Video Poker for Winners Software: Hands-On Review for US Players Focused on Accuracy

By PlayVideoPoker Staff

If you play video poker in US casinos, you know that a 0.5% difference in expected return can turn a losing session into a long-term winner. Training software is the only way to drill the correct holds until they become automatic. Video Poker for Winners (VPFW) has been a staple in this space for years, but how does it actually perform for a player who wants to verify every decision, not just follow a chart? This review skips the marketing and focuses on the real-world experience of installing, configuring, and using VPFW to improve your game.

What You Get with Video Poker for Winners

VPFW is a Windows-only application that simulates dozens of video poker variants. You select a game (e.g., 9/6 Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, Double Bonus), and the software deals hands from a perfect random shuffle. After each hand, it compares your hold to the mathematically optimal play and shows the exact cost of any mistake in terms of lost expected return. The program also logs every hand for later review.

The official site (vpfw.com) offers a trial that limits the number of hands or sessions. A full license costs $30–$40 depending on the version. The trial is enough to test the core features, but you cannot export session data until you purchase.

How to Install and Set Up for a Specific Pay Table

Installation is straightforward on Windows 7 through 11. No online account is required. After launching, the first step is to pick a game. VPFW comes with a library of over 50 variants, but not every pay table you encounter in a casino will be preloaded. For example, if you play at a local casino that offers a 9/5 Jacks or Better instead of the standard 9/6, you need to create that custom pay table.

Here is how to do it:

• Click on “Game” then “Edit Pay Table.”
• Adjust the payout for each hand (e.g., change full house from 9 to 5).
• Save the new table under a custom name.

Once saved, you can practice specifically on that machine. This is a critical feature that many free online trainers lack – they only offer the most common pay tables, which may not match the actual machines near you.

Hand-by-Hand Feedback: The Core Value

The strongest reason to use VPFW is the granularity of feedback. After each hand, the software displays:

• The correct hold (optimal play).
• The hold you actually made (if different).
• The cost of the error in percentage points of expected return.

For example, if you hold a low pair instead of a suited high card in 9/6 Jacks or Better, VPFW will show that your choice cost 0.8% of the machine’s return. Over 1,000 hands, that error alone could cost you $8 on a $1 machine. The program groups errors by type, so you can see if your biggest leak is pair holds, kicker decisions, or flush draws.

Trainer Mode: How to Use It for Deliberate Practice

VPFW includes a trainer mode that slows down play or forces you to explain your hold before seeing the correct answer. To activate it, go to “Options” and select “Trainer.” You can set a delay (e.g., 5 seconds) before the optimal hold is shown, or choose “Explain” mode where you must click a reason before the draw.

This is useful for players who tend to rush through hands. The forced explanation makes you consciously evaluate each decision, which builds long-term memory better than passive review. A good practice session is 200 hands in trainer mode, then review the mistake report to see which errors recurred.

Comparison with WinPoker and Free Online Trainers

The table below shows how VPFW compares to its main competitor, Bob Dancer’s WinPoker, and to free online trainers like the Wizard of Odds Video Poker Trainer.

Feature	VPFW	WinPoker	Free Online Trainers
Cost	$30–$40 one-time	$30–$40 one-time	Free
Platform	Windows only	Windows only	Web browser, mobile
Custom pay tables	Yes (full editor)	Yes (full editor)	Limited or none
Hand history export	CSV	CSV	Usually none
Strategy chart generation	No	No	Yes (Wizard of Odds)
Game variety	50+ variants	30+ variants	5–10 common variants
Trainer mode	Delay and forced explain	Delay only	Basic show correct hold

WinPoker offers a similar feature set with a slightly cleaner interface and a stronger emphasis on “perfect play” percentage. The choice often comes down to which game library you need – VPFW has more rare variants like “Double Double Bonus” and “Triple Bonus,” while WinPoker focuses on the most common ones. Free online trainers are excellent for quick practice on a single game, but they lack the custom pay table support and session export that serious players need.

Limitations You Should Know Before Buying

VPFW has several drawbacks that may affect your decision:

• Windows-only – No Mac or mobile version. If you use a tablet or phone for practice, VPFW is not an option.
• Outdated interface – The graphics look like a program from 2005. Font scaling is poor on high-resolution monitors, and the overall design has not been updated in years.
• No strategy chart generator – You cannot print a full strategy chart from the pay table. You must use a separate resource like the Wizard of Odds strategy calculator to memorize the chart before playing.
• No online features – No leaderboards, no multiplayer, no cloud sync. Progress is saved locally.

If you need a strategy chart, you will have to copy the optimal holds from VPFW into a spreadsheet manually – or use the free Wizard of Odds tool. This is a significant gap for players who prefer to study away from the computer.

Who Should Buy VPFW

VPFW is a good fit for:

• Windows users who want to drill specific games and track mistake patterns over time.
• Players who encounter non-standard pay tables in US casinos and need to practice them.
• Anyone willing to supplement with a free strategy chart generator.

It is not a good fit for:

• Mac or mobile users.
• Players who want an all-in-one solution that includes strategy charts.
• Casual players who only need to practice the most common game once a month.

Final Steps Before You Purchase

Before you buy, run the trial and test the following:

• Can you create the exact pay table you need?
• Does the trainer mode work well on your screen resolution?
• Are you comfortable with the lack of a strategy chart generator?

If you answer yes to all three, VPFW is a solid investment. If you hesitate on any point, consider WinPoker for a more polished interface, or stick with free online tools until you know exactly what you need.