Video poker has exploded in popularity over the last few decades, becoming one of the most played casino games around the globe, not only at Nine Casino online. With the right strategies, it’s possible to dramatically cut the house edge and boost your chances of walking away a winner. This guide explores essential tips and tactics for mastering video poker.
Understanding Video Poker Basics
Video poker machines function much like slot machines, but offer players vastly improved odds when proper strategy is utilized. The object of the game is to form the strongest possible 5-card poker hand from the cards you are dealt. After choosing which cards to hold and which to discard, the machine replaces your discards and pays out based on the strength of your final hand.
Payouts are determined by the game’s pay table, which varies depending on factors like the specific video poker variant being played. Some of the most popular include Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild and Bonus Poker. Players can further control payback percentage by selecting machines with more favorable pay tables.
Implement Fundamental Strategy Principles
While video poker involves a degree of chance, it is very much a game of skill. By adhering to basic strategic principles, you can scrub away the house edge and gain a mathematical advantage over the casino. Key strategy tips include:
-
Learn Optimal Holding Strategies: Every video poker variant has an optimal holding strategy guiding which cards you should hold or discard to maximize expected value. Study game-specific strategy charts to inform correct ’playing the hand’ decisions.
-
Play Full Pay Machines: Seek out machines offering maximum payback percentages, generally identified as “9/6 Jacks or Better” paying 9 credits for a full house and 6 credits for a flush.
-
Bet Maximum Coins: Payouts for most wins are proportional to the number of coins bet, so wagering maximum coins on every hand is advised.
-
Use a Player’s Card: Signing up for a casino’s player loyalty program often makes you eligible for lucrative comps and rewards to offset short-term losing sessions.
Table 1: Common Video Poker Variants and Respective Payback Percentages
Game Variant |
Full Pay Payback |
Jacks or Better |
99.54% |
Deuces Wild |
100.76% |
Double Bonus |
100.17% |
Double Double Bonus |
100.07% |
Leverage Advanced Strategies to Gain an Edge
Once you have a handle on basic video poker strategy, consider learning some advanced tactics to truly crush these machines. A few clever plays to incorporate include:
-
Practice Optimal Discarding: Accurately calculating expected value for holding or discarding certain cards or combinations of cards is key to maximizing your edge.
-
Incorporate Bankroll Management: Define a bankroll for your video poker play and scale your wagers based on bankroll size to survive natural variance.
-
Review Historical Play Data: Modern video poker machines track comprehensive historical play data statistics, allowing players to identify and capitalize on machine tendencies.
-
Take Advantage of Promotions: Jump on video poker promotions like progressive jackpots and multiplier hours to spike your win rate into positive territory.
Choose Video Poker Games Wisely
Not all video poker games are created equal. Seeking the variants with the most favorable odds and pay tables is advised. Games to target include:
-
9/6 Jacks or Better: The holy grail of player-friendly video poker, offering returns up to 99.54% with perfect strategy.
-
Deuces Wild: Features additional winning hands thanks to deuces (2s) acting as wild cards. Can return over 100% with optimal play.
-
Double Bonus: Generates a heightened payback percentage by offering extra payouts for four-of-a-kind hands.
With mastery of proper video poker strategy, what is already an entertaining casino pastime becomes a legitimate avenue for reliable profits. Just be sure to set reasonable win expectations, brush up on game-specific tactics and above all – have fun!