Below we have shown basic strategies for two of the more popular games: deuces wild and jacks or better. If you're serious about video poker you should make an effort to learn as much as possible about game strategies so that you can substantially increase your odds of winning.
Deuces Wild Strategies
- You should always hold any 5 of a kind or royal flush.
- If you are dealt four 2's: hold them.
- If you've got three 2's keep them.
- If you are dealt two 2's ...
- hold any made straight, five of a kind or royal flush.
- hold any 4 of a kind.
- hold any 4 of a royal flush.
- otherwise, keep the 2's and discard the rest.
- If you've only been dealt a single 2, keep any made hand as follows ...
- hold four card royal flushes over made straights, flushes and straight flushes.
- keep four card straight flushes of all types.
- hold three card royal flushes .
- pairs: with two pair, keep one, but not both.
- hold four card flushes.
- hold four card straights.
- hold three card straight flushes, including gaps.
- hold four card inside straights.
- hang on to two card Q or J high straight flushes.
- discard two card royal flushes.
Jacks or Better Strategies
Hold all initially dealt hands that pay - potential exemptions may include...
- Hold four card royal flushes to make straights or flushes.
- Four card straight flushes, inside or outside.
- High card pairs rank here.
- Three card royal flushes.
- Four card flushes.
- Low pairs, trying to build three of a kind.
- Four card straights. Hold inside straights only if you've got three or more high cards.
If you were not dealt a paying hand here's a general strategy ...
- Keep any two suited high cards. Discard unsuited high cards.
- Four mixed-suit high cards - keep any three suited, toss the unsuited - otherwise, keep them all.
- Three unsuited high cards - keep all three of K-Q-J - with A-K-J or A-Q-J, discard the A.
- Keep any two unsuited high cards.
- Keep any single high card.
