Contrary to popular belief, Video Poker isn't just like any slot machine. Slot machines are only based on chance and there is really absolutely no skill involved in pushing a button and wishing for the best.
Video Poker on the other hand has a little bit more skill involved and is nothing like blackjack's card counting either. There is an optimal strategy which can be applied to Video Poker that combined with a maximum coin bet on every round can result in a 100% return and sometimes even more.
This may sound somewhat unbelievable but casinos can afford to do this because a. not many people put into practice optimal strategy and b. most players like Video Poker on account of the low minimum stakes allowed and not very many players risk the maximum amount on bets. Now that you know this, however, there are two things you need to do. First of all, if you want to win, you have to max bet every time.
You're only goal is to reach the highest hand possible so betting the max bet will give you better payouts, always. Second of all, you must learn optimal strategy. A quick overview, though not complete can be described as this: straight and higher don't draw; 2 pair draw one card; 3 of a kind draw 2 cards; 1 pair draw 3 cards; 1 high card draw 4 cards; if you have nothing trade them all in. For more information, look up Video Poker optimal strategy.