The internet is full of “experts” claiming they have the secret for beating the math in video poker. Several different methods of accomplishing this feat are usually promoted by these pundits.
This article explores a few of their claims, presents the facts, and shows you how you can truly beat the math of video poker.
Contents
- Claims made by the “experts”
- The facts
- How you can beat the math of video poker
- Summary
Claims made by the ‘experts’
Some suggest scouting casinos for machines that have certain conditions. The scouting techniques may take some time, but are purported to be worth the effort. One is to watch current players. If you notice someone feeding currency into the machine in one bill after another in short order and then leave, this indicates that the machine was cold. It also, according to them, indicates that it is due to become hot. Time to get on that machine.
Others promote watching for players who seem to be winning and cash out because they have other more pressing engagements. The machine is hot and will continue to be hot for a while is their explanation. Jump on the machine while jumping is good.
Another scheme for beating the math of video poker involves picking any open machine and play a specific number of hands. The number of hands could be 10, 20, 50, or something else. If things go well, play another specific number of hands. If things do not go well, “machine hop” to a different machine and start the process all over again.
Something less specific could also be recommended. Something like after you play several hands in a row that are winners and then lose a hand, it is time to move. You have ridden a hot streak, a cold streak is sure to follow, so abandon this machine now or experience the pain.
As a slight variation to the previous ploys, if you have played for a while and the experience has been “less than profitable” shall we say, switch to another game on the same machine for a few hands and then switch back to your regular game. This will reset the cycles to favor you, it is said.
Still others say that the secret is to quit playing when you are ahead. If you always quit when you are ahead, you will beat the math of video poker for sure.
If this article interests you, keep reading. Alternatively, explore other topics like how to win at slots, roulette wheel numbers, and roulette odds.
The facts
Let us examine these processes in order to learn the facts about each of them.
Scouting for machines that are cold by observing players feeding bill after bill into the machine and then leaving is believed to be an indication that the machine will change from cold to hot because over time the mathematical house edge will be reached.
Since it has been cold for a while, it is due to become hot. While it is true that over time the house edge against the player will become very close to the mathematical house edge, there is no way of determining when the overdue hot streak will happen.
The machine could continue cold for a very long time and then become choppy for a long time with some losses then a win or two, then a few losses, then some wins, and so on. Random games are unpredictable by definition.
When players leave a “hot” machine there is also no guarantee that the streak will continue. Hot streaks are just as impossible to predict as cold streaks. There is no way to know when either will start or end.
Playing a few hands to test how hot or cold a machine is will also not work. For the same reasons as mentioned in the previous two situations. Nobody can predict when hot or cold streaks will happen.
The same is true if players try to play a few hands trying to determine how long streaks will last. They are random and therefore impossible to predict.
Many pundits and players alike believe there are cycles of winning and losing while playing video poker – and there are. There are times when the machine is hot, times when it is cold, and times when it is choppy. Switching games may reset the cycles – or they may not. These cycles cannot be predicted.
Quitting while you are ahead is a great way to beat the math of video poker – if that could only be accomplished. What if you lose the first few hands and are never able to recover? If you win your first hand, do you really want to quit after winning as little as one unit? This is not a viable way to beat the math of video poker.
How you can beat the math of video poker
In the grand scheme of casino games, there is only one way to truly beat the math of video poker.
However, if beating the math of video poker means not losing money at video poker, there are two ways. The second way is difficult, slow, and could require a sizable bankroll. This is what must be done.
- Scout out video poker games with a return of 100 percent or more.
- Know the playing strategy for that game and play it perfectly.
- Because all random games have winning and losing streaks, make sure your bankroll is large enough to handle any losing streaks you might encounter.
- Be prepared to play for the long haul. You must continue to play the game (and play it perfectly) until you reach its mathematical return of 100 percent or more. Until that happens you must continue playing.
With all that said, the only sure way to beat the math of video poker when all the video poker game returns are less than 100 percent is to run your bankroll thru currency changing machines. Assuming the machines are working properly, you will achieve a 100 percent return.
Summary
Do not fall for the schemes promoted by some pundits. Other than being lucky for a time, there is no way to beat the math of video poker. The best you can hope for over time is to match it.
While it is not exciting, the only way to beat the math of video poker is the currency change machines. Anyone who tells you differently is lying.
