Playing online casino games is a great way to have a nice time and relax. You’ll find different casino games when you visit top online casino sites. Players who are used to playing slot games can look for alternatives to ensure they have a new gaming experience. One of the games we recommend to you is the video poker casino game.

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Video poker is one of the most played online casino games. You’ll find different variations of video poker games that you can choose from. Unlike other casino games, video poker is not entirely based on luck. You can apply some well-thought-out strategies to increase your chances of winning. 

This video poker strategy guide will teach you all you need to know about the game and how to stand out when you play. You’ll also learn how best to apply these skills to increase your chances of winning. 

Rules of Video Poker

Creating a good poker game strategy is easier when you know the basic rules that guide game playing. Below are the basic rules of the three most popular types of video poker games. 

Jacks or Better

This is a very popular video poker variant, and its rules are a bit different from the others. Your hands must include at least two jacks to get a payout, which means  this game has slightly different rules from most variants. Below are some Jack or Better rules to note. 

• This poker game has nine winning poker hands. It would help if you had a pair of jacks to score in this game.
• You’ll be paid for your highest value hand only.
• You can’t receive a payout for pairs and five-of-a-kind less than jacks.
• The royal flush offers the highest payout of 250x. A set payscale already indicates the amount you’ll get for specific winning hands. 

Jokers Wild and Deuces Wild 

These video poker variants allow you to substitute any deuce card for other cards you feel can help you make up a winning hand. You can also use the joker cards for the same purpose. The rules of Deuces Wild and Jokers Wild also take a slight turn from the typical video poker game and are outlined below: 

• It is not as difficult to get a winning hand with these game variants since they have much lower payouts. 
• You’re able to let go of as many cards as possible.
• You can also use bonus games to double your winning opportunity.
• These video poker game variants have the same hand ranking as classic table poker.

Bonus, Double Bonus, and Double Double Bonus Poker

This is another popular video poker variation in most online casinos. It has some rules that are slightly different from Jack or Better. They include: 

• You’ll receive different bonus payouts for different hands.
• The game allows players to have more winning poker hands.
• You’ll find that the payout percentage of this game is lower.
• Premium hands are more favored as they receive a higher payout.

Do Strategies Work in Video Poker? 

Yes, video poker is one of the few casino games where strategies make a difference in your gameplay. This is unlike when you are playing online slots, where you don’t know the symbols you will land. In this case, outcomes are determined by the random number generator, which ensures every outcome is random. 

However, in a video poker game, every number aligns with a specific playing card. But because you will be unable to determine the probability of landing a specific symbol on a slot machine, you won’t be able to create any type of strategy that can directly impact your outcomes. 

Fortunately, games like video poker and blackjack allow you to make choices that will impact your results. In fact, strategies work so well in the game of video poker that every game variant has its own strategy chart. You won’t be able to use the same strategy for every game since they all have different pay tables, each requiring  more than one chart. 

Video Poker Strategies: How They Work

As we already mentioned, there are different strategies for all video poker variations. There are many websites that can even help you to generate the right strategy sheet if you enter the paytable. So, how do these charts work? 

Here’s how: 

• You’ll be provided with a list of hands. 
• The best hand possible will be indicated above.
• You start to go through the list until you locate a hand that aligns with yours.
• The instant you arrive at that hand, you follow the strategy and keep the cards indicated. 

Most strategy charts will place a royal flush at the top of the list. This adds up since it makes no sense to forfeit a card with high-paying hands in a game. Other games will also place a straight flush and four-of-a-kind above the list since they are also hands that offer the best payouts. 

The Importance of The Video Poker Pay Table to Your Strategy 

When playing slots or video poker games, consulting the paytable before staking any money is important. This is because you’ll find different payouts for various games. You can either have short pay or full pay when it comes to video poker games. You’ll get an average RTP of 99% for the full-pay machines. If you are lucky, you can even find some video poker games with more than 100% RTP.

The paytable listing all the paying combinations and the payouts will help you determine how much you can win. However, you must understand that all the combinations and winning possibilities are based on the cards in your hand. Knowing this will also enable you to create a great strategy with the aim of winning.

Using a Video Poker Strategy Chart

Video poker strategy charts are created to maximize the return of every hand, providing the highest possible return. Before we delve into how to use a poker strategy, you need to know how they are developed. Strategies could be developed in numerous ways, with some tailored to favor you landing royal flushes. Another strategy could place emphasis on you winning the highest number of hands possible, irrespective of the hands you win. 

In most strategy charts, cards that have the highest payouts are placed at the top, and as we mentioned earlier, this is usually the royal flush. This is followed by weaker and partial hands based on their strength. For a better understanding, here’s how a chart is typically arranged.  

• Royal Flush
• Straight Flush
• Four-of-a-Kind
• Four Cards of a Royal Flush
• Full House
• Flush
• Three-of-a-Kind
• Straight
• Four Cards of an Open Straight Flush
• Two Pair
• Four Cards of an Inside Straight Flush
• High Pair 
• Suited KT 
• J
• Q
• K
• A
• Three Cards of a Straight Flush

Now that you know how strategies are made and developed, here’s how to use them: 

• Step 1: Start with the first line of the strategy.
• Step 2: Compare what you have in your hand with the first line of the strategy.
• Step 3: Hold the cards in your hands if they contain any of the listed cards, then hit the “Draw” button
• Step 4: You can check the next lower line of the strategy if the cards are not contained in the strategy chart. 
• Step 5: Continue the process until you can locate the cards in your dealt hands. 

• Step 6: You don’t need to hold any card again once you’ve reached the end of the strategy. Just hit the “Draw” button. 

Using Strategies on Different Types of Video Poker 

Here are some strategy tips based on the poker game you opt for. Note that these are based on possible scenarios during a video poker game. 

Video Poker Strategy for Jacks or Better 

This game has a 99.54% RTP, and most of the strategy here has to do with amassing flushes or straights because they offer the highest payouts. The following are a few things to remember when using strategies for this video poker variant. 

• Hold on to all the fours. These include straight flush, flush, or a royal flush.
• If your hand consists of three cards to a straight flush, don’t forfeit them.
• Don’t discard  three-of-a-kind to a royal flush. Instead, hold on to it.
• If you land any pairs, don’t discard them and draw three new cards instead. Take this route regardless of the value of the cards. 
• Presuming your hand does not consist of any options above, your best bet is to hold on to jacks or any other card stronger than jack.

Deuces Wild Strategy 

In this game, 2s are the wild cards. Therefore, the major strategy in this game involves the steps to take when you get 2s. If you land three deuces or more during the first deal, your goal will be to hold on to them, hoping that you’ll get one or two extra deuces during the redraw. Here’s a look at some more strategies for this game: 

• The best hand in this game is four deuces. If you get them, hold. 
• If you get three deuces in a draw, you can hold on to them if they can make five-of-a-kind or a royal flush. 
• Hold on to any paying hands you get if there are no deuces in your hand. 
• Hold if your hand consists of three cards to a royal flush. 
• If none of the above are available in your hand, and you get any pair, don’t discard the pair.

Strategy for Double Bonus Poker 

This video poker also has its own strategies, including: 

• If you have four cards to a flush, hold. The same applies to three cards to a flush. 
• If you land a pair, don’t discard them even if they are not top scorers. 
• If there are no pairs in your hand, forfeit it.
• If you land one high card, don’t discard it. 

Video Poker Tips to Help You Get Started: How to Win at Video Poker 

There are different tips and strategies that video poker game players must be familiar with. These tips will put you in a good position to win real money. We’ve provided some of these tips to help you. 

Learn the Basics

Video poker is easy to understand and, like your traditional poker games, the  game’s aim is to get a hand that will give you the most return. Video poker games come in different variations. Each game variant has slightly different rules and ways of winning, but you can apply almost the same strategy. 

Therefore, it is important to understand the basics of the video poker game you wish to play. You’ll be given five cards, just like regular poker, and you’ll want to achieve a winning poker hand with the five cards (royal flush, straight, full house, flush, four-of-a-kind, three-of-a-kind, two pair, jacks or better). To achieve this, you’ll have to retain certain cards in your hand and gain new cards that can help you have a winning poker hand after exchanging them for others. 

Make Use of Bonuses and Promotional Offers

You’re open to various promotional and bonus offers when playing video poker on most online sites. You can use these bonuses for all the games, and they will be very useful in helping you to increase your chances of winning since video poker is generally known for its low house edge. 

For players looking for how to win video poker, we advise that you look out for platforms with the best promotional offers. Your bonuses will allow you to play more games and increase your winning chances while reducing your expenses. Also, ensure that you follow the rules of the bonus offers so that you don’t get disqualified from using the bonus. You can reach out to the customer support team if your bonuses or promotional offers are not credited when you register. 

Pick the Appropriate Pay Table

Unlike playing a slot machine, you can determine the outcome of a video poker game to a certain extent. Slot games are games based on luck and chance only. The random number generator (RNG) determines the game’s outcome. Therefore, you can do nothing to influence the game’s outcome. Rather, you must rely on luck to win.

Since video poker is based on a deck of 52 cards, you can determine the odds of each hand you have. You can also know the probability of the wins of each combination. This will let you know when and how to pick the appropriate pay table, thus boosting your chances. 

Join a Player’s Club

Player’s clubs are created to help you and other players share information, updates, and resources, including professional video poker strategies. Newbies will benefit more because it’s an opportunity for them to ask experienced players questions that might be troubling them. Most experienced players can also seize the opportunity to have fun and share video poker tips with like-minded people. 

Through player’s clubs, you can get the latest updates on the special bonuses that the casinos offer players. You’ll also get some video poker strategies to help improve your overall gameplay. We advise that you only join clubs you can benefit from and ensure that you also give out value. 

Take Your Time 

One of the best tips for playing video poker or any other casino game is to take your time. You don’t need to rush when making decisions, as doing this can cause you to make the wrong call. This doesn’t mean you should waste excess time before making a call; instead, you need to think properly before you choose. 

Weigh your options and see which is best for you at that point and withdraw when you’re experiencing a losing streak. Once your head is clear, you can go back and start playing again. This optimal video poker strategy may seem straightforward, but it can do wonders for your overall gameplay. 

Practice Using Demo Mode First 

It’s necessary to practice a lot if you wish to master the game of video poker. While it may not be possible to master the game completely, you’ll increase your chances of winning when you practice often. You can start by playing various forms of free video poker games. This way, you’ll understand the basis of the game, how it works, and create the right video poker strategies you can use to play it. 

You can start practicing by playing demo versions of video poker at popular casino sites. Once you have gotten the hang of it, you can then start to play video poker for real money. 

Top Video Poker Strategy Mistakes You Should Avoid 

Like other casino games, there are tons of mistakes you can make when playing poker. These mistakes can affect your overall earnings, which is why you need to learn about them and the steps to take to protect yourself. Here are a few of the most common ones:

Seeing Video Poker as a Get-Rich-Quick Scheme

Playing video poker should be a way to have some fun or relax. It also presents many opportunities for players to win big. However, players should not see it as a way of making money or paying debts. Most online casinos will advise their customers to gamble responsibly, as gambling can be addictive. You should only gamble with the amount you can afford to lose. Once you notice a gambling problem, we advise you to visit non-profit organizations, such as Gamblers Anonymous, for help.

Not Having a Strategy

Another mistake you can make is not having an all-American video poker strategy when playing. Although it might not guarantee you will win, you’ll stand a much better chance of winning. The importance of a working strategy is that you can always fall back on it when you’re confused. Don’t make the mistake of not using the video poker strategy chart when playing games. You’ll notice that a strategy card will go a long way in ensuring your win. 

Believing in Gambling Superstitions

Many superstitions and myths exist in gambling, and many players fall prey to them. However, it would be a great mistake if you also followed them in believing such things exist. For instance, players always stand on a  “three-of-a-kind” card, regardless of the game, other cards, or table. They’re convinced that is the best tactic to use even when they have a potentially larger payout. There is nothing like a lucky time or card when playing video poker. It’s a game that is based more on strategy than luck. You don’t need to be rigid in making your decisions. 

Other common myths you should disregard include:

It is Better to Play Faster 

This is another common myth that has been popularized today. It is a myth that stemmed from the fact that video poker machines are set up to offer a payout after a precise number of hands have been dealt. This myth is easy to believe, considering games like blackjack benefit more effective players, especially when they play faster. While this may work with blackjack, it is not the case with video poker.

It is powered by an RNG ( random number generator). This ensures that every outcome is completely random, so even if you increase your betting pace, it does not really make any difference. Knowing this, it is best to slow down when playing video poker and spend more time between hands. 

The RTP is Controlled by the Casino 

This is another misconception players have, even with slot games. Many players tend to lack trust in casino games where they can’t see the inner workings. They believe the casino is only out to make money, and to do this, they control the RTP of video poker. However, this is not the case, since online casino sites that offer video poker are regulated by gambling authorities. 

These authorities ensure fair gameplay, and casinos won’t risk tampering with the RTP at the risk of their licenses. However, this only applies if you play on a licensed site, which we highly recommend. 

Video Poker Machines get Hot and Cold

Video poker games can sometimes be volatile, which may result in losing streaks. Players who experience this are of the notion that the machine runs hot and cold. For this reason, they try out various machines in the hopes of finding the hot one. 

As we mentioned already, poker machines are controlled by RNGs, which make every outcome random. These RNGs provide a range of combinations, so it is impossible to point to any poker machine as hot or cold. 

Avoid Chasing Better Hands

Most video poker players make the mistake of shunning a good hand to uncover a better one. You’ll see a player keeping three cards so that he/she can chase a straight or a flush. This often becomes a mistake that will cost you if you’re not careful. It’s better to accept the good hands that come your way without minding if it will affect your chance of getting better hands.

Finding the Best Video Poker Online Casinos

Knowing how to win at video poker slots casinos is one thing, and getting the right platform to play is another. If you register with the wrong platform, you’ll still end up with the same outcome, even if you implement all of these strategies. Since there are tons of online poker sites offering a chance to play video poker, you need to know how to select the best option. There are certain elements you must take into consideration to do this. Below, we’ve listed a few of them. 

Licensing

It is important to play only on licensed online sites. This means the platform is properly regulated, and you can rest assured that you will get fair gameplay when you play on the site. You can find the license of a site by looking for the logo of the licensing body at the bottom of the homepage. 

Check the Bonuses They Offer

Top online casino platforms use bonuses to lure new customers to their platforms. It’s also a strategy used in retaining old players. Video poker bonuses help players increase their chances of winning and can be a great addition to your strategy. It’s a good idea to check the online casino platform to confirm the types of bonuses available. Look out for sites with high bonuses with realistic wagering requirements. You can also do a little research to understand  the terms and conditions applicable to the bonuses. Also, look out for other special perks and promotional offers that will allow you an exciting gaming experience. 

Safety Measures 

One of the major factors you must consider before choosing an online casino is your safety. You need to be certain that your details are secure and safe. Look out for video poker casinos that have the best digital security protocols. Top online casinos use modern firewalls and security plugins to ensure fraudulent users don’t have access to your data. 

Reputable online gambling regulatory bodies must independently audit the video poker games on the platform. This is to ensure fairness and equal opportunity for all players to win. We advise that you stay away from sites that are not properly licensed. 

Payment Options Available

You need platforms where you can make convenient deposits and withdrawals. We recommend casino sites that offer numerous payment options, such as e-wallets, transfers, and bank cards. We ensure that all of the casinos we recommend complete your payment process instantly. They also don’t charge high fees for transactions. Modern video poker casinos provide cryptocurrency options to enable players to make anonymous payments. This will also ensure you don’t expose your banking details while making payments.

The Video Poker Games Available

Before registering at an online casino platform, you need to find out the type of video poker games available. Some popular video poker games include Jack or Better, Deuces Wild, Bonus Poker, Loose Deuces Wild, Pick’em Poker, etc. There should be numerous options to ensure you have variety. 

Round-The-Clock Support

Ensure that your video poker casino site has a very supportive customer service team. We advise that you choose a platform with experienced customer support agents—and with a quick response time. They should be able to provide support quickly in the event of issues so you can get back to your game. You must choose casino sites where you can contact support via various channels. These include live chat, telephone number, and email address. 

High Payout Percentages

You can have fun while playing video poker games. You can also stand a chance of winning real money while you’re at it. So, when checking for casinos to play games, ensure that you look out for their payout percentages. The percentage payout will help you know how much to expect when you wager a certain amount. For instance, when the casino offers a 97% payout percentage, you can get paid $97 when you wager $100.

Availability of Free or Demo Games

A platform where you can play free video poker games is vital. As a newbie, you can use this as an opportunity to learn more about the games without funding your account or playing with real money. This is also the best way to start setting up your video poker strategy. You can also visit such online casinos to play your favorite video poker and still have some fun without paying money. Free video poker games are available at top casino sites. You may even get the no-deposit bonus as a newcomer if you’re lucky. This will allow you to play video poker for free and stand a chance of winning real money.

Conclusion

Playing video poker games is a great choice for every gambler. You’ll experience so much fun and satisfaction playing them. However, you might find it difficult to understand how the game works without a working strategy. You can’t win the game when you don’t understand its basic principles. 

In our guide, we’ve shown you different strategies you can use to maximize your chances of winning at video poker. We’ve also listed certain mistakes you should avoid so that you can fully grasp how to win when playing video poker. You can visit your preferred online casino platform and ensure they offer video poker games. Apply our winning tips and see yourself smiling after each playing round or session.