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How to Play Video Poker Australia

15.05.2026
How to Play Video Poker Australia

Video poker looks simple at first: you get five cards, choose which ones to keep, draw replacements and see whether your final hand wins. But the game has more depth than a normal slot because your decisions matter. The cards you hold or throw away can change the long-term result.

This guide is written for Australian readers who want to understand how video poker works. It explains the basic rules, paytables, RTP, variance, common mistakes and simple strategy ideas. It is educational only and does not promote offshore online casino play.

The most important thing to know before going further: video poker is still a gambling game. A better paytable and smarter hold decisions can reduce mistakes, but they do not guarantee profit.

Quick Answer

Video poker is a casino-style game based on five-card draw poker. You are dealt five cards. You choose which cards to hold. The cards you do not hold are replaced. Your final five-card hand is then compared with the game’s paytable.

  • The basic flow is:

    The basic flow is:

    • Deal five cards.
    • Hold the cards you want to keep.
    • Discard the rest.
    • Draw replacement cards.
    • Compare the final hand with the paytable.
    • Receive a payout if the hand qualifies.

Unlike many slot games, video poker includes a decision stage. That decision does not let you control the outcome, but it does affect expected value over time.

Australian Legal Note

Many Australians search for “video poker Australia” or “how to play video poker online”, but the legal context matters. Online casino-style services are restricted in Australia when offered to people located in Australia. This includes many real-money casino games such as online pokies, blackjack, roulette and similar products.

This guide should be read as an educational explanation of the game, not advice on where to play online video poker. The goal is to explain rules, paytables and strategy concepts, not to promote real-money online casino services to Australian users.

What Is Video Poker?

Video poker combines poker hand rankings with machine-style gameplay. You are not playing against other players. You are also not trying to beat a dealer hand like in blackjack. Instead, your final hand is paid according to a fixed paytable.

  • A typical video poker game uses familiar poker hands such as:

    A typical video poker game uses familiar poker hands such as:

    • Royal Flush
    • Straight Flush
    • Four of a Kind
    • Full House
    • Flush
    • Straight
    • Three of a Kind
    • Two Pair
    • Jacks or Better

The exact winning hands depend on the variant. Some games pay from Jacks or Better. Others may require a different minimum hand. That is why reading the paytable is essential.

How Video Poker Works

  • Choose Bet

    Choose Bet

    Most video poker games let you choose a coin value and number of credits. A common structure allows one to five credits per hand. The total bet is the coin value multiplied by the number of credits.

  • Press Deal

    Press Deal

    The machine deals five cards. This is your starting hand.

  • Hold Cards

    Hold Cards

    You decide which cards to keep. For example, if you are dealt a pair of jacks, you will usually hold the pair. If you are dealt four cards to a royal flush, you may hold those four cards and draw one.

  • Draw Cards

    Draw Cards

    Cards you did not hold are replaced. After the draw, the hand is final.

  • Check Paytable

    Check Paytable

    If the final hand matches a paying combination, the game pays according to the paytable.

Paytables and Game Info

The paytable is one of the most important parts of video poker. Two games can both be called Jacks or Better, but they may have different payouts for Full House, Flush or other hands. That means they can have different RTP.

A similar idea applies to casino games more broadly. For example, a popular slot such as Starburst by NetEnt is often listed with an RTP of around 96.09%, but RTP settings can vary by operator or market, so players should always check the in-game information screen rather than relying only on the game name.

Video poker makes this even more important because the paytable directly affects strategy. A 9/6 Jacks or Better game is not the same as a lower-paying version, even if the title looks almost identical.

  • 9/6 Jacks or Better

    A well-known example is 9/6 Jacks or Better. The “9/6” means the game pays 9 credits for a Full House and 6 credits for a Flush when measured on a per-credit basis.

    Full-pay 9/6 Jacks or Better is commonly listed with a theoretical return of 99.54% when played with optimal strategy. That number does not mean you will get 99.54% back in one session. It is a long-term theoretical return assuming correct play and the exact paytable being used.

  • 9/6 vs Lower-Pay Versions

    A 9/6 version is usually better than a version that pays less for Full House or Flush. Even a small change in one line of the paytable can reduce the game’s return.

    This is why serious video poker players look at the paytable first. The game title is only the label. The paytable tells you the real structure.

RTP in Video Poker

RTP means Return to Player. It is the theoretical percentage of total wagers that a game returns over a very large number of hands.

If a video poker game has an RTP of 99.54%, that means the long-term expected return is $99.54 for every $100 wagered, assuming the correct strategy and the exact paytable being used. It does not mean every player gets that result.

  • Why RTP Can Mislead

    Why RTP Can Mislead

    RTP depends on:

    • the exact paytable
    • the game variant
    • the number of credits bet
    • the player’s hold decisions
    • the strategy used
    • the length of play.

    A high RTP game can still lose in the short term. A player can also reduce the expected return by making poor hold decisions.

Variance Explained

Variance describes how volatile the game feels. A lower-variance game tends to produce smaller, steadier results. A higher-variance game can have longer dry stretches and more dramatic wins.

For beginners, this matters because two games with similar RTP can feel very different.

  • Lower variance

    Lower-variance video poker games usually create a smoother session. They may suit players who want to learn the mechanics and avoid big swings.

  • Higher variance

    Higher-variance games may offer bigger payouts for rare hands, but the bankroll can move up and down faster. They can be exciting, but they also increase the chance of a session ending quickly.

    The practical takeaway: do not choose a game only because the top prize looks big. Look at the full paytable and the overall risk profile.

Video Poker Variants

  • Jacks or Better

    Jacks or Better

    Jacks or Better is one of the most common beginner-friendly video poker variants. The minimum paying hand is usually a pair of jacks or higher. It is often used to explain basic video poker strategy because the rules are easy to understand.

  • Bonus Poker

    Bonus Poker

    Bonus Poker is similar to Jacks or Better but usually changes payouts for Four of a Kind hands. This can make the game feel more exciting, but the exact value depends on the paytable.

  • Deuces Wild

    Deuces Wild

    In Deuces Wild, all twos act as wild cards. That changes the entire strategy. A hold decision that makes sense in Jacks or Better may be wrong in Deuces Wild.

  • Tens or Better

    Tens or Better

    Tens or Better usually pays for a pair of tens or higher. Because the minimum hand is different, the strategy and return also differ from Jacks or Better.

The key rule: never assume one strategy works for every video poker variant.

Credit Betting

Many video poker games encourage max-credit betting because the Royal Flush payout is often much better when five credits are played. In full-pay Jacks or Better, the royal flush payout is commonly shown as 800-for-1 when betting five coins, which is part of the calculation behind the 99.54% return.

But this needs a responsible warning. If five credits are too expensive for your budget, do not overbet just to unlock a better royal flush payout. A safer approach is to lower the coin value, choose a cheaper game or avoid playing.

Bankroll-Friendly Credits

  • Ask yourself:

    Ask yourself:

    • Can I afford five credits at this coin value?
    • Will this bet size make the session too short?
    • Am I increasing the stake only because of the top prize?
    • Would a smaller denomination fit my budget better?

A better paytable is not useful if the bet size pushes you beyond your limit.

What Cards to Hold

This is the main strategy question in video poker. After the first deal, you must decide which cards to keep and which cards to replace.

The correct hold depends on:

  • the game variant
  • the paytable
  • the current hand
  • the possible draws
  • the expected value of each option.
  • No Universal Hold Strategy

    No Universal Hold Strategy

    Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild and Bonus Poker do not use the same strategy. Even within the same game family, paytable changes can affect the best decision.

    A simple beginner rule is this: learn the strategy for the exact game you are playing, not just “video poker” in general.

  • Do Not Chase Rare Hands

    Do Not Chase Rare Hands

    Beginners often want to chase Royal Flush draws, but the best decision is not always the most exciting one. Sometimes keeping a made hand is better than breaking it apart for a long-shot draw.

    Good video poker strategy is about expected value, not emotion.

Simple Jacks or Better Tips

This section is not a full strategy chart. It is a beginner-friendly overview for understanding the logic.

  • Keep Strong Hands

    If you already have a strong paying hand, such as a Full House, Four of a Kind, Straight Flush or Royal Flush, you usually keep it.

  • High Pairs Matter

    In Jacks or Better, a pair of jacks, queens, kings or aces is already a paying hand. That usually makes it more valuable than holding random low cards.

  • Four-Card Draws

    Four cards to a Flush, Straight Flush or Royal Flush can be important, but the correct choice depends on the hand and paytable.

  • Low Pairs Have Value

    A low pair does not pay in Jacks or Better, but it can improve to Three of a Kind, Full House or Four of a Kind. Sometimes it is better than chasing scattered high cards.

  • Use Strategy Charts

    Full strategy charts rank possible holds by expected value. Beginners do not need to memorise everything immediately, but using a strategy chart can prevent expensive mistakes.

Double-or-Nothing

Some video poker machines offer a double-or-nothing feature after a winning hand. The exact format can vary, but the idea is simple: you risk the win for a chance to double it.

This feature can feel tempting because you are gambling with money you just won. But it increases volatility. A small win can become larger, or it can disappear immediately.

  • A Safer Approach

    A Safer Approach

    Do not treat double-or-nothing as a strategy to improve the game. Treat it as an extra risk choice.

    If your goal is to make the bankroll last longer, banking the win is usually the calmer option. If you choose to gamble the win, decide in advance how many times you are willing to risk it.

Beginner Mistakes

  • Ignoring Paytables

    Ignoring Paytables

    The paytable controls the value of the game. Do not choose a machine only by name.

  • Same Strategy Everywhere

    Same Strategy Everywhere

    A Jacks or Better strategy does not automatically work for Deuces Wild or Bonus Poker.

  • Overbetting

    Overbetting

    Max credits may improve the Royal Flush payout structure, but it is not worth betting more than your budget allows.

  • Chasing Rare Hands

    Chasing Rare Hands

    A Royal Flush is exciting, but chasing it blindly can lead to poor hold decisions.

  • Misreading RTP

    Misreading RTP

    RTP is long-term and theoretical. It does not predict what will happen today.

  • Gambling Every Win

    Double-or-nothing can quickly erase wins. It should be treated as extra volatility, not free value.

Bankroll Control

Video poker can move quickly. Even when a game has a strong theoretical return, a poor run can drain a budget faster than expected.

  • Before playing in any legal setting, decide:

    Before playing in any legal setting, decide:

    • session budget
    • bet size
    • stop-loss
    • stop-win
    • time limit
    • whether you will use double-or-nothing.

Match the game to your budget

If a game requires five credits for the best paytable structure, adjust the coin value instead of forcing a larger total bet. The goal is not to play bigger. The goal is to stay within a limit you can afford.

Responsible Gambling

Video poker should be treated as entertainment, not income. Even optimal strategy cannot remove gambling risk.

In Australia, Gambling Help Online provides free, professional and confidential support through the National Gambling Helpline on 1800 858 858. BetStop is a free Australian Government self-exclusion service that blocks access to licensed Australian online and phone gambling providers.

  • Warning Signs

    Warning Signs

    Consider stopping and seeking support if:

    • you chase losses
    • you gamble with money needed for essentials
    • you feel unable to stop after setting a limit
    • you hide gambling from someone close to you
    • you keep increasing the bet after losses
    • you feel anxious when not gambling
    • you believe one big win will fix everything.

    No paytable, strategy or bonus is worth financial harm.

Final Takeaway

Video poker is easy to start but harder to play well. The basic flow is simple: deal, hold, draw and compare the hand to the paytable. The real skill is understanding what the paytable means and making hold decisions that match the exact game.

For beginners, the safest learning order is:

  • understand the rules
  • read the paytable
  • learn the variant
  • use a strategy chart
  • manage the bankroll
  • avoid overbetting
  • treat double-or-nothing as extra risk.

A better video poker player is not the one who always chases the Royal Flush. It is the one who understands the game, respects the risk and can stop at the limit.

FAQ

Is Video Poker a Slot?

No. Video poker uses machine-style gameplay, but the player makes a hold/discard decision after the first deal. That decision affects long-term expected value.

What Is Jacks or Better?

Jacks or Better is a common video poker variant where the minimum paying hand is usually a pair of jacks or higher.

What Does 9/6 Mean?

It means the game pays 9 credits for a Full House and 6 credits for a Flush on a per-credit basis. Full-pay 9/6 Jacks or Better is commonly listed with a 99.54% return when played with optimal strategy.

Does Strategy Guarantee Wins?

No. Strategy can reduce mistakes and improve expected return, but it cannot guarantee a winning session.

What Cards Should I Hold?

It depends on the variant and paytable. A hold that is correct in Jacks or Better may be wrong in Deuces Wild or Bonus Poker.

Should I Bet Max Credits?

Not if it pushes you beyond your budget. Many games have better Royal Flush value at max credits, but the responsible option is to lower the coin value or choose another game rather than overbet.

Is Online Video Poker Legal?

Online casino-style services are restricted in Australia when offered to people located in Australia. This guide is educational and does not promote real-money online casino play.

Where to Get Support?

Australians can contact Gambling Help Online or call the National Gambling Helpline on 1800 858 858 for free and confidential support. BetStop also lets people self-exclude from licensed Australian online and phone gambling providers.