The Best Video Poker Strategy Tips – Expert Guide 2020 Robert Jordan April 9, 2020 Poker Comments Off on The Best Video Poker Strategy Tips – Expert Guide 2020 Video poker is one of the most popular games of both online casinos and physical casinos around the world. Jacks or Better video poker is easy to play, and provides endless hours of great entertainment. Even novice players can enjoy a game. Simply click on the paytable to select a bet, click deal to display five cards, click on the desired cards to hold, and click draw to reveal the final hand. Wins are displayed in a table on the right.
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About video poker
Video poker is a game that’s based on five-card draw poker. It’s a single player game, where the player tries to create as valuable a poker hand as possible. If they create a hand above a certain value (usually a pair of jacks) they win cash. If they don’t, they lose their stake.
For each round, the player is dealt five cards face up via a video screen. They must then choose whether to hold any of their cards for the ‘draw’. They can hold any number from zero to five. All cards that are not held are then re-dealt, and the final hand evaluated.
Winning hands can often be gambled via a ‘higher or lower’ game. UK players will be familiar with this concept as it was used in the popular 70s/80s quiz show ‘Play Your Cards Right’. A single card is dealt and the player must guess if the next card in sequence will be higher or lower. If they choose correctly, their prize is doubled. Choose incorrectly, and all winnings for that hand are lost. Players can usually gamble in this way up to five times in succession.
The history of video poker
The first video poker games arrived at the same time as ‘Pong’ and early, primitive personal computers. Video monitors were hooked up to integrated circuits in which the game was programmed. Early video poker consoles were dismissed as a passing fad.
All this changed in the early 1980s when SIRCOMA, the company that would eventually become International Game Technology, decided to concentrate on perfecting the video poker console. This turned out to be a Vegas-shattering success, as it gave poker players who felt intimidated while playing on casino tables the chance to play their favourite pastime against a faceless ‘opponent’.
The popularity of video poker has yet to wane. While not too popular with Las Vegas visitors, the locals tend to enjoy playing video poker machines off the main Vegas strip. Nearly all real-world casinos will house a few video poker terminals under their roof.
Despite massive strides in computer technology and in particular video graphics, contemporary video poker machines are little different from their primitive forebears. Video poker fans are keen that their game is kept as ‘traditional’ as possible, and video poker has not developed in the same way that online slots games have evolved to be feature-rich monsters.
Video poker at online casinos
Nearly every single online casino will offer at least one variety of video poker, and most will offer several. While not as popular as slots, blackjack or roulette, video poker is a rarity as with correct play and taking in all factors, the house edge can be swung ever-so-slightly in favour of the player.
There are four main varieties of video poker:
Multi-hand video poker games have become popular at online casinos in recent years. This allows you to play up to 100 hands at one from the draw. If, for example, you hold two aces before the draw and play 100 hands, you can play all 100 hands with two aces and three newly drawn cards. This is very beneficial if you are dealt a winning hand before the draw.
Other less common varieties of video poker are as follows:
Learn how to play video poker
Learn how to play online video poker with RightCasino’s online guide.
Online video poker was introduced to casinos in the 1970s as a single-player equivalent to table poker. At the time, it was a bit of a technological marvel and quickly became popular. Today, the game is still played widely for its simple rules, low house edge and the possibility of big wins. Our step-by-step guide will steer you through the rules and variants of video poker so you can get the most out of this exciting casino game.
How to play
The rules of video poker are extremely straightforward…
Pick your coins
In most versions of video poker, you will use an electronic interface to bet on a virtually-generated straight poker hand. You begin by making a wager of up to five ‘coins’ (the value of which depend on the game and chosen settings). The more money you are happy to wager, the more you can win. Usually, your winnings are simply multiplied by the amount of cash you gamble, although you may receive a bonus lift if you go the whole hog with five coins.
Generating your hand
Once your stake has been set, the game will generate a hand of five cards based on a digital, 52-card deck (up to 53 in ‘Joker Wild’ games). This is your starting hand. In some games you can play 5, 10, 25 or even 100 hundred hands all at the same time. Each hand will begin with your ‘main’ hand as the base.
Choosing discards
Once your starting hand has been generated, you can choose which of your cards to discard. The discards are then replaced with new cards from the remaining deck.
Collect your winnings!
You are then paid on the value of your hand according to a paytable. Usually for a qualifying pair, you receive back the same amount of money you gambled. Payouts go up as far as a royal flush, for which you typically receive back 250x your stake.
Darest you gamble?
You can usually gamble your winnings when you hit a successful hand at video poker. If you do decide to gamble, you’ll be presented with a card, and you have to guess whether the next card drawn will be higher or lower. If you pick right, your prize is doubled. If you choose unwisely, then you lose everything. Depending on the game, you should be able to go ‘double or quits’ up to five times in succession.
Video poker variations
Find the best house edge with our list of popular video poker variations.
There are several different versions of video poker, all of which come with extremely favourable odds for the player (even positive expectation by some estimates). See which variants present the best edge with our overview of video poker variants (along with pay-tables). All pay-outs are calculated according to betting five credits and assume ‘optimal’ play.
Jacks or Better
Also known as 9/6 Jacks or Better. This is the most common form of video poker and payoffs begin at a pair of Jacks.
House edge: 0.54%
Deuces Wild
In this game, all 2s (‘deuces’) are wild, changing their rank and suit to form better hands. This variant returns a higher return for ‘natural’ hands that contain no wild cards.
House edge: 1.1%
All American
This variant features higher pay-outs on flushes and straights and lower returns on full houses and pairs.
House edge: 1.5%
Tens or Better
As you would expect, pay-outs start at a pair of 10s.
House edge: 0.9%
Joker Wild
This variant includes one Joker as a wild card. The lowest qualifying hand is a pair of Kings and, as with Deuces Wild, natural hands offer a better return.
House edge: 1.4%
Aces and Faces
This variant offers different pay-outs for four of a kind, depending on rank, with aces giving the best return.
House edge: 0.74%
Full and low pay video poker
Most online casinos offer full pay machines only, meaning that pay-outs are nine times your wager for a full house and six times for a flush. Low pay machines offer a lower return (8/5, where full houses and flushes return eight and five times your bet respectively are most common). This results in a higher house edge.
If possible, you should always aim for full paying machines with a better return. Any game with a lower return than those in the tables above would be considered ‘low-pay’. Be sure to check the pay-outs before hazarding any cash.
Video poker strategy
Beat the house edge with our guide to basic video poker strategy.
Video poker is one of the few casino games where it is possible to beat the house edge. This page will introduce you to basic strategy for full-pay video poker variants (with and without wilds) via a series of hand charts, helping you get an edge over the casino with mathematically ‘perfect’ play. Credit to Michael Shackleford (AKA ‘The Wizard of Odds’) for these systems. If you need some help with the terminology, check out our poker glossary here.
Without wilds (e.g. Jacks or Better)
The following are the best plays, in order of absolute best to absolute worst (‘high’ card indicates a pair of Jacks or better).
Pay-out: 99.54%
With wilds (e.g. Deuces Wild)
In the list below, a natural denotes a hand that uses no wild cards.
Pay-out: 100.76%
Mobile video poker
Play virtual video poker anytime, anywhere on a variety of compatible devices.
Advancements in technology have made it possible for online gambling to be enjoyed from the convenience of a mobile phone. Video poker is an extremely popular game that is enjoyed across the globe by millions of players, many of whom choose to play via a smart device.
What is mobile video poker?
By recent estimates, around $10 billion is wagered through mobile platforms every singly year, and mobile revenues are increasing all the time.
Video poker on mobile devices is identical to the game you would expect on desktops: the interface is the same, as are the rules of play. The only difference is that you can gamble literally anywhere, as long as you have a compatible device and a robust internet connection.
Video poker on mobile devices
As video poker is a relatively simple game to port to mobile platforms, it’s genuinely surprising that more software providers do not provide versions of video poker for mobile devices. The reason for this could be due to the ban on US-based players from the mobile casino arena, and that video poker is still seen as an activity suited to US casinos.
There are a few mobile casinos that do offer a version of video poker on mobile devices – 32Red, for example.
Most casinos that offer video poker requires a download in order for players to be able to play the game. These downloads are only typically available for Android and iOS based systems. As more and more mobile software providers begin to embrace HTML5 as the mobile-coding ‘option of choice’, more games will be available for Windows Phone and BlackBerry users.
How to player video poker on a mobile device
Playing video poker on a mobile devices is as simple an affair as playing video poker at any online casino.
Unfortunately, only the most basic version of video poker – Jacks or Better – seems to be available for mobile platforms.
You begin the game by selecting the size of your bet, using from one to five coins. Once you’re happy hit the ‘Deal’ button to be dealt your poker hand consisting of five cards.
Tap any cards that you want to keep. You will see some indication that the card you have selected has been held. When you’re satisfied with your selection, hit the ‘draw’ button to receive your final poker hand. If you’ve managed to land a poker hand with at a least the value of a pair of jacks, then you will be paid according to the pay table as presented with the game.
Video poker, that old casino favorite, is available online as well! If you're a video poker lover, that's great news. Even better is the fact that you'll find an incredibly low house edgewith online video poker.
Video poker offers you incredibly high RTP: in fact up to 99.73% RTP! It's also very easy to play.
In our Complete Guide to Online Video Poker, we'll cover everything you need to know (whether you play online or in a casino)
Video Poker Strategy ChartsWhich Video Poker Games Pay Out the Best?
Many online casinos offer video poker variations with some amazingly high Return to Player (RTP) percentages.
And by far, Game King's video poker is leading the pack here! Check out these high RTP values:
Where to find Game King video poker?
You can find Game King video poker at these online casinos.
Virgin and Tropicana (New Jersey) were the first to bring Game King's great video poker games to the US.
Tropicana Atlantic City
Virgin Casino
In Pennsylvania, Hollywood and SugarHouse online casino has Game King's great video poker variations.
Hollywood Casino
SugarHouse
Of course, with the largest legal online game selection in the U.S., it's not surprising that Golden Nugget (New Jersey) has some of the best video poker you'll find.
Golden Nugget
Video Poker Software Providers
Even when you play at a land-based casino, video poker uses software that's very similar to what you'll find online. Some of the leading providers for online video poker software are:
Most software providers offer slightly different versions of the same games, but their payouts can be quite different. For example, Spin Games' Jacks or Better pays out less on a flush thanother versions.
Online casinos rarely offer games from more than 2 different providers. To find the name of the provider, you need to either 1) click on the Information icon on the game or 2) do a search byname of game provider.
Video Poker Selection at Online Casino
Some online casinos offer an enormous video poker selection. We've gathered some of the top contenders here.
Borgata and BetMGM
Borgata, the Atlantic City mega-casino, has an online casino, and they've also teamed up with BetMGM. They have great offerings for video poker lovers
Try Borgata or BetMGM with free bonus cash!
BetMGM
Borgata Online
SugarHouse Video Poker (Pennsylvania and New Jersey)
SugarHouse also has an outstanding selection of video poker titles. Here's what you'll find:
SugarHouse
Golden Nugget online (New Jersey)
Golden Nugget also has nearly 20 video poker games. These include:
Golden Nugget
What is Online Video Poker?
Video poker is played with software that randomly deals you cards. You play against the computer, so to speak, not other people.
Just like in physical poker, there are many different kinds of poker you can play with video poker.
What is the difference between physical video poker and online?
The feel of online video poker is nearly identical to a physical machine. The rules are the same.
The main differences are in your favor: you can start out with a great bonus that gives you an edge up!
You can also find games with a much higher return to player than you'll ever find in a land-based casino.
How to Play Video Poker Games
Playing video poker is quite easy. For most games, you only have only two decisions to make:
Generally, #1 is the same for all games; you can always choose your bet amount.
#2 may be different depending on which game you're playing. That is, some poker variations let you swap out more cards than others.
But some variations have additional bets. For example, the NetEnt has a version called Jacks or Better Double Up. This has a bonus bet opportunity built in called the Gamblefeature. Here, you can try to guess the color or suit of the next card. If you’re right, you 'double up' your winnings.
Play Jacks or Better Double Up at 888!
888 Casino
What is the difference between video poker and poker sites?
Video poker is played against a computer software. It has enhanced graphics and sound to give you that live-poker feeling.
Poker sites are usually more basic in their appearance. You play against other live players, not the computer.
Both kinds of poker use a random number generator to randomize the draw of the cards. It's the virtual equivalent of shuffling.
How Do I Find Video Poker?
To find a video poker game, find the Games tab on your online casino's page, and scroll down for video poker. (Some sites have a separate tab for video poker.)
Be sure to find 'video poker' if that's what you want to play (instead of at an online poker table). Sites like 888, Borgata, and PartyPoker that have both casino games and poker siteshave a tab that will take you to their poker site.
Here, clicking the Poker tab would take you to poker tables, not video poker.
On your screen, you'd click in the area circled in red to find video poker.
Online Video Poker Strategy
Your video poker strategy is simple: build the best hand you can. The order of best possible hands will depend slightly based on which game you are playing. But your only decision is whetheryou should hold or exchange your cards.
Video poker involves a lot more luck than strategy. You are not playing against other players, so you won't benefit from anyone else's bad decisions.
Also, the game uses a random number generator to select which cards are drawn. It is randomized with every dealing, which would be like playing with an infinite deck.
That means that card counting doesn't work with video poker. You only know that cards you can see and that you've discarded.
Types of Online Video Poker Games
There are over a dozen types of video poker. We'll review some of the most popular.
Deuces Wild
As the name suggests here, 2s are wild. That turns a losing hand toward some great possibilities. No wonder it has such an incredibly low house edge: 0.27%!
The great thing is that the game automatically calculates the best hand for you when you have those wild deuces. So you'll get the best possible hand automatically.
Play 'Deuces Wild' on Game King's Triple-Play and Five-Play poker for an unbeatable RTP: 99.73%! Available at these casinos:
Jacks or Better
Jacks or Better is one of the most popular video poker games (although you have better odds with other versions). In this variation, only hands with at least a pair of jacks can play. Ifyou're the only one with a pair of jacks, you win!
As you might imagine, that cuts out a lot of action.
Jacks or Better, order of winning hands:
Bonus Poker
Bonus Poker uses the same hands as Jacks or Better. However, the value of the cards is the opposite. In Bonus Poker, you want the lower cards. So, for example, four aces, 2’s,3’s, or 4’s are all very strong hands.
Why Play Online Video Poker?
While going to the land-based casino to play video poker may seem like the more appealing option, playing online will be a lot more beneficial short and long term.
Convenience
There is nothing worse than the hassle of having to travel hours just to find the closest land-based casino to play video poker. Playing video poker online has become increasingly morepopular for the big reason that you don't have to go anywhere to play.
If you live in a state where legal online casinos are offered, it only takes a few minutes to get started playing video poker. All you need is a stable internet connection and a device toplay on. Playing video poker online allows you to play when you want, wherever you want.
Bonuses
Something you will rarely see at the land-based venue is the chance to claim a bonus and use it on any games on the casino floor. Online video poker is one of the many choices of games youhave to use your casino bonus on.
Claim an offer just for signing up and use the bonus cash on video poker to get a hang of how it's played, but also potentially win some big cash prizes!
Ultimate Video Poker Strategy GuideGame Selection
Your options for video poker are much larger online than at the land-based venue. Instead of a few machines on the casino floor, you have an almost unlimited video poker selection online.There are multiple available online video poker platforms, which you can access from the comfort of your own home minutes after creating a casino account.
Unlike at the brick and mortar casinos, you will never have to wait for a video poker online game to start due to too many people.
Where is Online Poker Legal?
The legality of online poker in the US is a tricky subject for those not well versed in the subject.
Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania are three states that have legalized both online casinos and online poker.
Nevada hasn’t legalized online casinos, but they do have legalized dedicated online poker rooms.
As of the time of writing, the only site that shares online poker players is 888. On this site, you can play alongside players from Nevada, New Jersey, and Delaware.
It should be said that Michigan has recently legalized online poker, so players should expect to see legal poker rooms in Michigan sometime in 2020.
Can I Play Offshore Video Poker Rooms?
It’s always been possible to play video poker with offshore casinos. Offshore companies operate illegally in the U.S. Still, the nature of anti-gambling laws means the target is the operator,rather than the player.
However, now it is increasingly hard to find a way to deposit, much less withdraw, funds to an offshore account. Most major credit cards will not allow transactions with offshore casinos asthey operate illegally in the U.S.
You won’t get any help from US regulatory borders if you’re playing with a site based exclusively in Europe, for example.
Are Video Poker games rigged?
Legal, state-approved video poker games are definitely not rigged. The software is programmed with a random number generator.
Video Poker Strategy Guide
The state's gaming division also monitors the games for fairness. Any casino caught rigging games would be fined very heavily.
Can you Play Video Poker Games for Free?
Yes, you can play nearly all the online video poker games online for free. You can take welcome bonus dollars and apply that to video poker at most casinos. Then, if you win, withdraw afteryou've met the wagering requirement.
You can also play in demo mode, but you can't make any money that way.
Best Video Poker Strategy
Video poker has such a low minimum bet that you can play for next to nothing online. We always like to put a little money down. You'll play more seriously even if you just have $0.25 in thegame.
Video Poker articles, videos and podcasts. Learn how to win at video poker. Find out the best strategies for playing video poker. Watch, read and listen to interviews with video poker expertsthat tell you the best tips for winning at video poker.
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