Video poker is probably the most popular of the casino games at the best internet gambling sites. Players find video poker appealing because of its low house advantage, fairly good chances to beat the machine, and an enjoyable way to play.
Thus, you must be familiar with the basics of poker.
There are numerous varieties of video poker. The most popular are certain types of jacks-or-better. See our article covering all of the varieties of video poker. New players should consider starting with Double Bonus Jacks or Better. It has the most obvious payout chart yet also includes a relatively high payout percentage.
Not all video poker machines are equal. There are those that provide good payouts for less-than-maximum bets; those that offer enormous bonuses, but poor payouts for anything less than a full house; and those that offer poor payouts for mid-hand values. Unlike traditional slot machines, video poker payouts are provided on the front of each Machine; therefore, you do not need to gamble as to their availability.
As a new player, you do not need to spend much time doing this; simply verify the payouts for a full house, flush and straight. If all things were equal, select the Machine providing the largest payouts for these three hands.
Each version of video poker has its own name representing how they differ:
What is volatility? Volatility represents the difference between the payout percentages shown on the Machine and the individual payout percentages actually achieved by a player.
On a low-volatility Machine, you would likely achieve a payout percentage that is quite similar to the posted payout percentage if you played intelligently. Low-volatility machines produce more frequent wins, but less winning money per occurrence.
High-volatility machines would generate a payout that is quite different from what was advertised. You would almost certainly lose all of your bankroll. However, occasionally you could hit a big win.
In general terms, the greater and larger the jackpots a Machine provides, the higher its volatility. Therefore, jacks-or-better double bonus video poker machines represent the optimal volatility for new players.
Video poker has one unbreakable rule: always wager the maximum number of coins. Large bonuses for achieving a royal flush are only awarded on a maximum-five-coin bet. Your payout percentage will drop substantially if you opt to bet fewer coins than that. Select a Machine that enables you to establish your maximum bet at five coins.
Don't use your gut when playing video poker. Use a set of rules. Remember, casinos make money from foul play. The posted payout percentage is for the good players. Foul play can quickly demolish that to 2%.
The following provides the best beginner's strategy for playing video poker. It is optimized for the maximum bet on a Double Bonus 9/6 Jacks or Better game. While it doesn't perfectly apply to other machines, it will get you close to that machine's payout percentage.
| Initial Hand | What to do | |
| HOLD FIVE CARDS | ||
| Royal Flush | WXYZN | Stand pat |
| Straight Flush | defgh | Stand pat |
| Four of a Kind | kkFKK | Stand pat |
| Full House | bbbGG | Stand pat |
| Flush | bildh | Stand pat |
| Straight | dEftH | Stand pat |
| DISCARD 1 OR MORE CARDS | ||
| 4 cards to a royal flush | JKLdA | Discard the other card to make the royal flush |
| 4 cards to a straight flush | tcvwx | Discard the other card to make the straight flush |
| Three of a kind | dddJr | Discard the other two cards to make three of a kind, full house, or four of a kind |
| Two Pair | eeJVV | Discard the other card to make two pair or a full house |
| High pair | xXduN | Discard the other three cards to make a high pair, two pair, three of a kind, full house, or four of a kind |
| Four cards of the same suit | VSdWN | Discard the other card to make the flush |
| Low pair | cXChw | Discard the other three cards to make two pair, three of a kind, full house, or four of a kind |
| Four unsuited cards to an outside straight | drgHc | Discard the other card to make the straight |
| 3 cards to a royal flush | WcYZh | Discard the other two cards to make high pair, two pair, three of a kind, straight, straight flush, or royal flush |
| Two high cards of the same suit | XDfeN | Discard the other three cards to make a high pair, two pair, three of a kind, full house, four of a kind, straight, flush, straight flush, or royal flush |
| 3 cards to a straight flush | WcYZh | Discard the other two cards to make the straight flush |
| 2 high cards of different suits | cXRyF | Discard the other three cards to make a high pair, two pair, three of a kind, straight, or four of a kind—if there are more 3 unsuited high cards, keep the 2 lowest high cards |
| Same suit 10/J, 10/Q, 10/K, 10/A | WFYwf | Discard the other three cards to make a high pair, two pair, three of a kind, full house, four of a kind, flush, straight, or royal flush |
| One jack or better card | WycEh | Discard four cards to make the high pair or better |
| DISCARD FIVE CARDS | ||
| All other hands | sIqbW | Discard five cards to make any winning hand |
It is a hierarchical list. If you have more than one poker hand, you choose the strategy for the highest-ranked hand in the list. For instance, suppose you have the following hand:
At this point, you've got a decision whether to secure a strong pair (ranked 11 on our hierarchy) or take a shot at creating a royal flush (ranked 7). What does a skilled player do? He lets go of the queen of hearts to pursue a royal flush — not merely because of its rarity, but because of its potential payoff. An 800x your bet reward awaits anyone who hits it with a max bet of five coins, compared to only doubling your money with a max bet for getting a high pair.
The key to executing a successful Video Poker Strategy is to consistently execute it with every hand you play. A common mistake made by inexperienced players is deviating from this philosophy; as a result, they frequently experience unnecessary losses. Here's an additional tip to assist you improve your video poker abilities: test and refine your strategies using the no-cost versions of several video poker games currently offered through the internet. Because they allow you to test without risking your own cash, this is an ideal learning environment.
Video poker is one of the most popular forms of casino gaming where elements of poker and slot machines come together. In this form of gaming, players are given five cards and allowed to discard up to four to build their strongest poker hand possible. The player receives payment based upon the worth of his/her hand as defined by the payout table displayed in the Machine.
The most well-known version of video poker is “jack’s or better” however, there are many other types, including “double bonus jack’s or better.” We recommend that new players first attempt “double bonus jack’s or better,” as its payouts are straightforward and provide a high payout percentage.
Different video poker machines offer varying levels of payouts. Compare the payouts for an entire house, a flush and a straight as these are typically considered fair comparisons. A 9/6 Machine is preferred as it pays nine-to-one on an entire house and six-to-one on a flush — both providing higher payout percentages.
Betting the maximum amount of coins is mandatory in video poker because high bonuses — particularly for a royal flush — are only available with maximum coin bets. By betting fewer coins than required for maximum benefits, you will decrease your payout percentage considerably.
A good strategy is necessary for attaining success in video poker. Novice players should adhere to a standard strategy optimized for use with specific types of video poker they are playing. For example, a standard plan for “Double Bonus 9/6 Jacks or Better” defines which cards should be held onto and/or discarded as part of an effort to optimize earnings depending upon the initial hand dealt.
Yes, here is an example of an important strategy for “Double Bonus 9/6 Jacks or Better”:
Your guide to the best pokie games. Latest Pokie Tournaments, Jackpots and Promotions.
