Video Poker Strategy

Eleven guides, in the order they build on each other: what a game pays back, how the best of the 32 holds is found, the strategy for each game, and the money side, from the fifth coin to progressive jackpots. The first three matter most, so begin there.

Recommended sequence

The learning path

Eleven guides, in the order they build on each other. The first three change your results the most: what a game pays back, how the best hold is found, and the strategy for the game every other one is built on.

Start here — the price, then the play
01
Beginner
Reading a pay table
Which two lines set the price of the game, and how to compare two games in ten seconds.
02
Beginner
Choosing a hold
How the best of the 32 holds is found, and why every strategy chart is really a ranked list.
03
Beginner
Jacks or Better strategy
The game every other one is built on, and the chart worth learning first.
Coming soon
One strategy for each game
04
Intermediate
Bonus Poker strategy
Bigger payouts for four of a kind, a smaller full house and flush, and the handful of plays that change.
Coming soon
05
Intermediate
Double Bonus strategy
Two pair only gets your bet back while four aces pay 160 for 1, so a pair of aces is worth far more than any other.
Coming soon
06
Intermediate
Double Double Bonus strategy
Kickers pay only on four of a kind, so three aces are held alone and aces-up two pair is broken for the aces.
Coming soon
07
Intermediate
Deuces Wild strategy
Four wild cards change the play from the first decision: start by counting your deuces.
Coming soon
08
Intermediate
Joker Poker strategy
One wild card in a 53-card deck, and a pay table that starts at kings.
Coming soon
The money side
09
Intermediate
Max coins and the royal
Bet fewer than five coins and the royal pays 250 for 1 instead of 800, which costs 1.17% at 9/6.
Coming soon
10
Intermediate
Variance and bankroll
How far a session can swing on a game that returns nearly everything, and what to bring to it.
Coming soon
Going further
11
Advanced
Progressive jackpots
When the meter on a progressive is high enough to change the game, and how to tell.
Coming soon
Joshua's note

“Most players learn a strategy chart and then play it on whatever game is in front of them. Read the first guide on this list before the second: 9/6 against 8/5 is worth 2.24% of everything you bet, and no chart wins that back.”

Joshua Hill, Owner and Editor in Chief
Solved on the hub
Every hold of a dealt hand, priced Six Jacks or Better pay tables compared
New to the game?
How video poker works
All guides

Every video poker guide

The same eleven guides, grouped by what they are about rather than by what to read first.

Choosing the game
3 guides
Reading a pay tableBeginner Two numbers set the price
Max coins and the royalIntermediate What the fifth coin is worth Coming soon
Progressive jackpotsAdvanced When the meter changes the game Coming soon
Playing the hand
2 guides
Choosing a holdBeginner How the best of 32 holds is found
Jacks or Better strategyBeginner The base game, and its chart Coming soon
Game by game
5 guides
Bonus Poker strategyIntermediate Bigger quads, a smaller full house Coming soon
Double Bonus strategyIntermediate Aces pay 160, two pair pays 1 Coming soon
Double Double Bonus strategyIntermediate When the kicker counts Coming soon
Deuces Wild strategyIntermediate Count your deuces first Coming soon
Joker Poker strategyIntermediate One wild card, kings or better Coming soon
Money and variance
1 guide
Variance and bankrollIntermediate How far a session can swing Coming soon