How Do You Play Video Poker?

21 October 2023

By Jerry Stickman

Video poker is a popular casino game. Players pick video poker over slot machines because it generally has a higher return than slots. Also, player decisions can and do affect the outcome. The game also requires some thought to play. This makes it more interesting than slots. It plays slower than slots, so player’s funds can last longer.

Other players choose video poker over table games. Many are intimidated by playing with other players – especially if they are unsure of how to play the game. They like the fact that they are playing alone. Nobody else will pressure them by challenging their decisions.

These are all very good reasons to play video poker. But once a player has settled on video poker as their casino game of choice, there are various styles of play.

Playing for fun.

Many video poker players – I suspect most of them – play to have fun. They may or may not know the proper playing strategy to maximize their return from the game – and they do not really care. They only play a few times a year so they can afford the customary loss.

They head to the casino with a certain amount of cash that they can afford to lose (and expect that they will lose it) and play until they either lose it all or win big.

They might play fast or they might play slowly. They might enjoy an alcoholic beverage or two while playing. They are enjoying the experience of playing video poker. When they do go home a winner it is a plus.

There is nothing wrong with this style of play. Nothing that is, unless they stop having fun and start chasing losses. If they lose control and cannot stop playing when they lose their allotted bankroll, it can seriously affect the experience. That is not the way to have fun playing video poker.

Playing for big hits

This group of video poker players is probably the second largest. They generally know the correct playing strategy and usually play by it. However, they have difficulty throwing a card that could produce a big win, such as four of a kind, straight flush or royal flush – especially a royal flush.

Most jacks or better playing strategies call for holding the lone ace and discarding a suited 10. Even though this move will have the highest return in the long run, they cannot bear to throw away a potential royal flush hand.

Another example is throwing an unsuited ace and holding two unsuited face cards. These players want every possibility at some sort of win – even though they would win more playing properly.

Again, there is nothing wrong with playing this way. It is their money and they can play the way they choose – if they do not lose discipline.

Playing for the highest return

This is clearly the smallest group of video poker players. These folks know the proper strategy, practice it, and play flawlessly at the casino. They are the folks that go regularly to casinos and play tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of hands each year.

At this level of action, even a small increase in return can end up adding significantly to the overall return.

They are in it for the long run and are willing to do what it takes to get everything possible from the casinos.

This is the ultimate level of play. Very few players achieve this level either because they do not want to invest the time and effort, or because they do not play enough for the effort to seem worthwhile.

Conclusion

Any of the above styles of play are just fine – fine as long as the players have the discipline to play within their budget.

Which of these three categories defines your style of play?

As always, may all your wins be swift and large, and your losses be slow and small.

Jerry “Stickman”

Jerry “Stickman” is an expert in craps, blackjack and video poker and advantage slot machine play. He is a regular contributor to top gaming magazines. He authored the video poker section of “Everything Casino Poker: Get the Edge at Video Poker, Texas Hold'em, Omaha Hi-Lo, and Pai Gow Poker!” You can contact Jerry “Stickman” at stickmanjerryg@gmail.com.