Video poker has exploded in popularity over the last few decades, becoming a casino staple right alongside slots and table games. But unlike those games that rely purely on luck, video poker injects an element of skill that allows knowledgeable players to gain an advantage over the house.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know to start winning big at video poker at Pino Casino on a consistent basis. You’ll learn basic strategy when to hold and fold certain hands, how to maximize your payouts, and advanced tips from the pros. With the right approach, you can dramatically slash the house edge and come out well ahead over the long run.
So let’s dive right in and go over exactly how to crush the machines for consistent profits’ session after session.
Understanding Video Poker Basics
Video poker machines function much like a five card draw poker game. You are dealt an initial five card hand, which you can then hold or discard in exchange for new cards in hopes of improving your hand. The goal is to end up with a winning poker hand listed on the machine’s payout table.
Most video poker games are played with a 52 card deck, and some even use multiple decks to decrease variance. You’ll generally find variants of popular poker games like Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, Joker Poker, Bonus Poker, and more.
Pay tables outline the payouts for different winning hands. The higher the payouts, the lower the house edge. So it’s wise to shop around for the best pay tables before you begin a session.
Unlike slots which rely 100% on luck, optimal video poker play combines luck of the draw with skillful decision making. By learning proper strategy, you can gain a mathematical edge over the casino.
Basic Video Poker Strategy
Basic video poker strategy revolves around knowing which hands to hold and which to discard to maximize your payouts. While the optimal play for each hand depends on the specific game variant, there are some general guidelines to follow:
- Pairs of Jacks or better should almost always be held. The higher the pair, the better.
- Two suited high cards with a single gap can be held. For example, J-Q suited or 10-9 suited.
- Four cards to a straight or flush should be held. With only one card needed to complete your hand, this is favorable.
- When three cards to a royal flush come up, hold these at all costs. The payout for hitting the royal flush will be massive.
Some hands clearly warrant an immediate discard, like unsuited low cards below a ten. The key is identifying situations where you have considerable potential to improve and maximize your hand.
Basic strategy charts are available online for popular video poker variants. Studying these charts helps cement optimal play for every possible hand into your mind. With enough practice, you’ll be able to intuit the right play in any given situation.
Handling Comps and Bonuses
Most casinos offer lucrative comps and bonuses to video poker players in hopes of retaining their business. Make sure to join the casino’s player’s club to benefit from these perks.
Many casinos mail out free play vouchers, room comps, and meal vouchers to their video poker clientele. The more you play, the more rewards you can earn. Just make sure to join the club before inserting your player’s card when you start a session.
Video poker machines occasionally offer randomized bonuses during a session. These take the form of extra wild cards added to your hand or guaranteed winning spins. Maximize the value of these bonuses by betting the maximum when they hit.
Maximize Your Payouts
To optimize your payouts in video poker, you need to pay close attention to your bet sizes in relation to the pay tables. The majority of games require you to bet 5 coins on a max bet to be eligible for the top payouts.
So even if you’re only comfortable playing $0.25 machines, you should still bet the maximum of $1.25 per hand. This ensures you receive the full payouts detailed on the pay table when you hit premium hands like the royal flush.
Bankroll management is also key. Set aside dedicated video poker funds and stick to your predetermined bankroll during sessions. Never dip into other finances to continue playing when your video poker bankroll runs low.
Finally, always play at full pay machines. A 9/6 Jacks or Better game offers the lowest house edge, while other games should be full pay as well. Otherwise, the payouts won’t be sufficient to offset the house advantage.
Professional Tips and Advanced Strategy
Once you master basic video poker strategy, there are some professional tips that can take your game to the next level:
- Utilize multi-hand games to maximize your hourly rate of play. Popular options like Triple Play and Five Play Video Poker speed up play.
- Know the optimal strategy for gambling features. For example, you should only gamble two pairs or lower in Deuces Wild.
- Play perfect basic strategy every session. One mistake can wipe out your hard-earned edge.
- Take advantage of comped hotel rooms and meals, but don’t get carried away with your actual video poker play. Setting loss limits prevents overspending.
- Study advanced strategies like optimal bankroll requirements and game volatility to maximize your ROI.
- Brush up on video poker strategy any time you haven’t played in a while. As the saying goes: Use it or lose it.
While video poker involves plenty of luck, making mathematically optimal decisions injects a sizable skill element. This allows knowledgeable players to gain an advantage the house can’t overcome. With practice and discipline, you too can master this fascinating casino game.
So now that you know how to crush the machines, it’s time to put your skills to the test. Start with low stakes to hone your abilities, then ramp up as you grow more confident with optimal play. Before you know it, you’ll have the upper hand on those blinking screens and consistent profits will follow. The casino advantage melts away when you bring the right video poker strategy to each and every session.
