My Favorite Games

20 May 2023

By Jerry Stickman

From Roy:

Hi Stickman,

Thank you for your response to my original question. As a reminder the question was
“I am fairly new to video poker. I am a member of a couple of video poker online VP groups. Many of the other players say that the best game is double double bonus. What video poker game do you recommend? Also what game do you prefer?”

You gave me much good info. But you didn’t answer my questions about which game you recommend or which game you preferred.

Was that intentional?

Roy from Minnesota

Hi Roy,

I am glad you felt that the information was good. I sure think it was.

You are right, Roy, I did not specifically answer your questions about which games I recommend, nor did I answer your question about which game I preferred to play.

I assure you that it was not intentional. Rather, I thought I had answered your question about my recommended game when I listed three high return, low variance games: Jacks or Better, Bonus Poker and Deuces Wild. For newer players, I recommend all three of these games – two of them highly – (with the proper pay tables to make the high return games).

Not only do these games usually have a high return and low variance, they also have reasonable straightforward playing strategies.

These strategies are easier to learn and play in the casino. The strategy for Double-Double Bonus that many video poker players enjoy is more complex and therefore harder to learn and easier to misplay in the casino.

If I had to narrow my game recommendation to one game for you, it would be Jacks or Better. The full-pay version of this game returns 99.54 percent (only a 0.46 percent house edge) over the long term with proper play. It has a variance of only 19.5. The problem with this game is the full-pay version is becoming difficult to find.

Full-pay Bonus Poker is more readily available and pays 99.17 percent. Its variance is 20.9. The return is lower and the variance is higher, but the game can generally be found in casinos. The strategy is very close to that of Jacks or Better.

I mentioned Deuces Wild because it generally has a high return with low variance. It is also victim of numerous pay table tweaks so it is more difficult to locate a good game. For this reason, I do not recommend it as highly to newer players.

As for the game I prefer, it is Jacks or Better. I can find full-pay games and I, along with family and friends, play at those casinos exclusively.

Double-Double Bonus poker is popular because four-of-a-kind hands can pay very handsomely. Players get the adrenalin rush much more often than when playing Jacks or Better which has only the royal flush as a major win.

This comes at a price, however. Return is good but lower (98.98 percent), and variance is considerably higher (42.0). I like to get every bit I can from my play. I also do not like huge swings in my bankroll. Well, that is not totally correct. I love huge upward swings, but hate the huge downward swings.

As the returns from Jacks or Better games are reduced, I may eventually switch to Bonus Poker as my go-to game. But for now, Jacks or Better it is.

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