Video Poker Strategies and Tips

Video Poker games can be some of the most profitable of all casino action, especially when you use a proper video poker strategy. By taking the time to seek the best pay tables, and combine the right strategy for your chosen video poker game, you can get very near to a 100% payout percentage.

Add to that the potential for casino incentives – bonuses, promotions, comps, etc. – and the tables can actually be turned into your favor. It’s not often you find a casino game where the house doesn’t have a distinct advantage, but video poker is easily the best game in any live or online casino where the player has the opportunity to take charge.

In this article, we’ll offer a range of video poker strategies and tips that will give you the highest potential for making a tidy profit.

Bet Max

All video poker machines will offer a bonus payout for betting the maximum number of coins (5) when achieving the best possible hand. If betting all 5 coins goes higher than you budget calls for, choose a video poker game with a lower coin denomination.

All Cards Are Random

Video Poker games are truly random. Every card you receive is not predetermined. Just like a real poker game, you have the same, fair chance of hitting that open-ended straight in video poker. The machine is not set to ensure you lose so many hands, and in the same token, is not due to hit a Royal Flush just because it hasn’t been hit in a long time.

Players Club Cards

When playing in a live casino, always – always! – insert your players club card into the machine, and ensure it has been read, before playing. Club cards build up points for every dollar you spend, and translate to free casino money. That free money can be the adage that drives the edge away from the house and into your advantage.

Holding Kickers

It is not recommended to hold kickers in video poker. Say you have a pair of Jacks and an Ace kicker. Holding the Ace is a bad idea. The odds are too far against you to get another Ace with only two cards coming, so at most you’ll get back what you paid in. Holding the Jacks and getting three new cards has a higher potential for increasing your pay out, and will still result in breaking even if you don’t hit another Jack or pair.

Game Charts

To further your video poker strategy, find a video poker strategy chart that is specific to your game of choice. There are video poker strategy charts for all of the most common game variations, such as Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, Joker Poker, etc. Video poker strategy charts will give you the optimal strategy for all situations. If you’re playing for pure profit, video poker strategy charts can be your ace in the hole. However, be aware that they take away all personal decision making, so if you enjoy the intuitive side of video poker, they may not be your cup of tea.