Video poker
Video poker explained: how a hand of draw poker against a machine works, why the pay table decides almost everything about the return, how Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, Joker Poker and the Bonus games compare, and why strategy matters here far more than in slots.
By the BonusKing editorial team. Last checked .
How video poker works
Video poker is five-card draw poker played against a machine rather than other players. You are dealt five cards, choose which to hold, and the rest are replaced once. Your final hand is paid from a fixed pay table, from one pair of jacks or better at the bottom to a royal flush at the top. There is no dealer hand to beat. Our how to play video poker page walks through a hand step by step.
Two things set it apart from slots. First, the cards are dealt from a simulated 52-card deck (53 with a joker), so the chance of every hand can be counted exactly. Second, your hold decisions change the result, so the return depends on how well you play as well as on the game.
Video poker pay tables and RTP compared
Games with the same name can pay very differently. In Jacks or Better, the payouts for a full house and a flush give the pay table its name: 9/6 pays 9 and 6, 8/5 pays 8 and 5. That one change moves the return by more than two percentage points. The returns below are Wizard of Odds' figures for perfect strategy and maximum coins, which is when the royal flush pays 800 per coin.
| Game | Pay table | Return | House edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacks or Better | 9/6 | 99.54% | 0.46% |
| Jacks or Better | 8/5 | 97.3% | 2.7% |
| Deuces Wild | Full pay | 100.76% | Player edge 0.76% |
| Deuces Wild | Not So Ugly Ducks | About 99.73% | About 0.27% |
| Bonus Poker | 8/5 | 99.17% | 0.83% |
| Double Bonus Poker | 9/6 (straight pays 5) | 97.81% | 2.19% |
| Double Double Bonus Poker | 9/6 | 98.98% | 1.02% |
| Joker Poker (Kings or Better) | Table used by NetEnt | 97.9% | 2.1% |
Returns above 100% are theoretical full-pay tables; which pay tables UK online casinos actually run varies by game, so read the pay table on screen before you play. See the Wizard of Odds video poker summary (opens in a new tab) and our pay tables guide.
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Video poker strategy and where to start
Jacks or Better is the best starting point: no wild cards, a short strategy and a well-known benchmark pay table. Once you know it, Deuces Wild adds four wild twos and a different strategy, and the Bonus family (Bonus Poker, Double Bonus and Double Double Bonus) pays extra for four of a kind, which makes results swingier.
Strategy errors cost real money because the returns above assume perfect play. A video poker strategy chart ranks every possible hold; common mistakes include keeping a kicker with a pair or breaking a made hand to chase a long shot. Our video poker against slots comparison explains why a good pay table played well usually costs less than a typical slot.
Video poker RTP and UK rules
UK operators must show information on your chances of winning, such as the RTP. For games with a skill element, the Gambling Commission's guidance says that figure should be calculated using an auto-play strategy or a standard or published strategy, so the displayed RTP assumes good play. Autoplay is banned for all online casino games. Read more about RTP information rules.
18+. Every casino game has a built-in house edge, so over time you should expect to lose what you stake. Set a budget before you play and stop when it’s gone: safer gambling tools and support. Free, confidential help: National Gambling Helpline 0808 8020 133.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best video poker game to play?
The best game is the one with the best pay table you can play well. A 9/6 Jacks or Better game returns 99.54% with perfect strategy and is the easiest to learn. Full-pay Deuces Wild can return over 100% in theory, but such tables are rare and its strategy is harder. Always read the pay table on screen. Our answer to what the best video poker game is compares the options.
Is video poker better than slots?
For cost, often yes, if you choose a good pay table and play correctly. A 9/6 Jacks or Better game has a 0.46% edge with perfect strategy, while slots typically return less, and you can check exactly why from the pay table. Slots offer bigger top prizes and need no decisions. Poor holds can push the video poker edge up quickly. See is video poker better than slots.
What do 9/6 and 8/5 mean in video poker?
They are the payouts for a full house and a flush, per coin bet. A 9/6 Jacks or Better game pays 9 for a full house and 6 for a flush, and returns 99.54% with optimal strategy. An 8/5 game pays 8 and 5 and returns about 97.3%. Over £1,000 staked, that is about £4.60 against £27 lost on average. Our Jacks or Better page explains more.
Does strategy really matter in video poker?
Yes. Published returns assume perfect strategy, and every hand has one mathematically best hold. Mistakes such as holding a kicker, throwing away a low pair or chasing an inside straight all lower your return. Learning a simple strategy chart for one game gets you close to the published figure. Start with our video poker strategy page and stick to one game until the plays feel natural.