What is a video poker strategy chart?

A video poker strategy chart is a ranked list of every possible hand you can be dealt, ordered by expected value from highest to lowest. You scan the chart from top to bottom — the first hand that matches your dealt cards tells you which cards to hold. Following the chart perfectly achieves the maximum theoretical return for that game variant.

Is there one strategy chart for all video poker games?

No. Each video poker variant has its own strategy chart because different pay tables change the expected values of hands. Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, Double Bonus, and Double Double Bonus each require a different chart. Using the wrong chart can cost you 1-3% in expected return.

How do I use a video poker strategy chart during play?

After receiving your initial 5 cards, scan the chart from the top row downward. The first row that matches any combination of your dealt cards is the correct hold. For example, if you have a pair of Kings and four to a flush, check which ranks higher on the chart (four to a flush ranks higher in most variants).

Can I print these strategy charts?

Yes. Use your browser's print function (Ctrl+P or Cmd+P) to print any chart on this page. The charts are formatted to fit on standard letter-size paper. Many casinos allow players to reference strategy cards at the table, so a printed chart is perfectly acceptable during live play.

Which video poker strategy chart should a beginner start with?

Start with the 9/6 Jacks or Better strategy chart. It is the foundation for all other variants, has the lowest variance, and its logic transfers to Bonus Poker and similar games. Once you can play JoB perfectly, learning Deuces Wild or Double Bonus charts becomes much easier.

Video Poker Strategy Chart

INTERACTIVE HOLD CHARTS FOR ALL MAJOR VARIANTS

This page contains video poker strategy charts for the four most popular variants: Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, Double Bonus, and Double Double Bonus. Click any tab to switch between charts instantly. Each chart lists every possible hand in priority order — scan from top to bottom, and the first match is your correct hold. These charts are print-friendly: use Ctrl+P (Cmd+P on Mac) to print the active chart for reference during play.

Select Your Game

9/6 Jacks or Better Strategy Chart (99.54% RTP)

#	HAND	ACTION	EV
1	Royal Flush	Hold all 5	800.00
2	Straight Flush	Hold all 5	50.00
3	Four of a Kind	Hold all 5	25.00
4	4 to a Royal Flush	Hold 4, draw 1	18.66
5	Full House	Hold all 5	9.00
6	Flush	Hold all 5	6.00
7	Three of a Kind	Hold 3, draw 2	4.30
8	Straight	Hold all 5	4.00
9	4 to a Straight Flush	Hold 4, draw 1	3.40
10	Two Pair	Hold both pairs, draw 1	2.60
11	High Pair (JJ–AA)	Hold pair, draw 3	1.54
12	3 to a Royal Flush	Hold 3, draw 2	1.41
13	4 to a Flush	Hold 4, draw 1	1.22
14	Low Pair (22–1010)	Hold pair, draw 3	0.82
15	4 to Open-Ended Straight	Hold 4, draw 1	0.68
16	3 to a Straight Flush	Hold 3, draw 2	0.63
17	4 to Inside Straight (3+ high cards)	Hold 4, draw 1	0.60
18	2 Suited High Cards	Hold 2, draw 3	0.58
19	3 to a Straight Flush (1 gap)	Hold 3, draw 2	0.54
20	2 Unsuited High Cards	Hold 2, draw 3	0.49
21	Suited 10+J/Q/K	Hold 2, draw 3	0.48
22	1 High Card (J/Q/K/A)	Hold 1, draw 4	0.47
23	Nothing	Discard all 5	0.36

Read the full Jacks or Better strategy guide →

Full-Pay Deuces Wild Strategy Chart (100.76% RTP)

With 4 Deuces: Hold all. With 3 Deuces: Hold Wild Royal or Five of a Kind; otherwise hold 3 deuces only.

Two Deuces

#	HAND	ACTION	EV
1	Wild Royal / Five of a Kind / Straight Flush / Four of a Kind	Hold all 5	5.00+
2	4 to a Natural Royal	Hold 4, draw 1	93.60
3	4 to a Wild Royal	Hold 4, draw 1	27.26
4	All other	Hold 2 deuces only, draw 3	4.87

One Deuce

#	HAND	ACTION	EV
1	Wild Royal / Five of a Kind / Straight Flush / Four of a Kind	Hold all 5	5.00+
2	4 to a Natural Royal	Hold 4, draw 1	18.66
3	Full House / Flush / Straight	Hold all 5	2.00+
4	4 to a Wild Royal	Hold 4, draw 1	11.83
5	Three of a Kind	Hold 3+deuce, draw 1	3.23
6	4 to a Straight Flush	Hold 4, draw 1	2.97
7	3 to a Royal Flush	Hold 3, draw 2	1.54
8	4 to a Flush	Hold 4, draw 1	1.28
9	4 to Open-Ended Straight	Hold 4, draw 1	0.96
10	3 to a Straight Flush	Hold 3, draw 2	0.72
11	All other	Hold deuce only, draw 4	0.68

No Deuces

#	HAND	ACTION	EV
1	Natural Royal Flush	Hold all 5	800.00
2	4 to a Natural Royal	Hold 4, draw 1	18.66
3	Straight Flush / Four of a Kind / Full House	Hold all 5	3.00+
4	Flush / Straight	Hold all 5	2.00
5	Three of a Kind	Hold 3, draw 2	1.61
6	4 to a Straight Flush	Hold 4, draw 1	1.50
7	Two Pair	Hold both pairs, draw 1	1.36
8	4 to a Flush	Hold 4, draw 1	1.10
9	3 to a Royal Flush	Hold 3, draw 2	0.92
10	Any Pair	Hold pair, draw 3	0.56
11	4 to Open-Ended Straight	Hold 4, draw 1	0.51
12	3 to a Straight Flush	Hold 3, draw 2	0.43
13	Nothing	Discard all 5	0.32

Read the full Deuces Wild strategy guide →

10/6 Double Bonus Strategy Chart (100.17% RTP)

#	HAND	ACTION	EV
1	Royal Flush	Hold all 5	800.00
2	Straight Flush	Hold all 5	50.00
3	Four of a Kind (any)	Hold all 5	50–160
4	4 to a Royal Flush	Hold 4, draw 1	18.66
5	Full House	Hold all 5	10.00
6	Three Aces	Hold 3 Aces, draw 2	6.54
7	Flush	Hold all 5	6.00
8	Three 2s–4s	Hold 3, draw 2	4.32
9	Straight	Hold all 5	4.00
10	Three 5s–Kings	Hold 3, draw 2	3.37
11	4 to a Straight Flush	Hold 4, draw 1	3.40
12	Two Pair	Hold both, draw 1	2.15
13	Pair of Aces	Hold pair, draw 3	1.72
14	3 to a Royal Flush	Hold 3, draw 2	1.41
15	4 to a Flush	Hold 4, draw 1	1.28
16	High Pair (JJ/QQ/KK)	Hold pair, draw 3	1.28
17	Pair of 2s/3s/4s	Hold pair, draw 3	0.86
18	Low Pair (5s–10s)	Hold pair, draw 3	0.72
19	4 to Open-Ended Straight	Hold 4, draw 1	0.68
20	3 to a Straight Flush	Hold 3, draw 2	0.63
21	2 Suited High Cards	Hold 2, draw 3	0.58
22	Single Ace	Hold 1, draw 4	0.48
23	2 Unsuited High Cards / 1 High Card	Hold best, draw rest	0.44–0.46
24	Nothing	Discard all 5	0.33

Read the full Double Bonus strategy guide →

9/6 Double Double Bonus Strategy Chart (98.98% RTP)

#	HAND	ACTION	EV
1	Royal Flush / Straight Flush	Hold all 5	50–800
2	Four of a Kind (any, with or without kicker)	Hold all 5	50–400
3	4 to a Royal Flush	Hold 4, draw 1	18.66
4	Full House	Hold all 5	9.00
5	Three Aces	Hold 3 Aces, draw 2	7.69
6	Flush	Hold all 5	6.00
7	Three 2s/3s/4s	Hold 3, draw 2	4.93
8	Straight	Hold all 5	4.00
9	Three 5s–Kings	Hold 3, draw 2	3.52
10	4 to a Straight Flush	Hold 4, draw 1	3.40
11	Two Pair	Hold both, draw 1	2.40
12	Pair of Aces	Hold pair, draw 3	1.88
13	3 to a Royal Flush	Hold 3, draw 2	1.41
14	High Pair (JJ/QQ/KK)	Hold pair, draw 3	1.36
15	4 to a Flush	Hold 4, draw 1	1.22
16	Pair of 2s/3s/4s	Hold pair, draw 3	0.93
17	Low Pair (5s–10s)	Hold pair, draw 3	0.75
18	4 to Open-Ended Straight	Hold 4, draw 1	0.68
19	2 Suited High Cards	Hold 2, draw 3	0.58
20	2 Unsuited High Cards / Single Ace	Hold best, draw rest	0.47–0.49
21	1 High Card (J/Q/K)	Hold 1, draw 4	0.44
22	Nothing	Discard all 5	0.33

Kicker Note: You cannot hold a kicker intentionally. If dealt 3 Aces + a 2, discard the 2 and draw 2. The kicker bonus applies only to the natural fifth card after the draw.

Read the full Double Double Bonus strategy guide →

How to Read a Video Poker Strategy Chart

Look at your dealt 5 cards. Identify all possible holds (pairs, draws, high cards, etc.).
Scan the chart from row 1 downward. The first row that matches any subset of your cards is the correct play.
Hold the matching cards, discard the rest. If multiple rows could match, the higher row always wins.
When in doubt, check the EV column. Higher EV = more profitable over time.

Example Hand

You are dealt: J♥ Q♥ K♥ 7♥ 7♣ in Jacks or Better.

Options: (A) Low pair of 7s (row 14, EV 0.82), (B) Four to a Flush (row 13, EV 1.22), (C) Three to a Royal J-Q-K suited (row 12, EV 1.41).

Correct play: Hold J♥ Q♥ K♥ (three to a Royal) because row 12 ranks higher than rows 13 and 14. Discard both 7s and the 7♥ — wait, the 7♥ is suited! Reconsider: four to a Flush is J♥ Q♥ K♥ 7♥ (row 13, EV 1.22). Three to a Royal is J♥ Q♥ K♥ (row 12, EV 1.41). Row 12 still ranks higher. Hold the three Royal cards.

Print Tip: Press Ctrl+P (or Cmd+P on Mac) to print the currently visible video poker strategy chart. The print styles hide navigation and show only the chart, formatted for standard paper. Many casinos allow printed strategy cards at the video poker machine.

Practice With Free Games

Apply these strategy charts in real-time with our free video poker games. The AI trainer highlights every sub-optimal hold.

JACKS OR BETTER DEUCES WILD DOUBLE BONUS DOUBLE DOUBLE BONUS