Introduction to Video Poker
What is Video Poker and How Does It Differ from Slot Machines?
Video poker blends the simplicity of a slot machine with the decision‑making of five‑card draw poker. A screen displays a virtual deck, you receive five cards, then you choose which to keep before the machine deals replacements. Unlike slots, each hand depends on your choices, not only on random reels.
The Appeal of Skill‑Based Casino Gaming
Players enjoy video poker because skill can tip the odds in their favor. When you follow optimal strategy, the house edge drops below one percent on many tables, turning the game into a test of memory and probability rather than pure luck.
Where to Play: Finding Video Poker at Royal Vegas Casino and Platinum Casino
Both Royal Vegas Casino and Platinum Casino host a variety of video poker titles on desktop and mobile. These platforms display the pay tables clearly, let you bet up to five coins, and support Australian dollars, making them convenient for A$ players. You can also try it at this site for a smooth first‑time experience.
Basic Video Poker Rules and Gameplay Flow
The Standard 52‑Card Deck and Payout Tables
Every video poker machine uses a fresh 52‑card deck for each deal. The game reads the hand, compares it to the pay table, and awards credits based on the ranking. Common tables show payouts for a five‑coin bet; the numbers change only when the casino offers a promotional pay table.
Step‑by‑Step: The Deal, The Hold, and The Draw
First, you click “Deal” and the machine deals five cards. Next, you tap the cards you want to keep; the unselected cards disappear. Finally, you press “Draw” and the machine fills the empty spots with new cards. The final hand determines your winnings.
Understanding the “Pair or Better” Payout Structure
Most entry‑level machines pay only for a pair of Jacks or higher, then for two pairs, three of a kind, straight, flush, full house, four of a kind, straight flush, and royal flush. The royal flush usually offers the jackpot, especially on progressive machines.
| Hand Name | Example | Typical Payout (5 coins) | Jacks or Better Paytable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Flush | A♠ K♠ Q♠ J♠ 10♠ | 4,000 | 4,000 |
| Straight Flush | 9♥ 8♥ 7♥ 6♥ 5♥ | 250 | 250 |
| Four of a Kind | Q♦ Q♣ Q♥ Q♠ 3♣ | 125 | 125 |
| Full House | J♠ J♥ 8♦ 8♣ 8♥ | 45 | 45 |
| Flush | 2♣ 5♣ 9♣ J♣ K♣ | 30 | 30 |
| Straight | 4♠ 5♥ 6♣ 7♦ 8♠ | 20 | 20 |
| Three of a Kind | 7♦ 7♣ 7♥ K♠ 2♥ | 15 | 15 |
| Two Pair | 9♣ 9♥ 4♠ 4♦ Q♣ | 10 | 10 |
| Jacks or Better | J♦ 8♠ 5♥ 3♣ 2♦ | 5 | 5 |
Core Video Poker Strategies for Beginners
Why Strategy Matters More Than Luck (Unlike Slots like Gates of Olympus or Sweet Bonanza)
Slots determine every outcome with a random number generator, leaving no room for player influence. Video poker lets you decide which cards to keep, and those decisions directly affect the probability of forming a winning hand.
The Importance of Playing Maximum Coins (5‑Coin Bet)
Most machines award the highest jackpot only when you wager five coins. A royal flush on a single‑coin bet typically pays 250 × bet, while the five‑coin bet pays 4,000 × bet, a sixteen‑fold increase that justifies the extra stake.
Basic Strategy: Which Cards to Hold and Which to Discard
Learning the optimal hold chart reduces the house edge to under 0.5 % on a 9/6 Jacks or Better table. The chart tells you, for every possible initial hand, the best discard choice.
| Your Initial Hand | Best Action | Reasoning | Example Scenario |
|---|---|---|---|
| J♠ 9♥ 7♣ 5♦ 2♠ | Hold Jacks | Only a pair of Jacks or better can win. | Keep J♠, discard the rest. |
| 10♥ 9♥ 8♥ 7♥ 2♣ | Hold four‑card flush | Four suited cards give the highest chance for a flush. | Keep hearts, draw one new card. |
| A♣ K♣ Q♣ J♦ 10♠ | Hold four‑card straight | Drawing the missing 9 or the Ace completes a straight. | Keep A♣ K♣ Q♣ J♦, discard 10♠. |
| 7♠ 7♥ 3♣ 2♦ 9♠ | Hold pair | Pair gives a guaranteed minimum payout. | Keep both 7s, discard the rest. |
Advanced Video Poker Variations and Payout Optimization
Jacks or Better vs. Deuces Wild vs. Joker Poker
Jacks or Better treats all cards equally, while Deuces Wild designates all deuces as jokers, dramatically increasing the frequency of high hands. Joker Poker adds a single wild Joker, creating a middle ground between the two.
Reading the Pay Table: Full House vs. Flush Ratios
A good pay table rewards a full house more than a flush, because full houses appear less often. If the table pays 9 × bet for a full house but only 6 × bet for a flush, the machine usually offers a higher return.
Bankroll Management and Expected Return (RTP) in Video Poker
Professional players allocate a bankroll that covers at least 100 × the maximum bet, ensuring they survive variance. On a 99.54 % RTP machine, a $100 bankroll yields an expected loss of only $0.46 per 100 hands.
| Variation | Best RTP | House Edge | Skill Level | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jacks or Better (9/6) | 99.54 % | 0.46 % | Beginner‑Intermediate | Players who want steady returns. |
| Deuces Wild (Full Pay) | 99.13 % | 0.87 % | Intermediate‑Advanced | Those who enjoy wild‑card excitement. |
| Joker Poker (9/6) | 99.46 % | 0.54 % | Intermediate | Fans of a single wild card. |
| Double Bonus (9/6) | 99.11 % | 0.89 % | Advanced | Players chasing high‑paying four‑of‑a‑kind. |
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Playing Video Poker
Chasing Royal Flushes: When to Break a Flush or Straight
If you hold four suited cards and the fifth card completes a lower hand, discard the fourth card to aim for a straight or a higher‑paying pair rather than hoping for a rare royal flush.
Ignoring the “Penalty Cards” in Advanced Play
Some strategies advise discarding a low card that blocks a potential straight or flush, even when it looks attractive; overlooking this rule reduces your expected value.
Playing on Unfavorable Pay Tables (e.g., 6/5 vs. 9/6 Jacks or Better)
Machines that pay 6 × bet for a full house and 5 × bet for a flush cut the RTP to about 97 %, making them unattractive for serious players.
The Difference Between Video Poker and Live Poker (and Live Casino Games like Quantum Roulette)
Video poker runs on a computer algorithm, while live poker pits you against real opponents; the former relies on perfect strategy charts, the latter on reading human behavior.
Video Poker Etiquette and Online vs. Land‑Based Play
Playing at Online Casinos like AllySpin vs. Physical Casinos
Online platforms let you pause, review strategy charts, and switch tables instantly, whereas brick‑and‑mortar venues require you to wait for the next shoe and often limit bet sizes.
How to Use Casino Bonuses for Video Poker (Wagering Requirements)
Most bonuses apply only to slots, but a few operators, such as Royal Vegas, extend the bonus to video poker with a 10x wagering condition on the deposited amount.
Cash Connect and Classic Millions: How Progressive Jackpots Work in Video Poker
Progressive machines allocate a small portion of each bet to a shared jackpot pool; when you hit a royal flush on the designated bet level, the pool pays out, sometimes reaching several hundred thousand dollars.
Author
Hanna Larsen is a payout‑speed specialist who has spent a decade testing withdrawal reliability across Australian online casinos, and she regularly consults on optimizing video poker return rates.
FAQ
Question 1: Is video poker purely a game of chance or does skill matter?
Skill matters because optimal decisions can lower the house edge to under one percent.
Question 2: What is the best video poker game for a beginner to learn?
Jacks or Better on a 9/6 pay table offers the simplest strategy and solid returns.
Question 3: Should I always bet the maximum of 5 coins?
Yes, because the royal flush payout scales dramatically with a five‑coin bet.
Question 4: Can I use a strategy chart while playing online at Royal Vegas Casino?
Yes, most browsers let you open a chart in another tab for quick reference.
Question 5: How do I know if a video poker machine has a good pay table?
Look for a 9/6 Jacks or Better table or a 99 %+ RTP on the machine’s information screen.