It is easy to understand the appeal of video poker. The game requires a certain amount of skill, has a very low house edge and players stand in line to win large jackpots. Also, there are no complex rules to understand – players insert up to five coins, view the five cards that the machine deals them, make a decision about which cards to play or discard, the machine replaces the discarded cards and – voila – payment takes place according to the value of the cards held in hand.

While in previous years, the game of video poker was quite basic, with no real diversity, today there are many different variations to the game in the form of wild cards, multiple decks, bonuses, etc. As a result, players who are seeking an advantage over the house edge and wish to learn strategies, need to take into account that each variation comes with its own strategy. As such, serious players will look out for the best pay table of each individual game and learn how to play them. It is no good to simply pick a table at random and play ‘any which way’. Players who want to maintain a serious edge and win in the long run will play at 100% (or as near as possible) all of the time.

The following are simple strategies relating to two of the most common video poker games – Jacks or Better and Full Pay Deuces Wild.

Strategy for Jacks or Better

Using this strategy, players have an optimal return of 99.54%. Using the list below, players should examine all the workable ways to play the initial hand and make a choice based on which is highest on the list. Bear in mind that an outside straight refers to an open ended straight that has the potential of being completed at either end, while an inside straight is a straight with a missing inside card such as 5,6,9 and 10.

Four of a kind/straight flush/royal flush
Four > royal flush
Three of a kind/straight/flush/full house
Four > straight flush
Two pair
Jack or higher pair
Three > royal flush
Four > flush
Low Pair
Four > outside straight
Two suited jack or higher
Three > straight flush
Two unsuited jack or higher cards (the lowest two)
Suited 10/K, 10/Q and 10/J
One jack or higher
Discard all cards

Strategy for Deuces Wild

Using this strategy, players can expect a return of a 100.71%. Using the list below, players should examine all the workable ways to play the initial hand and make a choice based on which is highest on the list.

Four deuces – a. four deuces

Three deuces – a. pat royal flush; b. only three deuces

Two deuces – a. any pat 4 of a kind (or higher); b. 4 > royal flush; c. 4 > straight flush with 2 consecutive single cards, 6/7 or higher; d. only two deuces

One deuce – a. any pat 4 of a kind (or higher); b. 4 > royal flush;

c. full house; d. 4 > straight flush with 3 consecutive single cards, 5/7 or higher; e. 3 of a kind/straight/flush; f. other 4 > straight flush; g. 3 > royal flush; h. 3 > straight flush with 2 consecutive single cards, 6/7 or higher; i. only deuce

No deuce – a. 4/5 > royal flush; b. any pat paying hand; c. 4 > straight flush; d. 3 > royal flush; e. a pair; f. 4> flush; g. 4 > outside straight (see explanation above); g. 3 > straight flush; h. 4 > inside straight (see explanation above) – not including missing deuce; i. 2> royal deuce, J and Q high.

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Video Poker Strategy