Video Poker instruction from casino author/expert Steve Bourie that teaches you the details on how video poker machines work and how to be a long-term winner. Play the best game. Don’t fall for the casinos tricks. Here is a very important point for effective video poker play: if you cannot find a game with the low house edge you are seeking, don’t play. Don’t be a gambler. A gambler is not an effective video poker player. TIP #4: BE ALERT. Most video poker strategy is just presented as a list. You start at the top, work your way down, and stop when you get to the hand that matches what you’re holding in your hand. Then you keep the appropriate cards and move on.
Video poker has sky rocketed in popularity in recent years. Based on 5 card draw, video poker is a blast to play as it focuses your attention on a series of choices that can affect the outcome of random events in your favor for both fun and profit. Since video poker gives you a degree of control, making the right choices can dramatically increase your return over the long-term. In this article, we’ll highlight a few do’s and don’ts of playing video poker to help you stay ahead of the game and have a great time doing so.
Playing video poker is simple. While there are various variants of video poker, they have one thing in common: they’re all based on simple mechanics of five-card draw poker. Video poker uses a.
While you don’t have to deal with pit bosses, dealers or worry about casino etiquette, online video poker players often overlook details that may not seem at all important at first glance but which can affect your chances of winning in multiple ways. Let’s look at some basic do’s and don’ts to get you started off right!
Do’s
Check the pay tables
Video poker is one of the only casino games that actually tells you the exact payback for all the different ways to win up front. Every video poker machine here at Planet 7 has what’s called a pay table at the top of the screen. This tells you the exact payout for certain hands depending on how many coins you play.
For example, in All American Poker you can bet 1 – 5 coins. Bet one coin, hit that ever-elusive royal flush and one coin pays off 250, while 5 coins 4,000. In Bonus Deuces Wild hit the royal flush and 1 coin pays off 800, while 5 coins 4,000. Notice the difference? In Joker Poker at Planet 7, a 1 coin royal flush pays off only 500, but 5 coins pays out a stellar 10,000! Studying the pay tables of different games is one of the best ways to get the most bang for your buck.
Play the max amount of coins
That also leads us to our next tip: always play the maximum amount of coins. Winnings in video poker climb dramatically with the number of coins played, and, as noted above, this varies by machine. The stronger the hand you have the higher the bonuses associated with max coins. At the same time, the denomination of max bets also varies by machine, so if you like the pay table on one machine but find the max bet is too big to carry your bankroll for the time you want to pay, simply move on to another machine and play that one at the max. Again, it’s better to play the max, in terms of how much you can win than to play a machine at one coin if you want to realize the full possible winning potential.
Think strategy
Each type of video poker game has its own unique strategy. And, as poker is a game of skill as much as chance, doing your homework and using your brain can go a long way.
Let’s say you’re playing Jacks or Better. Only ever break up a flush (five cards in order all of the same suit) or a straight (five cards in numerical order) when you’re holding four cards that could be a royal flush. For example, say you have all hearts, a 9, jack, queen, king and ace. With the payoff for a royal flush being exponentially higher than a simple flush, 4,000 vs 250 at 5 coins, you discard the 9 and hope for a 10 of hearts, as you are still left open to a simple flush with any other heart or a pair of jacks or better with any other face card.
It’s also always better to keep a low pair instead of a single high card.
Finally, it’s best not to draw looking for an inside straight, i.e. a straight in which the middle cars as opposed to one that could be played at either end of the straight, is missing. For example, 3-4-5-6 can have either a 2 or a 7 on each end to make it a straight. Whereas a 2-3-4-6, needs a 5, meaning there are only 4 ways to make a straight, as opposed to 8 ways to make a straight with the first hand.
Putting in the time to familiarize yourself with the strategy for the video poker game you choose to play can go a long way in improving your winnings over time.
Practice first
Planet 7 casino offers an instant play feature, where you can play for free to practice. Practice how to play different hands in different games and learn from your mistakes. It’s always a good idea to get a feel for the different games before switching to real money and going for the gold.
Don’ts
Don’t get carried away
Go balls to the wall too early and you’ll blow your bankroll. Setting a reasonable budget for each game is key to long-term enjoyment and success. Take a look at our 7 fantastic budget management apps list to help you keep things in line. Discipline is an important part of poker. Don’t fall in to the “just one more hand” or “double up to catch up” trap.
Don’t get too smashed
Yes, it may sound silly, but watching your alcohol intake while playing online video poker is an important part of a winning strategy. Of course, it’s important to enjoy yourself, but keeping your head clear and making good decisions is mission critical over the long term.
Don’t rush
Remember discipline is important in video poker, it’s a thinking person’s game, so it’s important not to rush your hand. Taking time to consider your options carefully and doing your best to make the best possible decisions can make a world of difference to your bankroll and enjoyment level.
Undoubtedly, one of the most popular casino games worldwide is video poker. You might be happily surprised to hear that many video poker games can pay over 100 percent of a players’ original investment if a perfect video poker strategy is applied. It is no wonder that video poker is one of the most regularly played casino games around because it can be so lucrative.
Perhaps you are unsure how to play video poker, but want to learn. Well, the great news is that video poker is a fantastic game for players of all level and easy to play and we’ll show you how in this video poker guide for dummies! Although there are literally hundreds if not thousands of versions of video poker that exist, from Texas Hold ‘Em to multihand video poker they all function more or less along the same guidelines.
In standard poker (playing against other people), to be successful you must utilize a combination of skill, social dynamics and luck. However, video poker is more about knowing what cards to hold, when to double up and when to cash out. Video poker offers chances for massive payouts that even rivals slots.
This factor, coupled with it’s easy approach, is precisely why so many people find video poker to be the perfect casino game. Are you looking to gain an advantage the next time you play video poker online? CoolCat Casino has created the ultimate video poker tutorial just for you. Join us to learn more!
An ultimate video poker tutorial
Video poker first hit the casino floors in the 1970s; and has since grown to become a massively popular form of gambling worldwide. Whatever the variety, video poker follows the standard rules of five-card draw poker. Similar to slots, video poker machines randomly generate the outcomes of each hand designated to a player. However, unlike slot machines, video poker odds are better than other casino machines. The right video poker play will earn you consistent wins whereas slots are more unpredictable.
Most video poker games are played using the standard 52-card deck model. A wager is placed ranging from 1-5 credits, and you are dealt five cards. You must decide what cards to keep and what to discard by clicking/tapping a screen. Once the “keep” cards have been selected, a second set of cards are dealt to replace the ones discarded.
The final hand may contain a winning combination. Low hands such as jacks or better pay less than higher hands like straight flushes or four-of-a kind. Payouts are awarded based on the winning combination and size of bet, and are listed on a machine’s paytable.
The winning hands vary based on what version of video poker you play, but the following format is an example of the best hands for Double Bonus Video Poker ranked from lowest to highest:
Jacks or Better – J♠ J♥
Two Pair – 5♠ 5♥ 8♣ 8♦
Three of a Kind – 5♠ 5♥ 5♣
Straight – 5♠ 6♥ 7♣ 8♦ 9♠
Flush – 5♠ 6♠ 10♠ K♠ A♠
Full House – 5♠ 5♥ 5♣ 8♦ 8♠
Four 5 through King – 4 of a kind from 5s to King of any suit ♠♣♦♥
Four 2, 3, or 4 – 4 of a kind twos, threes or fours of any suit ♠♣♦♥
Four Aces – A♠ A♦ A♥ A♣
Straight Flush – 9♠ 8♠ 10♠ J♠ Q♠
Royal Flush – 10♠ J♠ Q♠ K♠ A♠
Once a winning hand is attained, you can choose to double up for a chance to earn twice your winnings. This is done by choosing a card blindly from the deck. If the card you select is higher than the dealer’s, your winnings are doubled once again, and you can double again or collect your winnings.
Texas Hold’em Poker Guide
While a lot of people are intimidated when it comes to games like Texas Hold’em Poker, learning the game is actually remarkably simple, easy and fun. Based on classic 5-card poker, Texas Hold’em is a game that has been keeping video poker fans enthralled for decades.
Read moreTexas Hold’em Tips
Once you’ve mastered the basics of Texas Hold’em, it’s time to get down to business and learn tips and tricks from the experts. Video poker is as much a game of skill as chance. It’s about good decision making. These tips and tricks will help give you the winning edge.
Read moreTexas Hold’em Bonus
Now that you know how to play and have picked up the best tips and tricks from the experts, it’s time to put your money where your mouth is and get down to some serious play. The best way to play online casino games has always been by taking advantage of casino bonuses to extend your bankroll.
Read moreA perfect video poker game plan
Any players that enjoy slots will find that they would really enjoy video poker. The biggest challenge to making the jump is the overall lack of understanding of the game. Poker can be an intimidating game to anyone who doesn’t play it often, but video poker shouldn’t cause the same type of angst.
With payouts higher than most slot machines, video poker is an excellent alternative for anyone who likes a game with a little more strategy than just pushing a spin button. Before making the jump into video poker though, it is important to know how to play.
With video poker becoming more and more popular, more players are noticing that they might need a little guidance to get them on the right track to winning. Video poker play comes in many forms and players might often overlook certain details in order to make the most out of the opportunities presented.
There definitely are good ideas and bad ideas for everything, good ways and bad ways, and video poker is no exception. Here is a small list of the best video poker game plans to get you winning in no time.
Always bet max coins
In video poker, the payouts can be staggering, but the only way to fully take advantage of this when that prefect hand comes is to bet max coins. Though the odds of hitting a coveted royal flush or four aces is rare, you’ll feel a lot better when you have made the maximum wager to fully enjoy your return.
The standard payout ratio for a royal flush at full value is 800 to 1. If your wager is too low, you will probably earn about 250 to 1 on your wager, not bad, but you want full potential. It’s best to play at the maximum wager allowed to really cash out big.
Check the pay table
Whether playing online or at a land-based casino, be sure to pay attention to a video poker machine’s paytable. These are always listed on the exterior of the video poker machine or in the game screen when playing online. Paytables tell a player how much each winning hand combination will reward a player according to bet size.
These are usually marked in intervals per the amount wagered, with the jackpot paid to the highest hand. Video poker is a phenomenal game, when optimal game play is applied it offers a competitively low house edge compared to other casino games. Some machines will list a pay percentage of over 100%. However, this generally applies to penny slots and not large denomination machines.
Do your homework and practice before you play
The best advice for any player serious about learning video poker tips and tricks is to do the homework. There is a plethora of books and online sites available that offer players the proper resources to learn more; such as video poker tutorials and proper video poker strategy books. The best online casinos will also let you practice online before you decide to play for real money for a chance to improve your skills.
Computer software can also be downloaded that will allow you to enhance your gaming strategy for particular machines. A little bit of practice can have a big impact on your results, and can be the difference between winning and losing. Choose your favorite form of video poker and practice for free today at CoolCat Casino!
Keep your game plan in mind
Poker Chip Tricks Video
Let’s say you are playing a game like Deuces Wild Video Poker, where twos are wild, and you are dealt 7♠ 7♥ 2♣ 10♦ 3♠. How should you proceed to play? The questions is, “do you hold three-of-a-kind (three sevens)?” Generally, it would depend on the variety of video poker that you are playing. Let’s say that three of a kind does not pay for the version of Deuces Wild that you are playing, so you could choose to discard the additional seven as well as the three to attempt a flush or you could hold the sevens to attempt four-of-a-kind or a full house. It all depends on the pay table, and applying proper strategy.
Sign up for membership/player rewards card
We all love free stuff, I mean, who doesn’t? However, most players might not be aware of the fact that brick-and-mortar as well as online casinos offer you incredible rewards simply for playing! These usually come in the form of member clubs or player rewards cards that offer everything from excellent bonuses, free games, complementary points and promotional offers.
Without membership, you lose a fantastic chance at claiming some serious benefits. This applies every time you swipe your member card at a video poker or slot machine; or when you sign in at an online casino. Did you know that CoolCat Casino offers exciting bonuses and promotions on all of your favorite games each week?
Check your bankroll and set a play budget
There’s nothing wrong with wanting to win, and most people will win some of the time. However, we have to be mindful of the times that we lose. Always gamble with an amount that you are comfortable with and never gamble more than you can afford to lose. If losing one hundred credits will end up bankrupting you, then you should reconsider or at the very least lowering your stakes.
Whenever playing casino games of any type it’s always a good idea to have a budget in mind before beginning a game session. Set a lose limit, and if the tides of fortune don’t favor you on a given night then come back to it another time.
It’s easy to fall into the “just one more round” trap, but instead playing responsibly will ensure that you can play more in the long term. Never chase your losses, especially when betting big. If your bankroll is in the negative, it’s best to stop, and not let your losses consume you. Everyone who has gambled has had a rough night, so the best thing to do is to gamble responsibly. Video poker is the perfect casino game for you to moderate your budget because the paytables are always listed, and you can adjust your bet size accordingly. The number one key to video poker as well as any gaming strategy is effective bankroll management.
Keep a clear head
This might seem like silly advice, but can be the difference between playing well and playing abysmally. If you are say, at a brick and mortar establishment, it is important not to drink too much. Land-based casinos often offer players complementary drinks in order to keep them playing, the only downside is once the novelty of a couple drinks wears off, it will start to affect your gameplay negatively.
Anyone can have fun, and play and drink responsibly, but because alcohol has a tendency to remove inhibitions and impair critical thinking, it’s important to keep yourself in balance. You might end up taking a risk that you cannot afford when under the influence of alcohol. Be sure to keep a clear head and know the risks of what you are getting into. It’s never a sound strategy to get in over your head when playing video poker online or otherwise. It is all about having fun with discipline.
Video poker tutorial summary
- Always bet max coins to make the most out of your wins
- Check the paytable listed on each machine
- Do research and practice before you play
- Apply proper video poker game plan based on the type of video poker game you are playing
- Sign up for membership or a player rewards card to receive benefits every time you play
- Take advantage of online casino bonuses
- Keep a lose limit in mind and your bankroll in check
- Play responsibly and with a clear head, avoid too much alcohol
Now that you feel a little more knowledgeable about video poker, we recommend that you head over to CoolCat Casino’s casino game floor to improve your video poker skills! CoolCat Casino offers a spectacular selection of online casino games, and of course, many entertaining varieties of video poker.
Be sure not to miss out! All you need to do is sign in or register for a free account in order to play free video poker online. Do you want to play for real money? Make a deposit with the cashier and start winning real money on video poker today!
CoolCat Winners
Before starting her day yesterday, Amy decided to play a little Cash Bandits 2. Turns out, it was the best decision she could’ve made.
She started playing at 7:56AM less than a minute later she won $16,000 on a single spin.
Encouraged, she decided to continue playing Cash Bandits 2. Her big moment came when she triggered the Feature at 8:07. Her correct guesses in the Vault Feature got her 75 Free Games.
Poker Tips And Tricks
Without making additional bets, she won $88,110 in the Feature. Amy then had to head to work, but she was a lot happier than when she woke up.
Video Poker Tips And Tricks
That’s a morning well spent.