Video Poker Strategy for Beginners in Canada 2026 — How to Play and Win More

Video poker offers some of the highest RTP available at Canadian online casinos — up to 99.54% on full-pay Jacks or Better with optimal strategy. Unlike slots, your decisions directly affect outcomes. This guide gives Canadian beginners the foundation to play correctly from the start.

How It Works

You are dealt five cards and choose which to hold. Discards are replaced by new draws. Your final five-card hand is evaluated against the pay table — better poker hands pay more. No other players involved — you play against the pay table only.

Start with Jacks or Better

The most beginner-friendly variant. Minimum paying hand: a pair of Jacks or higher. A full-pay 9/6 version (9 coins for Full House, 6 for Flush) returns approximately 99.54% with optimal strategy. Always check the pay table — 9/6 is full pay, 8/5 is reduced, 6/5 is significantly worse.

Core Strategy Hierarchy

Hold in this order: made hands from Royal Flush down to High Pair, then drawing hands from Four to a Royal Flush down to single high cards. Key rules: hold high pair over four to a flush. Hold three of a kind over any draw. Never break a complete made hand to chase a royal flush unless you already have four to one.

Always Bet Maximum Coins

Royal Flush pays 250:1 at one coin but 800:1 at five coins on most machines. Always bet five coins to receive the full Royal Flush bonus. If five-coin play is too much, drop to a lower denomination and bet five coins there.