Video Poker

Online Video Poker Gambling Strategy

Video poker generally follows the basic rules of poker with some interesting twists depending on the particular video game. A player deposits money into the video poker machine and then bets from one to five coins on the hand. Once the cards are dealt the player selects which cards to keep or hold, and the remaining cards are replaced in the second deal. After the second deal the player is paid out based on the rank of the resulting video poker hand. Video poker gambling can be found at most online casinos. We like the variety and the multi-hand online video poker offered at InterCasino, Hampton Casino, Casino Miami Beach, Portofino Casino, William Hill Casino, or Sci-Fi Casino.

Video poker hands are ranked as follows (from high to low):

Rank	Hand Name	Description of hand	Example
1	Royal Flush	A, K, Q, J, 10 of same suit	10S, JS, QS, KS, AS
2	Straight Flush	Five cards of same suit in sequence	4D, 5D, 6D, 7D, 8D
3	4 of a kind	Four cards of the same rank	7S, 7C, 7D, 7H
4	Full House	Three of a kind plus a pair	3D, 3S, 3C, KS, KH
5	Flush	Five cards of the same suit	3H, 7H, 10H, QH, AH
6	Straight	Five cards in sequence	5C, 6D, 7C, 8H, 9S
7	3 of a kind	Three cards of the same rank	JH, JS, JD
8	2 Pair	Two pairs of different rank	5H, 5S, 9C, 9S
9	1 Pair	Two cards of the same rank	AS, AD

Deuces Wild Video Poker
Deuces wild video poker is extremely popular because it is easy to play yet contains an element of strategy. In deuces wild, all twos are wild. This means that they can be used as any card, giving the video poker player a much greater chance of achieving high poker hands. To compensate for this advantage, three of a kind is generally the minimum hand to win. The player is paid out according to the rank of the poker hand, as shown on the machine.

Jacks or Better Video Poker
Jacks or better video poker is the classic version, using no wild cards, and it has it's own strategy. The minimum payout hand is a pair of jacks, hence the name.

Jokers Wild Video Poker
Jokers wild video poker uses a 53-card deck which includes one wild-card joker. The joker can be used as any card to improve the video poker player's hand. The minimum payout hand is generally two pair.

Multi-Hand Video Poker
Multi Hand video poker is an exciting version of the standard video poker game. Players can typically play anywhere from three hands to ten hands at the same time. How many times have you been just one card from a winning hand? Play multiple hands simultaneously and one of those hands can give you the winning combination. This is one of our favorite game options although it is not offered at all online casinos. For example, we like the ten hand video poker at Casino Saloon. Some of the other recommended casinos offering this option include Aztec Riches Casino, Spin Palace Casino, Reef Club Casino, and River Belle Casino.

Progressive Video Poker
Like the progressive slots games, some online casinos offer progressive video poker with jackpots that grow. For example, we like the progressive video poker at Casino Miami Beach and Portofino Casino.

Video Poker Strategy

Guest columnist Michael Shackleford, the Wizard of Odds, offers this strategy.

For the player who likes a game of skill, a low house edge, the possibility of large wins, and the anonymity of playing alone, there is nothing else that can compare to video poker. The serious player can find opportunities with a player advantage.

As in any form of gambling, if attaining an advantage were easy then everybody would be doing it. Video poker is a volatile game where the ups and downs in the short term require a strong stomach and a big bankroll. There are numerous variations of the game and each one requires its own strategy. The successful player must know what the best pay tables are for each game, where to find them, and how to play them.

The variations of video poker are constantly increasing. Wild cards have been introduced; some games feature multiple decks; bonuses for certain four of a kind combinations are common; and payoff tables can vary from one machine to another. To have an edge, the player must play correct or near-correct strategy appropriate to the particular game and payoff table.

Serious players trust in strategy that is the product of computer analysis, and they make the best play near or at 100% of the time. In general, the more complicated and in-depth a strategy is, the closer it will come to 100% accuracy. Also, serious players do not just play any machine. They are diligent about researching and finding video poker machines that have the most generous payoff tables.

A book the size of the yellow pages could be written about video poker strategy given the various game variations and pay tables. The following strategies should suit most people:

	Deuces wild video poker strategies
	Jacks or better video poker strategies