Video Poker Tips
Video poker involves a certain skill. You must choose which cards to hold and which to discard. Most of the time these decisions are straightforward enough, but in some cases it is not easy to know the best strategy.
Finding your video poker strategy
For example, if you are dealt a pair with four cards of the same suit, should you hold the pair or scrap it and go for the flush? To find the answer you need to compare the likelihood of not making the flush with the increased payout if you make it - without forgetting that if you keep the pair you might also make three of a kind. Or four of a kind, for that matter, but this likelihood is really small. It is not easy to perform these calculations, but in most cases, keeping the pair is a superior play.
You will develop a feel for what is the best play as you play along. As a general rule, holding three cards to a flush or straight is not profitable. When playing Jacks or Better, it is usually correct to hold all high cards, rather than holding fewer cards in order to draw more cards.
Some casinos suggest which cards to hold, and you must then judge for yourself whether or not the suggestions can be trusted. They are usually reliable.
Bet the maximum number of coins
If you look in the payout table of your video poker, you'll see that the royal flush payout in the max coins column is often higher than it "ought to be". If the payout is 250 for one coin, 500 for two coins, and 750 for three coins, you'd expect it to be 1000 for four coins, while it actually may pay 4000. So, consequently, you get slightly better odds if you always bet the maximum number of coins. For example, instead of betting one coin of $1, bet four coins of $0.25.
Indulge in bonuses and jackpots
Look for sign-up bonuses, as well as games with bonus rounds or progressive jackpots. Bonus rounds and progressive jackpots are great ways to increase your winnings. A bonus round means you can further push your wager and possibly double your money or more. It is often the best bet available in video poker, giving you even money on your bet.
A Progressive jackpot is an amount of money that grows with each play and is then paid out to one random winner who hits a certain hand. Either way, they are a thrill to win and they do require you to bet max coins. Online casinos sometimes offer a bonus if you deposit real money at their site. Bonuses mostly come with the requirement that you must make bets equal to a certain sum for the bonus to be paid out. Bonuses are a great way to improve your odds.
Let time work for you
Take time to ponder your decisions. Basically, there is no time limit, and you gain nothing by rushing things. On the contrary, your gaming session will be shorter and your money buys you less entertainment.