Video poker occupies a unique niche in the casino world. Unlike slot machines, which are pure luck, video poker blends chance with skill—players make strategic decisions about which cards to hold or discard. But even skilled play can’t eliminate the built-in house advantage entirely. In this article, we’ll explore what the house edge on video poker really means, how it varies between games and pay tables, and share practical tips for minimizing that edge in your favor.
How House Edge Works in Video Poker
Every casino game is designed to give the house a statistical edge over players in the long run. In video poker, that edge comes from two sources: the pay table and the player’s decisions. At its core, the house edge is the percentage of total dollars wagered that the casino expects to keep over time. For example, a 1% house edge means that for every $100 wagered, the casino expects to retain $1 on average.
Most video poker machines display a pay table on screen. This table lists the payouts for various hands—royal flushes, straights, pairs, and so on. Slight tweaks in these payouts can significantly alter the house edge. A difference of one coin on a full house or two coins on a flush might change the edge from 0.5% to 2% or more.
Comparing Popular Variants
Not all video poker games are created equal. Jacks or Better, Bonus Poker, and Deuces Wild are among the most common. Each variant comes with its own pay table and optimal strategy.
Jacks or Better, the classic game, typically offers a 9–6 pay table (meaning 9 coins for a full house and 6 for a flush). With perfect play, the house edge can be as low as 0.46%. If the pay table drops to 8–5, that edge jumps to around 0.88%.
Bonus Poker sweetens the payout for four-of-a-kind hands. In a 6/5/4/3/2 pay table, the house edge hovers around 0.87% with ideal strategy. The trade-off is that pay tables can vary widely by casino.
Deuces Wild tosses in wild cards, boosting player potential but tweaking payouts on other hands. A full-pay Deuces Wild game, known as “DB” pay, has a house edge near 0.76%, assuming flawless play.
The Role of Player Strategy
While pay tables set the baseline, a player’s decisions determine how close they can approach that theoretical edge. Video poker is one of the few casino games where optimal strategy charts are readily available, and following them religiously can shave tenths of a percent off the edge.
When you’re dealt five cards, you must decide which to hold. For instance, in Jacks or Better, holding three to a royal flush is often wiser than keeping a high pair. Small errors—like discarding a low pair instead of a four-card straight—can cost you about 0.1% in expected return over time.
Impact of Variance and Session Length
Even a positive expected return doesn’t guarantee profit in every session. Video poker features moderate variance: you’ll see streaks of both wins and losses. Understanding variance helps set realistic expectations and bankroll requirements. A low-edge game like full-pay Jacks or Better still requires a sufficiently large bankroll and discipline to ride out downswings.
Finding the Best Games—and Sites
In physical casinos, pay tables are fixed. However, online and exchange models offer greater variety. At reputable exchange betting sites, you can sometimes find video poker with slightly improved pay tables or cashback offers that reduce the effective house edge further. These platforms match player wagers against each other rather than versus the house, providing more transparent pricing and often lower margins.
Real-World Example: My Session at the Riviera
Last summer, I spent an evening at a seaside resort playing 9–6 Jacks or Better on a high-limit machine. I stuck strictly to a computerized strategy chart. Over 3,000 hands, I ended with a slight loss—about 0.5% of my total bet amount. That aligned perfectly with the theoretical house edge. A week later, I tried Bonus Poker with 6/5 pay tables and saw a larger negative swing, confirming how small pay table shifts translate into real money.
Tips for Minimizing the House Edge
• Know your pay table: Always check the full-house and flush payouts before playing.
• Study the strategy chart: Use it until decisions become second nature.
• Play maximum coins on royal-ready games: Fully betting five coins unlocks the 4,000-coin royal flush bonus.
• Manage your bankroll: Aim for at least 100–150 initial bets to absorb variance.
• Hunt for promotions: Loyalty points, cashback, and free-play offers can further reduce your net cost.
Responsible Gaming and Bankroll Discipline
No strategy can guarantee short-term wins. Approach video poker with realistic expectations and a clear budget. If you find yourself frustrated or chasing losses, take a break or switch games.
The Bottom Line
Video poker offers some of the lowest house edges in the casino world—often under 1% with optimal play. By choosing the right variant, understanding pay tables, and adhering to strategy, players can maximize their edge and enjoy a more predictable gambling experience. Remember, the house always wins in the long term, but at a game like video poker, that “win” margin can be incredibly slim
