Video Poker: Guide to the 99%+ RTP Game
Video poker guide: Jacks or Better and Deuces Wild variants, why the 9/6 paytable is gold, essential strategy and RTP up to 99.54%.
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Video poker is the casino's best-kept secret: with the right variant and correct strategy, the RTP exceeds 99.5% — better than almost any slot in existence. Five cards, one decision, pure math. Here's why experienced players have loved it for 40 years.
How Video Poker Works
You receive 5 cards, choose which to keep and which to change, and the final hand determines the win according to the paytable. You win from a pair of Jacks up (in the classic variant). No opponent, no bluffing: just you against the table.
The Main Variants and Their RTPs
| Variant | Feature | RTP (optimal strategy) |
|---|---|---|
| Jacks or Better 9/6 | The absolute classic | 99.54% |
| Deuces Wild (full pay) | The 2s are wild | up to 100.76%* |
| Double Bonus | Extra prizes on four of a kind | 99.11% |
| Joker Poker | One joker in the deck | 98.60% |
*Full pay versions of Deuces Wild are extremely rare online — the reduced tables drop to 96-98%. Always check the paytable: that's where the difference hides.
Why the Paytable Is Everything
Two identical video pokers can have RTPs different by 2-3 points just because of the table: the "9/6" of Jacks or Better indicates a full house paid 9 and a flush paid 6. The 8/5 or 7/5 versions look the same but are worth much less. First rule of video poker: read the table, then decide whether to sit down.
Strategy: The Essential Jacks or Better Rules
- Always keep made hands (a paying pair or better) — with one exception: 4 cards to a royal flush beat any pair
- A low pair beats an incomplete straight/flush draw
- Never keep the "kicker" (a high card next to a pair)
- Never break a made straight or flush to chase something better
With about twenty rules learned, you play at the theoretical 99.5%. Complete strategy charts are available for free — studying them is the game's best investment.
Video Poker vs Slots: The Honest Comparison
Slots decide everything for you; video poker rewards your decisions. RTP: 94-96% typical of slots against the 99%+ of well-played video poker. The downside: no scenic free spins, no dream jackpots — just steady returns and long sessions. For those who play with their head, there's no contest.
Responsible Gambling
Online gambling should be a form of entertainment, not a source of income. If you feel gambling is becoming a problem, free support resources are available:
- ADM — Responsible Gambling
- GiocoHelpline freephone: 800 558822 (free, 24/7)
- Every ADM casino offers self-exclusion tools, deposit limits and reality-check reminders of time played.
