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How to Play Online Video Poker: Rules & Strategy

Find everything you need to know about video poker from the official rules and payouts to useful strategies explained in CasinoSmash’s complete video poker guide!

What is Video Poker?

Compared to slots, video poker players make decisions that can affect the outcome of their hands positively.

Based on the principle of classic poker games, the rules of video poker in terms of poker hands and combinations are easy to understand, and an optimal playing strategy can be devised using the same logic of odds as with regular poker.

Not only is video poker a specific version of online poker, but there are also many sub-variations of video poker. Some of the most popular versions are Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, Joker Wild, and Triple Deuces.

The following guide on how to play video poker will focus on helping you learn the rules of the most basic of video poker; Jacks or Better. But first, let’s begin with a crash-course on the winning hands of poker.

Video Poker Hands

Much like standard poker games each video poker hand consists of five cards. Depending on the card value, suits and how many pairs or consecutive card values there are, your hand will pay you out a higher or lower sum.

Video Poker Hands: Video Poker Rules & Strategy

Below you will find a table that explains all winning video poker hands, you may recognize many of them if you’re a poker player or have heard some of the game’s basic rules before. Not only will you find a brief description but also an example of cards that make each poker hand.

HandDescriptionExample
Royal FlushAce-king-queen-jack-10 all the same suit[10dJdQdKdAd]
Straight FlushFive consecutive cards up to king high of the same suit[5s6s7s8s9s]
Four of a KindFour cards of the same value[QdQcQs5hQh]
Full HouseThree of a kind and one pair[7dAs7hAd7s]
FlushAny five cards nonconsecutive cards of the same suit[8cAc7c2c6c]
StraightFive consecutive cards of any mixed suits[8c9d10cJsQh]
Three of a KindThree cards of the same value[10h10d10c5sAd]
Two PairTwo sets of two cards of the same value[JdJs7c7d9s]
Jacks or BetterAny single pair that is jacks or higher[QdQh8s5hKs]

*Key: d = diamonds, h = hearts, s = spades, c = clubs

Depending on the hand, the payout will vary, and you can find everything you need to know about the rules of video poker payouts in the section below.

What Are the Rules of Video Poker & How Do I Play?

Video Poker is based on the game of draw poker and has virtually the same rules except that you are not playing against any other players. The objective of video poker is to receive the highest ranked five-card poker hand possible.

Once you have placed your bet, click on the DEAL button and you will receive your first five cards. You have the option to HOLD any or all your cards that you want to keep. You will then discard the cards that you do not want and they will be replaced with new cards to try and improve your video poker hand.

How Do I Play Video Poker: Video Poker Rules

Once you've selected which cards you want to hold, click on the DEAL/DRAW button to receive the new cards to replace the ones you do not want. Once the new cards are dealt, you will have your final poker hand, and if your hand qualifies then you will be paid out based on the payout table for that machine.

What Are the Payouts for Video Poker Wins?

Payoffs begin with a pair of jacks. Full pay Jacks or Better is also known as 9/6 Jacks or Better because the payoff for a full house is 9 credits and the payoff for a flush is 6 credits.

Hand1 credit2 credits3 credits4 credits5 credits
Royal Flush2505007501,0004,000
Straight Flush50100150200250
Four of a Kind255075100125
Full House918273645
Flush612182430
Straight48121620
Three of a Kind3691215
Two Pair246810
Jacks or Better12345

In terms of your odds, the way video poker machines work is comparable to video slots. Each game has a certain hit frequency and return to player rate, which you are advised to check in advance before placing any real money bets!

A Foolproof Video Poker Strategy

While there is no specific video poker cheat sheet available, the following tips can be used to help you calculate your best odds and leave the game as a winner more often.

When playing maximum coins, the optimal video poker strategy varies depending on the rules of the game and the pay table. Sometimes, optimal strategies can become very complex.

The video poker strategy presented in this section is adjusted for one of the most popular video poker games; Jacks or Better. However, any change in game variation or pay table might also require a change in strategy for true optimum play.

Here is how the video poker strategy table works: match your hand to the highest in the list and follow the instructions on how many cards to hold and how many to discard.

Initial HandCards to HoldCards to Discard
Royal Flush50
4 Aces41
4 Twos, Threes, or Fours41
Straight Flush50
4 Fives Through Kings41
4 Card Royal Flush41
3 Aces32
Full House50
Flush50
3 Twos, Threes, or Fours32
3 Fives Through Kings32
Straight50
4 Card Straight Flush41
2 Pairs41
2 Aces23
3 Card Royal Flush32
4 Card Flush41
Pair of Jacks, Queens, or Kings23
4 Card Straight41
3 Card Straight Flush32
Low Pair23
2 Card Royal Flush23
3 Card Flush32
3 High Cards32
3 Card Straight32
2 High Cards23
1 High Card14

If this strategy seems a little complicated to you, you can also check out the following basic video poker tips and apply them to your gameplay first to see some quick improvements!

Basic Video Poker Tips

In addition to following the foolproof strategy above, you should also make sure you follow some basic video poker tips that will help you increase your edge.

Video Poker Tips

The first tip to follow comes into play if you have four cards to a Flush and four cards to a Straight. In this situation, you should always draw for the Flush based on the probability of you getting a card to complete each option.

Another tip is that you shouldn’t throw away a low pair even if you have 3 high cards. This is because you have a greater expected value for that of a low pair than three unsuited high cards.

Always play max coins. The Bonus for a Royal Flush with max coins played adds almost 2% to the total payout. Also, never hold a kicker, which essentially means that you should avoid holding onto an Ace in addition to a Low Pair.

Where to Play Video Poker Online

When it comes to the best online casinos to play video poker, we have compiled the following list based on the variety of games available as well as the generous welcome bonuses you’ll be rewarded with once you complete registration.

BioGambling enthusiast and sport fanatic, I have a wealth of knowledge when it comes to casino and gambling. I've written for magazines, newspapers and other gambling websites which include the Daily Mail, Golf Monthly and Sporting Index, all contributing to over 3 years in the content industry.
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