Playing Class II Video Poker Machines

3 August 2013

By Jerry Stickman

Hi Jerry "Stickman,"

Does a player with skill at Jacks or Better strategy (for hold cards) have any influence over his long-term return on a class II video poker machine, or is that determined solely by the server programming?

I am confused by the differences in how these machines actually work and are programmed.

---John in New York

Dear John,

The whole concept behind Class II machines is they function like a bingo game. This is the very definition of a Class II game. Skill has absolutely nothing to do with it. But players think skill is involved. That is why you sometimes got what I think you called an “angel hand” where you got a winner (or bigger winner) even though it was impossible with the cards you had.

Until the casinos where you play are allowed to have class III games (and actually install them), skill is wasted on these games.

If you occasionally go to an area where they have Class III games and you want to practice using a strategy, there is nothing wrong with using the strategy on a Class II game for practice. Just keep in mind that your playing strategy has nothing to do with the outcome of your play.

May all your wins be swift and large and all your losses slow and tiny.

Jerry “Stickman”

Jerry “Stickman’s” latest book is “Everything Casino Poker: Get the Edge at Video Poker, Texas Hold’em, Omaha Hi-Lo and Pai Gow Poker.” In addition, Jerry “Stickman” gives private lessons in dice control with his partner, #1 best-selling gaming author, Frank Scoblete. You can contact Jerry “Stickman” at stickmanjerry@aol.com