Introduction
Video poker isn’t one game—it’s a family of games. If you’ve learned Jacks or Better, you might think you understand video poker. But play Deuces Wild and you’ll realize how different things become.
Each variation changes the rules fundamentally. Different hands rank differently. Different hands pay differently. Strategy changes dramatically. What works in Jacks or Better is wrong in Deuces Wild.
Understanding these variations is essential for several reasons:
First: Different variations offer different value. Some have better RTP (Return to Player) than others.
Second: You might encounter a variation you don’t understand. Knowing what to do prevents costly mistakes.
Third: Experienced players exploit variation differences. Knowing which games offer best value maximizes returns.
Fourth: Some variations are genuinely more entertaining or exciting than others.
This guide breaks down every major video poker variation, explains their unique features, shows you how to read and compare pay tables, and helps you understand wild cards—the mechanic that changes everything.
Let’s explore the variations that make video poker endlessly interesting.
Understanding Video Poker Variation Families
The Three Main Categories
Video poker variations fall into three main families based on their core mechanics:
Standard Variations: Built from Jacks or Better framework. Examples: Deuces Wild, Joker’s Wild.
Bonus Variations: Jacks or Better with different payouts for specific four-of-a-kind hands. Examples: Bonus Poker, Double Bonus.
Specialty Variations: Completely different mechanics. Examples: Spin Poker, Pyramid Poker.
Within each family, infinite variations exist. Casinos and online operators create custom variations by tweaking pay tables or hand rankings.
Why Variations Matter
Each variation exists for a reason:
Financial: Variations with different RTPs attract different player types. Casual players prefer tighter games (higher house edge, more excitement from bigger occasional wins). Pro players seek loose games (lower house edge).
Entertainment: Some players prefer high variance (big swings). Others prefer consistency. Variations cater to both preferences.
Strategic Depth: Some variations reward strategy more than others. Deep strategy games appeal to skilled players. Simple games appeal to casual players.
Novelty: Casinos introduce new variations to keep games fresh and exciting.
The Variation Spectrum
Video poker variations span a spectrum:
Tight Games (High House Edge): 95-98% RTP. Frequent small payouts. Consistent gameplay. Less exciting. Examples: Some Bonus Poker versions.
Loose Games (Low House Edge): 98.5-100%+ RTP. Less frequent payouts. More variance. More exciting. Examples: Full-pay Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild.
Extreme Games (Huge Variance): 97-99% RTP. Rare massive jackpots. Long losing streaks. High engagement. Examples: Insanely Jackpots variations.
Smart players understand where their chosen variation sits on this spectrum.
The Complete Guide to Deuces Wild
What Are Deuces?
In Deuces Wild, all four 2s (deuces) in the deck become wild cards. A wild card can substitute for any card to complete a hand.
This single change—making deuces wild—transforms video poker entirely.
How Deuces Change Everything
New Hand: Five of a Kind
In Jacks or Better, the best you can get is a Royal Flush. In Deuces Wild, you can make five of a kind (four deuces plus any other card). Example: 2♠ 2♦ 2♣ 2♥ K♠ is five Kings.
Five of a kind is the rarest and most-paid-for hand.
Four of a Kind Becomes Common
With wild cards available, making four of a kind is relatively easy. You can have any card plus three deuces and make four of a kind.
Because four of a kind is more common, it pays less than in Jacks or Better (25 coins becomes 3-5 coins typically).
Straight Flush Becomes More Valuable
Straight flushes are now harder to make (deuces can substitute, making many hands four-of-a-kind instead). So straight flushes pay more: typically 50 coins instead of Jacks or Better’s 50 coins.
No Pair Becomes Possible
In Jacks or Better, a “no pair” hand doesn’t pay anything. In Deuces Wild, certain hands still don’t pay (very low hands), but the bar for payment is different.
Deuces Wild Hand Rankings
Here’s how hands rank in Deuces Wild (highest to lowest):
Royal Flush: A-K-Q-J-10 all the same suit (no deuces). 800 coins (on full-pay)
Five of a Kind: Four deuces + any card. 200 coins
Straight Flush: Five consecutive cards same suit (may include deuces as substitutes). 50 coins
Four of a Kind: Exactly four matching cards (usually three deuces + another card). 5 coins (or 10-20 for specific fours)
Full House: Three of a kind + pair. 3 coins
Flush: Five cards same suit. 5 coins
Straight: Five consecutive cards. 4 coins
Three of a Kind: Three matching cards. 1 coin
Pair of Jacks or Better: 1 coin in some versions (but in Deuces Wild, nearly all pairs pay the same—1 coin)
No Pair/Bust: 0 coins
Notice: The hierarchy is completely different from Jacks or Better. A pair of 2s that would be worthless in Jacks or Better is extremely valuable in Deuces Wild (it’s potentially four-of-a-kind waiting to happen).
Full-Pay Deuces Wild Pay Table
This is a typical “full-pay” Deuces Wild table (per coin wagered):
| Hand | Payment |
|---|---|
| Royal Flush (no deuces) | 800 |
| Five of a Kind | 200 |
| Straight Flush | 50 |
| Four of a Kind | 5 |
| Full House | 3 |
| Flush | 5 |
| Straight | 4 |
| Three of a Kind | 1 |
| Pair (any) | 0 |
Critical Note: This pay table has 99% RTP with optimal strategy. This makes Deuces Wild one of the best games available mathematically.
Strategy Differences: Deuces Wild vs. Jacks or Better
The strategy changes dramatically:
Deuces are Gold: In Jacks or Better, holding a 2 when it’s not part of a hand is worthless. In Deuces Wild, a single 2 is extremely valuable. You might hold a deuce alone and discard everything else.
Pairs Are Generally Bad: In Jacks or Better, a pair of Jacks or better is held. In Deuces Wild, most pairs are discarded (unless they’re deuces or can develop into five-of-a-kind). A pair of Kings is often discarded if you have good kicker cards or wild card potential.
Four to a Royal Is Less Important: In Jacks or Better, four to a royal is held almost always. In Deuces Wild, you might discard four to a royal to hold a deuce. The deuce is more valuable.
Strategy Hierarchy Example:
You have: K♠ Q♠ J♠ 10♠ 2♥
In Jacks or Better: Hold K-Q-J-10 (four to a royal). Excellent hand.
In Deuces Wild: Hold 2♥ alone. Discard everything else. The deuce is worth more than any non-deuce hand.
This completely inverts strategy logic.
Why Deuces Wild Is Preferred by Skilled Players
Best RTP: Deuces Wild’s 99% RTP with full-pay tables is among the best you’ll find.
Strategy Rewards Skill: Perfect strategy in Deuces Wild significantly outperforms lazy strategy. The difference between optimal and suboptimal play is huge.
Excitement: Wild cards create drama. Every hand has potential. You might win on any draw.
Profitability: Skilled players profit at Deuces Wild more than most games.
Common Mistakes in Deuces Wild
Not Prioritizing Deuces: Beginners treat deuces like regular cards. Deuces should almost always be held.
Keeping Non-Deuce Pairs: Pairs of non-deuce cards are usually discarded in Deuces Wild. This seems wrong intuitively but is mathematically correct.
Overvaluing High Cards: A pair of Aces is exciting but usually wrong to hold in Deuces Wild. A single deuce is better.
Misunderstanding Five of a Kind: New players don’t immediately realize four deuces + anything = five of a kind. When they hit 2-2-2-2 plus any card, they’re confused about why it pays 200.
Bonus Poker and Its Variations
What Makes Bonus Poker Different
Bonus Poker is based on Jacks or Better but modifies four-of-a-kind payouts. Different four-of-a-kind values create strategy changes.
Standard Bonus Poker pay table:
| Hand | Payment |
|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 250 |
| Straight Flush | 50 |
| Four Aces | 125 |
| Four 2-4s | 80 |
| Four 5-K | 50 |
| Full House | 8 |
| Flush | 5 |
| Straight | 4 |
| Three of a Kind | 3 |
| Two Pair | 1 |
| Jacks or Better | 1 |
Notice: Four of a kind pays differently based on WHAT you have four of.
Four Aces: 125 coins (highest) Four 2-4s: 80 coins (second highest) Four 5-K: 50 coins (lowest)
This pay structure changes strategy. You’re now more willing to pursue Aces specifically.
Strategy Impact of Bonus Payouts
Three Aces: In Jacks or Better, three Aces is just three-of-a-kind worth 3 coins. In Bonus Poker, three Aces has much higher expected value (you might complete four Aces worth 125).
Four to a Royal vs. Three Aces: In Jacks or Better, four to a royal beats three Aces easily. In Bonus Poker, three Aces might be better because of the 125-coin four-Ace payout.
Pair of Aces: In Jacks or Better, pair of Aces is held like any other pair. In Bonus Poker, pair of Aces has higher value because it develops toward four Aces.
Double Bonus Poker
Double Bonus pushes the bonus concept further, differentiating four-of-a-kind even more:
| Hand | Payment |
|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 250 |
| Straight Flush | 50 |
| Four Aces | 400 |
| Four 2-3s | 80 |
| Four 4-5s | 50 |
| Four 6-K | 25 |
| Full House | 5 |
| Flush | 5 |
| Straight | 4 |
| Three of a Kind | 3 |
| Two Pair | 1 |
| Jacks or Better | 1 |
Notice Four Aces now pays 400—double regular four of a kind payments.
This extreme bonus for Aces changes strategy dramatically. You pursue Aces aggressively.
Double Double Bonus Poker
Even more extreme bonus structure:
| Hand | Payment |
|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 250 |
| Straight Flush | 50 |
| Four Aces with 2-4 kicker | 800 |
| Four Aces with 5-K kicker | 400 |
| Four 2-3s | 120 |
| Four 4-5s with 2-3 kicker | 50 |
| Four 4-5s with 6-K kicker | 40 |
| Four 6-K | 25 |
| Full House | 5 |
| Flush | 5 |
| Straight | 4 |
| Three of a Kind | 3 |
| Two Pair | 1 |
| Jacks or Better | 1 |
Now even the kicker (the fifth card) matters. Four Aces with different kickers pays different amounts.
Extreme Bonus Versions:
Some casinos offer even crazier bonuses:
- Four Aces + 2-4: 800 coins
- Four Aces + 2-3: 1000 coins
- Four Aces + A: 2000 coins
These extreme games create massive variance. You might win thousands or lose hundreds rapidly.
RTP Comparison: Bonus Versions
Jacks or Better: 99.54% RTP (full-pay) Bonus Poker: 99.17% RTP (full-pay) Double Bonus: 99.11% RTP (full-pay) Double Double Bonus: 98.98% RTP (full-pay)
Notice: As bonuses become more extreme, overall RTP decreases. The trade-off: higher variance, potentially bigger individual wins, but lower long-term returns.
Choosing Between Bonus Versions
If You Want Best RTP: Jacks or Better > Bonus Poker > Double Bonus
If You Want Excitement: Double Double Bonus > Double Bonus > Bonus > Jacks or Better
If You Want Balance: Bonus Poker (good RTP, moderate bonuses, reasonable variance)
Other Major Variations
Joker’s Wild
Similar to Deuces Wild but with one joker wild card instead of four deuces.
Impact: Having only one wild card makes the game tighter. Wild hands are less common.
Pay table typically:
| Hand | Payment |
|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 800 |
| Pair of Jokers | 100 |
| Five of a Kind | 75 |
| Straight Flush | 50 |
| Four of a Kind | 10 |
| Full House | 5 |
| Flush | 5 |
| Straight | 3 |
| Three of a Kind | 2 |
| Pair of Kings or Aces | 1 |
Key Difference: Pair of Jokers (the wild card) is specifically called out and pays highly (100 coins). This is a payoff you’ll never see in other games.
RTP: ~98.5-99% depending on specific pay table.
Tens or Better
Like Jacks or Better but requires a pair of tens or higher to qualify (instead of Jacks or higher).
Pay table:
| Hand | Payment |
|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 250 |
| Straight Flush | 50 |
| Four of a Kind | 25 |
| Full House | 9 |
| Flush | 6 |
| Straight | 4 |
| Three of a Kind | 3 |
| Two Pair | 2 |
| Tens or Better | 1 |
Impact: Lowering the minimum hand qualification (from Jacks to Tens) means more hands qualify for payment. This seems good, but it also means payouts are lower overall.
Strategy: You hold pairs of Tens more often. Strategies differ from Jacks or Better.
RTP: ~98-98.5% (lower than Jacks or Better)
Aces and Eights
Another bonus game variation. “Aces and Eights” refers to the Dead Man’s Hand in poker (Aces and Eights together). This hand gets a bonus payout.
Pay table:
| Hand | Payment |
|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 250 |
| Straight Flush | 50 |
| Four Aces | 200 |
| Four Eights | 200 |
| Four of a Kind (other) | 20 |
| Full House | 8 |
| Flush | 5 |
| Straight | 4 |
| Three of a Kind | 3 |
| Two Pair | 2 |
| Jacks or Better | 1 |
Key Feature: Four Aces and Four Eights both pay premium (200 coins). This cultural reference to the Dead Man’s Hand creates unique strategy.
RTP: ~99% (competitive with Jacks or Better)
Triple Bonus Poker
Like Double Bonus but with three levels of bonuses:
| Hand | Payment |
|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 250 |
| Straight Flush | 50 |
| Four Aces | 800 |
| Four 2-3s | 200 |
| Four 4-5s | 120 |
| Four 6-K | 50 |
| Full House | 5 |
| Flush | 5 |
| Straight | 3 |
| Three of a Kind | 3 |
| Two Pair | 2 |
| Jacks or Better | 1 |
Variance: Extremely high. Four of a kind bonuses are huge.
RTP: ~98.5% (lower than simpler games due to high variance)
Reading and Comparing Pay Tables
Understanding Pay Table Structure
A pay table shows what each hand pays (typically per coin wagered on a 5-coin maximum bet).
Example Jacks or Better pay table:
| Hand | 1 Coin | 2 Coins | 3 Coins | 4 Coins | 5 Coins |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 250 | 500 | 750 | 1000 | 4000 |
| Straight Flush | 50 | 100 | 150 | 200 | 250 |
| Four of a Kind | 25 | 50 | 75 | 100 | 125 |
| Full House | 9 | 18 | 27 | 36 | 45 |
| Flush | 6 | 12 | 18 | 24 | 30 |
| Straight | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 |
| Three of a Kind | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 |
| Two Pair | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
| Jacks or Better | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Reading: If you play 5 coins and hit a Royal Flush, you win 4000 coins. If you play 1 coin and hit a Royal, you win 250 coins.
The Bonus Structure
Notice the Royal Flush at 5 coins (4000) is 16x the 1-coin payout (250), but everything else is 5x (1-coin × 5).
This disproportionate bonus for max-coin Royal is intentional. It incentivizes betting maximum coins.
Rule: Always bet 5 coins on games with this structure.
Comparing Two Pay Tables
Table A (Full-Pay Jacks or Better): Royal: 250-500-750-1000-4000 Full House: 9-18-27-36-45 Flush: 6-12-18-24-30
Table B (Short-Pay Jacks or Better): Royal: 250-500-750-1000-4000 Full House: 8-16-24-32-40 Flush: 5-10-15-20-25
These look similar, but Table B pays slightly less on Full Houses and Flushes.
Math: The difference:
- Full House: 1 less per coin = 45 (5-coin Full House) vs. 40 (Table B)
- Flush: 1 less per coin = 30 (5-coin Flush) vs. 25 (Table B)
Over 1000 hands with these hands appearing regularly, Table A returns ~$3-5 more.
This is why “full-pay” vs. “short-pay” matters significantly.
Identifying Full-Pay Tables
Jacks or Better: Look for 9-6 (9 on Full House, 6 on Flush) in 5-coin column Bonus Poker: Look for 8-5 (8 on Full House, 5 on Flush) Deuces Wild: Look for 3-5 (3 on Full House, 5 on Flush) in 5-coin column
These represent the best payouts for each game type.
The RTP Impact
Different pay tables dramatically affect RTP:
9-6 Jacks or Better: 99.54% RTP 9-5 Jacks or Better: 98.98% RTP 8-6 Jacks or Better: 98.39% RTP 8-5 Jacks or Better: 97.30% RTP
The difference between 9-6 and 8-5 is ~2.24% RTP—massive over time.
Playing 8-5 games instead of 9-6 games means losing twice as fast.
Strategy for Table Hunting
- Identify the game: What variation are you playing?
- Find the “full-pay” version’s numbers: Look these up online
- Check local/online casinos’ offerings: Do they have full-pay versions?
- Compare pay tables: Check each machine’s specific table
- Choose the best: Play only full-pay or closest-to-full-pay tables
This effort pays dividends. Better tables = better RTP = smaller losses.
Wild Cards in Video Poker
What Are Wild Cards?
A wild card is a card that can substitute for any other card to complete a hand.
In standard poker, no cards are wild. In video poker variations, specific cards become wild.
How Wild Cards Change the Game
Example: You have 2♠ 2♦ 2♣ K♠ Q♥ in Deuces Wild
The three deuces are wild. They can each become any card. This means:
- They could all become Kings (four Kings)
- Two become Kings, one becomes Queen (Full House)
- All three become different cards (Three of a Kind)
The wild cards provide flexibility.
Types of Wild Cards
Deuces (2s): In Deuces Wild, all four 2s are wild. Most common wild card implementation.
Jokers: In Joker’s Wild, the joker is wild. Typically one joker per deck (sometimes two).
Aces: Some games make Aces wild (rare). Changes strategy dramatically.
Kings or Other Cards: Theoretically any card can be wild. Some experimental games make unusual choices.
Multiple Card Types: Some games have multiple wild types (e.g., both 2s and Jokers).
Wild Card Strategy Impact
Holding Singles: In Jacks or Better, holding a single card (except high cards) is usually wrong. In Deuces Wild, holding a single deuce is often correct.
Discard More: With wilds available, you’re more willing to completely discard poor hands and draw fresh.
Value Shifts: Pairs, trips (three of a kind), and other hands have different values. You re-evaluate what combinations matter.
Probability Changes: With wild cards, you hit more frequent hands (four of a kind, full house). So these hands pay less.
Calculating Wild Card Impact
Without Wilds (Jacks or Better):
- Probability of four of a kind: ~1 in 423 hands
- Four of a kind pays: 25 coins
With Four Wilds (Deuces Wild):
- Probability of four of a kind: ~1 in 40 hands
- Four of a kind pays: 5 coins
The increased frequency means decreased payment.
Advanced Wild Card Strategy
Pursuing Multiple Directions: With wild cards, many hands have multiple development paths.
Example in Deuces Wild: 2♠ K♠ Q♠ J♠ 10♦
You have:
- Four to a royal flush (if you discard the 10)
- Three to a royal flush (if you discard a spade and draw)
- One wild card (the 2)
The optimal play? Discard the 10 and draw one card. The 2 is wild and counts as part of your royal, effectively giving you four to a royal with a wild card.
Wild Card Sequencing: Sometimes you hold multiple wild cards:
2♠ 2♦ K♠ Q♠ J♠ (Deuces Wild)
You have two wild cards and three to a royal. Should you:
- Discard K-Q-J, keeping deuces? This gives you flexible cards to build with
- Discard one deuce and a high card, keeping deuce + three to royal? This maximizes your current direction
The advanced decision considers opportunity cost of each option.
Common Wild Card Misconceptions
“More Wilds = Better Game”: More wilds do create more frequent good hands, but payouts are adjusted. More wilds doesn’t necessarily mean better RTP.
“Wild Cards Make Hands Easier to Predict”: Wilds actually make outcomes less predictable. You have more possible completions.
“Never Discard Wild Cards”: Absolutely wrong. Sometimes discarding a wild card is correct to pursue higher-paying hands.
“Wild Cards Always Pay More”: Games with wilds actually pay less overall due to adjusted pay tables.
Choosing Your Game
Decision Matrix
| If You Want | Best Game |
|---|---|
| Best RTP | Full-pay Deuces Wild (99%) |
| Simplicity | Jacks or Better |
| Big Win Potential | Double Double Bonus |
| Consistency | Jacks or Better or Bonus Poker |
| Entertainment | Deuces Wild or Double Bonus |
| Strategy Depth | Deuces Wild |
| Least Volatility | Jacks or Better |
| Most Volatility | Double Double Bonus or Joker’s Wild |
Game Selection by Player Type
Casual Players: Choose Jacks or Better. Simple rules, reasonable RTP, consistent gameplay.
Mobile Players: Any game works on mobile, but simpler games (Jacks or Better) are easier to play on small screens.
Strategy Enthusiasts: Choose Deuces Wild. The strategy is sophisticated and rewards deep thinking.
Big-Win Hunters: Choose Double Bonus or Double Double Bonus. The extreme payouts create excitement (and volatility).
Profit-Focused Players: Choose full-pay Deuces Wild or full-pay Jacks or Better. Best RTP options.
Experienced Professionals: Track different games’ RTP. Play whichever offers the best full-pay version available locally/online.
Importance of Full-Pay Tables
No matter which variation you choose, prioritize full-pay tables over short-pay tables.
The difference compounds over thousands of hands:
100 Hours of Play at $5/hand (medium bet size):
- 9-6 Jacks or Better (99.54% RTP): Expected loss = $2,300
- 8-5 Jacks or Better (97.30% RTP): Expected loss = $4,050
Playing short-pay costs an extra $1,750 over 100 hours.
This is why full-pay matters.
Transitioning Between Variations
Strategy Transfer
If you know Jacks or Better strategy deeply, can you play Deuces Wild?
Partially: Some principles transfer:
- Never break up complete hands unnecessarily
- Pursue four-to-a-royal
- Consider probability carefully
But: Many decisions are different:
- Deuce priorities
- Pair handling
- Discard strategy
You need new strategy for each variation.
Learning New Variations
Step 1: Learn hand rankings for the new game. Memorize what hands pay.
Step 2: Study the pay table. Understand what earns what.
Step 3: Learn the new game’s strategy. Read guides or use online trainers.
Step 4: Play free/practice versions. Make mistakes without losing money.
Step 5: Play for real money cautiously with proper bankroll.
Never assume old strategy applies to new games.
Bankroll Adjustments
Different games have different variance:
Low Variance: Jacks or Better. Bankroll = 300-500 times your bet size.
Medium Variance: Deuces Wild, Bonus Poker. Bankroll = 500-800 times your bet size.
High Variance: Double Bonus, Double Double Bonus. Bankroll = 800-1200 times your bet size.
A $1.25/hand player needs:
- Low variance: $375-625
- Medium variance: $625-1000
- High variance: $1000-1500
Rate of Play Differences
Different games play at different speeds:
Jacks or Better: Fast. Decisions are quick. You can play 50-60 hands per hour.
Deuces Wild: Medium speed. Decisions require more thought. 40-50 hands per hour.
Complex Bonus Versions: Slow. Many decisions. 30-40 hands per hour.
This affects your effective loss rate (loss per hour played).
Variation-Specific Tips
Tips for Deuces Wild
- Prioritize deuces above all else. A single deuce alone beats most hands.
- Understand five of a kind is most valuable. Four deuces is genuinely excellent.
- Be willing to discard pairs. Pair of Kings? Usually discard unless part of a larger hand.
- Reference strategy tables. Deuces Wild strategy is complex. Don’t rely on intuition.
- Track your results. Variance is high. Sessions of -$200 and +$200 happen.
Tips for Bonus Versions
- Pursue four of a kind bonuses. High-paying fours matter.
- Understand kicker value. In some versions, the fifth card matters for payout.
- Balance four-of-a-kind pursuit with other hands. Don’t chase fours so aggressively you miss better hands.
- Recognize diminishing returns. Double Bonus bonuses are exciting but pay less overall than simpler games.
- Accept volatility. Big bonuses mean big losing streaks. Bankroll accordingly.
Tips for Joker’s Wild
- Joker is golden. Hold a single joker.
- Pair of jokers is special. Pays highly (100+). Different from other pairs.
- Strategy is unique. It’s not Jacks or Better or Deuces Wild. Learn Joker’s Wild strategy specifically.
- Variance is medium. Jackpot potential creates excitement without extreme swings.
- Seek full-pay versions. Joker’s Wild has many short-pay variants. Quality matters.
Future-Proofing Your Video Poker Knowledge
Staying Updated
Video poker variations evolve. New games appear regularly. Stay informed through:
- Gaming forums and communities
- Casino updates and announcements
- Gaming blogs and YouTube channels
- Game testing and reviews
- RTP databases (many sites track game RTPs)
Principles That Don’t Change
While specific games evolve, core principles remain:
- Always compare pay tables. Full-pay vs. short-pay always matters.
- Strategy beats intuition. Always follow strategy over feeling.
- Variance is real. Accept losing streaks as part of the game.
- Bankroll discipline matters most. No variation changes this truth.
- Games with lower house edge win. 0.5% better RTP compounds massively.
The Philosophy
Understanding variations teaches a broader lesson: Context matters.
The same-looking game plays entirely differently with rule changes. What works in one context fails in another.
This philosophical understanding helps you approach new games strategically rather than emotionally.
Conclusion
Video poker isn’t a single game. It’s a family of games spanning from simple (Jacks or Better) to complex (Triple Bonus), from low variance (Tens or Better) to high variance (Double Double Bonus), from tight (short-pay games) to loose (full-pay games).
This diversity is the strength of video poker. You can find a variation matching your preferences and risk tolerance.
The key to mastering variations is understanding that each variation is its own game. Rules change. Strategy changes. Payouts change. What works for one doesn’t work for another.
But the meta-principles stay constant: Study the game. Learn the strategy. Compare the tables. Play with discipline.
