If you walk through any casino, past the flashing modern video slots, you will inevitably find rows of old, blocky Video Poker machines.

Unlike regular slots, where the outcome is purely dictated by blind luck, Video Poker is a game of profound, complex skill.

Finding the Full Pay Machines

The most common and foundational variation is "Jacks or Better," where the lowest paying winning hand is exactly a pair of Jacks.

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

Chasing the Royal Flush Premium

However, the payout for the absolute rarest hand, the Royal Flush, is heavily, disproportionately weighted toward the massive 5-coin maximum bet.

But if you bet the maximum 5 coins, the Royal Flush payout jumps exponentially to an incredible 4,000 coins (800 to 1).

Memorizing the Basic Strategy Chart

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.

Study the strategy charts relentlessly, and you will transform from a casual gambler into a formidable, highly profitable casino advantage player.