Tips for Playing Online Video Poker

By Cali Cutta
8-15-06

When I head to a real time casino, I generally head straight for the video poker. I am not comfortable playing with dealers and/or others who know or can at
least bluff better than I. I like the idea of slots, but feel like I want at least a fighting chance.

Another nice aspect of VP machines is that if you tire of one kind of game you usually have the option of choosing between several others. Some even have
Keno, but that’s an article unto itself.

You cannot control the odds in a computer generated machine as you can when playing with a 52 card deck (unless you are a mathematical wizard or great
with computers). Of course, you could always buy a book or software that figures out the odds for you, but then you have to deal with topics such as this:

“To calculate the EV (expected value), we multiply the payback of each type of hand by the number that each occurs.”

If this makes sense to you, my advice is to do all the research you can about video poker. There are experts who assert that there it is simply a question
of doing the math. Unfortunately, I was an English major.

If you didn’t major in mathematics, select a type of game that you like so that you can devise your own personal strategy. It may be more fun to go for those
wild cards, but payout will not begin until you get at least three of a kind. I find that the simpler the game is, the easier it is to get the hang of, and the
smaller jackpot machines pay off less amount, but more often.

Play the maximum amount of coinage. If it is a dollar machine taking up to 5 coins, that’s a five dollar bet. Drop down to a quarter machine, and your
maximum is 25 cents.

Below is the payout when playing a Jacks or Better game. Obviously you have a much better chance of winning some of the lesser hands. Even if you only
save one face card, you will break even just for a match play. And if you have no face cards, you have just as much chance to win if you discard them all.

Note: This guide is for use when you play for “Full Pay” Machines.

Royal Flush - 800
Straight Flush - 50
4 of a Kind - 25
Full House - 9
Flush - 6
Straight - 4
3 of a Kind - 3
2 Pair - 2
Jacks or Better - 1

If you are super-newbie to VP, remember these guidelines:

If you are playing Jacks or Better look for the full house/flush payout chart on the first column. The best odds are those on a 9/6 machine, meaning that you
will get paid nine counts on a full house and 6 for a flush.

Always hold a winning hand (royal flush, straight flush, four of a kind, full house, three of a kind, straight, two pair, or one pair if it is Jacks or better).

Break up a pair of Jacks, Queens, Kings, or Aces if you only need one card for a royal flush or straight flush.

Break up a straight or flush if you only need a one card draw for a royal flush, but hold a winning hand of only two or three cards.

You have a much better chance to catch the 5th card on an outside straight ( 9, 10, J, Q,) as you do on an inside one (9, 10, Q, K).

Finally, consider this. Why would a professional that wins A LOT want to share his or her personal knowledge with you for a fee when there is so much free
information on the Internet? Is this any different than someone telling you that you can become a millionaire just by buying into a pyramid scheme? Enjoy the
game for what it is, rather than what it can get for you. Even a cyber-roll of nickels and some common sense can go a long way.

Ed Note:  Make sure to visit Red32 for the best selection of video poker online.