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Video Poker Tips

Last update: May, 2024

Lisa Cheban
Written by: Lisa Cheban Content writer
Video Poker Tips

Whether you're diving into video poker for the first time or seeking advice to refine your approach, you’ve come to the right resource. Our insights are steeped in expertise, backed by years of playing and researching video poker, all distilled into this guide for your benefit.

Ready to embark on this adventure? Fantastic, let’s begin!

Why This Guide Has Been Written

Video poker stands out in the casino realm by providing the player with all they need to calculate the house edge and create a robust strategy. Too often, players overlook exploiting these insights, settling in front of any available machine and chasing sheer luck. Our guide ensures you maximize your gaming prowess.

Who This Guide Is For

This guide is crafted for all—those who have played but lack direction, newcomers eager to learn, or seasoned players seeking to refine their skills. By the end, you’ll possess the knowledge to play with assurance.

Video Poker Strategy

While video poker's mechanics are straightforward, employing a strategic approach is wise. Unlike traditional poker, there’s no hand competition here. This absence of variance offers a different gameplay experience, with no guarantee of victory even with a promising hand. Knowing when to hold or fold and employing calculated tactics can tip the scale in your favor against the house.

Pick The Right Video Poker Variant

Online casinos offer a variety of video poker games with real money stakes. It starts with placing your bet, followed by receiving cards that necessitate strategic decisions: which to hold and which to swap, culminating in a complete five-card hand.

Despite simple rules, selecting the right video poker game demands priority as they vary in house edge, from as low as 0.3% to as high as 4%. For instance, Microgaming's video poker games provide options with distinct advantages and challenges.

Game

House Edge

Deuces Wild

3.23%

Deuces and Joker

0.93%

Aces and Eights

0.91%

Aces and Faces

0.74%

All American

0.62%

Jacks or Better

0.46%

Your journey into video poker must begin with grasping the foundational rules and knowing each hand's hierarchy. In games such as Jacks or Better, holding a pair of jacks is key to pocketing winnings. You may opt to explore Aces and Faces for higher bonuses with aces or deuces wild for a unique twist, albeit at a greater house edge.

Get to know the paytable before engaging in play. Every video poker game presents a paytable upfront. Wise players ensure they choose one offering fair payouts, like nine coins for full houses and six for flushes, for a balanced long-term return.

Leverage the opportunity to play for free before wagering real funds. Many online casinos offer this feature, allowing you to familiarize yourself with game rules before taking financial risks.

A trustworthy online casino has earned its reputation through delivering secure and just gaming experiences. You can play assured of fair outcomes while having access to an impressive selection of games from varied providers.

To increase your odds, consider betting the maximum coins. Video poker’s highest payouts, notably the jackpot, are tied to this strategy, though hitting such elusive hands remains challenging. Yet, max bets can enhance your chance to unlock bonus rounds.

Pick a Reliable Online Casino

Video poker players can hold onto some cards and discard others, drawing replacements to boost their hand. Knowing which cards to retain and using sound strategy can markedly alter the house edge in your favor.

Video poker operates on true randomness; each hand’s outcome is independent, thanks to Random Number Generator (RNG) software. No card memory exists; every draw is isolated and unbiased.

Seeking games with theoretically positive returns is an advantageous tactic. While rare, some video poker variants including jackpot versions or those with wild cards present such opportunities, offering better potential returns than those with the regular house edge.

Know The Right Cards to Hold

Chasing big wins with smaller stakes? Progressive jackpot video poker could be your path. These jackpots grow with each play, linked across games, and promise lucrative rewards for a royal flush, enticing players with substantial payouts.

Take note: Progressive video poker games often feature poorer paytables compared to their non-progressive counterparts yet make up for it with higher risks and bigger rewards.

Some video poker games let you double your winnings on specific hands. Consider if it has a positive RTP; if so, additional risks may not justify the winnings. For thrill-seekers ready to gamble on volatility, the double-up option may appeal.

Video poker offers a diverse gaming experience with over 20 variations from a simple five-card draw foundation. You face choices to keep or swap cards, shaping your final hand. To play online, follow this checklist:

Register at recommended online casinos

Try The Progressives For Big Wins

Deposit using supported payment methods

Select your video poker game and place a stake

Be Wary Of Doubling Up

Press 'deal' to receive your initial hand of five cards

How To Play Video Poker

Evaluate and discard any undesirable cards, or retain your full hand

  • Receive random replacements from the deck
  • Your hand's result is evaluated and paid out based on the paytable
  • The Significance of Understanding Video Poker Paytables
  • Mastering Video Poker – Discover advanced strategies and find your ideal casino for enhanced gameplay. Enjoy a comprehensive guide to mastering video poker techniques.
  • Betsquare's editorial team prioritizes unbiased information and reviews. To keep our content available for free, we earn revenue from advertisers on our site. This funding is primarily sourced from two key areas.
  • First, we offer advertisers paid placement opportunities. This can influence which offers appear on our platform—though we don’t cover every available market product.
  • Moreover, we integrate 'affiliate links' into some articles. When clicked, these links generate revenue, but they don’t sway our editorial opinions or recommendations. Although we aim for accuracy, Betsquare can't guarantee all-encompassing data. Detailed below are our affiliate partners.

Curious about improving your video poker skills or gaining insights to maximize your game? Welcome! Our seasoned expert, who has long delved into the nuances of video poker, has crafted this guide to share invaluable wisdom gathered over the years.

Ready to dive in? Let’s embark on this journey together!

Video poker stands out as a unique casino offering, granting players access to vital information to assess the house edge effectively and devise a solid strategy for optimal returns. Many players mistakenly rely on luck without leveraging such data. Avoid being part of this group by following our detailed video poker guidance to enhance your gameplay.

  • This guide is tailored for everyone—from novices baffled by video poker's intricacies to seasoned players seeking to refine their expertise. Upon completion, you’ll possess the confidence and knowledge to excel.
  • While the mechanics of video poker are straightforward, playing with an effective strategy is crucial. Unlike traditional poker, you’re not contending against other hands, eliminating variance effects. Success isn’t guaranteed with any starting hand, even the best, but understanding each hand's value and employing the right techniques can offer a competitive edge.

Online casinos provide a broad range of video poker games for real money. At each round’s start, place your wager and receive your cards. Your task is to decide which cards to hold and which to exchange, culminating in a complete five-card hand.

Stake

£1

£2

£3

£4

£5

Jacks or Better

£1

£2

£3

£4

£5

Two Pairs

£2

£4

£6

£8

£10

Three of a Kind

£3

£6

£9

£12

£15

Straight

£4

£8

£12

£16

£20

Flush

£6

£12

£18

£24

£30

Full House

£9

£18

£27

£36

£45

Four of a Kind

£25

£50

£75

£100

£125

Straight Flush

£50

£100

£150

£200

£250

Royal Flush

£250

£500

£750

£1000

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While rules are simple, choosing the optimal game isn't straightforward. Prioritize selecting the best video poker variant. With a low house edge ranging from 0.3-4% depending on the game, careful selection is key. If Microgaming variants intrigue you, here's a glimpse of available games.

Before diving into any game, grasp the basic rules and understand hand rankings. Take a game like Jacks or Better, where holding a pair of jacks is necessary for winnings—but sometimes yields no prize. Consider whether another game, such as Aces and Faces, might suit you better, despite higher stakes, due to bonus payouts. Deuces Wild offers wild cards but with a notably higher house edge.

Understand the Paytable Before Engaging

Every online video poker game showcases a paytable on the home screen. It's wise to examine the paytable before commencing play. Search for a 9/6 pay structure, offering nine coins for full houses and six for flushes; this offers the fairest payouts over time.

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Test Games for Free Before Playing with Real Stakes

Truspilot Logo

Rule of thumb: exploit the free-play feature if an online casino provides it. Video poker, unlike many games, often allows free trials. Register at a reputable online casino, acquaint yourself with rules, and play without financial risk.

What does gambling cost you? Quit in time

A trusted online casino boasts a strong reputation among players. It’s a brand synonymous with security, fairness, and an engaging experience. Playing here ensures game outcomes are fair, with a variety of video poker games from diverse software creators.

What does gambling cost you? Quit in time

Bet Maximum Coins for Enhanced Rewards

Payouts differ by hand in video poker, as reflected on the paytable for one to five coins. The game's jackpot matches the payout when betting five coins. Is max betting advisable? While securing a Royal Flush jackpot is challenging, max betting boosts bonus round chances.

Video poker closely resembles draw poker, where retaining or exchanging cards influences outcomes. Knowing ideal card retention strategies significantly impacts the house edge.

Popular casino games

Randomness Rules the Game – Cards Have No Memory

Icon

A common misconception is that video poker follows a memory system, influencing subsequent outcomes based on prior ones. In fact, a Random Number Generator (RNG) system drives the game’s unpredictability. Each hand stands independent from previous ones.

Live Casino

Select Video Poker Games with Favorable Returns

Icon

Video poker offers unique opportunities to find games with negative house edges, offering potentially positive theoretical returns for players. Such opportunities are rare but often present in certain jackpot or variant wild games, giving players an edge not found in typical casino games.

iDeal Casinos

For those ambitious about substantial wins via smaller bets, progressive jackpot video poker machines are worth exploring. These jackpots expand with each play and can be claimed via a royal flush. The allure extends beyond major wins, offering significant potential from smaller wagers.

Keep in mind: Progressive video poker games typically feature less favorable paytables compared to non-progressive options. They carry more risk but promise greater rewards.

Video poker often presents the option to double winnings on specific hands. Players must weigh whether this risk aligns with their goals. Should the game offer a positive RTP, declining may be wise, as doubling introduces a broader house edge.

Video poker is among the most diverse online casino games, offering over 20 variations while maintaining simplicity rooted in five-card draw poker. You're dealt five cards, opting to keep or exchange them. The final hand shape depends on these choices.

To start enjoying the game online, follow these steps:

- Register at recommended online platforms

- Deposit funds via listed options

- Select a video poker game and place your wager

- Hit 'deal' for your initial hand of five cards

- Analyze your cards, deciding which to keep or discard

- Discarded cards are replaced from the same deck at random

- Final results are displayed with payouts per the paytable

Understanding The Role of the Video Poker Pay Table

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Slot machines

Master the secrets of video poker with top-notch strategies and tips. Whether you're a newbie or a seasoned player, our thorough guide will steer you to choose the right casino for an enhanced video poker experience.

At Betsquare, our team is committed to maintaining transparency and unbiased perspectives. To ensure our readers access free content, we do receive funding from advertisers on our platform, which originates from a couple of key sources.

Initially, advertisers can engage with us through paid placements. This funding might affect the visibility of their offerings on our platform, but rest assured, not every available service or product is represented on Betsquare.

Ready to dive in? Fantastic, let's jump right into winning!

Video poker stands out as the only casino game providing you insights to evaluate the house edge and craft a solid strategy for potential gains. Many players don’t utilize this information well, often betting on random machines with mere hope. Don't join their ranks; instead, tap into our tips for a more enriching experience.

Our comprehensive guide is crafted for novices, seasoned players puzzled by the game, and those eager to elevate their skills. Once you've absorbed this guide, you'll possess the confidence and knowledge to excel.

Playing video poker might seem straightforward, but a sturdy strategy is key. Unlike poker, you're not facing rival hands, reducing variances. However, even the best draws won’t guarantee wins each time. It’s crucial to grasp hand values, when to hold or fold, and leverage various techniques to tilt the odds in your favor.

Online casinos offer a plethora of video poker games for real money stakes. Each round begins with a bet, and you'll receive your cards. It's then crucial to decide which to hold or swap, forming a complete five-card hand.

While these rules seem simple, selecting the right game is another story. Video poker’s advantage is a relatively modest house edge, typified by options like Microgaming's games. Knowing such intricacies can inform your game choices.

Leverage free-play modes at online casinos to acquaint yourself with the game rules before wagering real money. Video poker often provides such options, enabling you to learn strategies safely.

Trustworthy online casinos have stellar player reputations, demonstrating dedication to safe, fair, and enjoyable gaming. These platforms ensure fair-play results and an expansive selection of games from different developers.

Maximize your bets by wagering the maximum coin count. While video poker shows different payouts depending on the wager, the jackpot correlates to five coins, representing the highest reward. Though the odds of hitting a Royal Flush are slim, betting more increases bonus-round chances.

In video poker, you can swap cards to better your odds. Knowing which cards to keep or discard and applying an 'optimal strategy' can significantly improve your advantage against the house.