How to Improve Your Video Poker Strategy

Video poker is a unique casino game that combines luck and strategy. Unlike slot machines, where outcomes are purely random, video poker allows players to make decisions that influence results. By improving your strategy, you can increase your chances of winning, minimize losses, and enjoy longer gameplay. This guide explains key strategies, tips, and common mistakes to help you play smarter.

Understand the Game Rules

Before focusing on strategy, it’s essential to understand the rules of the variant you’re playing:

• Jacks or Better: Minimum winning hand is a pair of Jacks.

• Deuces Wild: All 2s are wild cards.

• Joker Poker: Includes a Joker as a wild card.

• Bonus/Double Bonus Poker: Higher payouts for four-of-a-kind hands.

Knowing the winning hands, payouts, and special features of each variant will help you make the right decisions during play.

Learn the Pay Tables

Pay tables show the payout for each hand in a game. They vary between machines and variants.

• Look for full-pay machines with higher returns.

• Compare pay tables before choosing a game.

• Small differences in payouts can affect your long-term expected return (RTP).

Tip: A 9/6 Jacks or Better machine (9 for full house, 6 for flush) is ideal for beginners due to its high RTP of 99.54%.

Practice Optimal Hold Strategy

Deciding which cards to hold or discard is the core of video poker strategy.

• Keep high-value cards like Aces and face cards.

• Hold potential straight or flush draws rather than low pairs.

• Use strategy charts for your variant to make the mathematically best decisions.

Tip: Free online video poker games let you practice optimal strategy without risking money.

Manage Your Bankroll

Proper bankroll management is crucial:

• Set a session budget and stick to it.

• Avoid betting more than you can afford to lose.

• Play smaller bets if your bankroll is limited to maximize playtime and experience.

Tip: Treat bonuses and free plays as extra opportunities to practice strategy without risking your own funds.

Take Advantage of Bonuses and Promotions

Video poker players can benefit from online bonuses, reloads, and loyalty rewards.

• Use bonuses to extend playtime and practice strategy.

• Combine with rakeback or loyalty points for additional value.

• Always read bonus terms and conditions to avoid restrictions.

Focus on One Game Variant

Specializing in a single variant helps you:

• Learn optimal strategies more thoroughly.

• Understand subtle differences in payouts and probabilities.

• Avoid mistakes caused by switching between multiple games.

Tip: Start with Jacks or Better, then progress to more complex variants like Deuces Wild or Bonus Poker.

Avoid Common Mistakes

• Ignoring pay tables: Not all machines offer the same value.

• Chasing losses: Increasing bets to recover losses can deplete your bankroll quickly.

• Holding the wrong cards: Low pairs or random cards often reduce winning potential.

• Playing without a strategy chart: Random decisions reduce your expected return.

Practice, Review, and Adjust

• Track your results and identify weak points in strategy.

• Use free online games to test new tactics.

• Adjust decisions based on experience and probability.

Tip: Video poker rewards players who combine knowledge, discipline, and practice.

Conclusion

Improving your video poker strategy requires knowledge, planning, and consistent practice. By understanding the rules, learning pay tables, using optimal hold strategies, managing your bankroll, and taking advantage of promotions, you can maximize your chances of winning and extend your gameplay. Avoid common mistakes, focus on one variant, and review your results regularly to develop a strong, disciplined approach to video poker.

With the right strategy, video poker becomes more than just luck—it becomes a game where skill and decisions significantly impact your success.