What Can't I Win at Video Poker

3 August 2024

By Jerry Stickman

Why Can I Not Win at Video Poker?

Dear Stickman,

Help!

I play video poker almost exclusively. I play Jacks or Better or Bonus Poker
depending on which game is available and whether or not the game has a good
pay table.

I have spent a good deal of time studying, learning and practicing the proper
strategy for the games I play.

Even with all this work to build my skills, I seem to just keep losing and losing.
Should I not have been a little bit successful with a good win here and there?

ANSWER:

I feel your pain. Gambling is just that – gambling. There is no guarantee. Like virtually
all people, when you expend a lot of effort, the expectation is you will reap the rewards
for that effort.

Let’s go through some points that may help either improve your results or help you to
understand why you are experiencing what you are.

In order to give you more accurate answers, I would need more information.

1. Are you playing only the best pay tables? Both Jacks or Better and Bonus Poker
can return nearly 100 percent if they have the proper pay table. Make sure you
are not playing an inferior game such as 7/5 Jacks or Better which returns 96.15
percent with perfect play. 9/6 Jacks or Better returns 99.54 percent with perfect
play.

The different in return is 3.35 percent, With perfect play, you are losing
$3.35 for each $100 played through the game. This can mount up fast.

2. How many hands you have played? This is important because if you have played
relatively few hands (a few to several thousand) the low returns could simply be
randomness working against you.

3. How do you practice the strategy? The best way is to purchase a video poker
strategy application. Ideally, you can match the game and pay table to the actual
games you play in the casino. Also, does the app warn you when you make a
mistake? Most of them do. In some of them you can set the severity level of error
warnings based on amount the error costs your results. If this is not the way you
are practicing, I strongly urge you to get an app. It will work wonders in promoting
proper play in the casino.

4. How sure are you that you are playing the same correct strategy when you are
playing in the casino? Playing in a casino with real money at stake is a far cry
from playing at home on a computer. The sights, sounds, pressure of losing,
potential lack of sleep, and perhaps the influence of alcohol, among others
things, all work towards hindering proper play. Most casinos allow video poker
players to reference strategy sheets as long as they are not on a “device” such
as your smartphone. Are you referencing one if you are uncertain about a hold?
This can make a big difference in the results.

5. Do you take breaks when you get tired or start making strategy mistakes?
Playing video poker is a lot of fun. Hitting some big winners is a thrill. It is natural
to continue playing even when you are not at your peak, but it can cost you.

Even if you are doing everything correctly and have playing tens of thousands of hands,
it is still possible to lose many, many sessions in a row. Remember, casino games are
meant to make money for the casino. The house has the edge. Even with perfect play,
the casino wins in the long run.

Make sure your bankroll is strictly for casino play. Do not lose control while playing. Do
this and you should have a good time playing. Ultimately you will have winning
sessions.

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 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