The house edge for video poker varies dramatically by game variant and pay table. With optimal strategy, some versions like Full Pay Deuces Wild can have a negative house edge (a player advantage), while common casino offerings like 6/5 Jacks or Better can carry a house edge of 5% or more.

Yes, but only on specific, full-pay machines with perfect play. Games like Full Pay Deuces Wild and 10/7 Double Bonus Poker offer a theoretical return over 100%, meaning the house edge is negative. These machines are extremely rare in land-based casinos and often have low stakes.

Strategy is everything. Making consistent sub-optimal decisions can increase the house edge by 2-5% or more, turning a potentially profitable game into a significant loss. The published RTP and house edge figures assume flawless execution of the mathematically correct strategy for that specific pay table.

The theoretical house edge is determined by the game's programming and pay table, not its location. However, online casinos often offer a wider variety of full-pay games at lower stakes than their brick-and-mortar counterparts, making it easier to find favorable odds online.

Casinos use different "pay tables" for the same game name. For example, "Jacks or Better" can be a 9/6 game (9 coins for a full house, 6 for a flush) with a 0.46% house edge, or a 6/5 game with a 5% house edge. Always check the payout for a full house and a flush before playing.

For most video poker games, yes. The payout for a royal flush is dramatically higher when you bet 5 coins (the max). Not betting max reduces your overall RTP and increases the effective house edge, often by a full percentage point or more.