ace-high straight flush. |
| Straight Flush | 5♣ 6♣ 7♣ 8♣ 9♣ | 250 | Five sequential cards of the same suit. |
| Four of a Kind | J♦ J♣ J♥ J♠ 3♦ | 125 | Four cards of identical rank. |
| Full House | Q♠ Q♦ Q♥ 8♣ 8♠ | 45 | Three-of-a-kind plus a pair. |
| Flush | 2♠ 6♠ 9♠ J♠ K♠ | 30 | Five cards of the same suit, not sequential. |
| Straight | 4♥ 5♣ 6♦ 7♠ 8♥ | 20 | Five sequential cards of mixed suits. |
| Three of a Kind | 7♦ 7♥ 7♣ 4♠ K♦ | 15 | Three cards of the same rank. |
| Two Pair | 10♦ 10♥ 4♠ 4♣ Q♥ | 10 | Two separate pairs of matching ranks. |
| Jacks or Better | J♠ J♦ 5♥ 8♣ K♠ | 5 | A pair of Jacks, Queens, Kings, or Aces. |
Why Betting the Maximum (5 Coins) Matters
Always bet the maximum five coins when playing video poker! Here’s why:
- Betting fewer than five coins significantly reduces your potential winnings, especially for a Royal Flush. A Royal Flush typically pays 4,000 coins when you wager the maximum five coins, but only 250 coins per coin bet otherwise—substantially lowering your expected value (EV).
For consistent success, familiarize yourself with specific strategies, such as our detailed guides on:
Understanding the optimal plays for your chosen variant can dramatically enhance your winning potential.
Why Skill Matters in Video Poker
Unlike many casino games, video poker outcomes are significantly influenced by your decisions. Skilled players who adhere to optimal strategy can drastically improve their returns, transforming video poker from simple gambling into a calculated investment.
For beginners, learning strategy might seem daunting at first, but it quickly becomes second nature—and pays dividends in the long run.