Video poker strategy

Video poker is one of the latest additions to the poker gamut. It has also become one of the more popular forms of poker. It’s a great game to play because there’s skill involved, the house has a low edge, big wins are a very real possibility, and the best part is that you can play the game alone.

Even the rules are simple: you only need a couple of coins and the machine gives you cards from which to choose. You’ll have to decide which cards to hold onto and which cards to shun.

The game relies on skill and the house doesn’t have as big an advantage as in other games. Playing by intuition won’t work with video poker.

Jacks or better strategy

The easiest way to understand the way that video poker operates is by realising that all players really just want the best cards. These cards should offer the best opportunity of giving a high paying combination after the redraw.

Two pair or better

Players should determine whether their hands qualify for a payout. This means that the hand comprises a pair of Jacks, or better. Any of the following hands qualify to be called “Two Pair or higher”: Two Pair, Three of a Kind, Straight, Flush, Full House, Four of a Kind, Straight Flush or Royal Flush. Hold these positions before you redraw.

Pay pair

This is the next favourable hand after the ‘To pair or better’. This hand could be either of the following: two Jacks, Queens, Kings or Aces.

Non-pay pair

A non-paying pair are 2’s to 10’s and they have already been paired but they do not qualify for a payout – their rank is below that of a pair of Jacks. A player who draws an improved hand such as a 2-pair or a 3-of-a-kind will qualify for a payout.

Lowest 2-pay cards

These hands could be any of the following: a Jack, King, Ace, or Queen. Pairing your hand with any one of these could improve it and it could help you to get a payout. These hands occur when you already have at least two solitary pay cards that need to pair up with another card.

One pay or no pays

Sometimes a player gets a hand that only has one pay card. Or sometimes their hand doesn’t contain any pay cards. It’s better to redraw when there are no pay cards but players should hold onto the hand with one pay card.

Author bio:

Piggs Peak Casino wrote this article about video poker strategy.