In order to stand a chance of beating the odds, you will have to use the proper strategy for a given game. You should know that not all machines have odds that make it possible to do this. One of the most popular games, Jacks or Better, has a 99.5% payback, or a 0.5% disadvantage. This is a straightforward variation and not a bad return for you to start with.

Jacks or Better

This is one of the most common styles of video poker, and a great game to start with. You must form a 5 card hand and no hand worse than a pair of jack. It's important to check the pay chart on the machine and to make sure that you are choosing the one with the most competitive payout for your betting range.

You will especially want to check how much the machine pays for a royal flush jackpot. When playing non-progressive machines, you will want to look for one that awards at least 4000 times your bet on a royal flush. This is when you bet the maximum amount (which you should do to get the best odds).

Joker Wild

Unlike traditional decks of cards, that you may be familiar with, this style of video poker only has one joker. This card can be used to replace any other card in the deck in order to gain the best combination possible, and it can even be used to create a five of a kind hand. However, it is important to note that due to these added bonuses, the minimum payout hand is increased all the way up to 2 pair, so that the odds aren't dramatically better at all.

Deuces Wild

This game has more wild cards than Joker wild, with all four deuces counting. However, again the minimum hand for a payout is increased, this time to three of a kind.

Progressive Machines

These machines have a jackpot that increases as people bet. They have a lower payout for the flush and full house than traditional machines, but the jackpot can be larger.

Best Odds

The best odds you can find in video poker are the traditional Jacks or Better with a 99.5 percent payout, Double Bonus with a 100.2 percent payout or Deuces Wild with a 100.8 percent payout. It is important to note that these odds are assuming you wager the maximum possible amount and you employ the best strategy. Don't forget the house edge while choosing your favorite casino