There are many choices of games when it comes to playing video poker. You can play All American, Bonus Poker, Deuces Wild, Double Bonus Poker, Jacks or Better, Joker’s Wild, and many others. Although the games are generally the same, you should note that the payout schedule can differ for each variation. In order to have as close to 100% payback, you need to use the correct playing strategy for each type of game. By far the most popular video poker game is Jacks or Better as it has a payout of 99.5%. This is an excellent return for an easier game which allows you to gain the experience and knowledge to move on to the other more complicated games.

Below is a summary of the more popular Video Poker games. Read up on the ones that interest you the most and start playing!

Deuces Wild

In this game, the standard 52-card deck is used, with all four deuces (2’s) designated as wild cards. Because of the added bonus of the four deuce wild cards, the minimum rank for a winning hand is three of a kind. Never discard a deuce in a Deuces Wild game.

Jacks or Better

This is the best game to begin with when starting to play video poker. In fact, it is a good all-around machine to play at any time. You can identify a good-paying machine by reviewing the full house and flush payouts on the first column on the payout chart. On a 9/6 machine you will be paid nine counts for a full house and six for a flush.

It is important to remember not to play the low payout 7/5 machines as the house odds are just too high.

The next factor to look for is the royal flush payout. You want to play on non-progressive machines that award at least 4,000 counts for a royal flush. This means that if you play the maximum five coins and get a royal flush, you will get 4,000 coins back.

The royal flush payout is the bonus that makes video poker a winner. If you can't or won't play the maximum coins on a given video poker machine because of its cost, go to a machine with a lower denomination.

Joker’s Wild

This game is played with the standard 52-card deck, with a joker thrown in as a wild card. This wild card can be used as a substitute for any other card or can be used to create a five of a kind. The machine will automatically compute the best hand when a joker is present, usually about 10% of the time. Because of the added bonus of the wild card, the minimum rank for a wining hand is two pair.

King of the Decks

In this game, five decks of the standard 52-card decks are used. If you get five kinds of clubs, you will win the progressive jackpot. Because of the added bonus of the increased number of potential pairs, the minimum ranks for a winning hand is two pair. Games with more than one deck will always reduce the player's odds, so consider other games before playing King of the Decks.

Progressive Machines

These machines typically have a lower payout for a full house and flush; however, this can be overcome if the progressive jackpot is high enough. On a $.25 machine, if the jackpot is above $2,240, it's worthwhile to play. If it's below the $2,240 level, go back to the standard 9/6 machines. On progressive 9/6 Jacks or Better machines when the jackpot raises above 6,500 coins, the payback reaches a 100% return making this an excellent machine to play.

To summarize…

The three best machines you can play are the 9/6 Jacks or Better, 10/7 Double Bonus, and full-pay Deuces Wild. When you insert the maximum coins and use proper strategy, these machines will pay out 99.5%, 100.2%, and 100.8%, respectively. Look for these machines and play them.