Video Poker Tips
|
When playing video poker, you may have to develop different strategies for each game, based on the rules and the payout schedule at each
casino. Therefore I have included two sets of video poker tips for the most popular games.
It is imperative to pay particular attention to the site's payout schedules before playing a game, as certain games pay better on straights or
flushes or special hands, which may affect your decisions. Also, since the payout ratios do not necessarily reflect the
true odds, familiarity with basic poker rules and odds will help you play smarter and wiser.
|
|
You should notice that the payout schedule almost always favors the Max Bet column. So if you are comfortable with betting
the maximum, you will have slightly better overall odds of winning. But ultimately, even if you follow these tips, the
only way to beat a video poker game in the long run is to win a Royal Flush. In this way, it is quite similar to slot
machines.
Basic Video Poker Tips and Strategies (other than Deuces Wild)
Tip #1: Keep any hand that is already a winning hand. You may make an exception and go for a higher payout
if you have 3 cards of a Royal Flush, or 4 cards of a Straight Flush, Straight, or Flush.
Tip #2: Don't hold 4 cards of a Straight that can only be completed one way (an "inside" Straight).
Tip #3: Don't hold 3 cards of the same suit, hoping for a Flush, unless it could potentially become a Straight Flush.
Tip #4: If you have a Pair or 3-of-a-Kind, don't hold a single high card with the hope of making another Pair.
Tip #5: Keep two or three high cards of the same suit, and discard the rest. (Note: a "high" card is one which pays on having a
Pair.)
Tip #6: If you are dealt four high cards of mixed suits, keep them all and discard the 5th.
Tip #7: Keep three high cards of mixed suits if they are consecutive, otherwise discard the one that is not in sequence.
Tip #8: Keep two high cards of mixed suits and discard the rest, if you have none of the above.
Tip #9: Keep one high card and discard the rest, if you have none of the above.
ALL-AMERICAN VIDEO POKER TIPS: This is your basic video poker game, but it generally has
higher payouts for Straights and Flushes. Therefore, hold any three cards of the same suit to
try for a Flush. Also favor 4-card inside Straights over Pairs and single high cards, and
favor 4-card outside Straights over any kind of Pair.
JOKER POKER TIPS: This is generally a "Kings and Better" game, so the only
Pairs that win are Kings and Aces. Your strategy should be basically the same as for basic
Video Poker games like "Jacks or Better". You should always hold onto a Joker if you are
lucky enough to get one (about one every ten hands). Also, your odds of getting a Straight
Flush a considerably better than in Jacks or Better, so you may want to keep an eye out for
hands one or two cards away.
Deuces Wild Video Poker Tips
As we mention on the rules page, there are more winning hands with
four Wild cards per deck, and payouts are lower than in other Video Poker games. Your
strategy should therefore take into account the welcome appearance of these Deuces.
Tip #1: If you already have a Royal Flush or 5-of-a-Kind, it goes without saying that you should hold all your cards. . .
Tip #2: If you have three or four 2's, hold them and any others making up a Royal Flush and go for the Royal Flush.
Tip #3: If you have two 2's, keep a Straight if you have it, otherwise hold any four cards of a Royal Flush or 4-of-a-Kind.
If you have none of these, hold onto the 2's and discard the rest.
Tip #4: If you are dealt a single 2, you generally want to hold onto any winning
hand, unless you have one of the following hands (in this order): a 4-card Royal Flush or
Straight Flush, a 3-card Royal Flush, 4-card Straights and Flushes, any kind of Pair (not
including the Deuce), or a 3-card or a 2-card Straight Flush. Otherwise, hold onto the 2 and
discard the rest.
|
