How to play video poker smart and win more

Learn simple way to be better at video poker machine.

Nikola Jovanović
2026-01-14
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You like casino, yes? And you like game where you can use your brain? Then video poker is for you! Many peoples love it because it's not like slot machine where only luck is important. Here, with good video poker strategy, you can really make your chances better. This article gonna show you how to play smart, so you can win more money and have more fun. Is important to know how to win video poker, no?

First, let's understand why this game is popular. It's mix of slots and five-card draw poker. You put money, you get five cards. Then you decide what cards to keep and what to throw away. New cards come, and you see if you win. The best part? The "house edge" (the casino's advantage) can be very low, sometimes even less than 1% if you play perfect. This is much better than many other casino games. That is why having a good video poker strategy is key.

One of the most important things for how to win video poker is to pick the right machine. Not all video poker machines are same! You need to look at the "pay table." This is a list showing how much you win for each hand (like a pair, two pair, flush, straight, etc.).

For example, if you play "Jacks or Better," a very popular game, you want to find a "full pay" machine. This means it pays 9 coins for a Full House and 6 coins for a Flush (when you bet 1 coin). Many machines pay less, maybe 8/5 or 7/5. Always look for the 9/6 machine. If you cannot find 9/6, then find the best one available. This simple tip is one of the best video poker tips you can get before even start playing.

So, before you put any money, check the pay table! This is your first step in good video poker strategy.

After you pick good machine, next is to know what cards to hold. This is the heart of how to win video poker. Every game (Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, Bonus Poker) have own specific strategy. But some basic rules are same for most games like Jacks or Better:

  • Always keep a winning hand if you have one! Like a Full House, Straight, Flush, or a Pair of Jacks or better.
  • If you don't have winning hand, look for hands that can become good.
  • Keep all parts of a Royal Flush (like Ace, King, Queen, Jack, Ten all same suit) even if it means breaking smaller winning hand (like a low pair). This is very important strategy.
  • Hold four cards to a Straight Flush.
  • Hold three cards to a Royal Flush.
  • Hold any four cards to a Flush or any four cards to a Straight.
  • Hold two high cards of same suit (like Queen and Jack of Hearts).
  • Hold a high pair (Jacks, Queens, Kings, Aces).

Many websites offer strategy charts for different video poker games. Print them out or keep them open on your phone. Casino allow this, don't worry! Using these charts is one of the best video poker tips for consistent play.

Even with best video poker strategy, you need to manage your money well. This means:

  • Set a budget: Only play with money you can afford to lose. Decide before you start how much you will spend.
  • Bet Max Coins: Always bet the maximum number of coins (usually 5). Why? Because the payout for a Royal Flush is much, much higher when you bet max coins. If you can't afford to bet max coins at a certain denomination, then play at a lower denomination machine. For example, play 25 cent machine instead of dollar machine. This is very important for how to win video poker big.
  • Know when to stop: If you win good amount, maybe take some money and go home. Or if you lose your budget, stop. Chasing losses is not good idea.

You don't need to risk real money to become good. Many online casinos and websites offer free video poker games. Use them! Practice your video poker strategy without pressure. This helps you remember what cards to hold and when to discard. The more you practice, the faster you get and the fewer mistakes you will make when real money is on the line. It's one of the best video poker tips to improve your game quickly.

Even good players sometimes make small mistakes. Here are some to avoid:

  • Don't hold a "kicker" with a pair. For example, if you have K-K-8-5-2, just hold K-K. Don't hold the 8 or 5.
  • Don't break a winning hand for a chance at a straight or flush, unless it's a Royal Flush draw. A small win is better than big risk.
  • Don't rush! Take your time to think about each decision. The machine waits for you.

Video poker is a fantastic game in casino. With the right video poker strategy, understanding of pay tables, and smart money management, you can improve your chances to win more often. Remember these best video poker tips: pick good machine, learn basic strategy, bet max, and practice. So go ahead, play smart, have good time, and maybe hit that big Royal Flush! Good luck to you!