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Jacks Or Better
The most commonly played form of Video Poker is Jacks or Better and it is in that variation that we shall look at what many consider to be an optimal strategy, offering players the best chances of success.

Play Max Coins

To achieve the highest pay-out in Video Poker you need to play five coins per hand. On the pay-out table you can see the difference between playing five coins a hand and fewer. Of course, always play within your means and keep to limits you are comfortable with. So lower your starting stakes to the minimum and try to play the maximum coins per hand if you want to go in pursuit of the jackpot pay-out.

Optimal Strategy

As in any other form of Casino gaming, rely on your instincts and gut feelings. If you feel lucky and get a hunch then follow it. However, there is a way of approaching 'Jacks or Better' that is considered to be an optimal strategy and mathematically superior to other ways of playing.
  
Starting Hand
Optimal Strategy Action
4 Cards to a Royal Flush
Keep the four cards and exchange the fifth, even if this means breaking a winning hand. The Royal Flush is the Holy Grail of Video Poker and does not come along often.Take your chance to go for it!
3 Cards to a Royal Flush
If your hand contains a Straight Flush, Four of a Kind, a Full House or Three of a Kind, keep your cards. If not, then keep your three cards and draw two more to a Royal Flush.
2 Cards to a Royal Flush
Keep any winning hands. Also, keep any pairs, even if they are too low for a pay-out. Hold four cards to a Flush or Straight.
2 Cards to a Royal Flush
Keep these cards above other high cards or any other three cards to a Straight or Flush.
4 Cards to a Straight Flush
Don't break up an existing Flush or completed Straight. In all other cases though discard the one card and go for the Straight Flush.
3 Cards to a Straight Flush
Hold onto any winning combinations and even a low pair. Otherwise keep three cards to a Straight Flush and change the other two.
2 Cards to a Straight Flush
Never break up a winning combination and keep any pair. In other cases though keep your two cards and exchange the other three.
4 Cards to a Flush
If you have a high pair which guarantees a pay-out we recommend keeping it. In other cases play for the Flush by keeping your four cards and discarding the other one.
3 Cards to a Flush
Keep any Three of a Kind, two pairs or any pair. In other cases keep three cards to a Flush and draw two new cards.
2 Cards to a Flush
You're in long-shot territory and should not break up any winning hand or even any pair. Otherwise keep two suited cards and draw three new ones.
Three of a Kind
Keep your Three of a Kind and take two new cards to try hitting Four of a Kind or even a Full House.
2 Pairs
Always keep two pairs except where you have three cards to a Straight Flush or a Royal Flush.
High Pair
Keep a High Pair and guarantee a return from the pay-out table, unless you have four cards towards a Royal Flush or Straight Flush.
Low Pair
Keep a Low Pair and hope to improve your hand unless you have at least three cards towards a Straight or Royal Flush, in which case break up the pair and play for the bigger prize.
High Cards
Keep any cards where a pair of that card will guarantee a win on the pay-out table.
All Low Cards
In the event of being dealt five low cards your best option is to exchange all five cards and take a chance with five new ones.
Open Straight Draws
If you have four connected cards you have a great chance to make a Straight. For example, a hand of 4, 5, 6, 7 means you have eight chances to make a Straight - all four 3s and all four 8s. It is not recommended to break up a winning hand to go for this combination and certainly not any shot to a Straight or Royal Flush.
Inside Straight Draws
It will often be the case that you will be dealt four cards towards a Straight, where the missing card will be in the middle. For example, 3, 4, 5, 7. In this case only a six would make a Straight and only four of those are in the deck. This is a long shot though, and many consider the better option to be to change all five cards instead.