Video poker: held cards and paytable differences
Understand draw-poker decisions without confusing the game with player-versus-player poker.
Original editorial illustration; not a screenshot of the game.
The basic sequence
In a common five-card draw format, an initial hand is dealt, you choose cards to keep, and replacements complete the hand. The final hand is paid according to the displayed paytable. There is no opponent to bluff.
Read the exact paytable
Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild and other variants use different qualifying hands and payouts. Strategy depends on both variant and paytable. A return figure from a different configuration does not describe the game in front of you.
What works and what to watch
The hold-or-discard decision provides a clear learning task. It also creates room for mistakes. Do not apply a strategy chart from another variant or assume that a published theoretical return describes a short session.