How to Win at Video Poker

An article about how to win at video poker.

Whether in a Vegas casino or over the Internet, video poker is a favorite game of those who aren't willing to shell out big bucks. Because of the practically non-existent house edge, people normally flock to video poker machines for some quick and easy cash in the best and most fun way possible.

Just Poking Around?
Winning at video poker can be learned by just about anyone. All one needs to play this game is the basic knowledge of poker and its various card combinations. It all seems rather easy, but there is also the matter of strategy, something that one has to learn as well. When given those initial five cards, one has to judge which of the cards to keep or discard. The most common kind of video poker is Jacks or better, where the least one should have to win or get the bet back in a five card draw would be two jacks. Poker combos apply, and one should be on the look-out for three or four of a kind draws, straights, flushes, full houses, and straight and royal flushes.

The best part about playing video poker is that a player can see just how much money can be won from a bet. Video poker machines have columns which indicate what the pay-off would be according to the player's bet. For every possible winning hand combined with the amount of money wagered, there is a corresponding pay-off. In most machines, the minimum bet is one coin or credit while the maximum is five. On the side of the chart, the possible winning combinations are listed, with a pairing of two Jacks or better as the lowest and a royal flush as the one with the highest pay-off. The higher your wager is, the higher the return. Everything has been laid out for poker player, so enjoying this game is certainly hassle-free.

To Have and to Hold
No, just because one is in Vegas doesn't mean everything would lead to marriage. But if given some thought, video poker does have similarities to tying the knot. With the five cards that are dealt at the start of a round, it is up to the player to keep a card or not, for richer or poorer. This is when strategy in video poker comes in. If a player has two Jacks, then it's an instant win for that round. If there are other possible winning combinations, then keep those cards. For example, if one already has two queens and there aren't any other cards of value left in the hand, keep the two queens, and get rid of the rest. A chance at a three or four of a kind and a full house can come out at the draw. But what if there are no possible combinations for the first hand? Then that's when luck and strategy come hand in hand. The best thing to do would be to keep the top cards in the bunch, and hope for the best.

While winning in video poker seems pretty simple, it does require a lot of patience. Getting the highest paying combinations can take some time. But don't fret. It's not like video poker will pry lots of cash out of your fingers. It is, after all, the preferred game of players who don't like to bet and lose lots of money. So the best thing to do is to just take your time and enjoy.

Last Updated ( Friday, 14 December 2007 )

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