If you walk through a casino and observe the video poker machines, you will likely see dozens of players mindlessly slapping the "Draw" button as fast as they can.

If you learn the optimal strategy, Video Poker transforms from a predatory casino trap into one of the most mathematically fair games on the entire casino floor.

In this article, we are going to break down the absolute perfect mathematical strategy for the most popular and foundational version of the game: Jacks or Better.
Reading the Machine: The Secret of the Paytable
In Jacks or Better, all the payouts for the massive hands (Royal Flush, Four of a Kind) are generally identical across different machines.

If you play a 9/6 machine with perfect mathematical strategy, the overall Return to Player (RTP) is an incredibly high 99.54%.

An 8/5 machine (paying 8 for a Full House and 5 for a Flush) drops the RTP down to 97.3%, massively increasing the casino's profit margin purely because you didn't read the glass.

If the casino does not offer 9/6 Jacks or Better, the correct strategy is to turn around and walk out the door.
The Math Behind the Maximum Bet
Once you find a 9/6 machine, you must adhere to the second unbreakable rule of Video Poker: you must ALWAYS play the maximum number of coins allowed (usually 5 coins).

However, the payout for the Royal Flush is severely distorted.

This massive, disproportionate bonus for hitting a Royal Flush on Max Bet is the entire mathematical engine that allows the game to achieve a 99.54% RTP.

Playing less than maximum coins instantly turns a beatable game into a terrible mathematical trap.
The Cheat Sheet: What to Hold and What to Fold
You must memorize this hierarchy or bring a printed strategy card with you to the casino (which is completely legal).

For example, if you are dealt a High Pair (e.g., two Jacks, a guaranteed 5-coin payout) BUT you also have 4 cards to a Royal Flush (e.g., J, Q, K, A of Hearts), what do you do?

The payout for a standard Flush (30 coins) is not large enough to justify throwing away the guaranteed payout and the chance to draw Three of a Kind or Four of a Kind.

In Video Poker, you are not trying to beat a dealer; you are purely trying to make the absolute best poker hand possible, and throwing away useless kickers maximizes your drawing power.
What to Hold (Read from Top to Bottom)

Guaranteed Massive Wins: Take your hands off the buttons and make sure you don't accidentally discard a card. 2. 4 Cards to a Royal Flush: The only hand powerful enough to make you break a guaranteed winner. If you have a High Pair and 4 to a Royal, dump the pair. Solid Winners: Take the guaranteed money. The math says these payouts are too valuable to risk for a massive gamble. 4. 4 Cards to a Straight Flush: Hold these. The payout for a Straight Flush (250 coins) justifies the risk. The Workhorse: Two Pair pays 10 coins. It keeps your bankroll afloat while you wait for the massive hands. Survival: High pairs ensure your bankroll survives the brutal variance of the machine. Color Hunting: A solid, reliable draw that pays 30 coins. 8. Low Pair (2s through 10s): Hold the pair. Throw away everything else (including a single High Card). Do NOT hold a kicker. Never Chase the Gutshot: Drawing to an inside straight is one of the most expensive amateur mistakes in the game. The Complete Redraw: Do not hold a random 10 because it "feels lucky." Let the machine give you five brand new cards.

Why the Payouts Matter

The Poker HandYour Reward (Max Bet)How Often It Happens The JackpotPays the rent.Do not expect it, but always draw for it when mathematically correct. The Backup JackpotOften saves a losing session.A great result. Four of a Kind125 CoinsRoughly 1 in 423 hands. Full House (The "9")45 Coins (9 x 5 coins)Roughly 1 in 86 hands. The FlushThe second critical metric of the paytable.The math demands 6 to 1. Jacks or Better (High Pair)5 Coins (Your money back)Roughly 1 in 5 hands.

By hunting down a 9/6 machine, playing maximum coins, and flawlessly executing the strategy hierarchy, you are engaging in one of the smartest gambles the casino has to offer.

Do not be intimidated by the speed of the professional players next to you.