Tips for Video Poker

While video poker is mostly a game of skill there is an element of chance involved.  Following the tips below will assist you in boosting your chances of winning by showing players the methods required to bring your game up to near an expert level of play.

Play only video poker machines that pay out all of the coins wagered (known as full payback).  When the return is not posted then examine the chart attached to the machine and pick the machine that will pay out the the largest amount for a flush and a full house.  The higher the return for these hands the higher the total percentage return will be for this machine.

The greatest number of coins (usually five) and payouts are listed on every machine.  It is a sensible choice to always play the maximum number of tokens so that a player is eligible for the extra payout for a royal flush.  Also make sure the machine takes all of your coins prior to playing – in case you hit the top prize, you want to be sure five tokens were wagered.

At all times remember that when playing video poker you are using a computer not playing other competitors, and the computer is set to pay out only if you are holding one of the listed winning set of cards.  At casinos there are computers that pay out 100% when people play at an expert level.  Casinos can have these pay outs since the overwhelming majority of video poker gamers are unable to play at the high level needed to get the 100% pay outs.

Refrain from holding on to high ranking kicker playing cards that you wish to make use of along with a pair.   The kicker card tactic works in regular poker games if playing people at casinos, but a computer will not care what you may be holding and you will have missed a chance to draw a better playing card.

Do not try to fill a inside straight (whenever you have four of the five playing cards required for a straight but requires one in the middle).  On the other hand attempting to complete an open-ended straight (where you have 4 of the 5 playing cards required for a straight however they are sequential and a player can add one at either end of the group) should be attempted.

Players who are given a low ranking two of a kind together with a single high value card ought to keep the pair and discard the high value playing card.  The majority of people would get rid of a pair of twos and keep an Ace; but this isn’t your smartest plan.  A player has a better shot at making three of a kind than attempting something using the high valued credit card.

At all times hold onto a high valued two of a kind versus a four-card open straight, a three-card royal flush or a four-card flush.  Attempt to complete three of a kind, since the worst you can do is to recover your bet.

Always keep a low valued pair over a four-card open end straight.  The low ranking pair has more value than attempting the straight and should be held onto.

When you have a three-card royal, a low ranked pair, a four-card open end straight or a four-card flush; keep the three-card royal.  The extra payout for a royal flush makes it a smarter bet.

When given a garbage set of playing cards (a hand that has not even one high ranked card) it’s a good move to draw a totally new set of playing cards.