Developing a Video Poker Strategy that Works

While there are plenty of people out there who really like the game itself, there are only a handful who truly employ a good video poker strategy when they play. This must start before any money is ever inserted into a machine; ones at different venues - and even different variations of it - have different rules and pay tables. For the most part, it's all about using the odds to the individual's advantage and making the best choices possible based upon what he or she is dealt at the onset.

For the most part, beginners should check out one of the free Jacks or Better options here at Diceland if they aren't already familiar with the title. This has a good pay table, a decent return rate, and is based on the standard five-card game that so many people know and love. Since people are only going to get paid for hands consisting of at least a pair of Jacks, then it's simpler to form some sort of video poker strategy from the outset. As an example, someone who receives a deuce, a three, a seven, a 10 and a Jack will almost always want to keep the Jack and discard the rest. The only exception to this is if the individual is one card short of a flush; in this case, the card that doesn't match suit should be discarded.

The most important thing here is determining which cards to keep and which to discard based upon the pay scale and what is received in the first deal. If someone is dealt something that is guaranteed a payout, it's best to just stick with it. Even money is better than nothing, really. However, for someone who has received several random cards, it depends on the situation. For example, a four, eight, nine, 10 and King have several possibilities. The individual could choose to keep the eight, nine, and 10 in hopes of collecting a straight, but the odds of getting both of the cards necessary to do so are quite slim. Rather, it's best to just hold onto the King at this point because then the player has four chances to receive another King and, therefore, a payout.