Essential terminology and concepts for understanding optimal video poker play, pay tables, and return percentages
Video poker combines the strategy of poker with the speed of slot machines. To play optimally, you need to understand key terminology that defines payouts, odds, and winning strategies. This glossary covers the most important concepts you'll encounter when learning video poker optimal play and analyzing pay tables.
The percentage of wagered money that a video poker machine returns to players over time. For example, an RTP of 99.5% means that theoretically, for every $100 wagered, $99.50 is returned. This metric is crucial for comparing different pay tables and machines. Higher RTP percentages indicate better long-term value for players.
A display showing the payout amounts for every winning hand combination. Different machines offer different pay tables for the same hand rankings. Even slight variations in pay tables significantly impact the overall RTP. Learning to identify favorable pay tables is essential for optimal play.
The standard poker hand hierarchy used in video poker, from high card to royal flush. Understanding hand values is fundamental to optimal play strategy. The highest-paying hand is typically a royal flush (A-K-Q-J-10 of the same suit), while the lowest paying is often a pair of jacks or higher.
The casino's mathematical advantage over the player. It's calculated as 100% minus the RTP percentage. A machine with 99% RTP has a 1% house edge. Even in video poker with optimal play, the house retains a mathematical advantage. Understanding house edge helps you make informed decisions about which games to play.
The highest-ranking hand in video poker: Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and Ten of the same suit. This hand typically offers the largest payout, often 800 to 1000 times your bet depending on the pay table. A royal flush is the primary goal when optimizing your video poker strategy.
A mathematical calculation representing the average outcome of a decision over time. In video poker, each discard decision has a positive or negative EV based on the probability of completing winning hands. Optimal play involves making decisions with the highest positive EV on every hand dealt.
A detailed guide showing the mathematically optimal decision for every possible hand combination in video poker. These charts rank all possible card combinations and tell you exactly which cards to hold and which to discard. Following a strategy chart precisely is essential for achieving optimal play and maximum RTP.
The fluctuation in your bankroll during gameplay. High volatility games have larger swings between wins and losses, while low volatility games have more frequent smaller wins. Understanding volatility helps you manage your bankroll appropriately and select machines that match your playing style and financial resources.
Video poker machines with identical game types can have dramatically different pay tables. The difference between a "9/6 Jacks or Better" machine and an "8/5 Jacks or Better" machine represents a full percentage point in RTP. These numbers refer to the payouts for a full house (9 or 8) and a flush (6 or 5) when playing maximum coins. Always seek out the highest-paying machines available.
Optimal play means making mathematically correct decisions on every hand. This requires memorizing or consulting strategy charts that rank all possible combinations. For example, holding three cards to a royal flush is usually better than holding a made straight because the royal flush has higher expected value. Deviations from optimal strategy reduce your RTP percentage.
Even with optimal play and favorable pay tables, you need adequate bankroll to weather losing streaks. The variance in video poker means you might go through extended periods without significant wins. Financial experts recommend maintaining a bankroll of 300-500 times your average bet to sustain play without going broke during normal fluctuations.
Use RTP calculations to compare different pay tables objectively. Machines with higher payouts for royal flushes but lower payouts for lower-ranking hands may still have lower overall RTP than machines with more balanced pay tables. Understanding how to calculate or research RTP percentages helps you identify truly favorable machines.
While video poker offers better odds than many casino games when played optimally, gambling should only be entertainment, never a source of income. Set strict limits on time and money spent. Recognize that even with perfect strategy, you face a house edge. If you or someone you know struggles with gambling, resources are available to help.