Video Poker Strategy
Can you play video poker to win? Actually, you can. Video poker is one of the few casino games you can beat. You won't necessarily be able to become a professional video poker player, but if you're looking for the one casino game besides traditional poker where you can get positive expected value, video poker may be your game. Here's how to win at video poker.
How to Win at Video Poker Step 1: Find the Right Machine
While "Jacks or Better" video poker machines offer a minimal House edge and are the most common, they do not favor the player (unless the progressive jackpot is inordinately high). If you want to try to get an edge in video poker, you'll need to find a "Deuces Wild" machine, where a deuce can be any card.
How to Win at Video Poker Step 2: Find a Full Pay Machine
While a full pay Jacks or Better machine pays nine coins for a full house and six coins for a flush, the payouts for Deuces Wild machines are much lower because it is so much easier to make a hand. For deuces wild, you'll be looking to get paid nine coins for a straight flush and five for four of a kind.
How to Win at Video Poker Step 3: Play Perfect Strategy
To get the biggest edge, you have to play perfectly. You can find strategy tables online that will tell you exactly what to do in every situation. You should have the strategy guide open while you play online. Print out a copy and take it with you, as the strategy can get complicated at certain points.
If you follow the above tips, you should be able to make a small profit at video poker, about 50 cents to a dollar for every $100 you play.
Video Poker is one of very few casino games where you, when applying the correct video poker strategy, actually become a favorite versus the House.