If you’re here to learn about USA video poker strategy, you must be a fan of one of the most profitable forms of casino gambling. While most slots and table games drain your bankroll at an alarming rate, video poker can actually give the player a mathematical advantage over the house. Despite this fact, it’s largely overlooked by most casual players due to the lack of fanfare and the solitary nature of play.
Video slots have been around since the 1970s, and they’ve been growing in popularity ever since. They’ll never rival slots in the overall number of patrons, but those in the know realize a good thing when they see it.
So how do you win at video poker? That’s the purposes of this article, and we’ve included a number of tips and strategies that should help you walk away a winner on a consistent basis.
How to Play Video Poker
The concept of video poker is simple, and it functions much like the classic game of five card draw that you’ve probably enjoyed around the kitchen table at some point in your life. The player begins by inserting one to five credits. Each credit is the same denomination, and these can range from a nickel to $25 or more.
Once you’ve placed your wager, the machine deals you five cards. You then decide which cards you want to retain, keeping in mind that the goal is to make the best five-card poker hand possible.
After picking the cards you want to keep, select the “Draw” button to receive replacement cards for any that you threw away. Your final hand is now complete, and you’ll receive a payout if it meets the necessary minimum requirement (often a pair of jacks or better).
Example of Video Poker Strategy
There are numerous versions of video poker, and each one has an accompanying strategy. Since our space is limited, there’s no way I can list them all, but I do want to provide at least one example.
The following is a simple strategy for Jacks of Better, which should result in an expected return of 99.46%. To employ this strategy, study your initial five-card hand and determine all the ways that it can be played. Then consult the list and choose the highest-ranking option.
– Royal flush, straight flush, four of a kind
– Four towards a royal flush
– Full house, straight, flush, three of a kind
– Four towards a straight flush
– Two pair
– High pair (jacks or better)
– Three towards a royal flush
– Four towards a flush
– Low pair (10s or less)
– Four towards an outside straight
– Two suited cards that are jacks or better (high cards)
– Three towards a straight flush
– Two cards, unsuited, that are jacks or better
– Any of the following combinations in the same suit: K/10, Q/10, or J/10
– A single card that’s a jack or higher
– Get rid of all cards
Advice for Playing Video Poker
In addition to using a strategy, the following tips and advice should help you succeed at video poker:
1. Always search for the best paytables. If you fail to do this, you’re costing yourself money in the long run.
2. Keep in mind that video poker machines offering 100%+ payouts are usually only available in quarter denominations or below.
3. Don’t drink alcohol while playing. If you start to get drunk, it can affect your ability to make the proper decisions and wind up costing you money.
4. Don’t worry about your rate of play. While slots players try to get in as many spins per hour as possible, video poker fans should focus more on accuracy. As you learn the proper USA video poker strategy for a particular game, your speed is bound to improve over time. Until then, just focus on making the best hand possible.
5. Be patient. If you play eight hours a day at around 600 hands per hour, it should take you a little over a week to hit a royal flush (on average). The most important thing is to stick to your strategy and not stress out. After all, you’re supposed to be having fun.