How to Win at Casino Video Poker

Video poker perfectly bridges the gap between the isolated, fast pace of slot machines and the complex strategy of table games.

If played with absolutely perfect strategy, certain video poker variations offer some of the highest payout percentages in the entire casino.

How to Identify a Winning Video Poker Machine

The casino adjusts its house edge entirely by changing the payouts for specific hands, usually the Full House and the Flush.

If the machine only pays 8 for a Full House and 5 for a Flush (an 8/5 machine), the RTP drops significantly, and you should find another game.

Always play ‘Max Coins’ (usually 5 coins); the payout for a Royal Flush jumps exponentially when playing the maximum bet
If you cannot afford to play 5 coins at the $1 level, drop down to the $0.25 level so you can afford the maximum bet
Never sit down at a ‘6/5’ Jacks or Better machine; the casino has increased its edge dramatically to steal your money

Playing based on ‘gut feeling’ or superstition will instantly destroy the incredibly low house edge you worked hard to find.

Casinos legally allow you to hold a printed strategy chart in your hand while playing video poker; they do not consider it cheating.

The Hand Dealt	The ‘Gut’ Decision	The Perfect Math Decision
High Pair + 4 to a Flush	Keep the guaranteed Pair	Discard the pair, draw for the Flush
3 to a Royal Flush	Keep the high cards	Keep the 3 Royal cards, discard the rest

Video poker is a game of patience, repetition, and strict adherence to a predetermined mathematical chart.