The Slot Expert's Guide to Winning at Slots and Video Poker

You can hear me give my slot and video poker tips live on The Good Times Show, hosted by Rudi Schiffer with Frank Scoblete, which is broadcast live from Memphis on WHBQ over the air on 560AM and over the Internet on Yahoo! Broadcast on Saturday morning from 8-10 CT.

A caller to The Good Time Show asked for a simplified strategy to get him started playing video poker. This week, I described the strategy on the show.

This strategy will work on draw games with no wild cards, like 9/6 Jacks or Better and 8/5 Jacks or Better, which are the games I recommend beginners start with. The strategy is not 100% mathematically correct, but it will get you used to playing video poker with a mathematical strategy and not hunches.

Start at the top of the list and work your way down. Hold the hand specified by the first line that applies to the cards you were dealt.

• Break everything but a straight flush for a 4-card royal flush.
• Hold pat hand.
• 4-card straight flush, outside and inside.
• 3-card royal flush.
• 4-card flush.
• 4-card straight, inside and outside.
• Pair of low cards (tens or less).
• 3-card straight flush (if double inside, must have at least 1 high card).
• 2-card royal flush.
• 3 unsuited high cards (if one is an ace, hold only the other two cards).
• 2 unsuited high cards.
• 1 high card.
• 3-card double inside straight flush with no high cards.
• Draw 5.

Send your slot and video poker questions to John Robison, Slot Expert, at slotexpert@home.com.

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