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Video Poker Strategies
Video poker is a skill based game, which combines elements of slots and poker. Video poker is one of the few casino games where - with the application of video poker strategy - you can have a positive expectation of winning in contrast to "pure luck" games such as slots or roulette where the chances of your winning deteriorate with every new game.
With enough practice and proper strategies, you can learn how to play video poker like a professional.
Here are some of our top video poker strategies!
THE OPTIMUM STRATEGY
One of the most obvious but sensible strategies is to pick the video poker game with the best payout table.
PICKING THE BEST PAYOUT TABLE
Learn to distinguish between 'good' and 'bad' payout tables, and act accordingly.
Compare the following payouts for the traditional game of Jacks or better video poker in the following table.
|
Hand
|
Full pay
|
Short pay
|
| Royal Flush |
800 |
800 |
| Straight Flush |
50 |
50 |
| 4 of a Kind |
25 |
25 |
| Full House |
9 |
8 |
| Flush |
6 |
5 |
| Straight |
4 |
4 |
| 3 of a Kind |
3 |
3 |
| 2 Pairs |
2 |
2 |
| Pair of Jacks or better |
1 |
1 |
The second column refers to full pay, or 9/6 Jacks or better video poker, while the third column lists the payouts for short pay, or 8/5 Jacks or better video poker. 9/6 Jacks or better video poker is associated with a house edge of 0.5%, while 8/5 Jacks or better video poker has a much higher house edge. Some casinos use payout tables that are actually better than 9/6 Jacks or better video poker, but worse payout tables are more common.
Because discard is allowed, strategy comes into play in video poker games. The key is to discard in a manner that gives you the highest expectation of winning
Using such a strategy will give you the best chances of winning in the long run. Optimal strategy will change depending on the rules of the video poker game you are playing. Optimal strategy may also change with different pay tables.
High Cards = Ace, King, Queen, Jack
Gap = two non-consecutive cards e.g. a 6 and an 8
|
Hand Dealt
|
Number to Draw
|
| Four Cards to a Royal |
1 |
| Three-of-a-kind |
2 |
| Four Cards Straight Flush |
1 |
| Two Pair |
1 |
| High Pair |
3 |
| Three Cards to a Royal |
2 |
| Four Cards Flush |
1 |
| Low Pair |
3 |
| Open End Straight |
1 |
| Three to a Straight Flush |
3 |
| Two to a Royal |
3 |
| Three High Cards |
2 |
| Two High Cards |
3 |
| Inside Straight |
1 |
| Three to a Straight Flush w/gap |
2 |
| One High Card |
4 |
| Mixed Low Cards |
5 |
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