Optimum Video Poker Strategy

The Optimum Video Poker Strategy is designed to be the most consistent for the frequent player who is not playing long enough per session to seriously chase the big jackpots. The profitability for a given session will vary greatly, but over time should average out to the upper limits of the expected return for a game.

This optimum strategy is typically used for full-pay Jacks or Better video poker. Feel free to print it out and follow along while playing online video poker.

There are six hands that, if dealt, you should keep all five cards due to high payouts:

Hands to Always Hold

Royal Flush
Straight Flush
Four of a Kind
Full House
Flush
Straight

High Cards refer to one or more Ace, King, Queen, or Jack. A Gap means two non-consecutive cards, for example a 7 and a 9.

Optimal Draw Priority

Scan from the top down and hold the first matching hand, drawing the specified number:

Four Cards to a Royal Flush - Draw 1
Three of a Kind - Draw 2
Four Card Straight Flush - Draw 1
Two Pair - Draw 1
Three Cards to a Royal Flush - Draw 2
High Pair - Draw 3
Four Card Flush - Draw 1
Open Ended Straight with 3 High Cards - Draw 1
Low Pair - Draw 3
Open Ended Straight Draw - Draw 1
Three to a Straight Flush - Draw 2
Two to a Royal Flush but no 10 - Draw 3
Inside Straight with at least 3 high Cards - Draw 1
Two Cards to a Royal Flush with a 10 - Draw 3
Three High Cards - Draw 2
Three to a Straight Flush with a gap - Draw 2
Two High Cards - Draw 3
One High Card - Draw 4
Mixed Low Cards - Draw 5

Using this chart is very easy. All you do is start at the top of the list and work your way down until you find the very first draw that fits your hand and use it.

Example: if you are dealt a pair of Kings you come to "High Pair" which fits. Keep the pair and draw three new cards.

Another example: six of hearts, seven of hearts, eight of hearts, two of clubs and six of diamonds. Matches "Three to a Straight Flush". Keep the six, seven, eight of hearts and draw two new cards.