If you walk through any casino, past the flashing modern video slots, you will inevitably find rows of old, blocky Video Poker machines.
Playing Video Poker strictly on gut feeling or intuition is a guaranteed way to destroy this massive mathematical advantage and lose your bankroll.
Reading the Video Poker Paytable
The paytable dictates exactly how much each specific poker hand pays out, and it is the sole factor determining the machine's overall house edge.
This specific machine pays exactly 9 coins for a Full House and 6 coins for a Flush on a single coin bet.
Casinos often hide 8/5 machines right next to the generous 9/6 machinesThe paytable is the only information you need to calculate the exact RTP of the gameJacks or Better provides the foundational strategy for almost all other game variations
Chasing the Royal Flush Premium
The single most catastrophic mistake a Video Poker player can make is failing to bet the maximum number of coins per hand.
Because the mathematical RTP calculation assumes you will eventually hit a Royal Flush, failing to bet max coins completely destroys your long-term advantage.
Playing Like a Video Poker Robot
You must completely eliminate human emotion; never hold a "lucky" card or chase an inside straight if the math dictates otherwise.
You can legally print a strategy card from the internet and hold it right in front of the machine while you play in the casino.
Video Poker VariantOptimal PaytableTheoretical RTP (Perfect Play)Jacks or Better9 / 699.54%Deuces Wild15 / 9 / 5100.76% (Player Advantage!)
Study the strategy charts relentlessly, and you will transform from a casual gambler into a formidable, highly profitable casino advantage player.
1
Winning at Casino Video Poker
Adelaida Mahony edited this page 2026-08-06 04:21:18 -05:00