Video Poker Tips

With the myriad choices of video games available in today's casino, many people are looking for the best game to play. Depending on the individual, "best" is as varied as the games available. If "best" is defined by low house edge, then Video Poker is for you -- at least some of the Video Poker available today is for you. Here are some tips for finding and playing the best Video Poker.

Do limit yourself to only a couple of variations of Video Poker. The most popular are Jacks or Better and Deuces Wild. These games have inherently low volatility and reasonably straightforward playing strategies.

Do look for only the best pay tables on the selected variations of these games. Jacks or Better: look for pay tables that pay 9-for-1 for a full house and 6-for-1 for a flush. This game has a mere 0.46 percent house advantage. In the long run you will lose only 46 cents for every $100 played through this game. If your choice of game is Deuces Wild, look for one of these pay tables:

The Full-Pay version returns 100.76 percent with perfect play. That's right. This game is positive for the player! The NSUD version returns 99.73 percent with perfect play. The higher returns for Deuces Wild games are slightly offset by higher volatility (bigger swings in your bankroll).

Do learn the strategies for your chosen games well. Get the playing strategy online, from a book, from strategy cards, or from a software program. Study the strategy. Practice the strategy. Practice the strategy some more. Practice until you know it cold. It doesn't make sense to take the time to find the best games if you are not going to play them properly. If you are uncertain about your mastery of the strategy, bring a strategy card with you while playing. You can refer to it when you are in doubt about a particular play.

Don't play faster than your grasp of the strategy. Unless you are playing a positive game (such as Full-Pay Deuces Wild), playing faster will only lose more. Also, if you are playing so fast that you make mistakes, you will lose more money. If you do not play each and every hand properly, you are giving away part of the edge. Instead, play at a comfortable speed where you are in command of the playing strategy. Better to play slower and properly than to play faster and make mistakes.

Do use your Slot Player's Club when you play. If you don't have a card, get one. Using the card does not affect the payback while playing and it does allow you to earn comps. Why not collect a little bit extra whenever possible?

Do play the maximum coins. With five credits played the Royal Flush pays 3.2 times what it pays with fewer credits played. Don't give up this extra pay by playing fewer than five credits.

Do play a denomination of machine that matches your bankroll and risk tolerance. For a weekend trip you should have about what a Royal Flush will pay as your bankroll. If you are playing a 25¢ machine you need about $1,000. For a $1 game you need about $4,000. This guideline is for conservative players. If you are more risk-tolerant perhaps one-half of a Royal Flush is adequate.

Follow these tips. You will get the most from your Video Poker playing dollar.