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Video Poker Strategy: Reading Pay Tables

Video poker is the most player-friendly machine on the casino floor. Find a full-pay 9/6 Jacks or Better and play optimal strategy — RTP can hit 99.54%.

Read the pay table

Look at the Full House and Flush payouts on Jacks or Better. 9/6 Jacks or Better (9 for FH, 6 for flush, both per credit on max-bet): 99.54% RTP. 8/5 Jacks: 97.30%. 7/5 Jacks: 96.15%. Same game, dramatically different math.

Best variants

  • 9/6 Jacks or Better — gold standard
  • Full-Pay Deuces Wild (25/15/9/4/4/3/2/1) — 100.76% RTP with optimal play (rare to find online)
  • Bonus Poker, Double Bonus, Joker Poker — all have full-pay variants

Optimal strategy

Play 5 coins to qualify for the royal flush bonus. Hold pairs higher than 10s. Hold 3 to a royal flush. Hold 4-card flush draws. Print a strategy chart for your variant — these are public and free.

FAQ

Does this strategy guarantee profit?

No casino game can be beaten long-term except blackjack (with card counting), video poker (with full-pay tables), and certain forms of poker. Strategy reduces house edge but doesn't eliminate it for most games.

Where should I practice?

Use free-play / demo modes at any major regulated casino. Our casino reviews note which operators offer demo play.