Video Poker Strategy Guide: Good Tips To Improve Your Skills

No secret, the world of gambling is rather diverse. That’s why you won’t be surprised that various types of casino games have different rules as well as different strategies. Even a classic game you think you know everything about can have several kinds. For example, poker can be played not only with dealers. So a blend of slots and this popular card game is what video poker is. Here we are to tell about the hidden secrets of video poker for players to understand not only the basic rules, but the way they can win more often. Now it’s time to see the examples of actual working strategies, so here we go!

General Rules of the Game

Of course, video poker strategy is the thing you can’t miss when going to play regularly. But when you don’t understand the basic rules, it’s more complicated to become a good player. So here comes a brief description of the game. All right, how to play it?

In fact, this game is really easy to understand. You navigate as if you are playing slots, but now you deal with cards instead of symbols on the reels. That’s what it looks like.

You are dealt 5 cards.
You have to choose the ones to keep, while the others will be discarded.
Now it’s the second part when the discarded cards are exchanged for the new ones.
Finally, you have 5 cards and when you are lucky to get a winning hand, you win.

What is the winning hand? Well, as well as with poker, here you can get winning hands, and each one has its cost.

Be aware: some kinds of this game are played with a Joker, so there is a Five of a Kind combination as well. Besides, the value of these hands can also vary. For example, the combination of 4 deuces in Deuces Wild goes right after Royal Flush.

Kinds of This Game

The general rules are mostly similar in each kind of this game. But professional video poker players usually know several popular types of video poker to develop the strategy for each. You can also get acquainted with this list.

Jacks or Better.
You play with a deck of 52 cards. But the outstanding feature of this kind is that the winning hands start with a pair of J, Q, K or A. So you won’t get paid for a pair of tens, for example. Though sometimes you can also meet a Tens or Better type, now the tens will be paid as well.
Deuces Wild.
You also play with 52 cards, but now all deuces are, according to the name, Wild. In some casinos, you will be paid for the Royal Flush more when the combination includes Wild cards. While a combination of 4 deuces is the second most expensive hand (yes, even more valuable, than Straight Flush is).
Joker Poker.
Here, one more card is added to a 52-card deck, it’s a Joker (and it’s Wild). This way, a new combination takes place - it’s Five of a Kind. By the way, it’s even more valuable than Wild Royal Flush.
Bonus Poker variations.
Actually, you can meet not only Bonus, but Double Bonus and Double Double Bonus of this type. Even Triple Triple Bonus Video Poker strategy takes place. The difference between these types is in the return percent, while the gameplay is exactly the same. But be aware to find out the payout rate at the casino before getting to play.

Pay attention: as well as in the section with slots, here you can find the titles that offer to win a progressive jackpot.

Why You Need Video Poker Strategy

Perhaps, you’ve watched poker training videos or have read any guides to understand how to win here. Well, you should notice that all the tips on these guides were based on one valuable thing - strategy. When you understand the rules and can «juggle the facts» in your mind, you definitely get an advantage. And when you don’t have a plan, all our actions are increasing the house edge this way.

Video Poker Strategy Guide

And now, when you know enough about the game and realize that you need a plan of action, meet a video poker strategy guide, the thing that will change the idea of gambling you used to meet before. So yes, even when it’s a game of luck, the outcome can be not so random when you care about the plan of your game.

Yes, get ready to meet the most popular strategies gamblers are using today.

Deuces Wild

You’ve already learned that in this game several cards are Wild, so you have an opportunity to form more winning combinations. And in order to do it even better, meet the Deuces Wild video poker optimal strategy.

No deuces are dealt	You should hold two cards higher than a J: · to a Royal Flush. Hold three cards: · the ones to form Straight or Royal Flush. Hold four cards: · Straight or Royal Flush; · open-ended or inside Straight. You should also hold a pair or any winning hand you’ve managed to get.
One deuce is dealt	Hold three cards: · to a Straight Flush (when you have 6-7 or higher). Hold four cards: · Royal Flush; · Full House (when the consecutive cards are 5-7 or higher). Besides, you hold combinations like Three of a Kind or higher and a deuce.
Two deuces are dealt	Hold four cards: · to a Royal Flush or Straight Flush (if you have 6-7 or higher). Additionally, hold Four of a Kind (or better) and deuces.
Three deuces are dealt	You should hold only: · Straight or Royal Flush; · 3 deuces.
Four deuces are dealt	Just hold all these Wild cards.

Jacks or Better

This is another famous type of this game, you will definitely meet it at online casinos. So it’s important to understand it as well. On that occasion, meet Jacks or Better video poker strategy, and use it when playing this game next time.

So take a look at these combinations to hold (in descending order), and if you have none of them, just discard all the cards you have.

Four of a Kind or higher.
4 out of 5 cards to form Four of a Kind.
Three of a Kind - Full House.
4 out of 5 cards to form Straight Flush.
Two Pair.
High Pair (J or better).
3 out of 5 cards to form Royal Flush.
4 out of 5 cards to form Flush.
Low pair.
4 out of 5 cards to form outside Straight.
Two suited high cards.
3 out of 5 cards to form Straight Flush.
Two unsuited high cards.
One of the following suited combinations: J/10, Q/10, or K/10.
At least one high card.

Of course, the combinations from the top are more profitable, so you can even be lucky to get a strong hand at once. But when luck is not on your side, don’t worry. Just discard what you have to try your luck again.

Other Things to Consider

If you find it quite difficult to remember all the steps, meet the video poker basic strategy in a chart. All you have to do is check what cards you have and replace the unnecessary ones according to the table (start from the top).

And if you are looking for a multi-hand video poker strategy, no need to go on searching anymore. So the plan of what to do and what cards to keep/drop is exactly the same. The difference is that now you have to play for many hands, so you’ll have to make a decision for each of them.

But when you meet another kind of game, it’s impossible to minimize the house edge without a double bonus video poker strategy. So here it is: again you start from the highest combinations and go on keeping/dropping the cards.

Useful Tips for Playing Video Poker

Yet, before getting to play, make sure you know all these tips for playing video poker!

Choose only licensed casinos to bet at.
Practice for free by using a demo mode.
Learn about various types of this game, so each detail matters and the rules of each kind can slightly differ.
Check the conditions of each casino, and even the games you launch. So some machines can have certain additional rules, while the rate of the paytable can also vary.
Remember to use a video poker strategy guide according to the type of game you play.
Play moderately and remember that this entertainment should be responsible.

A Few Words About the Game’s History

If you want not only to play, but to learn a bit about the game you are going to launch, meet the history of both early games and the modern titles we can see today. Let’s go!

Early Years

Even in the 20th century, gamblers could enjoy the games of this kind. But the thing is that they weren’t so popular, while the interface was extremely old-fashioned. And yes, casino visitors had to play on poker machines. In 1964, Nevada Electronic produced Twenty One, so all these machines started to rise in popularity.

Modern Game

In the 1990s, people in different areas started to hear about the Internet, and the gambling area wasn’t an exception. This way, Microgaming developed the first online casino title in 1994. And as it had easy to understand rules and was easy to play, video poker became one of the most famous online titles of that time. And so it is today: modern types of an old-fashioned game with colourful design, engaging gameplay, and available on any kind of device.

Other Games to Practice

Yes, demo mode is a perfect option to practice and find out how exactly these games work. But when you need more options, the world series of poker video games is another opportunity to improve your gaming skills. Just open the software on your gadget and have fun.

Now everything seems to be clear. So develop your own professional video poker strategy to enjoy this game even more and benefit from it!

FAQ

What is video poker and how to play it?

In general, it’s a brief version of poker that also looks like slots. You just launch the game, see 5 cards, keep/drop them, exchange the discarded ones, and now that’s it, just find out whether you have any winning hands.

What kinds of video poker take place?

There are several types of this game. The most outstanding kinds are Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, Joker Poker, Bonus Poker. Though that’s not all and you can find even more.

Can I use strategies for each kind of video poker?

Of course, these strategies can help to decrease the house edge. You can use a video poker simulator strategy, a printable chart, or just remember the steps of the strategy of your game’s type.

Where to play this game?

The most important thing is to choose a reliable casino with licenses and a convenient interface. And as for the filling, you can hardly meet a site where video poker isn’t available, so you can play wherever you want to.