The rules
You get five cards, hold any of them and draw once. A pair of jacks or better pays even money; better hands pay more, up to the royal flush. The full pay table per coin is: royal flush 250 (800 at five coins), straight flush 50, four of a kind 25, full house 9, flush 6, straight 4, three of a kind 3, two pair 2, jacks or better 1.
Which cards to hold
- A made royal flush, straight flush or four of a kind: hold everything.
- Four to a royal flush, even over a made flush or straight.
- Full house, flush, three of a kind, straight.
- Four to a straight flush, then two pair, then a high pair (jacks or better).
- Three to a royal flush, then four to a flush.
- A low pair before four to an outside straight.
- Otherwise hold high cards, never a lone kicker.
This is a simplified order. A full strategy chart, or a trainer in demo mode, gets you closer to the 99.54% return.
Why five coins matter
The royal flush pays 250 per coin at one to four coins and 800 per coin at five. Playing fewer than five coins lowers the return by over 1%. If five coins is too much for your budget, choose a smaller coin size instead.
Bankroll
Video poker swings less than most slots, but the royal flush comes about once in 40,000 hands. With a five-coin bet of RWF 500, a budget of RWF 50,000 covers 100 hands, enough for a session but not to expect a royal. Set loss and win limits before you start.
Bonuses
Video poker often counts at a reduced rate toward wagering, or not at all. Check the contribution table before you claim a bonus for it. Cashback offers suit video poker better.