Video Poker Glossary

Essential Terms and Concepts for Understanding Optimal Play

Key Terminology

Return to Player (RTP)

Return to Player, often expressed as a percentage, represents the theoretical amount a player can expect to receive back from their total wagers over an extended period of play. For example, a video poker game with a 99.5% RTP means that theoretically, for every $100 wagered, approximately $99.50 will be returned to players over time. It is important to note that RTP is a long-term statistical measure and individual sessions will vary significantly. The RTP is calculated based on optimal strategy play, meaning players must make mathematically correct decisions for every hand dealt.

Pay Table

The pay table is the schedule of payouts displayed on a video poker machine showing the prizes for each winning hand combination. Pay tables vary significantly between different machines and game variations, which directly impacts the game's overall return percentage. A "full pay" machine offers better payouts for high-value hands like flushes and full houses compared to "short pay" versions. Understanding the pay table is crucial because the same strategy applied to different pay tables can result in dramatically different long-term results. Always compare pay tables before playing to ensure you're getting the best possible returns.

Hold Strategy

Hold strategy refers to the decisions made about which cards to retain and which to discard during the draw phase of video poker. Optimal hold strategy is mathematically calculated based on the probability of each possible five-card hand and its relationship to the specific pay table being used. Strategy charts provide rankings of all possible initial hands, telling players which cards offer the highest expected value. Following proper hold strategy is essential for achieving the theoretical RTP of a game. Deviations from optimal strategy increase the house edge and reduce long-term winnings.

Kicker

A kicker is an unpaired card held with another card to potentially improve a hand. In video poker, you might hold a pair and a kicker hoping to make two pair or three of a kind. The value of holding a kicker depends on the pay table and the specific situation. For instance, holding an Ace kicker with a pair has different expected value implications than holding a lower card. Strategy charts will specify when it's mathematically advantageous to hold or discard kickers based on their potential to complete valuable hands.

Royal Flush

A Royal Flush is the highest-ranking hand in poker, consisting of an Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and Ten all of the same suit. In video poker, this hand typically pays the jackpot amount, which can be significantly higher than other hands. The probability of achieving a Royal Flush in a single hand is approximately 1 in 649,740 with optimal play. Many video poker machines offer bonus payouts for Royal Flushes achieved while betting the maximum coins, making it mathematically advantageous to always play maximum bet.

House Edge

The house edge is the mathematical advantage the casino maintains over players, typically expressed as a percentage. It represents the expected long-term profit the casino will earn from each wager. Video poker games with optimal strategy can have house edges as low as 0.5% or even lower, making them among the most favorable games in the casino. However, playing with suboptimal strategy significantly increases the house edge. Understanding the house edge helps players appreciate why certain decisions matter and why consistent, correct play is essential for long-term results.

Expected Value (EV)

Expected Value is a mathematical concept representing the average outcome of a decision over many repetitions. In video poker, each card held or discarded has an associated expected value based on probability calculations. Optimal strategy involves always choosing the action with the highest expected value. For example, when deciding between holding different combinations of cards, the choice with the highest expected value is the mathematically correct play. Understanding EV helps explain why strategy recommendations exist and why consistency matters for achieving the game's theoretical return percentage.

Variance

Variance refers to the natural fluctuations in results around the expected value over shorter time periods. Video poker, like all gambling games, involves high variance in the short term. You might experience winning streaks or losing streaks that deviate significantly from the theoretical RTP. Understanding variance helps players develop realistic expectations and avoid making poor decisions based on temporary results. The house edge only becomes apparent over thousands or tens of thousands of hands. Patience and consistent strategy application are essential to allowing the mathematical advantages to manifest.

Understanding Optimal Play Mathematics

Optimal play in video poker is grounded in probability theory and statistical analysis. Every decision has a measurable expected value, and the sum of all optimal decisions across many hands produces the game's theoretical return percentage. Strategy charts are derived from complex computer simulations that evaluate all possible hand scenarios against specific pay tables. Players who follow these charts precisely can expect results that align with the published RTP over extended play periods.

The relationship between pay tables, strategy, and returns is interconnected. A game with a high RTP typically requires more precise strategy execution, while lower-RTP games may be more forgiving of minor strategy deviations. Serious players study both the pay table and the corresponding strategy chart before playing, understanding that accuracy matters.