Video Poker Online – Rules & Strategy of Video Poker

Video poker is the backbone of every online casino. But as we’ve noticed, not everyone knows how to play this game right. We’ve gathered on this page the best strategies and tips for how to play video poker properly.

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Rules of Video Poker 

Before jumping into ultimate strategies, we think it’s best to start with the rules. Poker is fundamentally a game of combinations and betting. Knowing which cards to keep or discard is crucial, depending on the game type and player strategy. For seasoned gamblers, this is no surprise, but beginners often find the game confusing.

How to play video poker

We won’t get into the basics of classic poker, its variations, or anything like that right now. Nor will we talk about playing at a real table. The focus is on the video format. Let’s go.

Note that each game has its own paytable. Some pay more for a full house, others for a flush. Ignoring them is a mistake best avoided. The difference between a good and bad payout is noticeable.

Also, don’t forget about game variations. Each game version has its own quirks. These aren’t just different labels, as it might seem. Each demands its own strategy, and that’s worth keeping in mind from the start.

This simple poker cheat sheet is enough to grasp what’s going on in video poker.

But obviously, knowing the rules is just the start of a long journey. Unlike most gambling games, video poker stands out for its complexity and “mastering”. It’s one of those games that’s relatively easy to pick up but incredibly tough to master.

How to Win in Video Poker Slots?

A bit about how to play and win without strategies. We’ve gathered a few hacks that any player can easily pick up without racking their brain too much.

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• Master the basic strategy. First, the basic tactics need to be mastered. It’s really important for the player to get to grips with the basics. Each version has its own strategy tables. They’re not just made up – they actually reduce the casino’s advantage.
• Seek out the best paytables. Not all machines are created equal. Take Jacks or Better, for example. The 9/6 paytable is the best out there, but some casinos go for the 8/5 one, which is not as good. We spent ages comparing the difference in payouts for a full house. It's worth checking the RTP and paytable before you start.
• Bet maximum coins. To aim for a big win, betting 5 coins is a must. Betting less means the bonus multiplier vanishes. Maximum bets unlock the best payouts, especially on progressive jackpots.
• Manage the bankroll wisely. Video poker can be sneaky, with empty hands one minute and sudden wins the next. Without discipline, it’s easy to lose everything. Learned the hard way on our own bitter experience – without a clear limit, the game turns into chaos. It’s better to decide upfront how much to bet and not give in to the thrill.
• Study game specifics. Deuces Wild with wild twos, Bonus Poker with quad bonuses – each version shifts the approach. We got confused for a long time until it clicked that there’s no universal strategy. 
• Practice in demo versions. Before jumping into real money games, it’s worth practicing. Demo modes are recommended to grasp the mechanics without risk. We learned this way ourselves, and it saved a ton of nerves. Especially useful for beginners to master tables and get a feel for the game.

Mastering basic tactics, selecting the best tables, betting strategically, and understanding game nuances can lead to successful play. This is the "entry threshold" for high-level gaming.

Online Casino with a Wide Selection of Video Poker Games

Video Poker Strategy

Now let’s get to the main point of why we’re all here today. Winning is possible by just relying on luck, after all, gambling games are like that, and video poker is no exception. But playing with a plan, knowing what’s what, can lead to hitting the jackpot much more often. We’ve gathered the most effective tactics and tricks, though we might have missed someone’s favorite strategy, but we focused on hard numbers from the poker community.

Before diving into strategies, a quick disclaimer is needed. Since video poker is a game of random numbers, no playing method guarantees a 100% win rate.

Jacks or better hierarchy

Jacks or Better is the gold standard. The strategy is a strict hierarchy of card choices like discarding all but four cards to a royal flush. 

Deuces wild wild twos

In Deuces Wild, twos are jokers. The tactic is all about using twos for big combinations. If the player has one, two and three cards to a royal flush, those are kept over a pair without two. 

Double bonus quads focus

And if four of a kind is the player’s poker face, especially four aces, then Double Bonus Poker will be the ace in the hole with boosted payouts. The tactic requires sacrifices. Often, low pairs are thrown out in the hope of getting a four of a kind or a royal flush. At first, we got caught up in holding on to low pairs because we were greedy, and it really hurt our bankroll. Once we stopped being so greedy, we started to get it.

Progressive jackpot aim

Progressive video poker slots offer jackpots for a royal flush, but the player must bet the maximum to win. The strategy focuses on boosting chances of landing a royal flush, holding four cards, even over a pair. It’s clear from experience that the jackpot is unreachable without the maximum bet, and the RTP on smaller combinations is lower. Without careful bankroll management and a solid strategy, these machines can quickly drain the wallet.

We put together a small table with the win percentages for each strategy, for clarity.

Jacks Hierarchy

A high percentage is a chance for EVERY player, but it shouldn’t be seen as a perfect winning machine. Everything comes down to luck and skill.

Those were the most well-known and widely used tactics for playing video poker. What tactics or tricks were used? How much was earned? Stories are shared in the comments!