Video poker has exploded in popularity over the last few decades, combining the strategy of poker with the convenience and pace of slot machines. While it may seem like a game of chance, there is real skill involved in upping your odds. By understanding video poker basics, learning optimal strategies, and putting a bit of math on your side, you can stretch your entertainment budget and come out ahead more often. Let’s dive into the key tips for playing video poker like a pro.
Know Your Video Poker Variations
There are a variety of video poker machines to choose from at both land-based and online casinos, such as Roll XO Casino. While the basic gameplay is similar across most machines, each has its own optimal strategy and house edge. Common variations include:
- Jacks or Better
- Deuces Wild
- Joker Poker
- Bonus Poker
- Double Bonus
Before playing, research the best machines for favorable odds. Jacks or Better and Bonus Poker tend to give better payouts compared to more volatile options like Deuces Wild.
Master Basic Video Poker Strategy
While video poker relies partly on the luck of the draw, strategy also plays a major role in your success. Learning proper play for the variation you choose is key to reducing the house edge and boosting your return.
No matter which game you select, incorporate these basic tips:
- Play max coins – Playing the maximum number of coins activates larger payouts for premium hands like straights and flushes. This dramatically improves overall game odds.
- Know the right holds – After your first deal, holding the right cards to improve your hand is critical. Study optimal hold strategies for your chosen games.
- Bet big on strong starting hands – Strong starting hands like a pair of jacks/better or four cards to a royal flush deserve maximum bets. Weaker hands may warrant smaller bets or folding.
- Go for the royal – In most games, hitting a royal flush pays out 800-1 or higher when playing max coins. This hand alone can erase plenty of small losses.
Getting these basics down pat takes your video poker game to a new level right off the bat.
Use Video Poker Strategy Charts
One excellent tool that both beginners and experienced players should utilize is video poker strategy charts. These charts reveal the statistically best decision for every possible hand in any game variation. With a quick glance, you’ll know exactly which cards to hold or discard to optimize your odds of winning.
Strategy charts are readily available online for free. Major casino sites and video poker guides provide detailed charts covering popular games like Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, Bonus Poker, and more. Download or print a few charts for handy reference right on your machine.
While charts shouldn’t replace developing your own skills over time, they offer an excellent resource to boost your play decisions until strategic habits become second nature.
Know Your Pay Tables
Payout percentages vary widely across different video poker machines, even in the same casino. Before feeding in your money, check the pay table listing payouts for various winning hands. Compare these to known averages to find favorable games:
- Jacks or Better – 99.5%+
- Deuces Wild – 100.7%+
- Double Bonus – 98.5%+
In general, the more “9s” and “10s” you see in payouts for a full house and flush, the better. Even small boosts make a noticeable difference over thousands of hands. Finding positive pay tables gives you an instant mathematical edge to profit over time.
Use Your Comps
A great perk of playing video poker is taking advantage of casino comps systems normally reserved for table players. Most casinos offer generous rewards programs that give back a percentage of losses in freebies. At higher tiers, you might redeem comp points for free meals, show tickets, hotel stays, and more.
When playing video poker, always insert your rewards card. Even if you come out a bit behind in actual cash over a trip, scoring some nice comps softens the blow. Over time, the combined value of comps and occasional win streaks can tilt the math overwhelmingly in your favor.
Take Breaks
Video poker marathons can lead to mental fatigue, causing you to make poor strategy decisions that ultimately cost you money. Just like poker pros, be sure to step away and clear your head for a bit after long sessions. Go for a walk, grab a snack, or play an entirely different casino game to reboot.
Staying mentally sharp is just as crucial as gameplay strategy when it comes to maintaining your edge. Set a loss limit and walk away when you hit it until the next day. Stick to your stop loss level to minimize major dips.
Think Long-Term
Like any casino game, you’ll endure hot and cold streaks in video poker over the long run. The mathematical edge gained from perfect strategy and positive pay tables reveals itself over thousands and thousands of hands. Even the best players suffer bad runs periodically.
The key is not to get discouraged by short-term swings and keep grinding through cold spells. As long as you stick to optimal play, you should see your bankroll steadily grow over weeks and months. Consider each session just a small piece of the big picture.
Play for Comps, Not Cash
One final psychological tip ties back to properly framing your video poker experience. You’ll actually gain better results by playing primarily for entertainment and casino comps rather than trying to score big cash profits each trip.
Assume you’ll slowly lose money at the machines, making up for it via generous promotional rewards. This takes the pressure off needing to win constantly. In turn, you’ll make better decisions and see improved returns as a nice side perk. Cashing in comps for meals shows and more leads to an overall value win.
Wrapping Up
While video poker includes inevitable swings of luck, you can dramatically shift odds in your favor by mastering strategy, finding good pay tables, and controlling the mental game. Study basic tips, use handy charts, take breaks when needed, and think long-term. With practice, video poker can be quite a profitable and entertaining casino experience.
Just remember to set loss limits, manage your bankroll properly, and have reasonable expectations. Like a pro, leverage loyalty programs to your advantage and play primarily for fun and comps instead of big payouts. By incorporating these tips into your gameplay, you’ll be strategizing and profiting like a video poker expert.
Bianca Johnson’s story begins with a strong enthusiasm for writing and motherhood. This passion drove her to launch the blog, Conversations with Bianca. Its purpose is to aid mothers in tackling their daily struggles. Bianca’s personal experiences, along with her love for raising children, inspired her to build a supportive community for parents.
As a mom of two, Bianca knows how hard parenting can be. On her blog, she gives advice on how to combine work and family duties with ease. The hope is that parents can find ways to manage their lives correctly, and still have time to enjoy raising their children. Conversations with Bianca aims to assist modern moms in preserving their autonomy while taking care of their families.