Video poker sits in a sweet spot between the pokies and table games. It rewards skill, pays quickly, and gives you far better odds than most machines on a casino floor. In Australia, where pokies dominate pubs and clubs, video poker is a quieter but genuinely smarter option for players who want to think rather than just spin. Read more about this at DinkyDiBets minimum withdrawal.
Below is a practical, step-by-step walkthrough covering everything from choosing a machine to cashing out, plus the numbers that actually matter.
Understanding the Machine Before You Bet
Video poker is a solo game played on a screen. You receive five cards, choose which to hold, and draw replacements. The payout depends entirely on the final hand’s ranking, from a pair of Jacks up to a royal flush. Unlike poker tables, you are not competing against anyone , the paytable is your only opponent.
The paytable is printed directly on the machine, and it is the single most important thing to check. Two machines sitting side by side can look identical but return wildly different value. A full-pay Jacks or Better game returns 99.54% with perfect play. A short-pay version of the same game drops to around 97.3% , a gap of more than two percentage points, which matters enormously over hundreds of hands.
Look for the “9/6” version first: nine coins for a full house and six for a flush per coin wagered. That configuration is the benchmark for fair value.
The Step-by-Step Process
- Set your coin denomination. Most Australian machines start at 5c and climb to $1 or higher. Always play the maximum coins (usually five) if the royal flush bonus at max bet applies , otherwise you leave value on the table.
- Press Deal. Five cards appear face up.
- Choose your holds. Tap the Hold button under each card you want to keep.
- Press Draw. Discarded cards are replaced, and your final hand is paid instantly.
- Collect or continue. Winnings go to your credit meter, which you can cash out at any time by pressing the Collect button.
Each round takes a few seconds. A fast player might complete 600 to 800 hands per hour, which is why bankroll planning matters , even a 99.5% game will drain a small balance during a cold run.
Which Cards to Hold
Strategy charts exist for every variant, but the core logic is consistent. Always hold a made paying hand. Break a pair only for a four-card flush or open-ended straight draw when the maths supports it. Never hold a kicker alongside a high pair , it reduces your return. Never chase a long-shot inside straight when a paying pair is available.
Jacks or Better is the best starting point because its strategy is simple and its variance is manageable. Bonus Poker pays more for four-of-a-kinds, while Deuces Wild offers huge payouts but a steeper learning curve.
| Hand | Typical Return |
|---|---|
| Jacks or Better (9/6) | 99.54% |
| Bonus Poker | 99.17% |
| Deuces Wild (full pay) | 100.76% |
That last row is not a typo , certain Deuces Wild paytables return slightly over 100% with flawless play, though they are rare and require precision.
Managing Your Bankroll Sensibly
A reasonable rule is to bring at least 300 times your per-hand bet. Betting $1.25 per hand means a $375 float to ride out normal swings. Set a loss limit before you sit down and treat it as final. Video poker is a game of small edges, so discipline matters more than luck.
Check whether your venue runs a loyalty scheme , many Australian clubs return a percentage of turnover as points, which effectively nudges the total return upward. Combined with a strong paytable and correct holds, that is how experienced players keep the house edge close to zero.
