Video poker is an enticing alternative to the classic casino poker experience. Instead of sitting at a table with other gamblers and a dealer, you can stand in front of a screen and play at your own pace. Increase your chances of winning by learning about the various winning combinations and using the right strategy.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Play Videopoker
Step 1. Choose a video poker machine
You can play on the internet or in your favorite coffee shop. Find machines that pay well. For example, a Full House can pay one to five credits. You will find this information in the paytable, which you can view from the main video poker menu.
Look for the best cars in your area. If you settle for a cheap one, you will lose your money faster
Step 2. Choose a game in the machine
There are many different types of poker to choose from when playing video poker. However, the most popular variant is known as "Jacks or Better". This is a beginner-friendly game because it pays well with low risk.
If you can't find a "Jacks or Better" machine, look for a Game King. Usually the latter give the possibility to play "Jacks or Better"
Step 3. Put some money in the machine
Insert coins, bills, credit cards or casino cards. The money will be converted by the machine into credits, which you can use for your bets. Once you have finished playing, the remaining credit will be returned to you along with your winnings.
Step 4. Place your bets
It is not necessary to wager all the money at once. Instead, press the button at the bottom of the screen to add money to the bet. To bet the maximum possible amount, press the "Max bet" button. The higher the stake, the greater the payout.
Go for it when you get the chance. This way you will have a better chance of recovering the lost money
Step 5. Press the "Deal" button to start playing
The machine will give you five cards. Click on the ones you want to keep and click again if you change your mind and want to deselect one. If you have no winning pairs or combinations, you can discard all cards. You can hit "Deal" twice for each hand.
- By pressing "Deal" you will discard all the cards you have not selected and you will receive new ones. If you are lucky, the new cards will form winning combinations with the old ones.
- Note that if you have not activated the "Auto Hold" option, the machine will not automatically store winning combinations for you. Therefore, be sure to examine the hand thoroughly before hitting "Deal".
Step 6. Collect your winnings
If you have a winning hand, usually "winner" will appear on the screen and the machine will award you a prize. The winnings will be shown in the appropriate section and will be added to the credits. When you are done playing, you can cash out all your winnings.
- If you have used coins, you will receive real money from the machine or a sheet of paper with the credits you have won on it.
- If you used a slot machine card, you will receive the credits on the card.
Method 2 of 3: Winning at "Jacks or Better"
Step 1. Use a strategy when playing video poker
There is a winning strategy for all types of poker. By following those guidelines, your chances of winning increase. The strategy for the most common variant, "Jacks or Better", is very simple and takes advantage of the many winning combinations at your disposal.
The various types of poker require different strategies. If you choose a game like "Deuces Wild" or "Joker Poker", learn the specific tactics before playing
Step 2. Press "Deal" to start playing
If you are playing "Jacks or Better" you will receive five cards from a deck of 52 from the machine. Please note that in "Dueces Wild" and "Joker Poker" there are jokers in the deck and this can reduce the chances of getting the cards you want.. Therefore, almost everyone prefers to play "Jacks or Better".
Step 3. Keep pairs when they are assigned to you
If you don't have a great winning combination, go for the simpler ones: pairs, two pairs and three of a kind. These are the combinations that give the lowest rewards, but which show up most often. You can find the prize paid by pairs and triplets in the paytable.
- A pair means two cards of the same rank, regardless of suit. A low pair can often become a full house or three of a kind if you don't discard it.
- Likewise, the term three of a kind refers to three cards of the same rank, regardless of suit. Usually this hand pays slightly more than a pair.
Step 4. Increase the odds of receiving winning combinations
If you don't have a pair, keep all suits of the same suit for a better chance of hitting a royal flush. If you have no face cards or pairs, discard the whole hand. On the second chance you may receive a pair or a straight.
Know when to discard cards. Don't prefer figures to couples. Taking advantage of all the pairs you receive allows you to break even
Method 3 of 3: Knowing the Winning Combinations
Step 1. Keep an eye out for simpler combinations
These include pairs, three of a kind and four of a kind. They are hands made up of cards of the same type. To get them, keep pairs and three of a kind. The more of the same cards you collect in your hand, the higher your winnings will be.
Don't keep unmatched cards in hopes of getting a pair after the change. The odds of getting the exact card you need are low
Step 2. Pay attention to the stairs
A straight is made up of four cards in sequence, regardless of suit. You have the best chance of making that combination if you are dealt three cards in sequence in the first deal. However, it only tries to complete the bilateral stairs and not the interlocking ones.
- One of the central cards is missing in the interlocking stairs. For example, if you have 3, 4, and 6, you would complete a gut straight with a five, but the odds of getting exactly 5 are low.
- One of the external cards is missing from the double-sided straight. For example, if you have 4, 5 and 6, you can complete the straight with a 3 or a 7.
Step 3. Try to get a color
This combination consists of five cards of the same suit, regardless of the numerical value. You have the highest chance of hitting a flush when you are dealt four cards of the same suit on the first deal. Keep them and hope to get a fifth card of the same suit.
Step 4. Try to make a Full House
This combination consists of three cards of the same rank and two cards of the same rank different from the first ones. If you have two pair in the first deal, keep those four cards and hope to complete the full house. Similarly, if you get three of a kind in your first deal, keep it for a better chance of hitting a full house.
For example, if you have three Jacks, keep them for a chance to get another pair and make a Full House
Step 5. Aim for the straight flush
This meld consists of five sequential cards of the same color. Scales composed only of figures (real scales) are excluded from this definition. If you have three or more cards of the same suit and in sequence, keep them and try to make a straight flush.
It is easier to complete a double-sided ladder than an interlocking one. For example, if you have 3, 4 and 5 of hearts, you can get a 2 or 6 of hearts. If you have 3, 4 and 6 of hearts, you MUST find the 5 of hearts
Step 6. Pay attention to royal flushes
This combination consists of ten, jack, queen, king and ace of the same suit and is the one that awards the highest prize. The odds of hitting this hand are higher if you hit three or more relevant cards in the first deal.
For example, if you get a two of hearts, three of diamonds and ten, jack and king of hearts, keep the last three cards and try to make a royal flush
Advice
Join the slot machine club at your favorite casino. Members get bonuses based on the amount of money they spend on the machines, including free meals, hotel rooms, event tickets, and more
Warnings
- Don't play with figures you can't afford to lose. Casinos almost always have a mathematical advantage, and even when you have the advantage, short-term variations can cause you to lose everything.
- If you have a gambling addiction and need help, consult your doctor.
- Video poker has been proven to be highly addictive. Don't play when you are angry or depressed. If you find yourself chasing your losses, it's time to stop.
