Kia ora from Dave the Gambler at HowToBeatTheCasinos.com, and if you’ve ever seen one of those flashy thumbnails on YouTube saying, “How I Won $100,000 on Video Poker,” you’ve probably wondered—can you really win big playing a game that looks like 90s Windows Solitaire?

The answer? Yes—but only if you know what you’re doing.

I just finished watching one of those popular videos from a seasoned player who hit a massive jackpot on video poker. But the truth is, that win wasn’t down to luck alone. It came from years of practice, precision, and—yep—perfect strategy.

Today I’m breaking down the real deal with video poker: how it works, why it’s beatable, and how the average player can either waste their money or build something solid.

---

What Makes Video Poker Different?

First up, let’s get this straight—video poker isn’t like slots. Sure, it’s digital and flashy, but it’s not random in the same way pokies are. It’s based on real card odds. When you play a game like Jacks or Better, you’re essentially playing a five-card draw game, and the outcome depends on skill as much as chance.

That’s what makes video poker a rare gem in the casino world. It’s not a pure gamble. It’s a game where smart players can reduce the house edge to almost zero—or even turn it slightly in their favour.

---

Understanding Pay Tables: The Key to Winning

Before you even insert a coin, check the pay table. This is where most people go wrong. Not all video poker machines are created equal. Two Jacks or Better machines might look identical, but one might pay 9/6 (9 coins for a full house, 6 for a flush), and the other might pay 8/5.

That difference? It changes the house edge from less than 0.5% to over 2%. That’s a massive swing over hundreds or thousands of hands.

The golden rule: Only play full pay machines.

Some common examples:

• Jacks or Better (9/6) – Best version, around 99.54% return
• Bonus Poker – Watch for 8/5 or 6/5 tables
• Double Double Bonus – Higher volatility but decent returns with the right table

---

Play Perfect Strategy—Or Don’t Bother

Here’s the kicker—if you don’t play perfect strategy, you’re just another slot player. The payback numbers advertised are based on perfect decisions every single hand.

That means knowing:

• When to keep a low pair over a high card
• When to go for the straight draw vs. holding three of a kind
• When to break a flush to chase a royal (yes, sometimes you should!)

I’ve seen people hit four-of-a-kind and still walk away losing because they threw away better hands earlier. Don’t let the machine’s speed fool you. This is a thinking man’s game.

You can download free strategy charts online or use apps to practice. It’s not hard to learn—but it is hard to master under pressure.

---

Bankroll Management for Video Poker

This is still gambling, mate. Even with perfect strategy, you’ll hit dry spells. The video I watched had the guy down thousands before he hit the $100K jackpot. And he only survived because he had the bankroll to wait it out.

So what should you bring to the table?

• For Jacks or Better, have at least 400x your bet size if you’re playing long sessions
• For volatile games like Double Double Bonus, think more like 800x your bet size

That means if you’re playing $1 per credit and max betting 5 credits ($5 a hand), you want a bankroll of $2,000 to $4,000 to ride the swings.

Casual players can get away with less for short sessions, but don’t expect consistent wins unless you’ve got the budget to handle variance.

---

Max Bet Is a Must

Here’s a mistake I see all the time: people betting one or two credits “to take it easy.” Big mistake.

You must bet max credits (5) to be eligible for the full Royal Flush payout. If you hit a Royal on a 1-credit bet, you’ll kick yourself forever. The difference can be thousands—or in some cases, tens of thousands of dollars.

It’s simple: either max bet, or play a lower denomination so you can afford to.

---

Why Video Poker Isn’t More Popular

Honestly? It’s too fair. Casinos don’t push video poker because the edge is too small, especially if players know what they’re doing.

Pokies are easy, fast, and much more profitable for the house. Video poker? It’s a slow grind and rewards discipline—not volume.

But that’s good news for you and me. If you’re willing to learn the game and stick to the rules, you’ll be in rare company—and you’ll give yourself the best shot at walking out with a profit.

---

Let’s Talk About That $100,000 Win

The guy in the video hit a Royal Flush playing $25 denom Double Bonus Poker. That’s $125 a hand. He’d been grinding for hours, down big, and bang—Royal Flush for $100K.

Now, most of us don’t have the guts (or the cash) to play at that level. But the lesson is this: if he hadn’t bet max, he’d have only won $20K. If he’d played the hand wrong? Maybe just a flush or straight.

It was preparation + risk tolerance + smart play. That’s what made it happen.

---

Final Thoughts

If you’re the kind of person who enjoys thinking through your bets, wants real odds, and doesn’t mind a bit of work to learn the ropes—video poker is your game.

You’re not fighting rigged software, spinning reels with zero control, or dumping chips on random numbers. You’re playing a structured game with defined rules and a real chance to win if you stay sharp.

And let’s be honest—it feels pretty damn good to hit a Royal Flush knowing you earned it with the right plays.

So next time you’re in the casino, walk past the pokies and find the quiet row of machines where the real action happens. You might not win $100,000, but you’ll play smart, stay in control, and actually beat the casino math—at least for a while.

Until the next deal,

—Dave the Gambler