Video Poker Strategy

Video poker is one of the only machine games that you have any tangible control over the outcome. Thus, the strategy of your video poker is very important. It is also little wonder why these machines are so popular. Play it right, and you can significantly lower the house edge, giving you more chances to go home with a fatter wallet.

Knowing that the Royal Flush pays out the most generously out of all the winning hands, some people may elect to go for broke, even though they may already have a decent hand. Some however, play more conservatively, picking up whatever the river brings them and spotting for at least a Jack pair or better hand. It is up to you to weigh your options and see if you should test the limits of your luck.

If you are more conservative in your playing style, then here are some common video poker strategies and tips that you can employ to give you a bigger edge.

Video Poker Strategy

4 cards of a Royal Flush	Discard the 5^th card even if it means breaking a complete Straight OR Flush. If it's a Straight Flush, stick.
3 cards of a Royal Flush	If you have a Straight Flush, 4 of a kind, Full House or 3 of a kind, stick to it. Otherwise, send the 2 other cards packing
2 cards of a Royal Flush	Keep both Royal Flush cards. Keep also the one card that can help you meld either a Straight or a Flush and discard the other 2
4 cards to a Straight Flush	If you have a complete Flush or Straight, stick to it. Otherwise, discard the odd card out.
3 cards to a Straight Flush	Keep any winning combination or a 10-or-lower pair. Discard the other 3 for the 10-or-lower option. Otherwise, discard the 2 cards not in the 3-card-Straight-Flush
2 cards to a Straight Flush	Keep any winning combination or a 10-or-lower pair. Discard the other 3 for the 10-or-lower option. Otherwise, discard the 3 cards not in the 2-card-Straight-Flush
4 cards to a Flush	If you have a Jack-or-higher pair, keep it and send the other 3 cards away. Otherwise, discard the 5^th card.
3 cards to a Flush	Keep any 3 of a kind, 2 different pairs or any pair and discard the rest. Otherwise, discard the 2 cards not in the Flush.
2 cards to a Flush	Keep any winning combination or a 10-or-lower pair and discard the rest. Otherwise, discard the 3 other cards.
3 of a kind	Keep the 3 of a kind and discard the 2.
2 different pairs	Keep them unless you have 3 cards to a Royal Flush or Straight Flush. If so, refer to above.
Jack-or-higher pair	Keep it unless you have 4 cards to a Royal Flush or Straight Flush. If so, refer to above.
10-or-lower pair	Keep those 2 if you have nothing better and discard the other 3. Refer to above if you have 3 or more to a Flush or Straight Flush.
A Jack-or-higher in the midst of nonsense	Retain that card and discard the rest.
Total Nonsense	Discard the entire hand.