Video Poker Strategy Guide
Read the pay table. Learn what to hold. Understand the long-term return.
Video poker is one of the very few casino games where your decisions directly change the long-term return. On the right machine, played with the right strategy, some video poker games return more than 99% of every dollar wagered, and a handful even offer a theoretical return above 100%. Played carelessly, the same games can cost you two or three times as much. The difference comes down to two skills: choosing the right pay table and holding the right cards.
This video poker strategy guide for Canadian players explains how to read pay tables, how to play Jacks or Better correctly with a simple strategy chart, how strategy changes in Deuces Wild and bonus games, the most common mistakes, and how to manage your bankroll for the swings that come with chasing a royal flush.
What this guide covers
- Why strategy matters in video poker
- How video poker works
- Reading pay tables: the most important skill
- Jacks or Better strategy chart
- Key Jacks or Better decisions explained
- Strategy for other popular games
- Common video poker mistakes
- Bankroll and variance
- Practical tips for better results
- Playing video poker online in Canada
- Frequently asked questions
Why Strategy Matters in Video Poker
Video poker deals from a virtual 52-card deck (53 cards in Joker Poker), and every hand is shuffled fresh by a random number generator. Because the deck and the pay table are both known, the mathematically best play for every possible hand can be calculated exactly. That means video poker has a perfect strategy, much like blackjack.
The return quoted for a video poker game assumes perfect play. A 9/6 Jacks or Better machine returns 99.54% with perfect strategy, but a player who makes frequent mistakes might only see 96% or 97%. In other words, a casual player could easily triple the house edge without realising it.
How Video Poker Works
- Choose your coin value and number of coins. Most games let you bet from one to five coins per hand.
- Press Deal. You receive five cards.
- Choose which cards to hold. Tap the cards you want to keep.
- Press Draw. The cards you did not hold are replaced with new ones from the same deck.
- Get paid. Your final five-card hand is paid according to the pay table.
You are not playing against other people or a dealer. The only question that matters on every hand is: which cards should I hold to get the highest expected return?
Reading Pay Tables: The Most Important Skill
Before you play a single hand, look at the pay table. Two machines that look identical can have very different returns, and the difference is usually hidden in just one or two numbers.
The 9/6 rule for Jacks or Better
In Jacks or Better, most of the pay table is the same on every machine. The key numbers are the payouts for a full house and a flush, for a one-coin bet. A "9/6" machine pays 9 for a full house and 6 for a flush. Each step down costs you a significant amount of return.
| Jacks or Better Pay Table | Full House | Flush | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9/6 (full pay) | 9 | 6 | 99.54% |
| 8/6 | 8 | 6 | 98.39% |
| 8/5 | 8 | 5 | 97.30% |
| 7/5 | 7 | 5 | 96.15% |
| 6/5 | 6 | 5 | 95.00% |
Dropping from 9/6 to 6/5 makes the game roughly ten times more expensive in the long run. No amount of good strategy can make up for a poor pay table, so this check comes first.
Full-pay versions of other games
| Game | Full-Pay Version | Return |
|---|---|---|
| Jacks or Better | 9/6 | 99.54% |
| Bonus Poker | 8/5 | 99.17% |
| Double Bonus | 10/7 | 100.17% |
| Double Double Bonus | 10/6 | 100.07% |
| Deuces Wild | Full pay | 100.76% |
Full-pay versions of some games are rare, especially online, but they show what to look for. Always compare the pay table in front of you with the full-pay version of the same game.
Always play the maximum coins
Almost every video poker game pays a bonus on the royal flush when you bet five coins. With one to four coins, a royal usually pays 250 for 1. With five coins, it jumps to 800 for 1, a total of 4,000 coins. Playing fewer than five coins reduces the return by more than 1%. If five coins at your chosen value is too expensive, drop to a lower coin value rather than betting fewer coins.
Jacks or Better Strategy Chart
Jacks or Better is the foundation of video poker. Learn it first, and every other game becomes easier. To use the chart below, look at your five dealt cards and find the highest line on the chart that matches your hand. Hold those cards and draw the rest.
| Rank | Hand to Hold |
|---|---|
| 1 | Royal flush, straight flush or four of a kind |
| 2 | Four to a royal flush |
| 3 | Full house, flush, straight or three of a kind |
| 4 | Four to a straight flush |
| 5 | Two pair |
| 6 | High pair (jacks or better) |
| 7 | Three to a royal flush |
| 8 | Four to a flush |
| 9 | Low pair (2s through 10s) |
| 10 | Four to an outside straight |
| 11 | Two suited high cards |
| 12 | Three to a straight flush |
| 13 | Two unsuited high cards (if three, keep the lowest two) |
| 14 | Suited 10 with a jack, queen or king |
| 15 | One high card |
| 16 | Discard everything and draw five new cards |
This simplified chart, used with a 9/6 machine, gets you within a tiny fraction of a percent of perfect play. High cards are jacks, queens, kings and aces. An outside straight is four consecutive cards that can be completed at either end, such as 6-7-8-9.
Key Jacks or Better Decisions Explained
Four to a royal beats a made flush or straight
If you are dealt a flush or straight that also contains four cards to a royal flush, break it and go for the royal. For example, with A-K-Q-J of hearts and the 4 of hearts, hold the four royal cards and discard the 4. The potential 4,000-coin payout outweighs the guaranteed flush.
A high pair beats three to a royal
With a pair of kings and a suited queen and jack, keep the pair. The pair already pays, and its expected value is higher than the royal draw.
Three to a royal beats four to a flush
If you hold K-Q-J of spades plus another spade and an off-suit card, hold only the three royal cards. This decision surprises many players, but the royal potential makes it correct.
Low pair beats four to a straight
A pair of sixes is a better hold than four to an outside straight. The pair can improve to two pair, three of a kind, a full house or quads.
Never hold a kicker
With a pair, never keep an extra high card alongside it. Holding a pair of 8s with an ace reduces your chances of improving the pair. Hold just the pair and draw three.
Do not hold three to a straight or flush
Three-card straight and flush draws (other than straight flushes) are weak. In those situations, you are better off holding high cards or drawing five new cards.
Strategy for Other Popular Games
Bonus Poker
Bonus Poker pays extra for four of a kind, especially four aces and four 2s, 3s or 4s. Its strategy is almost identical to Jacks or Better, with small adjustments. The Jacks or Better chart works well as a starting point.
Double Bonus and Double Double Bonus
These games pay large bonuses for four of a kind, but two pair pays only 1 for 1 instead of 2 for 1. That shifts strategy toward hands that can make quads:
- Aces become especially valuable, because four aces pay a big bonus.
- In Double Double Bonus, four aces or four 2s, 3s or 4s with a qualifying kicker pay even more, which can make holding a kicker correct in specific cases.
- Variance is much higher. Expect long losing stretches between big four-of-a-kind wins.
Deuces Wild
In Deuces Wild, all four 2s are wild, and the lowest paying hand is three of a kind. Strategy depends mostly on how many deuces you hold:
- Never discard a deuce. Every deuce is valuable.
- Four deuces: hold all four. This is a top-paying hand on its own.
- Three deuces: hold only the deuces unless you already have a wild royal flush or five of a kind.
- Two deuces: hold the deuces plus any four of a kind or better, or four to a royal. Otherwise, usually hold just the deuces.
- One deuce: look for made hands, four to a royal, or three to a royal. Otherwise, hold the deuce alone.
- No deuces: hold made hands such as straights and flushes, four to a royal, and pairs. Discard high cards, since jacks or better do not pay.
Joker Poker
Joker Poker adds one joker to the deck as a wild card. The minimum paying hand is usually a pair of kings. Always hold the joker, and learn the specific chart for the version you are playing.
Key point: Never use a Jacks or Better chart for Deuces Wild or Joker Poker. Wild card games need their own strategy, and using the wrong one can cost several percent.
Common Video Poker Mistakes
- Ignoring the pay table. Playing 6/5 instead of 9/6 is the most expensive mistake of all.
- Betting fewer than five coins. You lose the royal flush bonus.
- Keeping a kicker. Holding an extra card with a pair lowers your expected return.
- Breaking a high pair for a flush or straight draw. The pair is worth more.
- Holding an off-suit 10 with high cards. A 10 only helps when it is suited with your high cards toward a royal. Otherwise, hold the high cards alone.
- Playing hunches. Every hand is random. What happened in the last hand has no effect on the next one.
- Using the wrong chart. Each game and pay table has its own optimal strategy.
Bankroll and Variance
Even on a high-return machine, video poker can be volatile. A large share of the long-term return comes from the royal flush, which appears on average about once every 40,000 hands in Jacks or Better. Most sessions end without one, which means short-term results are usually below the advertised return.
| Game | Variance | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| Jacks or Better | Low | Steady play, frequent small wins |
| Bonus Poker | Low to medium | Similar to Jacks or Better |
| Deuces Wild | Medium | Frequent small wins, rare big hands |
| Double Bonus | High | Long dry spells, big quad payouts |
| Double Double Bonus | Very high | Large swings in both directions |
Managing your bankroll
- Choose a coin size that fits. Five coins per hand at your chosen value should be comfortable for hundreds of hands.
- Set a session budget and stop when it is gone.
- Set a win goal and consider cashing out when you hit it.
- Start with low-variance games like Jacks or Better while you learn.
- Watch your speed. Online video poker can deal more than 600 hands an hour. Slowing down protects your bankroll.
Practical Tips for Better Results
- Learn one game well. Master Jacks or Better before moving on.
- Keep a strategy chart open. Using a chart while you play is allowed and smart.
- Use free play and trainers. Many casinos offer demo versions, and some training tools flag mistakes as you play.
- Check the pay table every time. Different casinos, and even different games at the same casino, may use different pay tables.
- Read bonus terms. Video poker often contributes less to wagering requirements than slots.
- Take advantage of loyalty points. On high-return games, comp points can add real value.
- Take breaks. Tired players make mistakes, and mistakes cost money.
Playing Video Poker Online in Canada
Video poker is available at licensed online casinos across Canada. Ontario has a regulated private market overseen by iGaming Ontario and the AGCO, and Alberta opened its regulated market in July 2026. Other provinces offer video poker through official provincial platforms such as PlayNow, Loto-Québec and Atlantic Lottery. You must be 19 in most provinces and 18 in Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec.
When choosing where to play, look for a licensed casino with clear pay tables shown in each game, multiple video poker variants, Canadian dollar accounts, Interac payments and responsible gambling tools. For recreational players, gambling winnings are generally not taxable in Canada.
Responsible Gambling
Even with perfect strategy, video poker is gambling, and losses are part of the game. Set limits, take breaks and never play with money you need for essentials. If you need support, free and confidential help is available:
- ConnexOntario for players in Ontario, available 24/7.
- GameSense, a responsible gambling program used by several provinces.
- Responsible Gambling Council, a national independent organization.
Frequently Asked Questions About Video Poker Strategy
Can you beat video poker?
A few full-pay games have a theoretical return above 100% with perfect strategy, but they are rare and the edge is tiny. For most players, the realistic goal is to keep the house edge under 1% with good pay tables and correct play.
What is the best video poker game for beginners?
9/6 Jacks or Better. It has a simple strategy, low variance and a 99.54% return with correct play.
Is using a strategy chart allowed?
Yes. Strategy charts are perfectly legal and widely used, both online and in land-based casinos.
Should I always bet five coins?
Yes, on almost all games. Five coins unlocks the royal flush bonus. If that is too expensive, reduce your coin value instead.
Should I break a flush to go for a royal?
Yes, if you hold four cards to a royal flush. The chance at the royal's large payout is worth more than the flush.
Is online video poker rigged?
At licensed casinos, video poker uses certified random number generators that are independently tested. Every hand is dealt from a fresh shuffled deck.
Final Thoughts
Video poker rewards players who do their homework. Find the best pay table, always bet five coins, learn the strategy chart for your game and stick to it, and manage your bankroll for the swings. Do that, and you will be playing one of the best-value games in any casino.