Tips and Information About Video Poker

Video poker is the fastest-growing game in the casino, outstripping even the ubiquitous slot machines. Video poker offers the player the thrill of knowing that his or her strategy at a given game is the determining factor in what edge the casino will have in the long run. In fact, some video poker games are so close that expert strategy can actually give the player the edge. The problem for most players is that there are almost 200 different machines each requiring a discreet set of strategies. At first, this statement might seem daunting but in reality, video poker players discover which machines they enjoy playing and they tend to stick with those. Thus, you'll hear some players stating that they only play Jacks-or-Better Draw Poker, or Deuces Wild Poker, or Joker Poker. In fact, these three varieties are the most common and the most popular. Of course, within these machine families, there are dozens of variations.

Like slot machines, a computer chip containing a Random Number Generator or RNG runs video poker machines. This RNG constantly selects number series that represent card values. Video poker machines are programmed to simulate a 52 or 53-card deck with a random shuffle. Once a card is "dealt" it can't be dealt again until a new game begins. Unlike slots, the astute video poker player can know exactly what edge the casino has over him or her by analyzing the payout chart on the front of the machine.

All video poker games will deal out five cards to the player. The player then gets to choose whether he wants to hold or discard one or more cards. Each discarded card will receive another card in exchange. The five-card hand will then be paid off according to the posted schedule.

Jacks or Better

Jacks or Better is extremely popular because it is easy and quick to play but still contains an element of strategy. To begin you choose what denomination of coins you wish to use, ranging from 25 cents to $5. You then deposit coins into the machine and bet up to five coins on the hand. Once the cards are dealt you may select which cards to change in the second deal. After the second deal, you are paid out based on the rank of the resulting poker hand. Jacks or Better is the classic version, using no wild cards and only one "deck" of cards. The minimum payout hand is a pair of Jacks, hence the name! This game most accurately represents the odds of poker and gives high payouts for good hands.

Bet the Max

Always bet the maximum coins allowed on every hand. If you can not afford to do this on the one-dollar online games, then step down to the quarter games first. It is essential to have the max coins played when you finally hit a big hand.

Use Your Chart

Take your time, and carefully mark every card that is played on your chart. Knowing what cards are available will help you in making your discard decisions. If you have two Kings and two Fours, for example, but your chart shows you that there are 4 Kings left in a four-deck game but 10 Fours left throw away the Kings! Go for that 4 of a Kind!

Creative Discarding

The online casino video poker games are constructed with complex algorithms that make sure that each shuffle of the deck is a random deal but also make sure not to pay out more than it has taken in. To accomplish this the online casinos take advantage of the fact that most people play video poker in the same way that they play regular poker. They will keep mediocre paying hands (such as two pairs) because they were taught to do so...but think it through logically. The best that two pairs can get you is a full house, which at best pays 15-1. The online casinos will gladly payout full houses all day, don't fall into that trap! Go for the JACKPOT hands every time. Throw away one of those two pairs and go for four of a kind. Every time you draw cards you should be trying to draw into: Four a Kind, Straight Flush, or Royal Flush. It is this creative discarding that will beat the sly algorithms that are expecting you to play differently.

Advanced Systems

Hold any pair, high or low, rather than keeping one or two high cards, even if they are suited.
Don't be tempted to hold two high cards, even if they are suited and connected
If you don't have a pair, hold any card above a Ten to a maximum of two.
If you have three high cards, hold only two, and hold the lower of the high cards because you have a better chance of making a straight.
If two of the three high cards are suited, only hold the suited cards.
Keep all five cards in a straight rather than discard them to go for the straight flush
Keep all five cards in a flush rather than discard them to go for the straight flush.
Break up a straight to go for a royal flush.
Break up a flush to go for a royal flush.