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Video poker is a hidden gem at sweepstakes casinos – offering some of the highest RTP rates available (up to 99.5%) for players who learn optimal strategy. Combining elements of slots and poker, video poker is perfect for SC players who want strong mathematical returns with an element of skill.
Video Poker at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| RTP Range | 95.0% – 99.5% (variant-dependent) |
| Skill Factor | Medium (knowing which cards to hold) |
| Best For | SC playthrough, strategic players |
| Available At | Most major sweepstakes casinos |
How Video Poker Works
- Place your SC bet – Choose 1-5 coins per hand (always play max coins for the best paytable).
- Receive 5 cards – From a standard 52-card deck.
- Choose which cards to hold – This is where skill matters. Select the cards you want to keep.
- Draw replacement cards – Discarded cards are replaced from the remaining deck.
- Get paid based on your final hand – Payouts according to the game’s paytable.
Video Poker Variants and RTP
| Variant | Full Pay RTP | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Jacks or Better (9/6) | 99.54% | Best overall RTP. Pair of Jacks+ pays. |
| Deuces Wild (Full Pay) | 100.76% | All 2s are wild. Player advantage game! |
| Bonus Poker | 99.17% | Higher payouts for four-of-a-kind. |
| Double Bonus Poker | 100.17% | Enhanced four-of-a-kind payouts. |
| Joker Poker | 98.60% | Joker acts as wild card. |
Important: The RTP figures above are for “full pay” versions with the best paytables. Many sweepstakes casinos use slightly reduced paytables, so always check before playing.
Jacks or Better Strategy (9/6)
Jacks or Better is the most common video poker variant and the best starting point. Here’s the optimal holding strategy in order of priority:
Hand Priority (Hold These)
- Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Four of a Kind – Always hold
- 4 to a Royal Flush – Hold even over a made flush or straight
- Full House, Flush, Straight, Three of a Kind – Always hold
- 4 to a Straight Flush – Hold over a high pair
- Two Pair – Hold both pairs
- High Pair (Jacks or better) – Hold the pair
- 3 to a Royal Flush – Hold and draw 2
- 4 to a Flush – Hold and draw 1
- Low Pair (2s-10s) – Hold the pair
- 4 to an Outside Straight – Hold and draw 1
- 2 High Cards (J, Q, K, A) – Hold both
- 3 to a Straight Flush – Hold and draw 2
- 1 High Card – Hold it, draw 4
- Nothing – Draw all 5 new cards
Paytable Comparison
Jacks or Better Paytables
| Hand | 9/6 (Full Pay) | 8/5 (Short Pay) | 7/5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 800 | 800 | 800 |
| Straight Flush | 50 | 50 | 50 |
| Four of a Kind | 25 | 25 | 25 |
| Full House | 9 | 8 | 7 |
| Flush | 6 | 5 | 5 |
| Straight | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Three of a Kind | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Two Pair | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Jacks or Better | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| RTP | 99.54% | 97.30% | 96.15% |
The difference between 9/6 and 8/5 is over 2% RTP – always look for the highest-paying paytable version.
Video Poker for SC Playthrough
Video poker with optimal strategy is one of the absolute best games for meeting SC playthrough requirements:
| Game (Optimal Play) | RTP | Expected SC After 1x Playthrough (100 SC) |
|---|---|---|
| Jacks or Better 9/6 | 99.54% | 99.54 SC |
| Blackjack (Basic Strategy) | 99.0-99.5% | 99.0-99.5 SC |
| Baccarat (Banker) | 98.94% | 98.94 SC |
| Best Slots | 96-98% | 96-98 SC |
Where to Play Video Poker
| Casino | VP Variants | Min SC Bet |
|---|---|---|
| Stake.us | Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, Bonus | 0.10 SC |
| Chumba Casino | Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild | 0.50 SC |
| Pulsz Casino | Jacks or Better, Bonus Poker | 0.20 SC |
| WOW Vegas | Multiple variants | 0.10 SC |
Tips for SC Video Poker Players
- Always play max coins (5): The Royal Flush payout jumps from 250x to 800x per coin at max bet.
- Memorize the strategy chart: Unlike slots, your decisions directly affect RTP.
- Check the paytable first: Always verify you’re playing a full-pay or near-full-pay version.
- Practice with GC first: Master the strategy in Gold Coin mode before using SC.
- Play slowly and carefully: Each decision matters. Don’t rush through hands.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is video poker better than slots for SC?
Mathematically, yes. Full-pay video poker with optimal strategy offers 99%+ RTP compared to 94-97% for most slots. However, you need to learn and apply correct strategy.
Can Deuces Wild really give the player an edge?
Full-pay Deuces Wild has a theoretical RTP of 100.76%, meaning it slightly favors the player. However, full-pay versions are rare at sweepstakes casinos. Always check the paytable.
How long does it take to learn video poker strategy?
Basic Jacks or Better strategy can be learned in a few hours. Use a strategy chart beside you while playing until it becomes second nature.
More table game guides: Blackjack | Baccarat | Roulette
Last updated: April 2026. RTP values assume optimal play on full-pay machines. Must be 18+ to participate. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited.
