Video poker is one of the most popular casino games, combining elements of both slot machines and poker. The game’s mechanics are simple: players receive five cards, and they can choose to keep or discard any of them in order to create the best possible hand. The payout for a winning hand is determined by the game’s paytable, which can vary from one video poker variant to another. If you are new to video poker, check out our beginner’s guide to video poker or for the more advanced players – some of the more popular video poker strategies.
One of the most important factors to consider when playing video poker is the house edge, which represents the casino’s advantage over the player. The house edge is expressed as a percentage, and it indicates how much of each bet the casino expects to keep over the long term.
House Edge in Video Poker
The house edge in video poker varies depending on the type of game and the strategy used. Generally, video poker has a lower house edge than slot machines or other casino games, making it an attractive option for players who want to increase their chances of winning.
The house edge in video poker ranges from 0.5% to 5%. Jacks or Better, which is one of the most popular video poker games, has a house edge of around 0.5% when played with optimal strategy. This means that for every $100 bet, the casino will keep $0.50 on average.
Other popular video poker games, such as Deuces Wild and Double Bonus Poker, have a higher house edge of around 1% to 5%, depending on the specific pay table and strategy used.
How to Reduce the House Edge in Video Poker
Players can reduce the house edge in video poker by using optimal strategy and choosing the right pay table. Optimal strategy involves playing each hand in a way that mathematically maximizes the chances of winning. Different video poker games have different optimal strategies, so it is important to study the strategy charts and practice before playing for real money.
Choosing the right pay table is also important in reducing the house edge. The pay table determines the payouts for each winning hand, and different pay tables have different payouts. Players should look for pay tables with the highest payouts for the most important hands, such as a royal flush, as this can significantly increase their chances of winning and reduce the house edge.
Jacks or Better House Edge
Jacks or Better is one of the most popular video poker variants, and it is often used as a baseline for comparing other games. The game’s objective is to create a hand that contains at least a pair of jacks or better. The paytable for Jacks or Better typically starts at 1:1 for a pair of jacks or better, and it increases for higher-ranking hands such as two pairs, three of a kind, and so on.
The house edge for Jacks or Better can vary depending on the paytable, but it typically ranges from 0.5% to 5%. The best paytable for Jacks or Better is known as “9/6,” which means that a full house pays 9 to 1 and a flush pays 6 to 1. This paytable has a house edge of only 0.5%, making it one of the most player-friendly video poker games.
Deuces Wild
Deuces Wild is a video poker variant that uses a standard deck of 52 cards, but all four twos (deuces) are considered wild cards. This means that they can be used to represent any other card in the deck, increasing the chances of creating a winning hand. The game’s objective is to create a hand that contains at least three of a kind or better.
The house edge for Deuces Wild can vary depending on the paytable, but it typically ranges from 0.7% to 5%. The best paytable for Deuces Wild is known as “Full Pay” or “15/9,” which means that a five of a kind pays 15 to 1 and a royal flush pays 9 to 1. This paytable has a house edge of only 0.7%, making it one of the most player-friendly video poker games.
Double Bonus Poker
Double Bonus Poker is a video poker variant that offers higher payouts for four of a kind hands, especially if they are made with aces or faces. The game’s objective is to create a hand that contains at least a pair of jacks or better, but the real money is in the four of a kind hands.
The house edge for Double Bonus Poker can vary depending on the paytable, but it typically ranges from 0.5% to 5%. The best paytable for Double Bonus Poker is known as “10/7,” which means that a full house pays 10 to 1 and a flush pays 7 to 1. This paytable has a house edge of only 0.17%, making it one of the most player-friendly video poker games.
Joker Poker
The house edge in Joker Poker video poker depends on a few factors, including the specific pay table being used and the player’s strategy. Generally speaking, the house edge for Joker Poker can range from as low as 0.5% to as high as 5%.
The pay table is the key factor in determining the house edge. In Joker Poker, the pay table specifies the payouts for various winning hands. A pay table that offers higher payouts for certain hands, such as a natural royal flush or a five-of-a-kind, will have a lower house edge than a pay table that offers lower payouts for those same hands.
Double Bonus Poker
Double Bonus video poker is a popular variation of the game, and it offers some of the best odds for players. The game has a high payout rate of 99.11% when played with perfect strategy, which means that the house edge is only 0.89%.
Aces and Eights
In Aces and Eights video poker, the house edge is typically around 0.4%. The higher the payout for a winning hand, the lower the house edge will be. For example, if the paytable offers a payout of 800 coins for a royal flush, the house edge will be lower than if the payout is only 250 coins for a royal flush.
As an example, let’s consider a common paytable for Aces and Eights video poker:
- Royal flush: 800 coins
- Straight flush: 50 coins
- Four of a kind (aces or eights): 80 coins
- Four of a kind (7s): 50 coins
- Four of a kind (others): 25 coins
- Full house: 8 coins
- Flush: 5 coins
- Straight: 4 coins
- Three of a kind: 3 coins
- Two pair: 2 coins
- Jacks or better: 1 coin
Using this paytable, the house edge for Aces and Eights video poker would be around 0.3%. This means that for every $100 wagered on the game, the casino would expect to keep about $0.30 as profit in the long run.
In the end
While video poker has a lower house edge compared to most other casino games, it is still important to understand that the edge varies depending on the specific variant of the game and the paytable used. Overall, video poker can be a fun and potentially lucrative casino game for those who take the time to understand the odds and play strategically.
Players who want to maximize their chances of winning should carefully choose their video poker game, learn the optimal strategy for that game, and pay close attention to the paytable. By doing so, they can reduce the house edge and increase their odds of winning.
The house edge is an important factor to consider when playing video poker. While it is impossible to eliminate the house edge entirely, players can reduce it by using optimal strategy and choosing the right pay table. By doing so, players can increase their chances of winning and enjoy a more profitable and enjoyable gaming experience.