Video Poker Strategy

Game Play

Video Poker machines use a basic 5-card draw poker game. A player first inserts his coin(s) into the machine. He then pushes the deal button, after which 5 cards are dealt onto the screen.
There is a button located under each of the 5 cards. The player decides which of these cards he wants to hold, and presses the button under each of those cards. He then pushes the deal button a second time.

New cards are dealt to replace the cards that the player discarded. If the player had a hand that is good enough to score, the machine awards a payout.

General Tips

Players can opt to hold all 5 of their cards, if their first deal gives them a good enough hand for a payout.

Alternatively, players can opt to discard all 5 cards to get 5 new cards in the second deal.
It is best for players to have a basic understanding of the rules of 5-card draw poker before playing. Knowing the odds of getting certain hands and the values of hands is essential if a player wants to improve his odds of winning.

An understanding of the odds listed above offers the player the ability to determine the correct decision of how to play a hand originally drawn.

It is important that the player understands how a machines payout schedule affects the odds of the player. This is crucial to succeeding at video poker. The payout schedule should consist of at least these minimum components.

Looking at the first column for betting 1 unit this should read:

a.) returns of the players original bet for a pair of Jacks or better

b.) A payout of 9 units for a full house and 6 units for a flush. This is called a Jacks or better 9/6 and has a higher payout than an 8/5 or 7/5 etc.

c.) A non-progressive machine that pays out at least 4000 units for a royal flush if the maximum coins are played.

The following are the odds between the different machines relating to their payout schedules.

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video poker, video poker