Video poker sits in a sweet spot that pokies can’t quite match: the pace of a slot machine combined with decisions that actually influence your outcome. For Australian players who want more control over their bankroll, it’s worth understanding which variants deliver the best odds and why. This guide breaks down the most popular titles found at reputable online casinos, what each one returns to the player over time, and how to pick a game that suits your style. Discover further information on top e wallet pokies.
Jacks or Better: The Benchmark Game
If you only ever learn one variant, make it Jacks or Better. It’s the foundation on which nearly every other video poker game is built, and its full-pay version returns 99.54% to players who use optimal strategy. That figure assumes a 9/6 pay table , nine coins for a full house and six for a flush on a five-coin bet.
The rules are simple. You receive five cards, choose which to hold, and draw replacements. Any pair of jacks or higher pays out. Because the pay table is relatively flat, the game rewards patience and precise holding decisions rather than chasing long-shot draws.
New players often overvalue straights and flushes while undervaluing low pairs. A pair of twos might look weak, but holding it is frequently the mathematically correct play over chasing a four-card flush. Learning a basic strategy chart takes an afternoon and can lift your return by several percentage points.
Bonus Poker and Its Variants
Bonus Poker tweaks the standard pay table by offering higher payouts for four of a kind, particularly four aces. The trade-off is a slightly reduced return on two pair, which drops the overall theoretical return to around 99.17% on the best pay tables.
Double Bonus Poker pushes this further, boosting four-of-a-kind payouts substantially while cutting the flush and full house returns. The result is a higher-variance game with a maximum return near 100.17% on the strongest pay tables , but only if you play flawlessly.
- Bonus Poker , balanced variance, good for steady sessions
- Double Bonus , bigger swings, rewards precise strategy
- Double Double Bonus , the highest four-of-a-kind payouts, but the steepest variance of the three
These games suit players who enjoy the thrill of chasing premium hands. Just be aware that the elevated payouts come with longer dry spells, so a larger bankroll is essential.
Deuces Wild, Joker Poker and Choosing Wisely
Deuces Wild turns every two into a wild card, which sounds generous until you see the reduced payouts elsewhere. The best versions return around 100.76%, but weaker pay tables can fall below 97%. Always check the full-house and flush payouts before committing.
Joker Poker adds a single joker to the deck and pays on kings or better. Returns typically sit near 99.9% on favourable tables. It’s a solid middle-ground option for players who find Deuces Wild too swingy.
When comparing games, look past the headline return figure. Pay table variations within the same game family can differ by two or three percentage points. A 9/6 Jacks or Better machine is a fundamentally different proposition from an 8/5 version, even though both carry the same name. Check the payouts on full houses and flushes first , they’re the clearest indicator of a generous table.
Finally, set a session limit before you start. Video poker’s house edge is small but real, and no strategy eliminates it entirely. Treat it as entertainment with better odds than most alternatives, and you’ll enjoy it far more.