Video Poker Variations: Complete Guide to Every Game (2025)
Video poker combines the strategy of poker with the simplicity of slot machines. Unlike slots, your decisions directly affect the outcome, and the best variations offer some of the lowest house edges in the casino.
Quick Comparison Chart
| Variation | Full-Pay RTP | House Edge | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacks or Better | 99.54% | 0.46% | Most common, beginner-friendly |
| Deuces Wild | 100.76% | -0.76% | 2s are wild, positive EV possible |
| Double Bonus | 100.17% | -0.17% | Enhanced four-of-a-kind payouts |
| Double Double Bonus | 98.98% | 1.02% | Kicker bonuses on quads |
| Joker Poker | 100.64% | -0.64% | 53-card deck with joker |
| Bonus Poker | 99.17% | 0.83% | Balanced bonus payouts |
Note: RTPs assume full-pay machines and perfect strategy. Most casino versions have lower pay tables.
Jacks or Better
Full-Pay RTP: 99.54% House Edge: 0.46%
The foundation of all video poker. The most widely available and easiest to learn.
How It Works
- Insert credits, bet 1-5 coins (always bet max for royal flush bonus)
- Receive five cards
- Choose which cards to hold
- Discards replaced with new cards
- Final hand pays according to pay table
Pay Table (9/6 Full-Pay)
| Hand | Payout (5 coins) |
|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 4,000 |
| Straight Flush | 250 |
| Four of a Kind | 125 |
| Full House | 45 |
| Flush | 30 |
| Straight | 20 |
| Three of a Kind | 15 |
| Two Pair | 10 |
| Jacks or Better | 5 |
Pay Table Names
- 9/6 = 9 coins for full house, 6 for flush (99.54% RTP)
- 9/5 = 98.45% RTP
- 8/6 = 98.39% RTP
- 8/5 = 97.30% RTP
Strategy Basics
Always hold:
- Any paying hand (pair of Jacks+)
- Four to a royal flush (break anything except pat flush/straight flush)
- Three of a kind or better
Best For
- Beginners learning video poker
- Conservative bankroll management
- Finding reliable full-pay machines
Deuces Wild
Full-Pay RTP: 100.76% House Edge: -0.76% (positive expected value)
All four 2s are wild cards, substituting for any card. One of the few casino games with positive expected value when played perfectly.
How It Works
- Same basic gameplay as Jacks or Better
- Deuces (2s) substitute for any card
- Minimum winning hand is three of a kind
- Natural hands pay more than wild hands
Pay Table (Full-Pay)
| Hand | Payout (5 coins) |
|---|---|
| Natural Royal Flush | 4,000 |
| Four Deuces | 1,000 |
| Wild Royal Flush | 125 |
| Five of a Kind | 75 |
| Straight Flush | 45 |
| Four of a Kind | 20 |
| Full House | 15 |
| Flush | 10 |
| Straight | 10 |
| Three of a Kind | 5 |
Why Deuces Wild Has an Edge
- Wild cards increase winning combinations
- Four deuces pays massive 200:1
- Strategy properly exploits wild card math
Strategy Differences
- Never hold a single deuce alone
- Break low pairs for better draws
- Wild royals worth chasing more aggressively
- Four deuces = always hold (obviously)
Finding Full-Pay
Full-pay Deuces Wild is increasingly rare. Look for:
- Downtown Las Vegas casinos
- Older locals casinos
- Check video poker databases online
Best For
- Advantage players seeking positive EV
- Players who enjoy complex strategy
- Extended session players (wilds reduce volatility slightly)
Double Bonus Poker
Full-Pay RTP: 100.17% House Edge: -0.17% (positive expected value)
Enhanced four-of-a-kind payouts with reduced two pair and full house payouts.
How It Works
- Same gameplay as Jacks or Better
- Four of a kind pays based on card rank
- Two pair reduced to even money
- Higher volatility than Jacks or Better
Pay Table (10/7 Full-Pay)
| Hand | Payout (5 coins) |
|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 4,000 |
| Straight Flush | 250 |
| Four Aces | 800 |
| Four 2s, 3s, 4s | 400 |
| Four 5s-Kings | 250 |
| Full House | 50 |
| Flush | 35 |
| Straight | 25 |
| Three of a Kind | 15 |
| Two Pair | 5 |
| Jacks or Better | 5 |
Strategy Adjustments
- Chase four of a kinds more aggressively
- Hold three to Aces over many made hands
- Two pair not as valuable (even money)
- Higher variance requires larger bankroll
Volatility Note
Double Bonus is significantly more volatile than Jacks or Better. Expect longer losing streaks between the quad bonuses that make up for them.
Best For
- Players with adequate bankroll for variance
- Those who enjoy chasing big hands
- Advantage players with patience
Double Double Bonus Poker
Full-Pay RTP: 98.98% House Edge: 1.02%
The most popular video poker variant. Adds "kicker" bonuses when four of a kind is accompanied by specific cards.
How It Works
- Same gameplay as Double Bonus
- Kicker card adds bonus to four of a kind
- Example: Four Aces with 2, 3, or 4 = 2,000 coins
Pay Table (9/6 Full-Pay)
| Hand | Payout (5 coins) |
|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 4,000 |
| Straight Flush | 250 |
| Four Aces + 2-4 | 2,000 |
| Four Aces | 800 |
| Four 2s-4s + A-4 | 800 |
| Four 2s-4s | 400 |
| Four 5s-Ks | 250 |
| Full House | 45 |
| Flush | 30 |
| Straight | 20 |
| Three of a Kind | 15 |
| Two Pair | 5 |
| Jacks or Better | 5 |
Strategy Considerations
- Hold kickers with three Aces
- Kicker math makes three low cards more valuable
- Very high volatility—quad kickers are rare but huge
- Common to go hours without a bonus quad
Popularity Factors
- Massive jackpot potential on quads with kicker
- Exciting gameplay when kickers hit
- Widely available in casinos
Best For
- Players who enjoy high volatility
- Those seeking big jackpot moments
- Entertainment-focused players
Joker Poker (Joker's Wild)
Full-Pay RTP: 100.64% House Edge: -0.64% (positive expected value)
Uses a 53-card deck with one joker wild. Another positive EV game with perfect strategy.
How It Works
- 53 cards (standard deck + one joker)
- Joker substitutes for any card
- Minimum winning hand is usually Kings or Better or Two Pair
- Various pay table versions exist
Pay Table (Kings or Better - Full-Pay)
| Hand | Payout (5 coins) |
|---|---|
| Natural Royal Flush | 4,000 |
| Five of a Kind | 1,000 |
| Wild Royal Flush | 500 |
| Straight Flush | 250 |
| Four of a Kind | 100 |
| Full House | 35 |
| Flush | 25 |
| Straight | 15 |
| Three of a Kind | 10 |
| Two Pair | 5 |
| Kings or Better | 5 |
Joker Strategy
- Joker changes strategy significantly
- Hold joker with almost anything
- Chase wild royals and five of a kinds
- Kings or Better versions require adjustments
Best For
- Advantage players seeking variety
- Those who enjoy wild card games
- Players looking for positive EV alternatives to Deuces Wild
Bonus Poker
Full-Pay RTP: 99.17% House Edge: 0.83%
A middle ground between Jacks or Better and Double Bonus. Modest four of a kind bonuses without sacrificing two pair payouts.
How It Works
- Same gameplay as Jacks or Better
- Bonus payouts on four of a kind
- Less extreme than Double Bonus variants
- Two pair still pays 2:1
Pay Table (8/5 Full-Pay)
| Hand | Payout (5 coins) |
|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 4,000 |
| Straight Flush | 250 |
| Four Aces | 400 |
| Four 2s, 3s, 4s | 200 |
| Four 5s-Kings | 125 |
| Full House | 40 |
| Flush | 25 |
| Straight | 20 |
| Three of a Kind | 15 |
| Two Pair | 10 |
| Jacks or Better | 5 |
Strategy Notes
- Very similar to Jacks or Better strategy
- Slightly more aggressive on Ace draws
- Good stepping stone to Double Bonus
Best For
- Players transitioning from Jacks or Better
- Those wanting bonus payouts without extreme variance
- Balanced risk/reward preference
Multi-Hand Video Poker
RTP: Same as base game Volatility: Higher
Play multiple hands simultaneously (3, 5, 10, 25, 50, or 100 hands).
How It Works
- Make your bet per hand × number of hands
- Dealt one hand, choose holds
- Held cards replicate across all hands
- Each hand draws independently
- All hands pay according to pay table
Mathematics
- Same RTP as single-hand version
- Variance reduced per coin wagered
- Total variance increased due to larger total bet
- Results converge toward expected value faster
Popular Formats
| Hands | Total Bet Example |
|---|---|
| Triple Play (3) | 15 coins |
| Five Play (5) | 25 coins |
| Ten Play (10) | 50 coins |
| Fifty Play (50) | 250 coins |
| Hundred Play (100) | 500 coins |
Best For
- Players with larger bankrolls
- Those who want faster action
- Reducing per-hand variance
Which Variation Should You Play?
For Beginners
Jacks or Better (9/6) — Learn fundamental strategy first
For Advantage Play
Deuces Wild (Full-Pay) or Joker Poker (Full-Pay) — Both offer positive EV
For Excitement
Double Double Bonus — Massive kicker payouts create thrilling moments
For Balanced Play
Bonus Poker — Modest bonuses without extreme variance
For Extended Sessions
Jacks or Better — Lower volatility stretches bankroll
Finding Full-Pay Machines
Full-pay video poker is increasingly difficult to find. Here's how to locate the best machines:
Where to Look
- Las Vegas Downtown — Better odds than the Strip
- Locals casinos — Station Casinos, Boyd Gaming
- Native American casinos — Often overlooked
- Video poker databases — vpFREE2, WizardOfOdds
Pay Table Red Flags
- 8/5 Jacks or Better (avoid if 9/6 available)
- Less than 25 for flush in Deuces Wild
- Two pair paying even money in non-bonus games
- Any "Not So Ugly" Deuces Wild
Always Check Before Playing
- Look at full house and flush payouts first
- Calculate if pay table is full-pay
- Compare to published databases
- Ask locals for recommendations
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Not playing max coins — Royal flush pays 250:1 for max bet, only 200:1 otherwise
- Ignoring pay table variations — 1% difference adds up over time
- Playing too many hands — Multi-hand increases total variance
- Wrong game for your bankroll — Match volatility to session budget
- Not using strategy cards — Casinos allow them—use them
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Guides
- Basic strategy: Video Poker Strategy
- How video poker works: Video Poker Guide
The Bottom Line
Video poker offers some of the best odds in the casino when you choose the right machines and play proper strategy. Jacks or Better teaches fundamental concepts. Deuces Wild and Joker Poker offer positive expected value for perfect players. Double Bonus variants add excitement with quad bonuses. Whatever your preference, always check the pay table before sitting down—the difference between full-pay and short-pay can mean 2-3% in house edge.