If you’re a fan of casino games, chances are you’ve played video poker at least once in your life. It’s a popular game that combines elements of poker and slot machines, offering players the chance to win big without having to learn complicated rules or strategies.
But winning at online video poker isn’t always easy – it takes skill, strategy, and a bit of luck. In this tutorial, we’ll explore some tips and tricks that can help you improve your odds of winning online video poker.
First things first: understand the rules
Before you start playing video poker, it’s important to understand the basic rules. The game is played with a standard deck of 52 cards (sometimes with one or more jokers added) and the goal is to make the best possible five-card hand.
Players place their bets and are dealt five cards face up. They can then choose which cards to hold (keep) and which to discard (throw away). The discarded cards are replaced with new ones from the deck, creating the final hand.
The strength of your hand determines how much you win – for example, a pair might pay out 1:1 while a royal flush could pay out 800:1 or more.
Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s dive into some strategies that can help you win at online video poker:
1. Play max coins
Many video poker games offer different payout tables depending on how many coins you bet per hand. In most cases, playing the maximum number of coins will give you better odds of winning in the long run.
For example, let’s say a game pays out 250 coins for a royal flush if you bet one coin per hand. If you bet two coins per hand instead, the payout might be 500 coins – doubling your potential winnings.
However, if you hit a royal flush while only betting one coin, you’ll only get paid 250 coins instead of 500. So, if you’re looking to win big, it’s usually best to bet the max coins.
2. Know which cards to hold
Knowing which cards to hold and which to discard is key to winning at video poker. Here’s a quick guide:
– Always keep a royal flush, straight flush, four of a kind, full house, three of a kind, or two pair. – Hold any four cards to a royal flush. – Hold any three cards to a straight flush. – Hold any four cards to a straight.
– Hold any two suited high cards (10 or higher) if there are no other winning combinations on the initial deal. – Keep any pair except for low pairs (2s through 10s). – Keep any three suited cards in a row. – Keep any two unsuited high cards (10 or higher).
3. Avoid the temptation of chasing losses
It can be tempting to keep playing video poker in hopes of recouping your losses or hitting that big payout. However, this strategy rarely pays off in the long run.
It’s important to set limits for yourself and stick to them – whether that means setting a time limit, budget limit, or both. Don’t keep playing just because you’re on a losing streak – take a break and come back later when you’re feeling refreshed.
4. Play games with high payout rates
Different video poker games offer different payout rates – some might pay out as little as 95% while others can go as high as 99% or more. Obviously, playing games with higher payout rates will give you better odds of winning.
Make sure you check the payout table before you start playing and choose games with high payout rates whenever possible.
5. Practice makes perfect
Finally, like with most things in life, practice makes perfect when it comes to online video poker. Take advantage of free demo versions of games to practice your skills and try out different strategies.
Once you feel confident in your abilities, you can start playing for real money. Just remember to keep a level head and stick to your strategy – and who knows, you might just hit that royal flush and win big.
