There are many actions that video poker players can make to receive a higher return at the game. This article covers several ideas that will increase your chances of winning at video poker and keep your bankroll in the game longer.
Learn the game strategy
One of the most important things that a video poker player can do is learn the strategy for the game. Each one is unique. Learning Jacks or Better may get you closer to the Double Bonus strategy, but there are differences that require research. Some moves change depending on the game’s pay table. Wizard of Odds is the place I recommend checking out. You can get lost for weeks in the video poker content on that site.
A future US Casino Advantage article will explore the best ways to learn video poker strategy. It will also include games that are similar.
Playing five coins
Playing five coins is important for video poker players. In most cases, it increases the royal flush from 250/1 to 800/1. This can decrease the house edge by 1-1.5%. This does not always work out though. We found several Jacks or Better games at Colorado casinos that appear to be full pay but do not improve the 250/1 payout to 800/1 on five coins.
It is often better to play five coins at a lower denomination with a worse pay table than to play less than five coins at a higher denomination with a better pay table. You may also encounter some video poker games that require 10 coins for the higher royal flush win.
Finding the best video poker pay tables
This is as important as learning the strategy for a video poker game. Games that do not use wild cards are easier to figure out. The change in a full house or flush can affect the house edge by about 1% per increment.
For example, a Jacks or Better player should look for a payout of 9 on a full house and 6 on a flush for each coin wagered. This returns about 99.5% with five coins wagered and perfect play. Turn the game into 8/6 or 9/5 for a full house/flush, and it drops to about 98.4%.
Double Bonus Poker can vary on a straight. A better game pays 5 per coin for it. That decreases the house edge by about 1.5%. A Double Bonus Poker game that only pays 4 on a straight has a house edge of at least 3.6%.
Get a players card, find the best return for it
You may find the same pay tables for a game at multiple casinos near you. That does not mean all have the same return. The first thing to consider is whether there is a promotion running at one but not the others. If so, that may be all you need to compare.
You can also investigate what a players club pays in points and comps. In most circumstances, it is printed on something that the players center is happy to give you or on the casino’s website. It does not stop there. Keep track of how much you wagered during a trip. Play an equal amount at other casinos, then compare the mail you receive.
Free slot play is a common offer for video poker players. You may also receive a mailer with free food or hotel. Some offers will suit you better than others. Maybe your favorite day to play is not available for your offer, or you don’t need a hotel room. Doing this homework will help you get the best return.
Consider time value
You may find a casino an hour away has a better game than the one near your home. The amount you wager and how long you play determine whether it is worth the drive. Note that not only is your time valuable, there is also a cost of driving the miles in both gas and depreciation of the car.
