There are many choices of games when it comes to playing video poker. You
can play All American, Bonus Poker, Deuces Wild, Double Bonus Poker, Jacks
or Better, Joker’s Wild, and many others. Although the games are generally
the same, you should note that the payout schedule can differ for each variation.
In order to have as close to 100% payback, you need to use the correct playing
strategy for each type of game. By far the most popular video poker game
is Jacks or Better as it has a payout of 99.5%. This is an excellent return
for an easier game which allows you to gain the experience and knowledge
to move on to the other more complicated games.
Below is a summary of the more popular Video Poker games. Read up on
the ones that interest you the most and start playing!
Deuces Wild
In this game, the standard 52-card deck is used, with all four deuces
(2’s) designated as wild cards. Because of the added bonus of the
four deuce wild cards, the minimum rank for a winning hand is three of
a kind. Never discard a deuce in a Deuces Wild game.
Jacks or Better
This is the best game to begin with when starting to play video poker.
In fact, it is a good all-around machine to play at any time. You can
identify a good-paying machine by reviewing the full house and flush payouts
on the first column on the payout chart. On a 9/6 machine you will be
paid nine counts for a full house and six for a flush.
It is important to remember not to play the low payout 7/5 machines as
the house odds are just too high.
The next factor to look for is the royal flush payout. You want to play
on non-progressive machines that award at least 4,000 counts for a royal
flush. This means that if you play the maximum five coins and get a royal
flush, you will get 4,000 coins back.
The royal flush payout is the bonus that makes video poker a winner.
If you can't or won't play the maximum coins on a given video poker machine
because of its cost, go to a machine with a lower denomination.
Joker’s Wild
This game is played with the standard 52-card deck, with a joker thrown
in as a wild card. This wild card can be used as a substitute for any
other card or can be used to create a five of a kind. The machine will
automatically compute the best hand when a joker is present, usually about
10% of the time. Because of the added bonus of the wild card, the minimum
rank for a wining hand is two pair.
King of the Decks
In this game, five decks of the standard 52-card decks are used. If you
get five kinds of clubs, you will win the progressive jackpot. Because
of the added bonus of the increased number of potential pairs, the minimum
ranks for a winning hand is two pair. Games with more than one deck will
always reduce the player's odds, so consider other games before playing
King of the Decks.
Progressive Machines
These machines typically have a lower payout for a full house and flush;
however, this can be overcome if the progressive jackpot is high enough.
On a $.25 machine, if the jackpot is above $2,240, it's worthwhile to
play. If it's below the $2,240 level, go back to the standard 9/6 machines.
On progressive 9/6 Jacks or Better machines when the jackpot raises above
6,500 coins, the payback reaches a 100% return making this an excellent
machine to play.
To summarize…
The three best machines you can play are the 9/6 Jacks or Better, 10/7
Double Bonus, and full-pay Deuces Wild. When you insert the maximum coins
and use proper strategy, these machines will pay out 99.5%, 100.2%, and
100.8%, respectively. Look for these machines and play them.
