Tired of the slot machines but too timid to move to table games? Check out this overview of video poker.
Video poker was introduced to Las Vegas in the mid to late 1970's, and became an instant crowd pleaser. Unlike regular slot machines, where the gambler's fate is completely out of his or her hands, video poker allows for decision-making and strategy. It also offers some of the best odds in the house, with paybacks on some machines at 99% or more. The best hand in video poker is the royal flush, composed of an ace, king, queen, jack, and ten all of the same suit.
Although some tourists feel intimidated by it, video poker is not difficult to play. The player is dealt five cards, and has a chance to decide which ones to hold and which ones to discard. The discarded ones are then replaced by new cards, and if the player has a winning combination (such as a pair of jacks or better), the machine pays off. Since you are not playing against anyone, the payback remains the same. For instance, in video poker, three of a kind is always a winning hand; whereas in table poker, your three of a kind would be a winning hand against an opponent's pair but would be a losing hand against your opponent's full house.
There are several variations of video poker. The most common is Jacks or Better, which means that if you come off with a pair of face cards or aces, you get a payoff. Deuces Wild, as the name implies, means that a deuce can be substituted for any card in the deck. These machines often offer bonuses for five of a kind with deuce, and generally do not start to pay off unless the player has at least three of a kind. Jokers Wild works in much the same way. Bonus and Double Bonus Poker offer a large payout for certain bonus hands. For instance, normally four aces pays the same as four sixes. In Bonus Poker, you might pick a machine that pays extra for the aces.
Each type of video poker has a slightly different strategy. The strategy I'm going to be discussing applies to Jacks or Better video Poker. The basic idea is to aim for a royal flush, which offers the highest payout, whenever possible. If that isn't a possibility, the player should aim for the highest possible hand. For instance:
IF YOU HAVE nothing (e.g., no face cards, no one card draw to straight or flush, etc.)"¦
DRAW five new cards
IF YOU HAVE one face card or ace"¦
HOLD the face card or ace and DRAW four more cards.
IF YOU HAVE two high cards of the same suit and a face card of a different suit"¦
HOLD the two same suit high cards and DRAW three new cards. This allows you a long shot at the royal flush and, more realistically, a chance at jacks or better.
IF YOU HAVE three high cards all of different suits"¦
HOLD the high cards and DRAW two cards.
IF YOU HAVE a pair"¦
HOLD the pair and DRAW three cards.
IF YOU HAVE three of a kind"¦
HOLD the three of a kind and draw two cards.
IF YOU HAVE four of a kind"¦
HOLD the four of a kind and DRAW one card.
IF YOU HAVE four cards of the same suit"¦
HOLD the four cards of the same suit and DRAW one.
IF YOU HAVE a four card straight"¦
HOLD those cards and DRAW one. Please note that, as in real poker, drawing for an inside straight, that is, trying to catch a card in the middle of the number sequence, is far more difficult and risky than drawing for an outside straight, trying to catch a number at the beginning or end of the sequence. Some video poker players would advise you never to draw for an inside straight unless it's a chance to get a royal flush.
IF YOU HAVE three cards to the royal flush"¦
HOLD those cards and DRAW two cards.
IF YOU HAVE four cards to the royal flush"¦
HOLD those cards and DRAW one card.
IF YOU HAVE a "pat" hand, that is, if the machine deals you a straight, flush, full house, straight flush, royal flush, etc"¦.
HOLD all cards. You will have to press the draw button to finish the game and get your payout, but make sure all of your cards are held.
OTHER WINNING HINTS:
*Always look for the machines with the best payout. In Jacks or Better video poker, you want to find a machine that pays six for a flush and nine for a full house. Finding the right machine can improve your odds by two or three percent.
*Beware of hunches. No one who has visited Las Vegas as often as I have would disparage Lady Luck, but keep an eye on basic strategy, too. If your hunches are letting you down, get a strategy card and try the mathematical way for awhile.
*Always play maximum credits. A royal flush pays out 250 coins on a single coin bet (that's $62.50, if you're playing quarters). That same machine may pay up to 4000 coins on a five coin bet ($1000 if you're playing quarters).
*Never hold a "kicker" with a pair. Statistically, it won't help you out. You're better off holding the pair and drawing three new cards.
*If you have a shot at the royal flush, always take it.
*If you win money, keep it! Statistically, the house always has an edge. It's how they can afford to build those fancy casinos and give away free drinks to gamblers. BUT, in the moment, anything can happen. If you hit a lucky streak and come out ahead, take your money and go.
*Take your time. If you're unsure which cards to hold, take a few minutes to figure it out. Unlike table play, where other players may complain if you're slow, the machine doesn't care.
*Finally, never gamble money you can't afford to lose. Video poker is lots of fun, and it does offer some of the best odds in the casino, but don't play it to get rich.
This is a very basic introduction to Jacks or Better video poker strategy. If you're planning a trip to Las Vegas or any other gambling establishment for that matter, plastic strategy cards the size of a playing card can be found in almost every gift and souvenir shop. The casinos don't care if you look at the strategy card while you are playing. They know all too well that even if your strategy is perfect, in the long run, the house still has upper hand.
