Welcome to the premier content hub dedicated to mathematical analysis and a professional approach to gambling. If your goal is to go beyond relying on luck and adopt a systematic approach, you’ve come to the right place. This page features proven video poker strategies for all popular variations of the game.
Many users mistakenly confuse video poker with regular pokies, making random moves and losing their bankroll. However, this game is much closer to blackjack: here, every decision you make directly affects the final financial outcome. Mathematically precise card selection for the "Hold" allows you to maximize the theoretical return, and in some simulators, completely eliminate the casino’s edge.
Below are individual guides for each game variation. Choose the version that interests you, study the tactical strategy, and hone your skills in the free demo versions before moving on to serious gaming sessions.
To achieve the maximum results in video poker, you must follow the recommendations of the basic strategy developed for each game individually. In this article, we will explain the strategy for Bonus Poker 8/5. Our tips will help you reach the new level, reducing the house edge to zero.
To achieve the best results while playing video poker, users need to choose the best version of this game. Our article deals precisely with this task. Customers will find information about the RTPs in video pokers developed by major online casino software manufacturers. It includes official data or reports of reputable experts in the field of gaming and gambling.
All American video poker allows users to reduce the house edge to a minimum. If you follow the optimal strategy, you can almost eliminate it. All you have to do is master the recommendations provided below and refrain from playing intuitively. You will be able to act more successfully in this way.
A variation of video poker called Jacks or Better is supposed to be the first in this row of games. Its appearance dates back to the early seventies of the last century. However, despite its age, Jacks or Better is still...
It seems to be a challenging task for many novice gamblers to memorize and apply the complete strategy for Deuces Wild video poker. If you want to start playing faster without throwing money away recklessly, you need to master it. Casinoz has prepared a simplified version for you.
Surely you have heard that video poker is one of the most profitable casino games for Kiwis. Indeed, the return to player (RTP) often exceeds 99%, and in select machines, it can even surpass 100%—though finding such games in modern casinos can be challenging.
Does this mean that any user will automatically play video poker on an equal footing with the casino? Not at all. To achieve maximum return, you must choose a strategy for the selected game and strictly follow it in all situations.
Articles in this section of Casinoz will tell you how to play casino video poker.
In any video poker game, Kiwi players are guaranteed payouts if they have card combinations that meet the game's rules.
The goal is to get a poker combination listed in the payout table.
It is always allowed to change up to five cards once for free. This move is optional. The client can keep the starting hand if they are satisfied with it.
A royal flush (from ten to ace of the same suit) is traditionally considered the highest combination. Exceptions are found only in rare versions.
The minimum combination depends on the type.
Therefore, it is essential to check these requirements for each specific variant.
Traditionally, the bet per round can range from 1 to 5 coins. The client chooses the quantity and cost. Betting five coins activates bonus payouts for the highest combinations, which is why it is highly recommended to always place the maximum bet.
The gamble feature begins at the client's request. The house has no advantage here, so the odds are 50:50. You need to pick a random card and compare it to the dealer's. If you win, the payouts are doubled. You can also lose your bet or bring the round to a draw.
Read the rules and video poker reviews to learn about possible bonuses, jackpots, playing video poker on multiple hands, and other additional features.
You will find numerous types of video poker at New Zealand online and land-based casinos. Usually, the general principles of the gameplay are pretty much the same, while multipliers may vary. Also, some games use jokers.
Jacks or Better Poker | A pair of jacks is the minimum hand. |
10's or Better Poker | The lowest combination is a pair of tens. |
Deuces Wild Poker | All deuces are wild cards. |
Bonus Poker | Special payouts for specific hands come into action. |
Aces and Faces Poker | Four jacks, queens, kings, or aces give higher winnings. |
Joker Poker | The Joker substitutes for other cards. |
All American Poker | Higher payouts are available for some combinations. |
In the video poker rules section, we discuss the features of all versions in detail.
Studying the specifications and rules of the game, you should, first of all, pay attention to RTP. This is the most important indicator of any video poker.
In classic Jacks or Better, the return to the player is 99.54%, but some games offer an even higher return. For example, All Aces Poker, produced by Microgaming, reaches 99.92%. And in Playtech's Zero Jacks or Better, the RTP is 100%.
Once again, you can get such a high return only with the help of the strategy designed especially for this particular game. Besides, the practical results of a single session can significantly differ from the theoretical parameters.
Use the summary table to quickly find the best game for you. Keep in mind that the maximum theoretical return to player (RTP) can only be achieved by strictly adhering to the game strategy.
| Variety | Version | RTP | House Edge | Volatility | Who Is It For |
| Zero Jacks or Better (Playtech) | Zero Edge Series | 100% | 0.00% | Low | Ideal for professionals and those seeking a mathematical edge |
| Deuces Wild | Full Pay (25/15/9/5) | 100.76% | -0.76% | High | Recommended for experienced players; provides a mathematical edge over the casino |
| All Aces Poker (Microgaming) | 99.92% | 0.08% | High | Great for players aiming to land the premium payouts for Four of a Kind. | |
| Jacks or Better | 9/6 | 99.54% | 0.46% | Low | Perfect for beginners and for testing basic strategies |
| All American Poker | Full Pay | 99.60% | 0.40% | Mid | Ideal for players who enjoy fast-paced gameplay with an emphasis on flush and straight combinations |
| Bonus Poker | 8/5 | 99.17% | 0.83% | Mid | We recommend this game to players looking for a balance between classic gameplay and four-of-a-kind bonuses |
| Tens or Better | 6/5 | 99.14% | 0.86% | Very low | For conservative users looking to minimize the risk of rapid capital loss |
| Jacks or Better | 8/5 | 97.30% | 2.70% | Low | Not recommended! Avoid games with lower payouts |
House Edge with a "minus" sign indicates that the player has a mathematical advantage in the long run (provided the appropriate strategy is followed flawlessly and a 5-coin bet is placed to trigger the maximum payout for a Royal Flush..
Lady Luck is notoriously fickle. Even if you play video poker correctly and choose a game with an RTP over 100%, there is no guarantee that you'll go home in the black. RTP can only be effective for an extended period.
If you find a video poker game with a negative house edge and choose the optimal strategy, your balance will be positive sooner or later. Also, good casinos award players with comp points for bets and offer bonuses and other privileges, which increase the chance of success.
So you can win in video poker. Anyway, it offers a significantly higher long-term return than roulette, pokies, or traditional house table games.
A different strategy is available for each game. It provides clear instructions on how to handle a given situation. We explain this in the thematic articles on Casinoz, but you don't need to get into details. Merely follow the recommendations.
Video poker systems are not interchangeable. Do not play Deuces Wild relying on the Bonus Poker strategy. This won't help you achieve the maximum return to the player.
Jacks or Better is one of the most popular video pokers. Many experts recommend this game to beginners because of its simple strategy. This allows an understanding of the nuances of the gameplay.
Jacks or Better is found in two main variations:
Sure, the second option is much more profitable for the player. Always look for Jacks or Better 9/6.
This game features unique payout ratios for some combinations. The most common game is Bonus Poker 8/5.
These features require a particular bonus poker strategy. It is discussed step by step in an exclusive article at Casinoz.
The highlight of this variety is that all deuces are jokers. They can complement the combination, substituting for the missing cards.
The minimum payout applies to three-of-a-kind. Also, four deuces, five of a kind, and a straight flush with jokers pay by special multipliers.
Before playing Deuces Wild Poker for money, carefully study the above strategy.
In Joker Poker, the lowest combination is a pair of kings. It features a Joker that brings additional combinations:
Special multipliers are applied.
This model differs from Jacks or Better by the odds, which requires modifications to the overall strategy. Besides, the payout for a Royal flush with five coins at stake is inflated. This should also be taken into account.
Finally, a few basic recommendations:
We also advise you to pay attention to video poker tournaments. Sometimes they are free. Competition in fee-based tournaments is not always challenging, and the prize fund can be significant.
Read articles on video poker at Casinoz. They will teach you to play professionally and succeed more often.
Yes, video poker is ideal for advantage play. Moreover, historically, it is one of the very few casino games (along with blackjack and sports betting) in which a player’s mathematical edge over the house can be entirely legal and built into the game's mathematics. Advantage play here is built on three pillars: choosing games with positive expected value (Positive EV), optimal strategy, and loyalty programs and cashback. What makes video poker appealing to players? Video poker is a unique form of gambling entertainment that has retained a massive audience for years. Unlike most casino games, it attracts players not just with the chance of hitting the jackpot, but with its underlying mathematics and the specifics of its gameplay. To summarize, video poker draws players in with the following key factors: high theoretical return (high RTP), the ability to gain an edge over the casino, the impact of the player’s decisions on the outcome, transparent and predictable mathematics, the absence of psychological pressure, and additional mathematical benefits (a 5-coin bonus). Essentially, video poker appeals to intellectual players who enjoy analyzing, using charts and cheat sheets, and minimizing the element of chance through their own knowledge and composure.
Choosing the optimal strategy in video poker is a purely mathematical process with no room for intuition. Since the game is based on a standard deck of cards, all probabilities can be calculated with 100% accuracy. First, determine exactly which type of video poker you’re playing. Study the paytable for that machine. Use pre-calculated mathematical matrices. Always base your strategy on playing the maximum bet (5 coins). Practice risk-free in demo mode.
No, unlike regular pokie machines, the results in video poker depend entirely on probability theory and mathematical calculations. Each hand is based on a standard deck, so there is a single correct, mathematically sound solution for every situation. Attempts to guess the cards intuitively only reduce your overall earnings and increase the casino’s edge.
In short gaming sessions, luck and variance play a key role, so it is impossible to guarantee a consistent profit. However, in the long run, the professional use of an optimal playing strategy allows you to minimize the casino’s edge to hundredths of a percent, and in rare variants such as Full Pay Deuces Wild or All Aces, you can even gain a mathematical advantage over the casino.
A paytable is the main technical screen of a pokie machine, which lists the payout ratios for each poker hand combination. It is these ratios that determine the game’s theoretical return to player (RTP). For example, in the classic Jacks or Better, the Full Pay 9/6 version (9 coins for a full house and 6 for a flush) returns 99.54%, while the reduced 8/5 version lowers the RTP to 97.30%. Always check these numbers carefully before playing for real money.
In most modern video poker games, playing the maximum bet (5 chips or coins) activates a higher bonus multiplier for landing the rarest and strongest combination—the Royal Flush. If you play with a bet of 1 to 4 coins, the payout for a Royal Flush is calculated proportionally (for example, 250 to 1), but at 5 coins it jumps sharply to 800 to 1. Playing at a lower bet artificially reduces the machine’s overall RTP by approximately 1–1.5%.
Yes. Under the New Zealand Gambling Act, it is completely legal for Kiwis to enjoy real-money gambling on international, offshore casino sites. Because video poker is a fixed-odds game based entirely on a standard 52-card deck, using a mathematical strategy is completely permissible. International sites cannot block or ban you for using a strategy chart, making it the best way to safeguard your New Zealand Dollars (NZD).
The two most common variants you will find are Jacks or Better and Deuces Wild. Their strategies are night and day. In Jacks or Better, you never break a low pair to chase a straight or flush draw. However, in Deuces Wild (where all 2s are wild), a single deuce completely overrides standard poker values. For instance, if you hold four cards to a wild Royal Flush but also have a straight, the optimal Deuces Wild strategy mandates breaking the made straight to gamble on the massive Royal Flush payout. Always match your chart to the specific game variation.
Most video poker machines offer a 50:50 "Gamble" or "Double Up" feature after a winning hand. While it features a 100% RTP (zero house edge), it drastically increases your variance (volatility). If you are an advantage player grinding a strict strategy to slowly realize a 99.54% return over a long session, risking your hard-earned payouts on a coin-flip feature can wipe out your bankroll prematurely before the long-term math swings in your favor.
The most costly mistake is betting fewer than 5 coins. Many progressive jackpot video poker machines on international sites that accept NZ players require you to wager the maximum 5-coin limit to be eligible for the progressive jackpot pool. If you hit a Royal Flush on a 1-to-4 coin bet, you only win a flat, proportional payout, completely destroying the theoretical RTP of the machine.
