Video poker is a casino game that is based on the rules of Five Card Draw. For the most part, it’s a game of chance. You’re dealt cards randomly and have to attempt to make the strongest possible combination. But there is at least one important strategic decision to consider: which cards should you redraw in any given situation?
Getting the redraw right is the main way to improve your win rate in video poker. Shooting for the wrong combos and drawing to rare hands can be costly. In truth, though, video poker strategy begins long before you even play a hand. It starts with game selection.
Choosing the Wrong Video Poker Game
The first mistake that players make when it comes to video poker is choosing the wrong game to begin with. There are dozens of variations, from Jacks or Better to Bonus Deuces Wild, each with its own subset of rules, bonus bets, and payouts.
To complicate matters even further, the same type of video poker can also have variations in the payouts, which again changes the overall Return to Player (RTP) percentage. For example, full-pay 9/6 Jacks or Better has an RTP of 99.54% if played optimally, while 8/5 returns around 97.30%.
Of course, casino games like video poker are played for entertainment rather than to beat the game, so you should play whichever version you most enjoy, but that shouldn’t stop you from seeking the best odds.
At physical casinos, you might not have a lot of choice. At online sites like SlotsLV casino, you can take your pick from lots of video poker variations, ranging from traditional Jacks or Better to Bonus Deuces Wild, Joker Poker, and Aces and Faces.
Know the Rules, Payouts and Strategy for Your Chosen Game
It’s no good selecting the video poker game with the most favorable odds and payouts if you don’t have a clue how to play it. Thankfully, for the most part, the basic gameplay remains similar across each variation. You get dealt five cards and can choose to discard and redraw any number of cards to make your final hand.
However, the differing payouts can slightly alter which hands you should be drawing and chasing. Optimal video poker strategy for Jacks or Better 9/6, for example, is to hold a pair of jacks, whereas in other variations that have bonuses, you might redraw a pair if you have a very strong flush draw.
These variations in strategy are minor. Still, it’s worth checking out the unique paytable for each game to understand how it impacts your chances of winning. Other considerations include side bets and bonus bets, which we’ll cover in more detail soon.
Drawing to the Wrong Hands
The only true strategy decision you make in video poker is deciding which cards to discard for the redraw. This decision ultimately impacts your expected RTP. Bad decisions lower your return, while making the mathematically correct choice yields the best possible RTP for the game you are playing.
The biggest mistakes players make are playing based on intuition or aiming for the top payouts even if it means making unlikely redraws and throwing away smaller payouts from pairs.
Although you can’t gain an edge over the house, optimal video poker strategy gives you the highest possible returns. It’s worth learning so that you feel comfortable at the tables.
Bankroll Management Issues
If you’re playing on a decent online video poker table and using video poker strategy to redraw your cards, the theoretical RTP can be up to 99% or better. If you manage your bankroll properly, this is a casino game that holds a lot of value when it comes to play time.
The problem for newer players is bankroll management, which basically boils down to playing at stakes that you can afford and not risking too much on a single hand or game.
Stick to a bet limit that gives you hundreds or thousands of hands within your budget, and don’t fall for the temptation of increasing your bets during wins or losses. When you feel bored or fatigued, stop playing.
This responsible approach to bankroll management is better for you as a player, as it negates bad runs and keeps video poker enjoyable while allowing you to practice optimal strategy and improve your RTP.
Video Poker Checklist
Bringing together the major mistakes and solutions we have discussed, you can use this checklist before you sit down to play a video poker game at your casino or online casino:
- Choose the variation of video poker that is right for you.
- Understand the rules, payouts, and paytable for the game you are playing.
- Apply optimal video poker strategy for your chosen game to maximize your RTP.
- Use proper bankroll management to give yourself more playtime and enjoyment.
Apply these four tips, and you’ll no longer be making the biggest mistakes in video poker.
