Video poker. Which game is the best

Question

My mother loved video poker. In fact one year she won $30,000 at the California hotel because of a certain type of winning promo. A few months ago when I was visiting Vegas, I went to see my mom’s old, favorite hotel, the California hotel, and I always try to play her games in honor of her.

This local gentleman from Hawaii told me that I need to be playing a certain type of poker. I don’t know if it’s a bonus poker or bonus bonus poker. And it got me thinking, which is actually the best odds the most fun or the best wins for video poker. VP stars any suggestion.?

Answer

Video poker is one of the best casino games in terms of player control and odds, but choosing the right variant and paytable is key if you want the best chance of winning or having fun. Since you mentioned honoring your mother at the California Hotel, it’s nice to continue playing her favorite games.

Here’s a breakdown of popular video poker types and what to look for:

Jacks or Better: This is the classic game and usually the easiest to learn. Full pay versions (9/6 Jacks or Better) have a return of 99.54% if you play perfect strategy.
Bonus Poker: Similar to Jacks or Better but gives bigger payouts for four-of-a-kind hands. The return is slightly lower than full pay Jacks or Better, usually around 99.17% for optimal strategy.
Double Bonus / Double Double Bonus Poker: Offers very high payouts for four aces with a suited kicker and other premium hands. The theoretical return can exceed 100% in some full pay versions, but optimal strategy is more complex and mistakes cost more. These games are often called “bonus bonus poker” informally by local players.
Deuces Wild: All twos are wild, allowing for bigger hands and higher payouts. Full pay Deuces Wild can return over 100% with perfect strategy, but these machines are rare.
Joker Poker / Joker’s Wild: Includes a joker as a wild card. Returns are high on full pay machines, but they are also strategy-heavy.

Some practical tips for playing in Las Vegas:

Always check the paytable. Even the same game type can have different returns depending on the specific paytable.
Play the maximum coins to qualify for the royal flush jackpot, which is where the big wins come from.
If you’re looking for nostalgia and fun rather than maximum expected return, stick with your mother’s favorite variant at her old hotel—it’s about the experience as much as the payout.
Use strategy charts or VP apps for complex variants like Double Bonus or Deuces Wild to minimize mistakes.

In summary, for best odds and a manageable strategy, 9/6 Jacks or Better is ideal. For bigger potential wins and fun, Bonus Poker, Double Bonus, or Deuces Wild are exciting, but they require a sharper strategy. Ultimately, playing the game that your mother loved adds a sentimental value that no paytable can replace.

Video poker. Which game is the best

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