Overview of Video Poker

While it might not be as easy as pushing a button on a slot machine, video poker remains one of the simplest casino games to learn. It’s similar to five-card draw poker, and the game begins as soon as the player decides on the size of their wager.

After the money issue has been taken care of, the game deals five virtual cards to the player across the screen. It’s then up to the player to decide how many of the cards to keep and how many to discard. The most common method for keeping one or more cards involves pressing (or clicking) up to five corresponding buttons.

If the player chooses to keep their initial hand, the game is immediately over. If one or more cards are discarded, then the player receives new cards to replace them. The game is then concluded, with the final strength of the customer’s hand determining the overall payout.

There are numerous versions of video poker on the market, and new games are being released all the time. The following, however, remain the most popular options and are the ones most likely to be found at online and land-based casinos.

The most common version of the game, it takes its name from the fact that the player needs a pair of Jacks or better in order to receive a payout. The game (with the right pay table) offers an expected return of 99.54% to players who employ optimal strategy.

This machine offers bonus payouts for various four-of-a-kind hands. The full-pay version of the game is 8/5, and the expected return is 99.17%. Along with Jacks or Better, this is one of the most popular versions of video poker.

The deuce cards can substitute for any other card in this video poker variation. If you can find a full-pay version and use basic strategy to guide your gaming session, you can expect to enjoy an advantage over the house of 100.71%.

In order to receive any money, you’ll need to build a hand with a pair of Kings or better. You’ll receive help from the Joker, as it serves as a wild card in the game. If you can learn basic strategy and apply it, you should expect an average return of 100.64%.

As with most VP games, the player needs a pair of Jacks or better in order to get paid. The largest payout, however, comes from a four-of-a-kind hand. The full-pay version of the game is 10/7, and the expected return for players using strategy is 100.17%.

Much like the previous entry, although the full-pay version of this game is 10/6. The expected average return is 100.07% for anyone using basic strategy.

No matter which version of video poker you play, the following tips should serve you well. Don’t expect them to work miracles, however, as the key to long-term success at the game still revolves around playing basic strategy.

Fortunately, video poker isn’t a hard game to learn, and the strategies aren’t nearly as involved as something like card counting. With just a few hours of memorization and practice, you should be ready to take on any casino and their despicable house edge.

All video poker machines, virtual or otherwise, have a paytable that lists the various cash prize available for specific hands. In order to find the most profitable game, I suggest taking a long look at these tables before spending your money.

Video poker games are divided into “full pay” and “short pay” machines. The former pays the maximum amount for a full house and flush, while the latter awards a lesser prize. In most cases, a 9/6 machine is full pay, with a full house awarding 9x the wager and a flush paying out 6x. An 8/5 machine, however, pays less and results in the player losing money at a rate that’s almost 6 times faster. If you have the luxury of choosing between these two options, the proper decision should be a no-brainer.

While the objective of all video poker games is the same, there is a wide array of machines available to players. Knowing the different types can mean the difference between making a profit and just breaking even.

In later sections, I’ll provide a couple of examples of strategy for video poker. These charts are simple to use, only requiring you to play the highest hand listed on the chart. These strategy charts are available for all variations of VP, and you should never begin a gaming session without one. If you do, don’t be surprised when the expected return drops considerably.

Most online casino software can be played for free prior to trying your luck at the real-money machines. Take advantage of this opportunity every chance you get, as it’s an excellent way to learn the various VP games and practice your strategy.

Your success or failure at video poker has everything to do with poker hands, as these are used to determine whether or not you receive a payout. If you don’t know the rank of the hands, it’s impossible to consistently apply strategy and make the best decisions possible.

One of the best tips I can give video poker players is to take their time and focus on making the proper decisions during gameplay. Slots players often work in the opposite direction, pressing the button as much as possible to yield the maximum number of spins per spin. But slots are a game of pure chance, while video poker demands proper strategy in order to achieve long-term success.

While lesser bets can still lead to respectable wins, most VP machines offer bonus money when the player risks the maximum allowable amount. If you’re the type of player who likes to look at the big picture, applying this strategy can allow you to come out ahead over the long haul.

Players who stare at a video screen for too long can wind up becoming disoriented and bleary-eyed. Before you begin a session, it’s a smart idea to set a time limit for how long you’re going to play. This assures that your mind is going to stay relatively fresh, thus allowing you to make the proper moves for each hand. If you don’t like to limit yourself in such a fashion, then at least try to take a break each hour to stand up, stretch, and look at something other than the computer terminal.

Proper bankroll management is important for any casino game. Otherwise, you run the risk of an unpleasant gaming session and possible financial disaster. Prior to entering the casino, assess your bankroll and determine how much you’re willing to lose during the upcoming session. If you’re unfortunate enough to meet that quota, then stop play immediately. While nobody likes to end on a losing note, it’s more desirable than dipping into funds that are earmarked for basic needs like food and shelter.

This type of video poker can be found in almost all casinos, so having a strategy sheet for it should have you well-prepared for your next gaming session, whether you’re playing online or at a brick-and-mortar establishment. If executed properly, this strategy should yield a return of 99.17%.

Once your five-card hand has been dealt, examine it to determine all the various combinations that can be created. Then go with the highest available option on the following chart:

In order to give you a couple of options, I’ve also included this basic strategy chart for 9/6 Jacks or Better. While this simplified method of play adds 0.08% to the house edge over optimal strategy, it’s much easier for the beginning player to memorize and understand. The difference also happens to be negligible, still leaving you with an expected return of 99.46%.

As with the 8/5 Bonus Poker strategy, you begin by looking at your five-card hand. Next, find the highest hand on the chart that’s present within your hand.