Video poker is a popular game both in live and online casinos. It offers players a choice that affects the outcome of the game. However, to achieve the best results – in other words to play the game successfully – players must adhere to certain rules of play.
There are several keys to playing video poker successfully, but one key stands out from the rest. This article explores that one as well as several other keys.
Contents
- The seven keys to successful video poker play
- Why they matter
- The most important key to playing video poker successfully
- Summary
The seven keys to successful video poker play
Unlike standard slot machines where the results are strictly the result of luck, video poker allows players to “make their own luck” to a certain extent. The seven keys to successful video poker play are:
- Know how to find the best video poker game.
- Know the proper playing strategy for the game and pay table being played.
- Be observant – verify the game and entire pay table before playing.
- Have a separate gambling account containing only money that you can afford to lose.
- Do not overplay your bankroll.
- Stop playing and take a break when tired or upset.
- Take advantage of any casino bonuses and perks.
If this article interests you, keep reading. Alternatively, explore other topics like blackjack tips and best side bets in blackjack.
Why they matter
Why do these seven keys matter? Let’s start at the beginning of the list and explore each one in more detail.
- Finding the best game: There are several variations of video poker games available. Each of those games can have several different pay tables. Each game and pay table affect your return and the variance. These factors impact win rate and bankroll requirements. To be successful, you must select the game that best matches your specific playing style and then find the pay table for that game the gives you the best return.
- Knowing the playing strategy: The game type (such as Jacks or Better or double-double bonus poker) and pay table impact the return and variance. These values are based on holding the proper cards for each dealt hand. The proper playing strategy extracts the highest return possible (on average) for each dealt hand. If played differently, you relinquish some of your advantage.
- Being observant: After you have done your research and know which games and pay table combinations are the best for your style of play – conservative (low variance) or more frequent big hits at the cost of less pay for more frequent hits (high variance), you must find those games in the casino. It is not as simple as seeing the name of the game (e.g. Jacks or Better) on the machines front panel. You must select the game from the available games shown on the playing screen, examine the pay table, and make sure it matches the pay table you want. Many players check only the full house and flush pay lines. That works in many cases, but casinos also alter payouts for other hands. Make sure you check every line of the pay table to be sure.
- Having a separate gambling account: To be successful at playing video poker – or any casino game for that matter – you cannot worry about losing the money being wagered. If you are playing with money that you need for house or car payments, or worse still, groceries; losing will weigh heavily on your mind. Playing scared is not a form of successful play. It negatively impacts results.
- Playing within your bankroll: Closely related to the previous point, overplaying your bankroll can cause stress when you hit losing streaks. Playing at a dollar level game ($5 per hand) with a bankroll of $100 is a recipe for failure. A loss of 20 hands will wipe you out. While this may be an extreme example, losing streaks can be quite long. Even playing at a quarter level ($1.25 per hand) can be overplaying a $100 bankroll.
- Taking a break: Playing video poker requires thought. Unlike slot machine strategy, where results are based purely on luck, your actions directly affect results. Successful play requires a sharp mind. Anything that interferes with that affects results. An alcoholic drink or two may be okay and help to relax you, but too many will affect play. Becoming tired will do the same. If you become agitated, frustrated, or angry, that will also affect play. When any of these conditions happen, or if you notice you are making mistakes in strategy, take a break immediately. Leave the casino. Clear your mind. Do not resume play until you are again at your best.
- Taking advantage of bonuses and perks: Being successful at video poker requires that you take every advantage available. If possible, play only during bonus promotions. Take advantage of any perks that are offered. Take every last penny of the extras that are offered.
The most important key to playing video poker successfully
The previous section listed seven keys to playing video poker successfully. The most important key to successful play is not specifically listed. It is, however, implied in several of the keys.
That key is discipline. Without it, none of the seven points listed above are of any value. It is the key that supersedes the others.
Summary
The goal of every gambler is to win. In most casino games, winning is determined simply by luck. Video poker allows players the opportunity to “make their own luck” because video poker games advertise their returns and variance by showing the pay tables associated with the game. Video poker players can take advantage of that information.
It is not easy. Following all the steps to successfully play video poker requires the discipline to learn the games and to play them properly. It requires the discipline to always follow those rules while playing. The results can be well worth the effort, however.
Do you have the discipline to become a successful video poker player?
