Tips for Playing Better Video Poker
Whereas the payout percentage for playing online slots is in the low to mid
90s, the payout percentage rate for video poker is about 99.4 to 101.2%.
No real skill and intellect is required to play slots, however, video poker games
require the player to decide which card to hold in order to attain the greatest
payout. It is this element of skill and cunning that has converted so many
players into video poker fanatics. But video poker is also a highly profitable
game for the casino as not all players are strategically on top of their game.
The mistakes that players make provide the casino with about an extra 2%
margin. Most video poker players pay scant consideration to the odds
table. The vast majority of the plays are right just because they speak for
themselves, for example, holding a good pair with no other matching cards.
Players tend to get it wrong and use guessing tactics in situations where,
for example, they must choose between 2 or more possible draws.
Let's examine ways to play better video poker:
Play a full pay machine.
Its essential to play games with the best odds and avoid play low payback
games. You must learn to recognise the most favourable odds tables and play
these. If the casino you are playing at does not offer full payback games, then
you should find a new casino to play at. The majority of games a casino has
available offer below a 100% payout, yet they many people play them even though better games
are on offer.
Play less than maximum coins.
Usually the jackpot is only won if you play the maximum of 5 coins, even
though the game permits you to play anything from 1 to 5 coins. If for some
reason you are unable to afford 5 coins then seek out a machine that accepts
less coins but has the same odds tables. Its usually a good idea tp play less
coins than play a smaller denomination machine with an inferior odds table.
Typically, the royal flush pays only 250-for-1 with short coin play, but a
five-coin royal pays 4,000 coins which is 800-for-1. On regular 9/6
Jacks-or-Better, short coin play reduces your payback by about 1.4%, although
this can be reduced to "only" a 1.2% loss with certain strategy adjustments. But
why give up even one percent?
Do not be scared to throw away cards.
Of all the mistakes you can make, this is the most expensive and also most
common, particularly with wild card games. If you do not hold any of the card
combos listed in the games strategy table, then the best choice is to do the 5
card redraw - even if it seems like a horrible waste to throw your hand away!
Not always advisable to hold onto the "kicker."
Its a big mistake in video poker to hold a high card like an ace when to a
pair or 3 of a kind. This is because the "kicker" lessens the opportunity
to improve your hand and the 2 pairs pay the same amount regardless of card
rank. Please take note, that in the games of " Deuces Wild",
every card you hold implies one less opportunity to draw the wild card.
Not always advisable to draw a 3 card flush or an inside straight.
When you are dealt a terrible hand without any high cards it's advisable to
rather draw 5 cards. (Please take note that occasionally, depending on the game
and the strategy you have, you can draw to an inside straight in Deuces Wild and
Double Bonus Poker, and drawing to a little 3 card flush is sometimes acceptable
in Double Bonus Poker and 9/7 Jacks-of-Better.)
Don't break a made pay in order to draw to a 3 card royal.
The temptation to break a made pay in order to draw a 3 card royal is high.
Although you may be lucky and get an extra royal, but over time its an expensive
strategy unless there is a high progressive
jackpot on the royal. What constitutes a necessary jackpot to make this
worthwhile is dependant on
the game as well as the pay that is being broken
Don't overlook a workable draw.
A lot of players overlook a double inside straight flush draw. You need to
play with a strategy and avoid gut feel plays.
Play slowly and carefully.
If you play too fast you will miss seeing good playable draw. Please note
that certain machines may have grubby sticky. Check the screen to see that the
"hold" reflects on the display in relation to the cards you wish to hold.
But don't play too slow.
Find the speed you play best at without making strategic mistakes. If the
payout rate on the game you are playing is in excess of 100%, you can increase
your speed with caution.
Use your comps!
You don't have to pay to be a member so sign up and get the special offers
and comps, even if the cash rebate on offer is small or non-existent. These
benefits help towards making your play more lucrative.
Follow these tips and you will increase your chances of winning at video
poker at online casinos.
The golden rule is to exclusively play games that offer high payouts, follow a
strategy and make use of your slot. You can minimise rate of losing to
practically nothing, and maybe even convert it into the big win.
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