Video Poker for Winners: A Strategic Review of the Training Software

Video poker training software has been around for decades, but few titles have the staying power of Video Poker for Winners (VPW). Originally developed by Bob Dancer and now maintained by his estate, VPW is often cited as a reference tool in strategy forums and by serious players. This review examines what VPW actually does, how it works in practice, and whether it still makes sense for a modern player to invest in a dedicated desktop program when free online trainers exist.

What Video Poker for Winners Offers

VPW is a Windows-based program that lets you practice virtually any video poker variant found in US casinos. The core feature is a “trainer” mode that deals random hands and prompts you to choose which cards to hold. After each decision, the software shows the correct hold based on the optimal strategy for that pay table, along with the expected return of your choice versus the optimal play. The program also includes a “strategy” mode that displays full strategy charts for each game, and a “browser” that lets you analyse any possible hand to see the best hold, alternate holds and the exact probabilities.

The game library is extensive: from common games like 9/6 Jacks or Better, Bonus Poker and Double Double Bonus to rare variants such as Deuces Wild Bonus, Super Aces and linear progressives. Each pay table can be edited, which is useful for players who want to test a specific casino’s machine that may not match the standard 9/6 or 8/5 numbers.

Accuracy and Strategy Engine

The most important question for any video poker training tool is whether its strategy engine is correct. VPW uses a brute-force calculation of all possible draw outcomes to determine the optimal hold. Because the program is calculating exact probabilities rather than using a rule-based strategy, its answers are mathematically correct for the given pay table. This is a significant advantage over some free online trainers that rely on a simplified strategy chart and may produce errors in borderline situations.

That said, the program’s strategy engine does not handle progressive jackpots or multi-hand games with the same precision. For single-line games, the calculation is instantaneous. For multi-hand (e.g., 100-play), the program still calculates each hand independently, but the underlying decisions are based on the single-line optimal strategy – which is correct only if you treat each hand as an independent draw. Multi-hand with a shared draw is a different mathematical problem, and VPW does not address that nuance.

Usability and Interface

VPW looks like a product from the early 2000s, because it is. The interface is functional but dated: small buttons, a fixed window size and a menu-driven layout that requires several clicks to switch games or pay tables. There is no built-in progress tracking, no session history and no export of your practice results. The program also runs only on Windows; there is no Mac or mobile version.

For a dedicated player, the lack of session tracking is a genuine gap. If you want to track your accuracy over time, you need to manually record your mistakes. The program does display a running count of “total hands” and “correct decisions” during a training session, but that data disappears when you close the program. An alternative like WinPoker (also by Dancer) offers a practice log, but VPW does not.

Comparison with Free Alternatives

Free online trainers, such as the one at wizardofodds.com or videopoker.com, offer a similar practice experience without the price tag. These free tools usually cover the most common games, display correct strategy for standard pay tables, and run in any browser. The main advantage VPW holds is the ability to edit pay tables and analyse any hand – including rare ones that may not appear in a free trainer’s library. For players who only play 9/6 Jacks or Better at a single casino, the free option is probably sufficient. For players who explore multiple games, different pay tables, or want to study the math behind borderline holds, VPW’s editing and analysis features justify the cost.

Checklist for a Potential Buyer

Summary and Caveats

Video Poker for Winners is a reliable, mathematically rigorous training tool for the serious video poker player. Its strength is flexibility: you can practise any game, edit any pay table and see the exact optimal hold for any hand. Its weaknesses are a dated interface, lack of session tracking and Windows-only availability. For casual players who stick to the most common games, free online trainers are simpler and more accessible. For anyone who wants to move beyond the basics, study the math, or prepare for a specific machine with a non-standard pay table, VPW remains a solid choice.

Before buying, verify that the game you want to practise is included in the library (the official site lists the full set). Also note that the program is sold as a download with a license key from the developer’s site; there is no trial version. If you are unsure, consider trying the free trainer at Wizard of Odds first to see whether a dedicated tool is necessary.