How to Play Video Poker
Video poker is only a different form of poker and therefore is largely a game of skill, however as with other forms of poker games luck will play a part in deciding if you lose or win. The tips that follow are written to help you in winning at video poker by improving your poker playing ability to near those of an expert player.
Play only equipment that offers full payback – the machines that will payback all of the tokens bet. In the event that the payback value is not shown then select the machine the returns the the largest amount whenever you hold a flush or a full house. The machines that pay out the most for these hands will be the machines that offer the best returns.
All machines have a listing of the payout schedule along with the maximum number of tokens that may be bet (the maximum number is usually five). It is a wise choice to at all times play the maximum quantity of coins so that you are eligible for the extra payout for a royal flush. Further ensure the machine takes all of your tokens prior to playing – just in case you make the jackpot, you need to be certain five coins were played.
Always keep in mind that when playing video poker you are using a computer not playing other competitors, and the machine is set to pay out only if you have one of the posted winning hands. Casinos offer many video poker computers that are set up to pay out 100% if a gamer is clever enough to play at an expert level. A casino can afford this since most video poker players play at a level far removed from the expert level required for the 100% pay out.
High ranking playing cards, referred to as kickers, that players want to employ along with a pair should not be held. Holding a kicker playing card is a sound strategy when playing regular poker at a casino; but the video poker computer does not care and a player will have passed up a chance to get a better playing card.
Your likelihood of completing an inside straight (where you need a card in the centre to get a straight) are slight so do not try it. Completing an open-ended straight (you have 4 of the 5 sequential playing cards required to complete a straight but require one more card however it can be at either end) is a much easier task and should be tried.
At all times keep any pair versus keeping a high ranking playing card. Many players would keep any high ranked playing card and discard a low ranking pair; but this is not your smartest idea. A player has a better chance by retaining the two of a kind and trying for three of a kind.
Always retain a high valued pair versus a four-card open straight, a three-card royal flush or a four-card flush. Try to make three of a kind, since the worst you can do is to recover your wager.
If you are holding a low ranking two of a kind in addition to a four-card open end straight, hold the pair. A low ranked pair is more valuable than trying to complete a straight and should be held.
When you have a three-card royal, a low ranked two of a kind, a four-card open end straight or a four-card flush; hold the three-card royal. The extra payout for a royal flush makes it a smarter bet.
When you have a junk set of cards, which is one that does not retain at least one high playing card, it’s a good move to draw all five playing cards.
