Video Poker Tips and Strategy

Knowing how to work the game of video poker betters the odds of your winning!

The game of video poker is not very different from the other poker games. The major difference is from a technical aspect – you can play this game only on a gaming machine or online, not in a real card room, unlike many of the other poker games. Like in most other games, you need skill and strategy for video poker as well. These two elements will help you combine the ease of gaming machine play and the fun of a regular card game together while playing video poker.

Playing the Game

Video poker is a game of solitary play. This means there are no other players; just you and the machine. The game kicks off when you receive your first set of five cards. You have the option to keep them or exchange all five of the original cards for new ones. To keep a card you want to play, push the hold button corresponding to the particular card you want to save. Once you choose the specific cards to hold, press the deal button. This tells the machine to discard the unwanted cards and replace them with new ones.

The machine then analyzes the hand you now have and determines if you have a winning hand. Be aware that the machine is set to give the advantage to the house, not you. You have to be really careful while playing the game – from choosing the right machine to executing the right strategy.

Video Poker is Popular!

Video poker is an extremely popular game, for a number of reasons. Ease of play is one of them. Video poker is not that complicated a game. You can begin at the base level, which is the simplest level, and work your way through to the higher levels for a more challenging gaming experience.

Another reason for the popularity of the game, a major one, is the returns it provides. While some video poker games give 100 percent returns, there are other games which, if you play using the correct strategy, can give you close to 100 percent returns.

What Strategy to Employ?

A key aspect when you talk of strategy in video poker is the discard. Make sure the card you discard gives your hand the maximum return. Two other factors help determine which cards you should discard – the rules of the specific game and the payout as per the payout table.

Using the Strategy Chart

Video poker strategy varies from one game to another. It could be really difficult memorizing all the different strategies for the different games. To make this task easier, nowadays you have video poker strategy cards. A strategy card contains tips on strategies for each hand you play. You also have computer generated strategy cards nowadays you can use in a game.

Going Beyond the Strategy Chart

Besides the strategy chart, there are also some general rules of thumb you can follow to ensure you have the basic strategy right, regardless of what strategy you employ. One of the most basic things is to have a big enough roll of money. You must realize the game works differently and that you could lose quite a few games. Concentrate on the jackpot to get you back on the winning track.

Another simple strategy is to avoid the kicker like the plague, and not try to bluff. These tactics are useless in video poker, and can help you only in the traditional game.