From your first hand to perfect play
A free path through video poker, built on an engine that grades every decision exactly. Follow it in order or jump to the hard calls.
Start here
How to play video pokerThe rules, the draw, and how a hand actually works.Hand rankingsEvery paying hand, from a high pair to the royal flush.Reading pay tablesFull-pay vs short-pay, and why the numbers decide your return.Your first strategy9/6 Jacks or Better, the game every player should master first.Multi-hand video pokerTriple Play, Five Play, Ten Play: same holds, exact variance math.Royal flush odds, for realNot the deal-only myth. The actual hit frequency under optimal play.Compare all 14 gamesReturn and variance side by side. Which games are steady, which are wild.Risk of ruin, computedWhat bankroll a real player edge actually requires. The numbers may surprise you.How often you improveExact frequency of every paying hand, not just royals. Computed hand by hand.
The hard calls
The decisions that cost players the most, each with the exact expected value of both plays.
Four to a flush or a low pair?Hold the four-card flushShould you break a flush to draw to a royal?Hold four to the royalA high pair or a four-card flush?Hold the high pairA low pair or a four-card straight?Hold the low pairA high pair or three to a royal?Hold the high pairDo you hold a four-card inside straight?Redraw — don’t hold itFour to a straight flush or a high pair?Hold four to the straight flushBreak a made straight to draw to a royal?Hold four to the royalWith two pair, do you hold both pairs?Hold both pairsThree of a kind or a four-card flush?Hold the three of a kindTwo suited high cards or a low pair?Hold the low pairJT suited or a single ace?Hold the two to a royal
Keep sharp
Drill these patterns for real in the trainer, or keep the streak going with the daily challenge.