Video Poker Rules & Strategy

What is Video Poker?

Video Poker is one of the most popular casino card games in the world because it bridges the gap between the fast-paced action of slot machines and the deep mathematical skill of Texas Hold'em.

Unlike slots, where the outcome is pure chance, in Video Poker your decisions directly determine your return to player (RTP). When played with optimal basic strategy, classic Jacks or Better delivers an astounding 99%+ RTP, making it one of the most player-friendly games ever created.

🎮 How to Play Video Poker Step-by-Step

A standard game of Video Poker is played with a single 52-card virtual deck. The objective is simple: construct the highest-ranking 5-card poker combination after one replacement round.

Step 1: Set Bet  ➡️  Step 2: Deal (5 Cards)  ➡️  Step 3: HOLD Best Cards  ➡️  Step 4: DRAW  ➡️  Step 5: Win & Double Up!

1. Place Your Bet

Choose your wager size (from 1 to 10 coins). Higher bets multiply your winning payouts proportionally across the board.

2. The Deal (First Round)

Press DEAL. The game deals you 5 initial cards face-up from a randomly shuffled 52-card deck.

3. Choose Which Cards to HOLD

Examine your 5 cards and tap or click on the cards you want to keep (HOLD).

• You can choose to hold all 5 cards (if you are dealt a made hand like a Flush or Straight).
• You can hold 1, 2, 3, or 4 cards.
• You can hold zero cards if your starting hand is completely uncoordinated, giving you 5 fresh cards!

4. The Draw (Second Round)

Press DRAW. All unheld cards are discarded into the muck and replaced with new random cards from the remaining deck.

5. Payout & Double-Up Game

Your final 5-card hand is automatically evaluated against the official payout table. If you hold a qualifying pair (Tens / Jacks or Better) or any higher combination, you win instant coins!

💰 Video Poker Payout Multipliers Chart

In classic video poker, payouts are based on the strength of your final hand. Here is the official payout table featured in Poker Game:

🃏 The "Double-Up" (Risk Game) Feature

After every winning hand, you can either take your winnings or enter the optional Double-Up Risk Game:

1. The dealer deals 1 face-up card and 4 face-down cards.
2. Pick one of the face-down cards.
3. If your card is higher than the dealer's card, your payout is doubled (2x)!
4. If your card is lower, you lose the round's winnings.
5. If it's a tie, your bet pushes and you can try again or cash out.

💡 Strategy Tip: The Double-Up game has a 100% mathematical RTP (0% house edge) because the card distribution is completely fair. However, variance is high, so consider cashing out after 2–3 consecutive successful doubles.

🧠 Optimal Video Poker Strategy (Hold Priority List)

To maximize your winning percentage, follow this simple Order of Priority from top to bottom. Find the highest matching rule on the list for your 5 dealt cards and HOLD only those cards:

1. Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Four of a Kind: Always HOLD all 5 cards! (Never break quads or a straight flush).
2. 4 cards to a Royal Flush: (e.g. A♠ K♠ Q♠ J♠ 4♦ → Discard the 4♦ to hunt for the x500 jackpot!).
3. Full House, Flush, Straight, Three of a Kind: Always HOLD.
4. 4 cards to a Straight Flush: (e.g. 8♥ 9♥ 10♥ J♥ 2♣ → Discard 2♣).
5. Two Pair: Hold both pairs, discard the 5th card (never keep a kicker!).
6. High Pair (Pair of 10s, Jacks, Queens, Kings, or Aces): Always keep the high pair.
7. 3 cards to a Royal Flush: (e.g. A♦ K♦ Q♦ 7♠ 3♣ → Hold A-K-Q).
8. 4 cards to a Flush: Hold the 4 suited cards.
9. Low Pair (2s through 9s): Hold the low pair (discarding 3 kickers gives you chances at 3-of-a-kind, Full House, and Quads).
10. 4 cards to an Open-Ended Straight: (e.g. 6♠ 7♦ 8♣ 9♥ K♠ → Hold 6-7-8-9).
11. Two Suited High Cards: (e.g. Q♠ J♠ 4♦ 7♥ 2♣ → Hold Q♠ J♠).
12. Nothing matched? Discard all 5 cards and draw a brand new hand!

⚠️ Top 4 Video Poker Mistakes to Avoid

• ❌ Keeping a "Kicker" with a Pair or 3-of-a-Kind: In Video Poker, there are NO opponents to compare kickers with! Holding a random Ace alongside a pair of Eights reduces your odds of hitting a Full House or Quads.
• ❌ Holding 5 Unsuited Cards for no reason: If you have no pairs, no 4-card straights, and no 4-card flushes, discard all 5 cards.
• ❌ Breaking a Made Flush or Straight: Never discard a card from a made Straight or Flush unless you are holding 4 cards to a Royal Flush.
• ❌ Ignoring Low Pairs: A pair of Fives might not pay immediately, but it is mathematically superior to holding a single high card because it gives you three draws at a Monster hand (Three of a Kind, Full House, Quads).