Contrary to what many people believe video poker can be a highly profitable – and highly entertaining – way to invest both time and money at a casino. Further, by applying the right strategy at the right times there lies a potential to actually realize greater than 100% returns on your investment, meaning that it is one of the few casino games available to gamblers that can actually realize a return over time. In short, this means that video poker is one of the best options available to anyone at a casino – yet only if done correctly.
First and foremost, the primary key to success at video poker lies in selecting the right game. While a number of different game options exist for players the one that has the greatest likelihood of paying out if done correctly is also one of the oldest and most common forms – Jacks or Better. In this game the rules are simple and straight-forward enough to allow casual play while at the same time allowing for specific strategies to be developed and implemented for any combination of hands.
Once you have located a machine – or ideally, a number of machines – that offer Jacks or Better the second step is selecting one with the highest payout possible for each hand. As in video poker, you will be playing against the machine rather than another player any small advantage you can get on the payout ratios is well worth your while. Even something as simple as a difference of 8:1 instead of 9:1 on a Flush could mean the difference between long-term success or failure when playing your rounds. Thankfully most casinos offering video poker machines offer a wide selection of these machines in a single area, so sourcing out the best one and sticking to it is generally a relatively easy and painless process.
After you have selected the right machine, the next step is simple: best the maximum amount possible, and always go for the best hand possible. Since video poker is a game of odds that pays out proportionally larger hands as you receive a better deal it is in your best interest to always try and go for the highest hand possible in order to receive the highest payout possible each round. Further, the “jackpot” payment for a Royal Flush that offers the greatest return on investment is only available for the highest bet possible, so while betting smaller amounts may seem attractive at first due to the fact that it will allow you to continue playing for a longer time on a limited bankroll in terms of actual payout ratios this is a bad move to make as in the long run it will only limit your overall winnings.
Finally, don’t be afraid to give up a weak “guaranteed win” (such as a pair of Jacks) if you feel you have a good shot at getting a better hand – such as a Straight, Flush or Straight Flush. These pay out extremely higher amounts than any weak hand will ever offer and are a better move in the long-run for many reasons.
