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.
Reading the Video Poker Paytable
Before you ever insert a single dollar, you must intensely study the brightly lit paytable printed directly on the glass of the machine.
This specific machine pays exactly 9 coins for a Full House and 6 coins for a Flush on a single coin bet.
- Progressive Video Poker machines often feature weaker base paytables to compensate
- Online casinos usually offer the absolute best, highly favorable Video Poker paytables
- Never play a machine where a Flush pays only 5 coins if better options exist
The Importance of the “Max Bet” Rule
However, the payout for the absolute rarest hand, the Royal Flush, is heavily, disproportionately weighted toward the massive 5-coin maximum bet.
If you bet 1 coin, a Royal Flush might pay a disappointing 250 coins.
Memorizing the Basic Strategy Chart
Once you find a 9/6 machine and bet max coins, the final step is flawlessly executing the mathematical basic strategy for every single hand.
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.
| Player Mistake | Mathematical Consequence |
|---|---|
| Betting less than 5 coins | Massively lowers RTP due to poor Royal Flush payout |
| Playing an 8/5 machine | Increases the house edge by nearly 2% instantly |
Study the strategy charts relentlessly, and you will transform from a casual gambler into a formidable, highly profitable casino advantage player.
