Using video poker strategy cards

5 April 2025

By Jerry Stickman

From Garrick.

Hi Stickman,

I very much enjoy playing video poker. Due to my financial situation, I am not able to play as often as I would like, but I try to go as often as possible. I am also very busy with my business and growing family so I do not have much time to practice video poker strategy. I know I should be able to play perfectly in a casino by memory. I am not able to do that with my current situation. I would like to take a small strategy card with me to refer to on rare occasions, but have been told by several people that it would be a bad idea.

You play a lot of video poker and have a lot of experience with different casinos. What is your expert advice for me?

Garrick in North Dakota

Hi Garrick,

The use of video poker strategy cards (sometimes called cheat cards by casinos) has been a hotly contested topic for a very long time. Back in the ‘90s the fact that the return from video poker games could be improved by playing the proper strategy started to become common knowledge. Many serious video poker players learned and practiced these mathematically-based strategies.

Back then it was common to see video poker players periodically reference a slip of paper for strategy help. Knowledge of the proper playing strategy was not well known. Casinos did not mind players occasionally referencing the strategy.

Video poker grew in popularity, largely because of the knowledge that the returns from video poker were better than slot machines, and there were strategies for maximizing the return of the games.

Occasionally some casinos started monitoring for video poker “cheats.” It is not illegal to use a reference slip. When they were found the casino would warn them not to use the “cheat cards.” While it is not illegal, casinos can eject and ban anyone they choose in Las Vegas, so obey the casinos warnings or you could be banned.

It seems these casinos may have overreacted. The take from video poker was not affected in a meaningful way, so most casinos are not that concerned about players referring to strategy cards – with the caveat that those players are able to play at a reasonable speed – especially during busy times.

My advice to you, Garrick, is learn the strategy so you can correctly play 80 to 90% of the hands (the more the better) by memory, and then go ahead and refer to the strategy when necessary. Do not make a production of referencing it, however. There is no sense in drawing attention to yourself.

By playing a reasonable percentage of hands without reference to the strategy, you should be okay. If the casino has a problem with it, they will invariably warn you about its use, possibly several times, before taking any more drastic measures.

Play the hands you know and only reference the strategy on occasion. Pay attention to any possible casino warnings, and you should do just fine.

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

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 and 888casino.com. 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