What Is Video Poker?
Video poker sits at an interesting intersection between slot machines and table poker. It uses a standard 52-card deck (sometimes with jokers), offers genuine decision-making at every hand, and — when played with optimal strategy — delivers some of the most competitive return-to-player rates of any casino game format.
Unlike table poker, you're not competing against other players. You're competing against the paytable. Your decisions — which cards to hold and which to discard — directly influence your expected outcome.
How a Round Works
- Place your bet (typically 1–5 coins)
- Receive five cards dealt face-up
- Choose which cards to hold
- Press "Draw" — discarded cards are replaced
- Final hand is evaluated against the paytable
Payouts are made for qualifying hands (usually starting at a pair of Jacks or better). The top prize is typically for a Royal Flush.
Jacks or Better — The Classic Starting Point
Jacks or Better is the foundational video poker variant and the best place to start. The rules are simple: hands that qualify for a payout begin at a pair of Jacks. The full paytable ladder runs from one pair through Royal Flush.
- Standard full-pay RTP: Up to approximately 99.5% with optimal strategy
- Key strategy note: Always hold a winning hand unless you have four cards to a Royal Flush
- Best for: Beginners and players who prefer straightforward rules
Deuces Wild — A Dramatically Different Dynamic
In Deuces Wild, all four 2s (deuces) act as wild cards, substituting for any other card. This fundamentally changes strategy because natural hands lose some of their value — the minimum qualifying hand is typically Three of a Kind.
- Wild cards: Four (all 2s)
- Minimum qualifying hand: Three of a Kind
- RTP (full-pay version): Can exceed 100% with perfect strategy — though full-pay machines are rare
- Best for: Players comfortable with more complex strategy decisions
Double Bonus Poker — Higher Payouts, Lower Base RTP
Double Bonus Poker increases the payout for Four of a Kind hands (especially Aces), at the cost of reducing the payout for Two Pair (down to 1:1 from the standard 2:1). This creates bigger swing potential.
- Standout feature: Four Aces pays 160x (vs. 25x in standard Jacks or Better)
- Trade-off: More volatility; Two Pair pays less
- Best for: Players who enjoy chasing premium hands
Quick Comparison Table
| Variant | Wilds | Min. Qualifying Hand | Volatility | Skill Complexity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jacks or Better | None | Pair of Jacks | Low–Medium | Low |
| Deuces Wild | 4 Deuces | Three of a Kind | Medium–High | High |
| Double Bonus | None | Pair of Jacks | Medium–High | Medium |
| Joker Poker | 1 Joker | Two Pair or Kings+ | Medium | Medium |
The Importance of Paytable Variations
A critical point often missed: not all versions of the same variant are equal. Operators may reduce payouts on certain hands (particularly Full House and Flush) to lower the RTP. A "9/6 Jacks or Better" (paying 9:1 for Full House and 6:1 for Flush) is full-pay; an "8/5" version pays notably less over time. Always check the paytable before committing.
Which Variant Should You Try First?
Start with Jacks or Better. The strategy is logical, well-documented, and the paytable is easy to interpret. Once you're comfortable with the mechanics, exploring Deuces Wild or Double Bonus adds new layers of decision-making that can make video poker genuinely engaging over the long term.