Essential terminology for understanding optimal play and return percentages
Master the language of video poker strategy and mathematics
Video poker combines elements of traditional five-card draw poker with electronic gaming. To optimize your play and understand pay tables and return percentages, it's essential to familiarize yourself with key terminology and concepts. This glossary provides clear, straightforward definitions of critical terms used in video poker strategy and analysis.
The theoretical percentage of all wagered money that a video poker machine will return to players over an extended period. For example, a machine with an RTP of 99% theoretically returns $0.99 for every $1.00 wagered. RTP varies based on the specific pay table and is calculated assuming optimal play strategy.
The display showing the payout for each winning hand combination at different coin denominations. Pay tables are crucial for determining machine value—machines with higher payouts for premium hands like royal flushes and straight flushes offer better returns. Always compare pay tables before playing.
The highest-ranking hand in video poker, consisting of an ace, king, queen, jack, and ten of the same suit. Royal flushes are the primary focus of optimal strategy because they typically offer significantly higher payouts. The difference between a 250-coin and 800-coin payout for a royal flush dramatically affects overall RTP.
The built-in mathematical advantage that the casino maintains over players, expressed as a percentage. Lower house edge games are more favorable for players. Video poker machines can have house edges ranging from negative (favoring players with optimal play) to several percent, depending on pay table quality.
The mathematically correct way to play each possible hand situation in video poker to maximize expected value. Strategy charts are generated through computer analysis and dictate which cards to hold and which to discard. Following optimal strategy reduces house edge and improves long-term results.
The decision of which cards to retain from your initial five-card hand. Hold strategies prioritize drawing toward high-value hands (royals and straights) over low-value hands. Proper hold decisions are essential—holding the wrong cards significantly impacts your expected return over time.
Variance: The degree of fluctuation in results around the expected value. High-variance games experience larger swings; low-variance games have more consistent results.
Bankroll: The total amount of money designated for video poker play. Proper bankroll management is crucial for withstanding variance without going broke.
Denomination: The coin or credit value of each bet unit. Penny, nickel, quarter, and dollar machines exist with different pay tables.
Expected Value (EV): The average result of a decision, calculated mathematically. Positive EV decisions increase winnings; negative EV decisions decrease them.
Pair: Two cards of the same rank. Different types include low pair (pairs of 2-9) and high pair (pairs of J-A), which have different strategic importance.
Kicker: An unpaired card held with a pair. Proper kicker strategy affects pay table returns and overall game value.
Understanding video poker terminology and strategy is important for making informed decisions. However, it's crucial to recognize that all gambling involves risk. Even with optimal play and excellent pay tables, short-term results may vary significantly from expected values.
Set realistic expectations, establish loss limits, and view video poker as entertainment rather than income. If you find yourself struggling with gambling habits, seek help from responsible gaming organizations.