Video Poker Strategy

Video poker games are very "accessible," meaning that it is not difficult to learn and start playing them. The good part about online video poker is that a lot of people have played poker since early adulthood (or even further back) and it is not anything that is so alien in nature, as might be a game of baccarat. Even though you may have a familiarity with the basic rules of video poker games, playing online video poker and playing it well are two different things. Instinct might be a main determinant of success if you are sitting down with a bunch of other players at the table, but in video poker it is really a matter of making the math work for you. There are a number of things you have to understand as far as constructing a strategy for video poker casino games. Unlike the game of table poker that is played in a physical casino, nothing pulls "rank" in the way of pairs of threes of a kind. For example, three Jacks aren't worth any more in terms of a payout than are three fives. A pair of eights and a pair of deuces will yield the same amount in the end.

Another thing about video poker games is that since you are not playing against others, but just against the house, bluffing and holding cards that won't have any short-term value for you will not accomplish very much. If you are dealt a pair in online video poker, and there is an Ace along with it, you would not have an interest in keeping it. This is what is known as a "kicker" in draw poker in a casino, but it is somewhat useless in online video poker; yes, in playing video poker games we realize that it is sometimes very painful to get rid of an Ace, because you have visions that it is somehow going to develop into another pair. But remembering what we have just said - that the pair of trio of aces have no more value for the purposes of payout than lower ranks - it does not make any mathematical sense to do it. What it does is give you less of an opportunity to improve your hand. And there is certainly nothing good about that. What you always want to work toward when you play video poker online is something better, whether it be three or four of a kind or a full house.

There is a basic strategy in online video poker, just like there is in blackjack. This strategy for video poker games outlines the best mathematical play for each given situation. Your best bet in online video poker is to follow it faithfully, because when playing video poker games you're going to do better in the long run that way. One benefit to playing on the internet is that you can have a chart available for easy reference, For example, look at Jacks or Better, which is probably the most popular form of video poker. If you are dealt a Jack-Ace, Queen-Ace or King-Ace of the same suit, the percentage play would be to hold those cards and draw three cards. Any pair you are dealt you should keep, and draw three cards, hoping for more. If you are dealt a Jack, Queen and King of different suits it is the mathematically sound choice to keep those and draw two cards in an effort to attain a straight. There are basic video poker strategy charts for many video poker casino games; learning them will greatly enhance your game. Not ready? Read our video poker tips section to get your knowledge level up to par.