How video poker works, hand rankings, how to read pay tables (9/6 Jacks or Better), the best video poker games and basic hold strategy.
Video Poker Guide: Rules, Pay Tables and Strategy
By Chris Wyatt · Updated October 2026
Quick answer: Video poker deals you five cards; you choose which to hold, draw replacements, and get paid by a pay table based on your final poker hand. Your decisions matter, and the pay table decides the RTP. Full-pay 9/6 Jacks or Better returns 99.54% with optimal strategy, while short-pay 8/5 drops to about 97.3%. Always check the full house and flush payouts before you play.
In this guide:
- How Video Poker Works
- How to Read a Pay Table
- Jacks or Better Hand Rankings (per coin)
- Basic Jacks or Better Strategy
- Video Poker Tips
- Video Poker FAQs
How Video Poker Works
- Choose your stake. Many games pay a bonus on a royal flush when you bet the maximum 5 coins.
- You are dealt five cards.
- Hold the cards you want to keep and discard the rest.
- Draw replacement cards. Your final hand is paid according to the pay table.
How to Read a Pay Table
Video poker games are named by their full house and flush payouts per coin. A “9/6” Jacks or Better game pays 9 for a full house and 6 for a flush.
| Game and pay table | RTP with optimal play |
|---|---|
| Jacks or Better 9/6 (full pay) | 99.54% |
| Jacks or Better 8/5 | 97.30% |
| Deuces Wild (full pay) | 100.76% |
| Double Bonus 10/7 | 100.17% |
Jacks or Better Hand Rankings (per coin)
| Hand | 9/6 payout |
|---|---|
| Royal flush | 250 (800 with max bet) |
| Straight flush | 50 |
| Four of a kind | 25 |
| Full house | 9 |
| Flush | 6 |
| Straight | 4 |
| Three of a kind | 3 |
| Two pair | 2 |
| Jacks or better (pair) | 1 |
Basic Jacks or Better Strategy
- Always hold a pat straight, flush, full house or better.
- Hold four to a royal flush over a made flush or straight.
- Hold any high pair (jacks or better) and three of a kind.
- Hold two pair and draw one card.
- Hold four to a flush, and four to an open-ended straight.
- With nothing, hold high cards (J, Q, K, A), preferring suited ones.
- Never hold a kicker with a pair.
Video Poker Tips
- Play max coins only if you can afford it, to qualify for the royal flush bonus.
- Use a strategy trainer or chart until decisions become automatic.
- Check bonus terms: video poker often counts little toward wagering.
- Compare RTPs in our RTP and house edge guide.
Video Poker FAQs
What is the best video poker game?
Full-pay versions of Deuces Wild, Double Bonus and 9/6 Jacks or Better offer the highest RTPs with optimal strategy.
What does 9/6 mean in video poker?
The game pays 9 coins per coin for a full house and 6 for a flush. Lower numbers mean a worse return.
Is video poker skill or luck?
Both. The cards are random, but your hold decisions change the return significantly.
Should I always bet max coins?
Max coins unlock the bonus royal flush payout, which adds to the RTP, but only bet what fits your bankroll.
Can video poker have over 100% RTP?
Some full-pay games do with perfect strategy, but they are rare online.
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