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How To Play Video Poker, How to Improve Your Chances at Video Poker in Canada

How to Improve Your Chances at Video Poker in Canada

These are the basic poker hands that players need to know before they learn how to play video poker. That is why we have come with a very easy How to play video poker guide so that we can all the simplify the game. By learning how to play video poker from this simple guide you can win real money. That being said, take a few minutes to go The best How To Play Video Poker Guide to find out all there is to the game of video poker.

How To Play Video Poker

If you want to learn how to play video poker then you are on the right page. Video Poker is one of the most popular online casino games, this is because the game requires no skill at all. However, despite this fact, there are still a few who have no idea how to play video poker.

That is why we have come with a very easy How to play video poker guide so that we can all the simplify the game. By learning how to play video poker from this simple guide you can win real money. That being said, take a few minutes to go The best How To Play Video Poker Guide to find out all there is to the game of video poker.

Objective Of Video Poker

Before we get to the how to play video poker part, we need to make sure that you are well aware of the objective of this online casino game. That way when you do play, you know what it that you should aim for. The objective of video poker is to get to create the highest ranked 5-card poker possible.

Video Poker Hands

Knowing how to play video poker means that you need to be aware of the poker. As you noted that objective of the game is to get the highest 5- card poker hand. And if you do not know the poker hands and this cannot be done. That being said, in this how to play video poker guide, we will take a few minutes to illustrate the poker hands.

Royal Flush: Ace, King, Queen, Jack, 10 (all of the same suit)

Straight Flush: 5 cards in consecutive of the same suit. 3; 4; 5; 6; 7 all of hearts.

4 of a kind: 4 cards of the same value and any other card. e.g 3, 3, 3, 3,10

Full House: 3 cards of the same value and a pair. e.g 2, 2, 2, 4, ,4

Flush: Any 5 cards, in no particular order but of the same suit. e.g 8; 6; 4; 2; 10

Straight: 5 consecutive cards, of different suits. e.g 3 of hearts, 4 of spades, 5 of diamonds, 6 of three leaves, 7 of hearts

3 of a Kind: any 3 cards of the same value, and any other 2 cards. e.g 2, 2, 2, 5, 9

2 pair: 2 sets of pairs and 1 other random card. e.g 3, 3, 4, 4, 8

Jacks or Better: any single pair that has Jacks or higher.

These are the basic poker hands that players need to know before they learn how to play video poker.

The Paytable

On the top of the screen, there will be the Paytable. Players need to take a few minutes to study it before they play to find out the payouts with each poker hand.

How to Play Video Poker

Look for a legit/ safe online casino

Players need to either log in/ register if they want to play for real money. If they want to play free online video poker, they just need to look for the game.

Click on the game. Players should make sure that they know which version of video poker that they are playing.

If you are playing for free, simply click “Deal/ Draw” to begin to play

If you are playing for real money you will need to buy chips.

You will then need to place your bet. Usually to the left of the screen, there will be buttons marked “Cash Out and “Bet One Credit”. Click these buttons to place your bet. If you place the max bet, click “Max Bet” on the tight of the screen.

5 cards will then be dealt to the player. And in the center, there will be 5 buttons. Each will be in line with a card dealt. The buttons are written “Hold/Cancel”. Players use these buttons if they want to keep or change a card respectively.

Click “Deal/ Draw” after you have made up your mind as to which cards you want to keep and which cards you want to discard.

The cards will then be changed and these will make up the final hand of the player.

The game then notifies you if you have lost or won the game.

How to Play Video Poker Conclusion

To conclude, learning how to play video poker is simple. All that you need to is to make sure that you know which version of the game you are playing. Additionally, you need to make sure that you know all of the classic poker hands. While you may not need to use them as you play some versions of video poker, there is no harm in learning them.

As soon s you do that, you will find that learning how to play video poker as easy as ABC. and in time you will be playing video poker like a pro at all the top real money video poker casinos Canada.

Play Video Poker for Real Money Online in Canada

Video Poker is one of the first casino games to be implemented into a computerized platform. Since its introduction into the online casino scene, it has gained so many fans from all over the world.

Because of its popularity, we have seen so many Video Poker variations being developed by so many casino software providers. For those that have been playing Video Poker for the longest time, they will notice that the game has changed quite a lot.

Below, we look at the features that have changed since the game’s invention.

How And When Video Poker Appeared?

The history of Video Poker is very fascinating as much as the history of personal computer development. The first ‘primitive’ version of Video Poker was introduced back in the 1970s. It was named the Draw Poker. This version of Video Poker was developed by IGT back in 1979. The game grew in popularity through the 80s to date.

Many land-based casinos all over the world offered Video Poker and due to the game’s popularity, it was then introduced to online casinos. It was in the mid-90s when Video Poker emerged at online casinos. A lot of players figured out which were the best games to play.

This was mainly determined by the return to player percentage (RTP) as well as the bonus features. Also, many players learned about online casino bonuses and figured out how to properly profit from the game, thereby creating Video Poker strategies. For that reason, it became beneficial for players to play online Video Poker than at land-based casinos.

Difference between Poker And Video Poker

Video poker is the child of poker, and each is equally loved and played by Canadian gamblers. However, despite this fact, there are a few notable differences between the two poker games.

The main difference between poker and video poker is that video poker can be played both online and offline. To add on to that, video poker just needs the basic knowledge of poker. This means to say that the game is simpler than its predecessor is. In addition, due to the fact the game is computerized, it comes with more versions as compared to poker in general. Furthermore, when it comes to video poker, it is much easier for players to control and manage their bankroll.

Other differences in the two games include the fact that in video poker, the hand values are set. Whereas, with poker, some hand values will not give the player any wins. Furthermore, video poker comes with many strategy charts that you can use during the game. However, with regular poker, these will not do you any good. While regular poker requires a player to possess various skills like bluffing, this is not the case with video poker.

Simple and Predictable

The main difference between Video Poker and actual Poker is simplicity. Also, there is no virtual croupier involved so there’s no chance of being cheated. This is also because of the use of the RNG which ensures that each game is separate from the previous or the next, and is not influenced by anything else.

Here, at Top 10 Canada Casinos, we recommend that you shop around for a legal and legit online casino to play online Video Poker at. It’s also very important that you know that Video Poker doesn’t require too many strategies. It’s a simplified game. That means you only need to know a little in order for you to start playing it.

Another great advantage is that you can actually predict the game’s outcome. You can do this by simply looking at the machine. For example, if the game is ‘Tens or better’, it means that the player will only get paid for a combo that’s a pair of tens and better.

Because of this, you can actually calculate the possible payback as you are playing. However, it comes with a disadvantage also. As mentioned above, you have no opponent when you play except the computer. This means there’s no cheating involved and no interaction whatsoever.

You can choose to play Video Poker for real money at a land-based casino or at an online casino, the choice is yours. However, whatever choice you go for, make sure you practice responsible gambling.

Reasons To Play Video Poker

The RTP in most Video Poker games is 99%. Meaning that for every C$100 that is wagered you can win at most C$99. Take for instance Jacks or Better comes with a 99.54% RTP.

Depending on the amount of money that you would have wagered, players who play Video Poker have the chance to walk away with huge real money prizes.

If you love to use strategy when you play, there are several that you can use as you play Video Poker.

The Video Poker game variations are wide. Meaning that you have a plethora of games that you can choose from.

There are tonnes of Video Poker tournaments that players can take part in.

How to Play Video Poker

Video Poker is played with a standard 52-card deck. Players are given 5 cards. The cards can be discarded so that more cards can be drawn from the same deck in order to replace the first cards drawn. Unlike in online slots, the result of each Video Poker game is not completely dependent on the Random Number Generator (RNG). The result of a game also depends on interactions with the player and his decisions. For this reason, skill is required in order to win.

When playing free online Video Poker, 5 cards are drawn as well but this time, the player doesn’t have an opponent. For the game to start there should be a bet of between 1 and 5 coins of a certain value. Next is the interaction part where the player is offered a chance to either improve or worsen their hard.

They do this by discarding the given cards and then drawing new ones. After the cards are drawn, the player can then click on the Deal button. At this point, the player only has to cross their fingers and hope that their hand is good. If it is, they win and the amount won depends on the bet size. To get more information on the game, visit the How To Play Video Poker Guide.

Video Poker Hands

Royal Flush

This is the most powerful hand that you can get as you play Video Poker. This is a 5 card hand of the same suite. Take, for instance, 10, J, Q, K, A all of the hearts. Normally, the Royal Flush will pay out between 200x and 300x your initial bet size.

Straight Flush

This is the second-best hand that you get. This hand consist of 5 consecutive cards of the same suit. Take, for instance, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 all of Spades. The difference between a Straight Flush and the Royal Flush are the card values. Straight Flushes pay out between 40x and 60x your initial bet.

4 of a Kind

This hand comprises of a set of 4 cards and 1 different card. Take, for instance, a full set of Aces, and one 2 of spades; A, A, A, A, 2. Payouts for this hand are between 20x and 30x your bet size.

Full House

A Full House consist of three cards of the same value, and two cards of the same value as well. For example, 3,3,3,7,7. The Full House will pay players between 5x and 9x their bet size.

Flush

A Flush is five cards of the same suit, in no order. For example, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 all of diamonds. Flushes usually pay out between 4x and 6x your initial bet.

Straight

This video poker hand comprises five cards, in sequential order but of different suits. E.g.: 2 of hearts, 3 of spades, 4 of diamonds, 5 of three leaves, 6 of spades. The Straight hand payout is usually pegged at 3x or 4x your initial bet size.

3 of a Kind

This hand comprises of three cards of the same denomination and any other two cards. E.g., 4, 4, 4, 10, J. 3 of Kind will in most cases payout 3x your bet size.

2 pair

The 2 pair hand comes with two pairs, ad one different card. For example, 2, 2, 4, 4, 10. Players will be paid 2x their bet size for this hand.

in Video Poker, the Pair is the lowest paying hand. It means that you have one pair and any three other cards. E.g.: 4, 4, 6, 8, 10. This hand pays out 1x your bet size. Which means you get your money back as it was.

What To Consider Before You Play Video Poker

Video Poker is a very fun and interesting casino game, meaning that players will want to jump into the action as soon as possible. However, before you jump in and play the game, there are a few things that you need to make sure that you take note of.

Make sure that you are playing at a safe and trusted real money online casino in Canada.

If you are playing the game for real money and not free video poker, always make sure to check if they have the banking methods that you can use.

Always make sure that you know the poker hands.

Be it you are playing free video poker or you are playing for real money, always make sure that you read the rules.

Play free video poker before you play for real money.

There are many variations of Video Poker, therefore, always make sure to check the game that you are playing.

Make sure to check the pay tables. This is because the table game has many different variations, and each of them comes with its own different paytable.

Video Poker Free vs Video Poker Real Money

Video Poker like most online casino games can be played for free as well for real money. There are many reasons why people chose to play free video poker. Similarly, there are also many reasons why a player chose to play online video poker for real money. Below, we shall look at some of those reasons.

Why Play Real Money Online Video Poker?

Playing for real money means that players get to claim great bonuses. Playing for real money also unlocks the many promotions that come with the game.

As you play for real money, you earn loyalty points. Which can be redeemed for real money at most real money online casinos.

If you love to use strategy when you play, there are several that you can use as you play Video Poker.

Video poker real money gives players tonnes of variations to choose from.

However, as much we love to play for real money, this also means that our money is at risk. To add on to that, this means that you will need to set up an account at the online casino, which may take longer.

Why play Free Online Video Poker

Playing free Video Poker means that the players get to play instantly without any sign up required.

With free Video Poker, players can enjoy unlimited rounds of play without having to cough up a single dime.

Free Video Poker opens up the best training ground for players seeking to improve their poker skills online.

Just as there are drawbacks to playing for real money, there are also drawbacks to free Video Poker. Such as no monetary prizes, no matter how many times you win. To add to that, there are fewer games to play.

How To Win at Video Poker

No matter we are playing free video poker or for real money, we always want to make sure that we win. That is why we, as Top10CanCasinos have a brief, but informative section on how to win at online Video Poker.

Firstly, you need to make sure that you look for basic combinations like pairs, three of a kind and four of a kind. This, in turn, will help you secure a strong winning hand.

Secondly, do not hold on to an unpaired card looking forward to the next deal. This is as you have a higher chance of losing than you do of winning.

Thirdly, always make sure that you match your card to the highest card that you have in your hand. By so doing, you have a greater chance of coming up with a winning combination.

To add on to that, do not let go of any pair that you have. Despite the fact that it is of low value. This is because, discarding that pair will, in most cases result in you getting cards that are worse.

Lastly, always aim to get a Royal Flush over a Straight Flush. However, be careful that you do not break either of the hands.

Video Poker Types

Triple play

This variant of video poker allows players to play three hands at once. And it is a great choice if you love multitasking.

Double Bonus Poker

Double Bonus Poker allows players to unlock two bonuses. These will both be four of a kind.

Deuces Wild

In Deuces Wild, the 2s are the wild cards in the game. Therefore, a royal flush that holds at least one 2 means that players will get a generous payout. Furthermore, the game usually comes with a 100.7% RTP. This means should you opt to play for real money and not free video poker, you will win amazing rewards.

Jokers Wild

In Jokers Wild, the Jokers act as the wild card in the game. To add on to that, players need to get a pair of kings or better in order for them to receive a payout. The game is played with 53 cards and comes with a 100.6% RTP.

Double Double Bonus

The game on the Double Bonus Poker. That being said, it pays more for four of a kind wins. Also, the game comes with a 100% RTP.

Multi-Play

In this version of the game, players are allowed to play as many poker hands as they please.

Aces and Faces Video Poke

is based on 5 card draw. Each player will be dealt 5 cards and they will be able to change some or all of the cards just one time

Play Video Poker for Fun Right Away

Of course, we have already mentioned that online Video Poker requires a bit of skill. What that means is that for someone who has never played the game before, playing for real money right away is a huge risk. This is why we suggest that you play Video Poker for free first.

Playing free Video Poker no download allows you enough time to practice before wagering real money. You will be delighted to know that most of the online casinos in Canada that we have recommended on this site offer you demo versions of all of their online casino games. If you visit these casinos, you will be able to find free versions of Video Poker which you can sample for free.

As you play for free, you will be able to come up with a strategy that works specifically for you and for a specific variation. You should note that you can only get the correct payoffs if you use the correct strategy. Video Poker strategies are the most important part of the gameplay.

As you play Video Poker online, you should look at your hand and then search for the cards that match a suitable hand. When you find these cards, you must discard the other cards. One thing to note is that this process is a bit difficult to master.

Also, it differs with each Poker machine. You are definitely bound to make mistakes now and again as you play. It’s ok, don’t fret over it. The only thing that we suggest is that you stick to your budget. Also, never chase your losses. If you do, chances are high that you will end up losing even more money. Choose a trusted casino today from our site and start playing now!

Tips for Playing Video Poker

Since we want to get the best out of the game, allow us to give some great tips that will definitely improve your video poker gameplay.

Always make sure that you the hand ranks of the game that you are playing. This is as you may end up opting for a hand that does not even payout.

Use Video Poker Strategy to help you with the gameplay.

Play the max bet option to get the best rewards out of the game.

Check the paytable before you begin to play. As this will give you the values of the poker hands.

Make sure that you play a game that offers you better odds.

Play the online casino game when you are alert, playing real money online casino games when you are tired can lead to you making many mistakes.

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Video Poker

Video poker has been around for decades, but its lack of outrageous graphics and flashing lights have always left it playing second fiddle to the slots. Most VP veterans are perfectly happy with that arrangement, as it leaves these potentially profitable machines free of crowds and curious onlookers.

Free Play - Deuces Wild

About Video Poker

In case you’re unaware, video poker is the rare casino game where the player can actually gain an advantage over the house in the right set of circumstances. This isn’t always easy to achieve, of course, and losses are still bound to happen. But for those who want to be smart when it comes to gambling, this game represents one of the best bets in any online or land-based casino.

This article is meant to explain the basics of the game, from how to play video poker to the most common types of variants. While reading this won’t guarantee you any wins in the future, it should at least provide enough information to determine whether or not VP is right for you.

How to Play Video Poker

Video poker is an easy game to learn, especially when you consider that the player can actually gain a slight advantage over the house. Played like a game of five-card draw poker, the game begins when the player makes their wager and gets dealt five virtual cards.

After examining their hand, the player must decide how many of their cards are going to be retained. They may keep all of them, a few of them, or none at all. This is accomplished by pressing (or clicking) the button that corresponds to each card on the screen.

Once the keeper cards have been selected, the game discards the others and deals replacements to the player. This is where the game ends, as the computer determines the final value of the player’s hand and issues a payout accordingly. As you might imagine, a stronger hand receives more money (with the royal flush being the top prize on the majority of VP machines).

Jacks or Better

Also referred to as “draw poker,” this game doesn’t deliver a payout unless the player gets a pair of jacks or higher. Using a simple strategy on this game delivers an expected return of 99.46 percent, while employing a more advanced optimal strategy yields 99.54 percent.

Deuces Wild

Two cards are considered in this version of the game. While a royal flush comprised of one or more wild cards pays 125 credits, a natural royal flush is far more valuable with a 4,000-coin payout. Using a simple strategy on the full-pay version of this game yields an expected return of 100.71 percent, which means the player actually has an advantage over the house.

Bonus Poker

One of the most common casino options, this version offers a full pay of 8/5 and includes a number of four-of-a-kind payouts. When using optimal strategy, the expected return is 99.17 percent. It’s not uncommon for this version of video poker to be the most profitable version offered in some casinos, especially since the others often give the player a mathematical edge over the house.

Double Bonus Poker

10/7 is common for the full-pay version. Players are paid with jacks or better, although four-of-a-kind hands offer the largest prize. 100.17 percent expected return.

Joker Poker

The joker acts as a wild card, and a pair of kings or better are required for a payout. The expected return is 100.64 percent when using a basic strategy.

Double Double Bonus Poker

This game offers increased payouts for four-of-a-kind hands in specific combinations. For example, four aces with a 2-4 kicker pays 400 coins, while four of a kind of 2-4 with an ace-4 kicker pays 160 coins. The full-pay version is 10/6, and employing basic strategy on this machine yields an expected return of 100.07 percent.

Progressive Jackpot

While this isn’t a specific type of machine, we should mention that VP games can offer progressive wins just like slots. In some cases, multiple machines may be linked together at various locations.

Video poker is the best-kept secret in the casino, and many patrons are happy to pass it by once they realize that it’s not a slot machine. However, veteran gamblers and advantage players know the truth, which is why many of them scour online and land-based casinos for the VP machines with the best pay tables. Once they’ve found a suitable option, all they have to do is apply the proper strategy, wait for the house edge to drop, and watch their bank account begin to rise.

Video Poker Odds

Some online casino games offer better casino odds than others.

Most players like to mix up their play, but serious online players know that some of the best odds to be found are in the video poker games.

Structured to play as stud poker variants, video poker games should be played with the proper strategy in order to maximize one’s chances of winning.

Video poker payout odds can be different depending on the game, but a Jacks or Better game played with a perfect strategy can give the player a 99.54 percent return on their money. Even if you don’t know perfect video poker strategy and you only make the occasional mistake, that average return will only drop down to 99.52 percent.

The one thing to look for when you play video poker games is a 9/6 pay table. Games with a table of 9/6 will pay 9 to 1 if you get a full house, and 6 to 1 when you get a flush. Games with these payout odds are often called “full pay” games.

Casinos will offer games that seem to be the same as the full-pay games, but in reality they often offer only an 8/6 or even an 8/5 pay table. The full house only pays 8 to 1 and the flush gets 5 to 1. That small difference will greatly increase the house edge over you, so take the time to find the best pay table games before you play.

No House Edge?

Professional video poker players know that the best games are the full-pay Deuces Wild games. If you are able to play a perfect strategy in these games, the house edge will disappear, and your average return will be above 100 percent – somewhere in the vicinity of 100.7 percent. That’s not an easy edge to find in a casino, and finding one of these games without a professional playing at it is no easy feat for a player.

This edge can be increased when you play games with a progressive jackpot. The bigger the jackpot, the better your potential return. The one thing to remember when playing any progressive jackpot game is to bet the maximum bet. Only max bet hands will qualify for the jackpot, and if you don’t bet the max your potential return drops down dramatically.

And don’t try to hit that royal flush every time you get dealt a face card, as the odds of hitting it are 1 in 40,000. Stick to the video poker strategies, as they will give you the best chance at a big payday.

Video Poker Strategy

Video poker strategy can make a significant difference when playing this sometimes overlooked casino game. While VP offers a decent payback percentage to players under normal circumstances, the house edge can often be erased by following proper strategy based on the initial five-card hand.

In this article, we’ll provide a couple of strategy charts for the most popular types of video poker. In addition, we’ll discuss some basic tips for the game that are bound to improve your overall performance.

Importance of Using Strategy in Video Poker

A lot of VP players like to “wing it” during their gaming sessions. While their instincts may be solid in some cases, the lack of a definite plan of attack ultimately allows the house edge to get the better of them in the long run.

By employing a basic strategy, however, the player is relying on a rigid system that delivers the best chance of winning based on the rules and payout options. This can result in a major shift for the player, moving the expected payback percentage by a few points and putting the house at an actual disadvantage.

Deuces Wild Strategy

Deuces Wild card holding strategy consists of some simple rules to follow depending on how many, or if any, deuces have been dealt to you initially. Any other cards other than the combinations on these lists should be discarded in the drawing round.

When no deuces are dealt

Hold four cards to a royal flush

Hold any hand that pays out profit

Hold four cards to a straight flush

Hold three cards to a royal flush

Hold a pair

Hold four cards to a flush

Hold four cards to an open-ended straight

Hold three cards to a straight flush

Hold four cards to an inside straight

Hold two cards to a royal flush if they’re higher than a jack

When one deuce is dealt

Hold four of a kind or higher

Hold four cards to a royal flush

Hold a full house

Hold four cards to a full house with three consecutive running cards 5-7 or higher

Hold a flush, straight or three of a kind

Hold any combination of four cards to a straight flush

Hold three cards to a royal flush

Hold three cards to a straight flush with two consecutive running cards 6-7 or higher

Hold one deuce

When two deuces are dealt

Hold four of a kind or better

Hold four cards to a royal flush

Hold four cards to a straight flush with two consecutive running cards 6-7 or better

Hold two deuces

When three deuces are dealt

Hold a royal flush

Hold a straight flush

Hold three deuces

When four deuces are dealt

Hold four deuces when fifth card is smaller than a ten

A player will get dealt a deuce in their starting hand on average every 2.6 hands. Getting dealt a pair (without a deuce) will occur on average 42 percent of the time, and players have a 15 percent chance of getting dealt a pair and a deuce. When drawing three cards while holding a pair, you have a 1 in 4 chance of drawing a deuce.

Jacks or Better Strategy

This example of video poker strategy is for Jacks or Better and should yield an expected return of 99.46 percent. Once the game has dealt your five cards, look at your starting hand and determine the various ways that it can be played. The objective is to find the highest-ranking possibility on the list below and stick with it.

Jacks or Better Rankings

Four of a kind, royal flush, straight flush

Four cards toward completing a royal flush

Straight, flush, three of a kind, full house

Four cards toward completing a straight flush

Two pair

High pair (pair of jacks or above)

Three cards toward a royal flush

Four cards toward a flush

Low pair (a pair of 10s or less)

Four cards toward an outside straight

Two suited high cards (jacks or better)

Three cards toward completing a straight flush

Two unsuited high cards

One of these suited combinations: J/10, Q/10 or K/10

Single high card

If none of the above options are present in your hand, then you should discard everything.

Bonus Poker Strategy

8/5 Bonus Poker is one of the most common VP games found in casinos. Because of this, I thought it would be helpful to share a traditional strategy table that should yield a 99.17 percent return. As with the Jacks or Better strategy, look at your initial five-card hand and play the highest-ranking option from the list below.

Bonus Poker Rankings

Royal flush, straight flush, four of a kind

Four cards toward a royal flush

Full house, straight, flush

Three of a kind

Four cards toward the completion of a straight flush

Two pair

High pair (a pair of jacks or better)

Three cards toward the completion of a royal flush

Four cards toward a flush

Unsuited king, queen, jack and 10

Low pair (10s or less)

Four cards toward an outside straight

Three cards toward a straight flush. This must be an open-ended draw with no more than 1 gap. There must also be one or more high cards.

Unsuited ace, king, queen and jack

Two suited high cards

Three cards toward a straight flush. Open-ended draw with no high cards or gaps.

Four cards toward an inside straight, with 3 high cards

Unsuited king, queen and jack

Unsuited queen and jack

Three cards toward a straight flush. The draw must contain 2 gaps and a single high card.

K/J or K/Q unsuited

Suited J/10

One of the following unsuited combinations: A/J, A/Q or A/K

Three cards to a straight flush. Open-ended draw with no gaps and one high card.

Q/T or K/T suited

A king, queen or jack

Three cards to a straight flush. This draw has two gaps and no high cards.

If none of the above options exist, discard your hand and take five new cards.

Tips for Playing Video Poker

The next time you try your luck at a VP machine, keep the following suggestions in mind:

Video Poker Tips

Know the Types of Games – Each version of video poker has a different pay table, so choose the one that’s most appealing to you. Whether it’s Double Bonus, Deuces Wild, or All American, it pays to know the available options.

Play MaxCoins – Most VP games offer a bonus amount for wins while playing maximum coins. If you want to get the most for your money, I suggest keeping this in mind.

Establish a Time Limit – Before you begin a gaming session, it’s always wise to establish the maximum amount of time you’re going to play. This helps keep your mind relatively fresh, as someone who’s stared at a screen for too long can wind up losing focus and making costly mistakes.

Focus on Accuracy – While slots players try to get in as many spins in an hour as possible, VP fans should concentrate on making correct decisions instead of striving for volume.

Check the Pay Tables – Some games offer better payouts than others, so it’s in your best interests to search through the pay tables to find the most profitable options. Otherwise, you could be missing out on available cash.

As you can see, video poker strategy is not difficult to learn. It only requires a moderate level of memorization, and anyone with an average amount of brainpower can pull it off. If you’re serious about making a profit during your next visit to a casino, devoting some time to the above information can make a significant difference.

History of Video Poker

Video poker history may not be filled with the same colorful characters and anecdotes as the traditional version of poker, but its origin story remains an important chapter in the annals of casino gambling. From the darkened corners of land-based establishments to the virtual realms of the internet, video poker has managed to adapt, flourish and draw in new players in the process.

This article is meant to examine the natural progression of the game over the years, from its creation to the current state of affairs. While this information won’t result in you hitting a royal flush during your next gaming session, it should provide an interesting lesson about how far VP has come over the years.

Early Years

Poker machines existed during the first half of the 20th century, but these games were mechanical in nature and never managed to capture the imagination of the gaming public. In 1964, however, electronic games arrived on the scene thanks to the creation of “21” by Nevada Electronics.

Before long, everything from roulette to horseracing was represented in an electronic form, and poker games also followed suit. The most notable example was Poker-Matic, a straightforward machine created by the developers at Dale Electronics.

While Poker-Matic contained a traditional representation of the game, its popularity managed to plant the seed of imagination within several key figures. As this seed continued to grow, the climate eventually became right for the game to take the next step in its evolution.

Creation of Video Poker

By the middle of the 1970s, computer technology was undergoing a rapid shift. Devices were becoming smaller and faster, and personal computers were finally being offering to the average person.

Si Redd was working as a distributor for Bally, and he had already contributed to the gaming industry by suggesting a number of successful innovations. During a meeting with company executives in Chicago, Si attempted to convince them that video poker was ready to take the next step in its development.

He cited the 1975 release of a video bell slot machine by the Fortune Coin Company, a game that has evolved over time into a draw poker machine. It had developed a sizable following by that point, and Si was eager to take it one step further.

The Bally bigwigs, however, were quite comfortable being in the slot machine business, and they saw no reason to risk their money on a game that was untested. Si accepted their rejection with grace, but not before convincing them to let him take the patent on the game. This was a decision that would put Mr. Redd on the gaming map and wind up costing Bally an untold amount of money.

Within months of securing the patent, Si had reached out to the people at the Reno-based Fortune Coin Company. This led to the formation of Sircoma, which stands for “Si Redd’s Coin Machines,” and they were mass-producing video poker machines in no time.

1979’s Draw Poker was the earliest release by the new company, and it required players to get two pair or better in order to receive a payout. The games took some time to gain traction with wary gamblers, but they had managed to become a regular part of the casino landscape by 1981. Eventually changing the payout requirement to a pair of jacks or better also went a long way to securing the game’s popularity.

Now that Sircoma was doing well, Si decided to take the company public. He re-branded it as International Game Technology and started selling stocks. This organization is alive and well today, and you’ve probably heard it referred to under the name IGT, one of the leading developers of casino games on the planet.

Online Video Poker

By the 1990s, an invention called the “internet” was beginning to get the attention of people around the world. By combining a personal computer with a modem connection, it was supposed to be possible to communicate on a global basis and access an ever-growing stockpile of information. The stories were true, of course, and soon the World Wide Web was in full swing.

Online casino gambling wasn’t there from the beginning, but it didn’t take long for a few enterprising souls to realize that customers might enjoy internet wagers just as much as the real thing. The first online casino software was created by Microgaming in 1994, and its popularity began to grow as soon as it was introduced. Since it was found in most land-based casinos, video poker was among the games included in the earliest forms of software.

As the years progressed and the internet became available to an increasing number of people, online gambling grew at an exponential rate. This also brought greater exposure to games outside of the traditional Jacks or Better model. Some of the more popular internet versions have included the following: Deuces Wild, Bonus Deuces Wild, All American, Aces and Faces, Ten or Better, and Jackpot Deuces.

That brings us to the current point in video poker history, although the final chapter is yet to be written. Luckily, you get a chance to be part of this ongoing story.

10 Tips for Winning Poker Online

Follow these 10 tips to increase your odds at the table on every game.

How can you win at poker online? Making the transition to playing online poker can be difficult, even for those who are winners in their local card game. However, there are many different tools and techniques that will help ease the transition for live players that are new to playing online. With that in mind, here are the top ten online poker tips to assist beginners that are new to online poker or want to improve their game to consistently win at poker.

1 Begin by playing low-stakes poker

Even for a person used to playing high-stakes cash games, starting with lower-stakes online is advisable. The goal of these first sessions, other than playing solid poker, should be to familiarize one's self with the nuances of playing online. Beginning at low stakes gives you more change of being able to win at poker in the long term.

Starting out at lower stakes also enables the novice to begin playing online with a smaller smaller bankroll. This can alleviate undue stress about losing sessions, and allow the player to focus on the long-term goal of becoming a successful online player.

Generally speaking, when comparing the fields of the same stakes online and live, the online game will tend to contain more difficult opposition. A player that jumped into the same stakes online as he was playing live might start his foray into online poker feeling overwhelmed by the competition. Therefore, gradually progressing through the stakes should assist a novice in becoming acquainted with, and eventually fully understanding, these differences and thus learning how to win at online poker.

2 Become familiar with the new aspects of playing online poker

Hurdles to overcome on the first few sessions include aspects unique to online poker, such as using the time-bank feature. For some online novices, having a set amount of time to act can be a significant adjustment from the live cash world where a player generally has a least a few minutes to act before being in danger of having the clock called. Additional aspects that the novice should take time familiarizing himself with include: the layout and lobby of the site, betting features, the cashier page, rake-back offers, and other bonuses.

Easing into online poker instead of diving in head-first will help acquaint the novice with many of the unique aspects of online poker. One such aspect that differs from live poker is the large number of hands one sees per hour. In general, this number will be over double the amount of poker hands that would be played in an hour at a brick-and-mortar casino, even if playing only at a single table. The speed can be overwhelming to novices, and may take a bit of getting used to.

3 Start out by playing a single table

It can be tempting to jump right into multi-tabling, as one of the many benefits of playing online is the ability to play more than one table at a time (though recently, some players have been spotted multi-tabling in live tournaments too). However, a great understanding of the technical aspects of online poker will assist the player in the weeks to come. Learn to win online poker consistently on one table. Then, once the player feels confident maneuvering a single table, he can begin adding one table at a time as dictated by his comfort level.

4 Create a distraction-free zone for playing

Without the constraints of sitting at a physical table in a casino, many online players fall into the trap of finding ways to fill the time in between hands. Typically, this involves diversions such as watching television, talking on the phone, or surfing the web. These distractions will often cause a player to make a mistake, either by playing a hand poorly or missing out on information that could assist them in future situations.

Developing an unprofessional attitude towards playing could translate into the person not taking poker seriously enough and thereby could keep him from becoming a great online player. Constructing and environment that is free from distractions is a crucial part of being able to win at poker. If a player has reached the point that they can comfortably handle one table with time to spare, it is often a good time to consider adding another table to their normal routine.

5 Consider making key hardware updates

Creating an ideal environment for playing online poker is also an issue of hardware. Playing on a laptop while sitting on the couch in the family room is a situation bound to create distractions. Playing at a desk, ideally in an office that can be closed off from the rest of the living space, sets one up to maintain a professional attitude while playing online poker. For those looking to play a lot online, investing in an ergonomic chair can reduce issues with back pain.

As the beginner further transitions to playing online poker, other upgrades can be of assistance towards to goal of maximizing one's profits online. A large, high resolution monitor can reduce eye-strain and make multi-tabling a less arduous process. A high quality mouse can reduce wrist strain, as well as the time it takes to complete action. For tournament players that will likely have a short break every hour, having a bathroom close by can be very convenient.

I have a solid routine – do some mental prep work, meditation or work with a primed mind. I don’t just wake up and start to play. I like a cold shower as well and deep breathing helps a lot!

Professional Poker Player with over $4.5 million in online and live winnings

Reviewing a couple of hands you have tagged earlier is good preparation, having a playlist of music which suits your mood is good and actively drinking a lot of water.

CardsChat member since July 2011 with over 9000 posts in the forum

6 Master the Art of Bluffing

Bluffing is one of the most important elements of poker. Mastering the art of bluffing enables poker players to win even when they don’t have the best hand at the table. Before deciding to bluff, you need to consider things like your position, chip stack, table image and the betting history of that hand. It's also important to know that bluffing is one of the most difficult skills to master and can be incredibly risky - even for the best poker players. We’ve put together a full comprehensive guide on how to bluff successfully.

7 Use software functionality to the utmost advantage

While some players are against utilizing software while playing online poker, the author takes the stance that as long as it is allowed by the site's terms of service then it is a tool available to all, and therefore is fair game. There are different types of software available to assist a player in becoming a better online player, and to neglect all types of poker software is to miss out on finding ways for the player to significantly improve his game.

The best place for a beginner to start with using software is through a feature already present on most poker sites: the note-taking function. Oftentimes, an opponent will do something at the tables that the live player would have taken a mental note of had it occurred at his local casino, such as, "That player tends to over-value the strength of holding top-pair." One of the great things about playing online is that this mental note can often be directly recorded to stay with the player whenever you encounter him again, such as by adding the simple note, "Over-values top pair hands."

Also available on many poker sites is the ability to color-code players. Developing a color coded system for identifying the relative strength of players can make table selection a nearly instantaneous process. For example, let's say that a player decides to give every shark he plays with a red note. If the player is thinking about playing a sit 'n go, but notices in the lobby that eight of the registered players have red tags, he would quickly see that table as not a profitable one.

8 Consider purchasing software

Programs like Hold Em Manager and Poker Tracker have many benefits. First and foremost, they contain a customizable head's up display feature (HUD) that gives information about one's opponents by tracking all of the hands they have played together. There are numerous options for which data to display, which is an important feature, as a player specializing in head's up cash games will want to have different stats displayed than a hyper-turbo sit'n go player.

Another great aspect for beginning online players in programs like Hold'em Manager is their hand history replayer. While a lot of poker sites have a hand history tool, they lack much of the functionality available in other programs. The ability to replay a cash session or entire tournament away from the tables is an invaluable study tool for any poker player.

Sit 'n Go Wizard is an important learning tool for tournament players. It allows one to analyze hands both from the perspective of Chip EV and ICM (independent chip model). It's a great tool for improving one's calling and shoving ranges. This tool is a must for those learning how to win online poker tournaments.

9 Explore free software

Some of the best internet poker software (for use while studying) is actually free. PokerStove, and other such programs, allow a user to calculate their equity versus a range. Universal Replayer is a great tool for replaying a tournament hand history, especially for those not yet willing to pay for a program that includes a HUD. HoldemResources.net has many features useful for tournament players, including a Nash Equilibrium calculator, and head's up Nash Equilibrium push/fold charts.

10 Explore efficiency software

While software that enables an online novice to improve their poker playing abilities is very important, other poker software aims to assist the grinder with multi-tabling. As the novice makes the gradual transition to intermediate player and beyond, this type of software can be very useful.

Programs such as Table Ninja, Auto Hot Keys, and Place Mint help a player act in ways to maximize efficiency. Down the road, the player can also look into table mods, which modify the appearance of the online poker tables and cards to the user's preference.

If you like this article you may also like our Poker Odds for Dummies and Expected Value guides.

Return to the Poker Strategy Contents page.

Video Poker Strategy Trainer – Strategy Cards, Cheat Sheets & More

Welcome to your one-stop-shop for all things video poker strategy. Consider this page your personal video poker trainer, as it covers the most common need-to-knows, how to up your game and common strategy myths. You can skip to the most pertinent sections by using the navigation below.

Our comprehensive PDF charts can be downloaded directly onto your device, so you can have them on hand whenever you play your chosen title. We’ve provided the math behind some of the most tried and true strategies online, so you can get the very most out of your video poker games.

Video Poker Strategy Explained

Video poker was first introduced to the gambling market in the 1970s. The earliest machines consisted of CRT screens and pretty primitive processing units. These machines boomed in popularity throughout the 1980s, as casino-goers found them more comfortable to play at than at tables with other people. The version of the game found on these consoles, and in most online video poker titles, is based on Texas Hold’em. Its exceptionally easy to play, which is key to its enduring popularity over the decades.

How it Works

It’s important to note that no two video poker games are the same. Each one will have its own RTPs, betting limits, house edges and pay tables. What you can depend on, however, is that every game works on a fixed set of mathematical rules, which you can use to your advantage when playing. If you don’t have a head for numbers, don’t fret. There are plenty of handy charts that you can follow, so you won’t have to do any of the math yourself. You can even download them as helpful PDFs on this very page.

Be warned, though, there’s no such thing as a guaranteed win. Strategies can’t ensure you’ll be rolling in dough, but they do help boost your edge a little bit. And when it comes to tipping the RTP slightly more in your favour, every little helps. We won’t be getting into the dense, mathematical nitty gritty here – thankfully that’s all been worked out by people far smarter than you and I (no offence). To get into the swing of video poker strategies, all you have to do is follow our video poker trainer and the checklist we’ve laid out below. Do that, and you’ll be utilising video poker strategy in no time.

Basic Video Poker Strategy Checklist of What to Do

There is hardly a player that never thought of how to improve his gameplay and to grant himself a win. Unfortunately, there is no such a thing like granted win. Still, there are some simple tips and tricks to get the ball rolling when using any basic video poker strategy. In this section we’ll be covering all the steps you can follow in order to improve your odds.

A wager counter in-game that has been raised to the maximum amount.

It sounds pretty basic, but you’d be surprised by how many gamblers don’t select max coins. Playing with coins bumped up to the max is the only way to win the maximum payout of the game.

Always check the pay tables before playing. This will let you know whether or not a game is worth your while before you start laying down your cold hard cash.

A sample strategy chart for a video poker game.

There is no one-size-fits-all strategy when it comes to video poker. Therefore, you have to take special care to ensure that you’ve selected the right strategy for the variant you’re playing.

A free demo of a video poker game being played.

As the old saying goes, practice makes perfect! One of the biggest perks of playing online video poker is that you have the opportunity to try out your chosen strategies in free demos.

Though much of the above probably sounds like common sense, it really can’t be stressed enough how much these four simple steps can improve your overall video poker experience. Before you dip a toe into the strategy charts and cheat sheets, it’s important to have these tips nailed down first.

Video Poker Trainer, Tips & Cheat Sheets

If you’ve come here looking for a video poker trainer, cheat sheets, strategy charts and more – this section is the main event. To start things off, we’ll be giving a crash course on how to read a strategy chart. If you’re already accustomed with them, though, you can scroll on to the next sections.

How Does A Strategy Chart Work

Reading a video poker strategy chart is far easier than many beginner players anticipate. To put it simply, strategy charts will show you various possible hands you could be dealt in the game. The list will always place the best possible hand at the top, then second best and so on and so forth. This means there’s really no way you can mess up when following a chart.

All you have to do is look at the list, and work your way down until you find your hand. Once you’ve got a match, you know you can hold onto your current hand and play it. It really is that simple. The list of hands have been mathematically determined, so there are no curve balls. See below for an example of a strategy chart, in this instance relating to 9-6 Jacks or Better.

A sample strategy chart of 9-6 Jacks or Better.

Now that you have an idea of how to read charts, it’s time to learn how to put them into action. In the next section we’ll be looking at how you can use strategy charts to improve your game, by examining a number of hands that you can expect to be dealt in 9-6 Jacks or Better.

Video Poker Strategy Example in Action

To give you a good visual example of how you can put your dealt hands in action, we’ve illustrated some samples below. Based on the rules of 9-6 Jacks or Better, we’ll advise you on which cards you should keep in order to boost your chances of winning.

To use your hand and really make the most of the strategies outlined below, it’s absolutely imperative that you have some understanding of basic video poker rules, especially rules when it comes to winning hands. If this is something you’re still not clear on, feel free to pop over to our dedicated video poker rules page for a refresher course.

A hand showing a jack, queen, four and six of hearts alongside a two of clubs.

Jacks or Better Simple Strategy

Using the simple strategy for Jacks or Better will theoretically result in an RTP of 99.46%. All you have to do is find out the best ways you can play your first hand. Obviously, this will depend on the cards you’ve been dealt. For example, in the hand shown here, your best option would be to keep the 4 and go for a straight flush. Other options include keeping the lowest pair or keeping the two suited cards. However, these other options are not as high paying as a straight flush, which pays 50. As stated before, charts are your best friend when it comes to determining which hands will work best in your favour.

A hand showing a jack, queen and seven of hearts alongside a two of clubs and a four of diamonds.

Jacks or Better Intermediate Strategy

If you’ve played using the simple strategy before and want to challenge yourself more as a player, then you can move onto the intermediate strategy. When utilized correctly, it can result in a theoretical RTP of 99.52% – a noted increase on its simple alternative. This strategy differs in that it does not follow the same order of value as the previous one. When playing at the intermediate level, you need to keep an eye on the hand strength. So, with the sample hand shown here, you could either go for a straight flush with your three or keep two and go for a royal flush.

Jacks or Better Optimal Strategy

The third and final strategy when playing Jacks or Better is the optimal strategy. Playing while utilizing this can up your theoretical RTP to 99.54%. In some ways, this tactic is easier to put into play than the intermediate, as all you have to do is look up a chart again. Charts for optimal strategy will lay out all your options for playing a hand in order of highest payout to lowest. There are a number of hands, however, that are never played – such as the sample hand shown here. For example, in the hand shown here, your only move would be to keep the Ace and discard the rest.

List of All Video Poker Game Strategy Charts

By now, you should have a pretty decent understanding of how to use the cards you’ve been dealt. Don’t worry about learning the hands by rote, as the strongest hands can vary from game to game. After all, you can always save the strategy charts for future reference to help you with your games.

Below, we’ve prepared a list of video poker strategy card pdfs that you can view or download at your leisure. The list below reflects six of the most popular video poker variants currently on the market. If your desired game isn’t listed below, be sure to check back regularly. We’re always updating and improving this page, and your favourite title could be included in the near future.

Preview of hands for 9-6 Jacks or Better.

9-6 Jacks or Better PDF Download

Preview of hands for 9-5 Jacks or Better.

9-5 Jacks or Better PDF Download

Preview of hands for 8-6 Jacks or Better.

8-6 Jacks or Better PDF Download

Strategy Myths to Avoid

Gamblers are a superstitious breed. We all have our own rituals and beliefs when it comes to the art of the game, but sometimes these can fog your thinking. This is especially the case when it comes to strategies. It’s important not to fall into the trap of buying into any myths when it comes to the power of strategies. We’ve outlined some of the most pervasive myths below so you can steer clear.

1/4 Gambler’s Fallacy Perhaps the best-known myth of them all. Gambler’s Fallacy refers to players who fall for the age-old myth that previous games will determine outcome of their current one, for example “Red has won four times already, so black will definitely win next!”

Card Counting Players - Behaviour and Illusions

2/4 Card Counting While card counting is both legal, fair and can improve your edge, it’s not a surefire way to win. Many players make the mistake of believing that counting cards will make them rich.

Stacks of cash surrounded by four-leafed clovers and lucky horseshoes.

3/4 Get Lucky While many gamblers believe in luck in some form, the cynical reality of most games is that they have more to do with mathematic probability than anything else. The good news is, this can help you improve your edge.

An angry and distraught player sitting at a computer.

4/4 The Curse of the Cash-Out If you’re a die-hard online poker player, you’ve probably heard of the cash-out curse. Some gamblers believe that players are “punished” for cashing out, with the website rigging their subsequent games against them. This, of course, is both illegal and false.

The main thing to remember is that strategies exist to support winning – but they do not guarantee you’ll win. There’s no such thing as the perfect strategy, and at the end of the day the house always wins. But if you keep your wits about you, video poker strategies can help you to improve your edge and better your odds. Think of them as an extra element to spice up your game, and you’ll get along just fine.

Start Practicing Your Video Poker Strategy Today

Well, there you have it. If you’ve made it to the end of this page, you should by now understand the fundamentals of video poker strategy and how to put it into practice. If you’re ready to start putting these charts to the test, check out some of our favourite video poker games below. Each of these reviews feature free demos so you can try out everything you learned here.

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