If you walk through any casino, past the flashing modern video slots, you will inevitably find rows of old, blocky Video Poker machines.
Because you can see the cards and know a standard 52-card deck is being used, you can mathematically calculate the exact probability of every draw.
Understanding the Paytable: Jacks or Better
The paytable dictates exactly how much each specific poker hand pays out, and it is the sole factor determining the machine's overall house edge.
Smart players exclusively hunt for a specific paytable known in the industry as "9/6 Jacks or Better."
- Casinos often hide 8/5 machines right next to the generous 9/6 machines
- The paytable is the only information you need to calculate the exact RTP of the game
- Jacks or Better provides the foundational strategy for almost all other game variations
Why You Must Always Bet Max Coins
Almost every machine accepts between 1 and 5 coins per hand, and the payouts for most hands scale linearly based on your bet.
But if you bet the maximum 5 coins, the Royal Flush payout jumps exponentially to an incredible 4,000 coins (800 to 1).
Using Math to Make the Right Hold
You must completely eliminate human emotion; never hold a "lucky" card or chase an inside straight if the math dictates otherwise.
You can legally print a strategy card from the internet and hold it right in front of the machine while you play in the casino.
| Hand Dealt | Correct Mathematical Action (Jacks or Better) |
|---|---|
| 4-Card Royal vs. High Pair | Break the pair, hold the 4-Card Royal |
| Low Pair vs. 4-Card Flush | Hold the Low Pair, discard the rest |
By finding the correct paytable, betting the absolute maximum, and playing flawlessly like a robot, you can nearly eliminate the house edge.
