Best Video Poker Game to Play

26 August 2023

By Jerry Stickman

One of the most common questions from readers of this column is a simple one – what is the best video poker game to play?

It is a simple question. The answer, however, is far from simple. It depends on several factors.

Does the player like action?

Does the player like to avoid risk, or consider risk part of the fun of the game?

Is the player organized and methodical or does the player enjoy unexpected things?

Is the player willing to put in time learning whatever is necessary to succeed at video poker?

Or, does the thought of spending time out of the casino in order to play better while in the casino turn them off?

Does the player have adequate funds for video poker play or is the player living paycheck to paycheck?

Does the player have discipline, or does the thrill of the game cause a complete abandonment of all self-will.

These questions and more must all be answered honestly. They are different for each player. And, based on these differences, the answer can also be different for each player.

If the player is organized and methodical, willing to put in time learning whatever is necessary to succeed at video poker, and has adequate funds, he or she has an excellent chance of succeeding playing video poker.

This type of player will:

• Scout the casinos inventory of video poker games and pay tables.
• Obtain the playing strategy for the game or games they want to play.
• Practice that strategy at home until they are proficient.
• Develop a good money management technique for use while in the casino.
• Make sure they are alert and under control while playing in the casino.
• Avoid the urge to chase losses and simply walk away if things are going so badly that they are affecting play.

Assuming the game the player chooses has a decent return, this type of player can successfully play any video poker game that fits their gambling style.

If the player likes action and does not mind risk, games such as Double Bonus Poker, Double-Double Bonus, or Triple Bonus are naturals. These games offer many different high paying hands. Many more opportunities than Jacks or Better that has only one – the royal flush.

The down side, however, is these games are more volatile than the other games. The thrill of hitting more high-paying hands means there will be steeper drawdowns of the bankroll in between hits. Rather than a ride on a kiddie coaster, the play is like riding Cedar Point’s Millenium Force roller coaster with its 310-foot ascension hill and a truly frightening ride that maxes out at an impressive 93 mph. The ups and downs of Millenium Force can, indeed, be scary, but it has a heck of a view of nearby Lake Erie.

The ups and downs of highly volatile video poker games can also be very scary – but the winnings are a heck of a view.

For those players in the group above but with risk aversion, games such as Jacks or Better, Bonus Poker, or Deuces Wild are excellent choices. The games are easily found and can have very good returns. What they lack are the volatility of the risk taker games. The downside being, there is only one jackpot-sized winning hand – the royal flush – and this only occurs about once every 40,000 hands.

What about those players who do not want to spend time preparing for success at video poker play, those who are disorganized, those who lack discipline?

Any game will also work for these people as long as they have an adequate bankroll. They will not be nearly as successful, but they can still enjoy playing video poker.

What about those players who do not have an adequate bankroll? If they MUST go to a casino, they should play the only machine in the casino that has no casino edge – the bill changer. They will achieve 100 percent return, though it may not be much fun.

As always, may all your wins be swift and large, and your losses be slow and small.

Jerry “Stickman”


Jerry “Stickman” is an expert in craps, blackjack and video poker and advantage slot machine play. He is a regular contributor to top gaming magazines. He authored the video poker section of “Everything Casino Poker: Get the Edge at Video Poker, Texas Hold'em, Omaha Hi-Lo, and Pai Gow Poker!” You can contact Jerry “Stickman” at stickmanjerryg@gmail.com