Video Poker Strategy

The old saying that variety is the spice of life can also apply to casino gaming. Different players are intrigued or bored by different things.

The seven deadly sins of Christianity are generally well known. They are pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath, and sloth. They can also apply to video poker – indeed to all casino gambling.

This article looks more closely at how they apply in the hope that the reader will avoid each of them.

If you are like most video poker players, you do not expect a lot when you are dealt a low pair for your initial hand. It seems like these hands never turn into winners.

One of the more interesting hands in video poker is one that contains two pairs. This is almost always a winning hand, though in some casino games (wildcard games in particular) three-of-a-kinds are the lowest winning hands.

For the average player (as well as the not so average player) hitting a royal flush at video poker is a rare and exciting event. Years can pass between them. Just what are the odds against hitting a royal flush? How about the odds against getting royal flushes back to back?

I doubt many video poker players even consider this question. They head to the casino (or play online) hoping their luck will bring them riches – or at least buy them some decent time playing their favorite video poker game.

One important part of video poker strategy has nothing to do with what cards to hold or discard. Optimal play starts with being able to tell the higher-paying games at a glance.

Most serious video poker players understand what elements define a good game. These elements include return, variance, and strategy complexity. For most serious players, return is the main element considered when choosing a video poker game to play.

Aces Manufacturing based in Las Vegas produces “Video Poker Analyzer” capable of monitoring players expertise in playing correct video poker strategy. In the first quarter of 2024 they published a study that identified profits lost to advantage video poker players.

The average casual video poker player is probably unaware of any of the title’s four elements other than in the most general sense. Seasoned video poker players are well aware of return when it comes to this casino game. It is almost certainly the main criteria they use to identify their chosen game.

Video poker players who play the game regularly – or even not so regularly – tend to have a favorite game or few games. They tend to play these games exclusively. They play the same pay tables for these select games. 

Progressive video poker offers benefits and challenges for players. One of the major challenges is determining the return at a specific level of the jackpot. This articles explores that aspects of the game.

Video poker is a very popular casino game. There are literally dozens of variations. Many of the later variations were developed and produced to add more excitement to the game. 

Certain four-of-a-kinds are paid at a higher rate. The highest pays for a specific four of a kind hand is the same as a royal flush at 4,000-for-5.

Online gaming of all types has exploded in the last several years. Virtually any machine-based or dealer-based game that could be played in a casino can now be played online.

Years ago, only one video poker game was available in casinos – Draw Poker. It was the same game as today’s Jacks or Better. Since that first video poker game was introduced dozens of other video poker games have been developed and installed on casino floors.