Key Insights
Quick Answer:
- Best X for Y: Best machine for learning: Full-pay Jacks or Better
- Best time to do X: Best time to choose a machine: Before you sit down
- Biggest mistake: Picking games based on name alone
- Pro tip: Your goal matters more than the headline RTP
Step One: Define Your Primary Goal
Before looking at machines, ask yourself:
- Do I want steady play or big swings?
- Am I here to learn or push upside?
- Is my bankroll small, moderate, or large?
Your answers shape everything else.
Goal: Learn Video Poker Correctly
Best choices:
- Full-pay Jacks or Better
- Single-hand machines
- Lower denominations
Why this works:
- smoother variance
- frequent feedback
- forgiving mistakes
Learning on volatile games makes progress harder—not faster.
Goal: Stretch a Small Bankroll
Look for machines with:
- high hit rate
- low variance
- frequent small payouts
Avoid:
- Deuces Wild
- Double Double Bonus
- multi-hand formats
Your goal here is time and consistency, not excitement.
Goal: Chase Bigger Wins
If you accept volatility:
- Bonus Poker variants
- Deuces Wild
- progressive video poker
But understand:
- losing streaks will be longer
- bankroll requirements increase
- discipline becomes critical
Only chase upside with money you can support.
Goal: Reduce Stress and Tilt
Choose machines that:
- pay often
- feel “active”
- avoid long dead stretches
High hit-rate games:
- reduce frustration
- improve decision quality
- keep sessions calm
This helps emotional control.
Understanding Paytables Before Choosing
Two machines with the same name can:
- have different paytables
- play very differently
Always check:
- full house payouts
- flush payouts
- four-of-a-kind values
Small changes can raise variance significantly.
RTP vs Experience Trade-Off
Higher RTP doesn’t always mean:
- easier sessions
- more frequent wins
Some high-RTP games:
- concentrate value in rare hands
- feel brutal short-term
Choose experience first, RTP second.
Single-Hand vs Multi-Hand Decisions
Single-hand:
- slower pace
- lower bankroll stress
- easier learning
Multi-hand:
- faster variance
- higher exposure
- more pressure
Multi-hand only makes sense once strategy and bankroll are solid.
Denomination Matters More Than It Looks
Moving from:
- $0.25 to $1
- $1 to $5
multiplies:
- risk
- bankroll pressure
- emotional swings
Choose denomination before variant.
Online vs Casino Machine Choice
Online:
- faster play
- clearer paytables
- easier comparison
Casino floors:
- visual noise
- hidden paytable differences
Take time to inspect machines before playing.
Common Machine-Selection Mistakes
Players often:
- chase the “best RTP” headline
- ignore variance
- overestimate bankroll
- switch machines mid-session
Machine hopping rarely helps.
Building a Goal-Based Decision Checklist
Before playing, confirm:
- my goal
- my bankroll size
- my variance tolerance
- my session length
If these don’t align, choose a different machine.
How Professionals Choose Machines
Experienced players:
- select machines intentionally
- avoid impulse choices
- don’t chase short-term losses
Their discipline starts before the first hand.
When to Walk Away From a Machine
Leave if:
- bankroll drops below plan
- tilt sets in
- strategy slips
The “best” machine can still be wrong for the moment.
FAQs on Choosing Video Poker Machines
Is There One Best Video Poker Machine?
No. The best machine depends on your goal.
Should Beginners Play Progressive Video Poker?
Usually no.
Does Machine Location Matter?
No. Paytable matters.
Should I Change Machines After Losing?
No. That’s variance, not machine behavior.
Does Online Video Poker Change Selection Rules?
No. Only speed changes.
Where To Go Next
Now that you know how to choose the right video poker machine, the next step is understanding how volatility affects new players specifically.
Next Article: Video Poker Volatility Explained for New Players (article #26)
Next Steps
If you want decision context, read: How to Evaluate the Strength of Your Starting Hand (article #24)
If you want volatility basics next, read: Video Poker Volatility Explained for New Players (article #26)
Want the full framework? Use: The Complete Guide to Video Poker (pillar)
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