The Fundamentals of Video Poker Strategy
Unlike most other casino games that are based purely on luck, with video poker, you have the chance to improve your odds by using a solid strategy. In this guide we’ll explain strategies and how to use them in different poker situations. Read on to find out more below.
Tips For Video Poker Strategy
Using video poker strategy will help you play at your best, improve your skills, and stretch your bankroll. We have tried and tested a few four tips that will improve your poker gameplay tremendously and could help you win that jackpot.
Tips For Video Poker Strategy
Using video poker strategy will help you play at your best, improve your skills, and stretch your bankroll. We have tried and tested a few four tips that will improve your poker gameplay tremendously and could help you win that jackpot.
Understand The Paytable
All hands pay out differently, so it is helpful to know the paytable. Lucky for video poker players the paytables are at the top of the screen when playing, so there’s no need to memorize it.
Fund Your Gaming Account
Once your account has been verified and activated, you can then head over to the banking section of the site and click on deposit to add gaming credits to your account. Choose the deposit method that will be most convenient for you and follow the prompts.
Hold Low Pairs
Hold on to any pair you get, even low ones. It is always a good idea to keep a paying hand than to chase a bigger one and end up winning nothing at all.
Video Poker Basics
While there are similarities between slots and video poker, with video poker you can control the outcome by improving your hand; it is thus important to know how to play video poker. Find below the basics of video poker gameplay.
Jacks Or Better
This is the most popular video poker variant. The rules differ slightly from original poker, in that you need two jacks, at least, to win. Other Jacks or Better rules include:
Bonus, Double Bonus, and Double Double Bonus Poker
These three poker variants are quite popular and based on the core rules of Jacks or Better. They can be found at most online casinos, and some key rules include:
Jokers Wild and Deuces Wild
In this variant all twos turn wild. They can thus represent any card to form a winning combination. Similarly, in Joker's Wild all the Jokers turn wild. There are some slight differences between these versions and the original video poker.
Winning Strategies for Different Video Poker Variants
The strategy you use will depend on the video poker variant you are playing. Find below five different moves you can make in different video poker situations.
Jacks or Better
- Hold four cards to a flush or straight
- Hold three cards to a Royal Flush
- Hold any pair
- Hold three cards to a Straight Flush
Deuces Wild
- Hold four twos
- Hold your entire hand if it’s three deuces in a Royal Flush or five of a kind
- Hold any paying hands if there are no deuces
- Hold three to a Royal Flush
- Hold any pair if you don’t have any of the abovementioned
Double Bonus
- Hold three cards to a flush
- Hold four cards to a flush
- Hold any pair
- Hold any single high cards
- Drop if you have no pairs
Aces and Faces
- Always bet max
- Hold any pair regardless of its value
- If on the brink of a Royal Flush, drop what you don’t need to get it
- Hold four to a flush
- Only drop a winning hand if you can make a Royal Flush
Jokers Wild/Joker Poker
- Hold three of a kind
- Hold Anything higher than three of a kind
- Hold any four cards in a high value hand
- Hold one joker plus three cards of high value
- Always bet max
Tens or Better
- Hold any paying hand unless you have a chance to land a Royal Flush
- Always bet max
- Hold any pair
- Know and comprehend the paytable
- Discard an entire hand if it doesn’t contribute to a winning hand
Your Chances of Winning at Video Poker
If you play video poker often, you are probably familiar with the near-win feeling. But how possible is this really? In the table below you’ll find your odds of creating different winning card combinations.
| Your Hand | Odds |
|---|---|
| Royal Flush on the first deal | 1 in 650,000 |
| Royal Flush formed by keeping or dropping cards | 1 in 40,000 |
| A kicker and 4 aces | 1 in 16,236 |
| Straight Flush | 1 in 9,150 |
| Twos to fours plus a kicker | 1 in 6,984 |
| 4 Aces | 1 in 5,761 |
| 4 Twos | 1 in 4,909 |
| Twos to fours | 1 in 2,601 |
| Four of a kind | 1 in 423 |
| Full House | 1 in 90 |
| Flush | 1 in 85 |
| Straight | 1 in 80 |
Basic Strategy: Select the Best Casino
When playing video poker there is a lot to take into account, and seasoned players believe that the secret to a good game is choosing the right casino. Below is a list of aspects to consider when choosing a casino.
High RTP
RTP is the percentage that a casino pays out on average. So, a RTP of 97% means that for every $100 bet, $97 is paid back to players. Keep in mind that this percentage applies to the casino as a whole, not every individual wager. Nonetheless, it’s still better to choose a casino with a higher payout rate.
Compare Bonuses
While bonuses are generally good, not all of them carry the same weight. If you see a bonus you like, be sure to read the fine print and do your research. Welcome bonuses aren’t for all video poker players. If this is you, rather wait for promotions to come your way while you’re playing.
How you are allowed to use your bonus is dependent on your casino’s playthrough requirements and time. Before joining any casino, have a look at its bonus requirements. If you don’t have enough time prior to joining, trust us to recommend the best video poker bonuses.
Tip: Ideally, a bonus should include a high bonus amount plus doable wagering requirements.
Safety First
You should always be safe when playing video poker online. Before joining any casino, make sure it’s secure. All games should be audited independently to ensure completely random outcomes and fairness. Avoid any website that is not audited.
Other security protocols like regular security checks, safe banking methods, and firewalls could also help alleviate your concern. For the most secure casino sites, simply have a look at this page.
Extra Features
More casino features to look out for include low to no transaction charges, various payment options, and speedy cash withdrawals. Customer service that’s available 24/7 and recognized licensing is also preferable.
Video Poker Glossary
Feeling lost in video poker terminology? On this page you’ll find definitions of the most common video poker terms. If you would like to read up on more general gambling terminology, visit the casino and gambling glossary.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Action | All the money a player has bet. |
| Bankroll | The amount of money a player has put aside for gambling specifically, could be actual money or chips. |
| Cycle | This is how many hands it takes to create a Royal Flush. This implies that you can forecast how many hands need to be played before a big payout, which is false. Every hand is completely random, and you could also win big twice in a row. |
| Cashback | A cash bonus given to the player in return for playing at a casino. |
| Drawing hand | A hand that’s incomplete and needs a specific card to increase its value. |
| Face Card | Cards containing faces like Jacks, Queens, or Kings. |
| Full Pay | The best variant of a game from a statistical point of view. For example, the full-pay version of the video poker variant Jacks or Better is 9/6 Jacks or Better. Avoid games where the house has the advantage; however, some casinos do not offer full-pay versions. |
| House Edge | A percentage that represents the casino’s advantage. The lower the house edge, the better for the player. However, the casino wants the highest edge. |
| Inside Straight | When you need at least 1+ cards to complete a straight. If, for example, your hand contained 6, 7, 9 and 10, you would need an 8 to complete the straight. |
| Kicker | The highest single card, which is used to break ties in traditional poker. Drop any kickers when playing video poker, as they don’t work the same way. |
| Outside Straight | When you need one of only two cards to complete a straight. This is much easier to achieve than an inside straight. For example, for a hand consisting of 9, 10, J, and Q, you need either a K or 8 to complete your straight. |
| Paytable | A table at the top of your screen that tells you how much each hand pays out – payouts are presented based on your bet size. |
| Progressive Jackpot | A jackpot that continues to grow until someone wins it. Generally, there are many machines that are linked and contribute to the jackpot, which is limitless. When won, the jackpot returns to its starting value. |
| RNG | Abbreviation for random number generator, which refers to software that ensures completely random results on every deal. In a game of video poker, the RNG software issues five random cards from an imaginary deck. |
| Short Pay | The opposite of full pay. These games are not as favorable because of their low payouts. If possible, avoid these. |
| Volatility | Measures how much the actual return might differ from the predicted return. High volatility means either big wins or big losses. Most players believe that high volatility comes with more risk. |
| Wild Card | A card in a video poker game that can represent any other card to help form a winning hand. |
Time To Start Playing
Now That you’ve got your strategy down, it’s time to actually play. Choose your favorite from CasinoTop’s collection of video poker games and play for real online. Good luck!
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Frequently Asked Questions
If you are playing the full pay version, then Deuces Wild. It gives you the edge over the house and could be fruitful if you use the right strategy. Note that it may take a few hands before you experience the advantage.
Even though the two share a name, there are considerable differences. The major one being that video poker is played against the machine while traditional poker is played against other players and the dealer. Some might even say that video poker has more in common with slots than traditional poker. However, it still requires poker skills.
Yes. Most online casinos offer free versions of their video poker titles. Some even help improve your game by providing feedback on whether you are making the best move possible.
Jacks or Better is the most popular among beginners, but sooner or later they move on to Deuces Wild because it is easier to win. Nonetheless, it also depends on your personal taste, which might not be either one.
While you can use the above strategies to improve your odds, there is no way to guarantee a win. We suggest taking it slow and learning the ropes.
There is no strategy that can help beat the machine. Like slots, video poker is based mostly on luck. However, its odds and wins are considerably better than most casino games. Our best advice is thus to stick to a strategy and keep at it.
Like any other casino game, you need to be 18 or older to play video poker online.
CasinoTop recommends only the best online casinos for video poker, so check out our top online casinos for video poker to find your new casino.
Yes. Video poker does require knowledge of winning poker hands to help you win.
Not all online casinos have video poker, but most do.
There are hundreds of video poker variants to choose from. Although, some are more popular than others.
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