As we always say, there is no guaranteed way to bag wins every time, but there are ways in which incorporating strategies can effectively increase your chances of winning. Today, we’re looking at video poker strategy. Our Go Spin experts have perused the best ways to increase your video poker winnings, and we’ve put together this guide to reveal all.
Join Go Spin Casino as we showcase the importance of utilizing strategy to boost your odds of success. If you’re new to the game, it’s essential to learn how to play video poker before diving into advanced strategies. We’re looking at helping you hit on more winning hands, but to do that, you must understand the basics of video poker. We’re here to help.
Understanding the Basics of Video Poker
Most video poker games work in the same way. There is no dealer, no opposition, and the only task at hand is for you to form the best hand you possibly can, switching out cards no more than once. Of course, there are different variants you can choose from, and these directly impact which video poker strategy you go for. If you’re looking for tips for playing video poker, understanding these variations is crucial.
Classic options include Jacks or Better. Games like Deuces Wild introduce wild cards (and, thus, unnatural hands) into the mix, while Double Bonus poker brings special prizes for selected hands. No matter which game you play, though, the payout system works largely the same way. You must form the best hand you can, swapping out cards no more than once (you can change or hold up to five cards), after which your hand is measured against a paytable to determine if you’ll win prizes. Those prizes increase in value based on your stake and the ranking of the hands you put together.
Choosing the Right Video Poker Game
There is no such thing as a list of the best video poker machines. Which video poker game has the best odds depends on the titles you have available and which game you choose. Here are two things to consider to help you make the right choice, though:
Paytables and Returns
Learn how to read paytables. Understanding how winnings fluctuate based on your bet and the hands you put together is critical. You’ll naturally want to choose games that feature the best payouts and the easiest-to-land hands. Newbies may wish to explore those games with high payouts for simpler, easier-to-obtain hands and avoid games that remove payouts for Two Pairs and Three of a Kind.
Variance and Risk Management
You should also consider variance, otherwise known as volatility, in games. Highly volatile games will result in less likely wins. Go too low on the volatility level, though, and prizes will dip in value. We advise choosing games based on your own risk tolerance and the current size of your bankroll. The larger your bankroll, the better placed you’ll be to tackle highly volatile (high-risk) video poker options, as you’ll have a balance that can sustain losses until you land that next big win.
Essential Video Poker Strategies
Video poker strategy differs based on the game you’re playing. Top video poker payout strategies have similarities, though, so let’s touch on those in the next section.
- Using Strategy Charts: Strategy charts consist of tables. They detail all the best moves to make based on your hand and the number of decks in the game. They can’t guarantee wins, but if you stick to them, they’ll guide you when it comes to tricky decisions, maximising your chances of landing a win.
- Maximising Returns: The more you bet, the more you’ll win (or lose). Video poker games with progressive jackpots may require you to bet the maximum stake. If you want big (but infrequent wins, choose a highly volatile game and prioritise high-ranking hands over a Full House, hands like Four of a Kind and Royal Flushes.
- Adjusting Strategy by Variant: As mentioned, each video poker variant has its own strategy. Jacks or Better players should focus on retaining high-ranking pairs. Deuces Wild fans will always want to keep deuces (2s) while prioritising high-paying hands such as Natural Royal Flushes. If you opt for Joker Poker, then it’s best to leverage the wild cards in the game to try and form stronger combos and hands.
Advanced Tips for Winning More Hands
#1 Bankroll Management
Whatever budget you decide to go with, be sure you stick to it. It’s always tempting to throw caution to the wind and slap down big bets when you’re on a roll, but we encourage you to manage your bets to maximise playtime. Royal Flushes only land once (on average) in 649,739 hands, so the longer you stay in the game, the more likely you’ll win big.
#2 Playing Smarter, Not Faster
Here at Go Spin, we believe in slowing down gameplay. This enables you to make smarter, more thoughtful decisions about how you bet. We definitely discourage making impulsive decisions, especially if you’re on a winning streak. Think strategically, stick to strategy charts, manage your bankroll, and don’t deviate.
#3 Breaking Hands Strategically
It is tempting to stick with a Straight or a Flush if you’ve got one. After all, it’s a guaranteed profit and a tasty prize at that. However, if there’s a sniff of a Royal Flush, and your bankroll isn’t screaming out for a return, we encourage you to go for it. Knowing when to break up potential straight or flushes in search of something greater is an intricate part of winning big at video poker.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
New players are more susceptible than experienced hands when it comes to making mistakes. Even the best video poker strategy won’t help you if you make rookie errors. With that in mind, here are three things you’ll want to avoid at all costs when playing video poker online:
- Playing without understanding the rules of a particular variant and ignoring how the hands form and how paytables dish out rewards is foolhardy. Don’t make this mistake, or you’ll be in for a short, lacklustre session.
- Never chase your losses. It doesn’t matter how much you’ve lost; don’t redeposit, and don’t throw down large sums to try and win back your bankroll. Reckless gameplay never leads to big wins.
- Ignoring strategy charts or deviating from the optimal way to play your hand isn’t ideal. You may think that you see a window to do something clever and take a gamble, but your strategy chart will reveal it if that’s the case. Pros and experts compile most of them – they know what your chances truly are, and if something isn’t on the cards, you shouldn’t play it.
Final Thoughts
Video poker strategy isn’t all about using strategy charts. It isn’t always about forming the best hands possible. It’s also about knowing when to break up a potential winning hand, how much to bet, when to walk away, and how to structure and manage your video poker bankroll. Take your time, don’t make mistakes, and gamble responsibly. Use demo versions of free video poker games to practice, learn disciplines, and see what works for you before betting with real money.
