Top Ten Video Poker Tips
When you play games at a casino, whether it is an online casino or a real live casino, the main aim of any game is to beat the house, otherwise known as the casino. In most casino games the casino has an advantage over you; this is usually measured as a percentage and is most often referred to as the house edge. Different games have a different house edge, for example slots more often than not have a higher house edge, as much as twenty five percent while card games like blackjack have a much lower house edge, generally around three percent but can be as low as one percent depending on the type of blackjack being played.
When it comes to understanding and calculating the house edge, a good, solid strategy is just as important as knowing the house edge of a particular game. The lack of a good strategy can also affect the house edge percentage that the casino enjoys. A good example of this is games like roulette and craps where a bad strategy can increase the house edge by as much as eight to fifteen percent. Somewhere in the middle of all of this is the game known as video poker, video poker is an excellent choice in terms of choosing a game with a low house edge. Video poker has one of the lowest house edges of any casino game and, with the correct strategy, can be reduced to as little as one half of a percent. Here are ten great tips for playing effective video poker.
- Be sure to select full pay
Video poker machines are all different and different poker machines will have different pay out tables. A standard Jacks or Better video poker machine requires you to have a pair of jacks or better in order to win but what is important is to take note of hat the odds are on that particular machine. If the table says that it pays out at nine to one odds for a full house and six to one odds for a flush then you need to bet big because these are what is known as full pay machines. Full pay machines are also called nine/six machines and they pay back a whopping ninety nine percent over what they actually make.
- Always play the maximum
The maximum allowable bet on a video poker machine is where you need to be. Many video poker machines will actually pay out more on a royal flush if you have bet the maximum number of coins which is usually around five coins. It is not necessarily easy to actually get a royal flush but it is better to bet big because when you do hit a good hand your payout will be much higher.
- Learn different machines
There are tons of video poker machines out there, all of them have different features, different pay tables and different odds for different hands. Learn different machines so you know how to take advantage of them.
- Avoid splitting winning hands
Never split pairs, especially high value ones in order to try and get straights or flushes because this has a drastic effect on the house edge in the casinos favor.
- Be conscious of bankroll limitations
The size of your bankroll will generally determine the types of video poker machines that you can play successfully. If your bankroll is fairly small there is no use in playing a high rolling video poker machine.
- Set yourself a bottom line loss limit
By setting a bottom line loss limit that you cannot go lower than is a great way to make sure that you do not have a negative video poker session. This means that you determine an amount that you are comfortable with losing, for example two hundred dollars. If you experience a losing streak then it is time to quit the game once that reaches your two hundred mark.
- Decide what your reasons are for playing
Video poker is not really the type of gaming that you can make a living with over the long term. The fact of the matter is that even though the house edge is lower than most other casino games, it is still in favor of the casino. Even a one hundred percent pay back machine will only get you a break even result over the long term. It is far better to treat the game as something enjoyable, and no more than that.
- Make good use of casino comps or bonuses
Make use of casino comps or free points and bonuses that are offered to you. This jsut makes good sense as any advantage that you can get; ways that help to extend your playing time need to be considered.
- Be prepared to get rid of your entire hand
If your hand does not feature any high cards or possibilities of a good combination like a flush it is better to get rid of the whole hand and try again.
- Never leave your jackpot
This may sound quite obvious but you would be surprised at just how many people forget their winnings behind, always make sure that you take your jackpot with you!