One of the reasons for the popularity of Video Pokers is the fact that some of the games return over 100 percent and other "full pay" games offer close to 100 percent over the long run when you play correct strategy. Unfortunately a few mistakes when playing can wipe out the little advantage that you have. It is very important that you lean the strategy for each game and play them correctly. Each video poker game has its own strategy. For example you can not use the strategy for Jacks or Better when playing Deuces Wild.
Learning a new game or playing correctly at the casino is really quite easy when you use a video poker strategy card. A strategy card will show you the correct way to play each hand that you are dealt. By following the cards advice you will keep the hand that offers the highest possible return. To learn a new game it is best if you practice at home using video poker tutorial software along with a strategy card to show you the proper play. I recommend using Zamzow's BDPWinpoker software and strategy cards generated from Tomski's VPSM Video Poker Strategy Master. The software will let you know when you made a mistake and you can check the strategy chart to see the reason for your error.

Video Poker Strategy : The Six Primary Starting Hands
A. Two Pair or Better: The first thing you should look for when your hand is dealt is whether or not it already qualifies for a payout (pair of Jacks or better). If you are fortunate enough to discover a Poker hand of Two Pair, Three of a Kind, Straight, Flush, Full House, Four of a Kind, Straight Flush or Royal Flush, you would reference the topmost entry "A. Two Pair or higher" to make your playing decision. You would hold these portions of your starting hand (or the entire hand if applicable) before redrawing, unless you also held the draw listed below the main bold entry (four cards to a Royal Flush). The draws, which are always held instead of the main entry above them, will be explained after the main categories are discussed.

B. Pay Pair: The next most favorable holding is the payout-qualifying listing "B. Pay Pair". Pay Pairs are two Jacks, Queens, Kings or Aces. Of course, if your hand also contains another pair you would instead use the previous "A. Two Pair or Better" section above. Understandably, Pay Pairs may improve to an even more profitable payout after the redraw.

C. Non-Pay Pair: The third most favorable starting hands contain Non-Paying pairs. Non-Paying pairs are all pairs 2's through 10's that, while already paired, do not yet qualify for a payout since they rank below a pair of Jacks. Of course, should a player draw to an improved hand such as two-pair or three-of-a-kind, the hand will then qualify for a payout.

D. Lowest Two Pay Cards (suited preferred): Pay cards are any Jack, Queen, King or Ace. They are termed as such because pairing, or otherwise improving your hand with, any of these cards will result in a payout. Pay Card hands occur when you hold two or more Pay cards that are not already paired. Of course, you would also not have any other pair or better combination in the hand. Otherwise you'd refer to the previous chart entries described above. Hands like K-J-8-6-2 would be an example of a Pay Card hand. You hold two Pay cards, the King and the Jack, and neither are paired.

E. and F. One Pay or No Pays: You'll often be dealt a hand that contains only one Pay Card. Sometimes, your hand will not contain any Pays. In the situation of only having one Pay Card, it's still the preferred option unless one of the draws listed below it is available. But whenever you have no Pays at all, you're advised to discard all cards and redraw to an entirely fresh new hand. Of course, if you have any of the draws listed below this entry you'd retain them instead of discarding all of your cards. Now that we've taken a look at the Pay Card and Pair or Better holdings, it's time to understand what each of the draws encompass so you'll know how to spot them quickly.