Why Strategy Matters in Video Poker
You might be thinking, “Isn’t it just about getting good cards?” While getting dealt a strong hand is certainly a bonus, video poker isn’t just about luck. It’s a game where you make decisions that directly impact the outcome. After your initial five cards are dealt, you choose which ones to keep and which to discard, aiming to form the best possible poker hand. This decision-making process is where strategy comes into play. By understanding the probabilities and the value of different hands, you can consistently make choices that improve your long-term returns. Without a strategy, you’re essentially playing blind, leaving too much to chance.
Understanding the Basics of Video Poker
Before we delve into specific strategies, let’s quickly recap the fundamentals:
Game Objective
The goal is to create the highest-ranking poker hand possible with five cards. You get one chance to discard unwanted cards and draw new ones.
Hand Rankings
Video poker uses standard poker hand rankings, from a pair (lowest winning hand in most variations) to a Royal Flush (the ultimate prize). It’s crucial to know these rankings by heart. Here’s a quick refresher, from highest to lowest:
- Royal Flush: A, K, Q, J, 10, all of the same suit.
- Straight Flush: Five consecutive cards of the same suit (e.g., 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 of hearts).
- Four of a Kind: Four cards of the same rank (e.g., four Aces).
- Full House: Three of a kind and a pair (e.g., three Queens and two 7s).
- Flush: Five cards of the same suit, not in sequence.
- Straight: Five consecutive cards of different suits (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 of mixed suits).
- Three of a Kind: Three cards of the same rank.
- Two Pair: Two different pairs (e.g., two Kings and two 8s).
- One Pair (Jacks or Better): A pair of Jacks, Queens, Kings, or Aces. (This is often the minimum winning hand in popular variations like Jacks or Better).
Pay Tables
Every video poker machine or online game has a “pay table” that shows how much each winning hand pays for a given bet. This is incredibly important because pay tables vary between games and even between casinos. A “full pay” machine offers the best returns, and knowing how to identify these is a key part of advanced strategy. For beginners, focus on understanding that higher-ranking hands pay more.
Essential Video Poker Strategies for Beginners
Now, let’s get to the core of “Video Poker Strategier.” These are general guidelines that apply to most common video poker variations, especially Jacks or Better, which is highly recommended for beginners due to its straightforward strategy.
Always Play Max Coins
This is perhaps the most important rule. If you’re playing for real money, always bet the maximum number of coins (usually 5). Why? Because the payout for a Royal Flush is disproportionately higher when you play max coins. For example, a Royal Flush might pay 250 coins for a 1-coin bet, but 4,000 coins for a 5-coin bet – a huge bonus! If your bankroll doesn’t allow for max bets, consider playing at a lower denomination machine.
Learn the Basic Strategy Chart
For each video poker variation, there’s an optimal strategy chart that tells you the best way to play every possible hand. While memorizing a full chart might seem daunting at first, start with the most common scenarios. Many online resources offer printable charts. The goal is to choose the option that has the highest expected return.
Here’s a simplified hierarchy of hands to hold in Jacks or Better, from best to worst, assuming you don’t already have one of the hands higher up the list:
- Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Four of a Kind
- Four cards to a Royal Flush
- Full House, Flush, Straight, Three of a Kind
- Four cards to a Straight Flush
- Two Pair
- High Pair (Jacks, Queens, Kings, or Aces)
- Three cards to a Royal Flush
- Four cards to a Flush
- Pair (2s through 10s)
- Four cards to an Outside Straight (e.g., 7, 8, 9, 10 where you need a 6 or Jack)
- Two unsuited High Cards (e.g., Ace, King)
- One High Card (J, Q, K, A)
- Three cards to a Straight Flush
- Any other cards (discard all five)
This isn’t an exhaustive list, but it gives you a good starting point. The general principle is to prioritize hands that are already strong, then hands that have the potential for a Royal Flush or Straight Flush, then other strong hands, and finally high cards.
Never Break a Winning Hand (Usually)
If you’re dealt a winning hand (like a pair of Jacks or better, two pair, three of a kind, etc.), it’s almost always best to hold onto it. The only exception might be if you have a very strong draw to a Royal Flush or Straight Flush. For instance, if you have a pair of Jacks but also four cards to a Royal Flush, the potential payout of the Royal Flush often outweighs the guaranteed small win from the pair. This is where a strategy chart becomes invaluable.
Understand the Value of High Cards
High cards (Jacks, Queens, Kings, Aces) are important because they can form high pairs, which are often the minimum winning hand. If you have no winning hand and no strong draw, holding onto one or two high cards is generally better than discarding everything.
Practice with Free Games
Before you play with real money, take advantage of free video poker games available at most online casinos. This allows you to practice your strategy, understand the flow of the game, and get comfortable with your decisions without any financial risk. It’s the perfect way to solidify your “Video Poker Strategier.”
Common Video Poker Variations
While Jacks or Better is excellent for beginners, you’ll encounter other variations. Each has its own optimal strategy, but the core principles remain.
- Deuces Wild: All 2s are wild cards, meaning they can substitute for any other card to form a winning hand. This variation offers more frequent wins but often requires a slightly different strategy.
- Bonus Poker: Similar to Jacks or Better, but offers higher payouts for certain Four of a Kind hands.
- Double Bonus Poker: Even higher payouts for specific Four of a Kind hands, but often with a slightly adjusted pay table for other hands.
As a beginner, stick to Jacks or Better until you’re confident with its strategy.
Conclusion: Play Smart, Play Strategically
