Video Poker Strategy
Video poker is essentially five-card draw merged with a slot machine. Though some people write down the results of each slot spin to try and find a pattern, the truth is that there are too many possible combinations for you to figure out any patterns. The computer chip inside of the machines controls the outcomes and everything is randomly generated. So trying to find patterns or a strategy is very tough, if not impossible.
On the poker side of it, you actually can employ some strategies that may help you win. But do not use books that give strategy and advice on poker. The kind of poker that they are talking about in these books is played against other people. In video poker, you are playing alone. Therefore any strategy that has to do with something like Texas Hold ‘Em will not help you at all with video poker.
- The best thing to do is decide which type of video poker hand you are aiming at. If you wish to get the high hands with the huge payoff, you should play more aggressively than if you are just playing for fun or to get a few smaller payoffs from lesser hands.
- For example, let's say you are trying to get a big hand to win more money. You get a pair of jacks with your first deal. Since a pair of jacks is usually a winning hand (although a small win), you would likely keep the pair and then discard others to see if you can stretch that pair into two pair or maybe three of a kind. This is a perfectly fine strategy.
- If you wish to hit something bigger like a straight flush, you will have to play differently. Let's say, for instance, that the same hand with the pair of jacks also includes an ace, king and queen. If you are looking for big hands, you would then split up the pair of jacks in order to increase your chances of getting a ten to make a straight or maybe even a straight or royal flush. The chance is not great, but if you do get the card you need, the payoff can be huge.
Either of these strategies is perfectly OK, it is really up to you which one to use. Before you play, decide which strategy you will use, and decide on a bankroll. If your bankroll is small, then try for the smaller wins. If you keep to your strategy and budget, you could very likely come away from the video poker machines with at least some money left over.
For games with a particular variation (such as deuces or jokers being wild), you will have to adjust your strategy. This is why practice games are so great. Many online casinos offer practice or free games so that you can try the games before paying real money to play. If you are playing a game where there are wild cards and you get one in your hand, you have a much better chance of hitting a good-paying hand. If you get that wild card, go ahead and try for the straight or royal flush. A wild card can change both value and suits- so keep this in mind while you decide which cards to keep or discard.