Video Poker Strategy Chart: How to Use Charts to Win

Video poker is a popular casino game that combines elements of poker and slot machines. While luck plays a role, players can use strategy to improve their chances of winning. One of the most effective tools to help you make the best decisions is a video poker strategy chart.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about video poker strategy charts and how to use them to maximise your returns.

What is a Video Poker Strategy Chart?

A video poker strategy chart is a guide that tells you the mathematically correct play for every possible starting hand. The chart is organized as a table or list, with each row representing a specific combination of cards. For each hand, the chart usually shows which cards to hold and which to discard in order to maximise the expected return based on the game’s pay table.

During actual play, you simply refer to the chart after being dealt your initial five cards. Find the row that matches your hand, then follow the recommended hold/discard strategy for the draw. The goal is to make the best play each time according to the math behind the game.

To help you understand what video poker strategy cards look like, here’s an example:

While this chart provides a solid foundation, video poker has numerous games and variations you can play, each one with its own strategies to apply. Let’s take a look at the specific strategies for two of the most popular video poker games.

Jacks or Better Video Poker Strategy

In Jacks or Better, the lowest winning hand is a pair of Jacks. To maximise your potential winnings, always bet the maximum number of coins, which is usually five. This makes you eligible for the Royal Flush bonus payout. When playing, remember to use a Jacks or Better video poker strategy chart to guide you to your next move.

The main principle is to retain any winning hand, which for this game it’s always a pair of Jacks or higher. If you have four cards to a Royal Flush, discard the fifth card, even if it completes a lower winning hand, as the potential payout for a Royal Flush is significantly higher. Similarly, hold four cards to a Straight Flush or three to a Royal Flush, discarding the remaining cards.

When dealt a pair, hold the pair and discard the other three cards. If your hand contains two high cards (Jacks or higher), keep them and discard the rest. In case you have more than two high cards, hold the lowest two.

Deuces Wild Video Poker Strategy

Deuces Wild is unique because deuces (2s) act as wild cards, changing the hand rankings and requiring a different strategy. In this game, the minimum qualifying hand is typically Three of a Kind.

If you are dealt four deuces, hold all the cards as this is the best possible hand. When having three deuces, hold Five of a Kind or a Wild Royal Flush if possible; otherwise, hold the deuces and draw two new cards. With two deuces, hold any hand that’s Four of a Kind or better. If you don’t have such a hand, keep the deuces and draw three new cards.

When dealt a single deuce, hold any hand that’s Three of a Kind or better, or four cards to a Royal Flush or Straight Flush. If you don’t have any of these hands, hold the deuce only. In hands without deuces, hold any paying hand (Three of a Kind or better). The only exception is when you have four cards to a potential Royal Flush. In this case, discard the non-contributing card, even if it breaks a paying hand, to try to complete the Royal Flush.

Why Do You Need a Video Poker Strategy Chart?

There are several good reasons to use strategy charts for video poker:

1. No more guesswork: Instead of making decisions under pressure, you can simply consult the chart to find the mathematically optimal play. This takes the uncertainty out of whether to chase a draw or hold a made hand.
2. Maximises expected value: Video poker strategy is all about making the play that will yield the most money in the long run based on the pay table. The chart does the hard work of finding that play for you on each hand.
3. No memorisation needed: Just consult the chart for every hand until you learn the right plays.

Using a video poker strategy chart is one of the easiest and most effective ways to improve your results. The charts are legal to use and provide a substantial boost to your bottom line.

Video Poker Payouts

To understand video poker strategy, it’s helpful to know the payouts for common hands. Here are the typical paytables for the most popular games:

Jacks or Better Payouts

Deuces Wild Payouts

Video Poker Odds

Knowing the odds of making each hand can also inform strategy decisions. Here are the probabilities for some key hands in Jacks and Better:

Different Types of Poker Games and How They Change The Strategy

Jacks or Better

Jacks or Better is the most common video poker game. It uses a standard 52-card deck and the minimum paying hand is a pair of jacks. The strategy for Jacks or Better revolves around pursuing high paying hands like a royal flush, straight flush, or four of a kind, while also keeping strong hands.

• Always hold a paying hand of a pair of jacks or higher.
• Break a low pair to draw to a royal flush.
• Keep a low pair over a single high card.

Double Bonus

Double Bonus is a variation of Jacks or Better that offers bonus payouts for four of a kind hands. Four aces are especially valuable, paying 160 coins for a 5 coin bet.

Deuces Wild

In Deuces Wild, all four twos (deuces) are wild and can substitute for any card to help form winning combinations. It has unique hands like Five of a Kind and the Wild Royal Flush that are not possible in standard video poker.

• Always hold any made winning hand, including the new Five of a Kind.
• Prioritize four to a Wild Royal over a paying hand.
• Keep any three deuces, discarding the other two cards.

Main Differences Between The Poker Types

The key differences between the main video poker games include:

• Wild cards: Games like Deuces Wild and Anything’s Wild add wild cards that change the hand rankings and probabilities.
• Pay tables: The payouts for specific hands vary between games. Some versions of Jacks or Better offer a 9/6 pay table (meaning a full house pays 9x and a flush pays 6x your bet) while others may have reduced payouts like 8/5 or 7/5.
• Bonus Payouts: Double Bonus and Double Double Bonus have better payouts for certain four of a kind hands. A good Double Bonus video poker strategy requires adjustments to maximise the value of the bonuses.
• Unique hands: Some games introduce hands not found in regular video poker, like the Wild Royal Flush and Five of a Kind in Deuces Wild.
• Strategy complexity: The strategy for Jacks or Better is relatively straightforward. Games with wild cards or bonus payouts require more adjustments and are harder to play perfectly.

Despite the differences, the basic principle of making the highest expected value play on each hand remains the same across video poker variations. Using a strategy chart customized for the specific game and pay table you’re playing is recommended in any case.

How to Use a Video Poker Strategy Chart

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Use a Video Poker Strategy Chart

Here’s how to put a strategy chart into action:

1. Find the chart for the specific video poker game and pay table you are playing.
2. Start at the top of the list and work your way down until you match your dealt hand to a line on the chart.
3. Hold the cards indicated by the chart and discard the rest for the draw. The chart may say to hold anywhere from 0 to 5 cards.
4. After the draw, your hand will either improve to a paying combination or end up as a “bust” hand if it doesn’t make the minimum qualifying hand.
5. Repeat steps 2-4 on every new deal, always following the chart regardless of your results on prior hands.

The key is to strictly stick to the plays recommended by the chart, even if it sometimes means breaking up a paying hand for a shot at a stronger one. Going with your gut instead of the math will cost you more over time.

Common Mistakes When Using Video Poker Strategy Charts

• Not using a strategy chart at all and instead relying on hunches or guesses.
• Using a chart for the wrong game or pay table. The strategy can vary significantly based on the specific rules and payouts.
• Misreading the chart and making the wrong hold/discard decisions.
• Failing to hold a winning combination because you think you can improve it (like holding three cards to a straight flush instead of a paying pair).
• Getting impatient and playing too quickly to properly consult the chart on each hand.
• Not betting max coins and thereby missing out on the royal flush bonus.

To avoid these mistakes, always double check that you are using the correct chart and take your time on each hand to ensure you are making the best play. It can be helpful to keep a finger on the chart to mark your place as you evaluate your dealt cards.

Using a Video Poker Strategy Calculator

In addition to using a strategy chart, some players also use a video poker strategy calculator. This is typically a software program that allows you to input a specific game, pay table, and your dealt hand.

The calculator then provides the mathematically optimal play for that situation, just like a strategy chart. However, a calculator can be more convenient than flipping through pages of charts. It may also allow you to customize the strategy for games or pay tables not covered by standard charts.

To use a strategy calculator:

1. Input the exact video poker game and pay table you are playing.
2. Enter your five dealt cards into the calculator.
3. The calculator will display the expected return for each possible holding as well as the best overall play.
4. Follow the calculator’s recommendation by holding those cards and discarding the rest.

A strategy calculator can be a useful supplement to a printed chart, especially if you play a wide variety of games. However, calculators are only available for use on a computer or mobile device, so you may not be able to consult them directly while playing in a casino.

RECAP + Our Tips for You

• Video poker strategy charts are an essential tool to maximise your expected return and reduce the house edge as much as possible.
• Always use a chart that corresponds to the specific game and pay table you are playing. What is correct in one variation may be a mistake in another.
• Take your time and consult the chart on every hand, even when the correct play seems obvious. Small mistakes can really add up over time.
• Manage your bankroll responsibly and don’t play with money you can’t afford to lose. Even with perfect strategy, video poker is still gambling and losing sessions are inevitable.
• Consider practising for free online before risking real money. Many video poker training programs let you play hands and learn the strategy for your favourite games.
• If you’re unsure about a particular play, it’s better to be safe and hold a paying hand than risk breaking it to chase a long shot draw.
• Have fun and learn as you go! Video poker has a small house edge with perfect strategy, but remember it is still gambling. Treat it as entertainment and don’t risk money you can’t afford to lose.