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Maximize your poker game and discover all the important tips to get an edge in your next game with SWERTE99 Online Casino. These are the skills you need to master for your next game of video poker.
What is video poker?
Video poker emerged in the mid-1970s and revolutionized casinos by allowing 5-card poker to be played on a screen, similar to slot machine play in brick-and-mortar casinos. The game is either played using only the player’s hands, or allows the player and the dealer’s hands to determine the outcome.
Player-focused video poker games contain a minimum hand value rule set to be eligible to win, such as All Aces Poker, which has a minimum hand requirement of a pair of jacks or higher.
Since its introduction, video poker has become a staple of the online casino scene, and video poker games have some of the highest RTPs online. Video poker games use an RNG system similar to slot machines, where the outcome of each hand is determined by a random chance system.
However, unlike slot machines, video poker requires a certain level of skill and as a player you can have a real impact on the outcome, maximizing your chances of winning and the potential card combinations available.
Why use video poker strategy?
As mentioned before, despite following the same system as RNG, video poker has one considerable advantage over slot machines; as a player, you have an influence on the outcome. The way you play video poker and the strategies you follow can affect the outcome of the game in ways that aren’t possible with games like slot machines.
Let’s take All Aces Poker as an example. In any given hand, you will be dealt 5 randomly selected cards, with any hand with a Jack or higher triggering the lowest value win. You will have two attempts to reveal 5 cards before the final result is recorded and the winning amount is calculated. During the game, it is possible to keep cards after the first card is revealed, and keep cards face up before the final values of other cards are revealed.
This is where video poker differs from slot machines, even though both are based on RNG. Your decision about which cards to hold or discard gives you the opportunity to increase the value of your hand and achieve a bigger win at the end of the turn.
Just like when you play live poker, you can add the best decisions on how to maximize your hand by using a strategy that gives you the best chance of winning based on the hand you have. Just because it uses RNG doesn’t mean you can’t make the most of your hand and find ways to maximize your winning potential.
How to play video poker?
If you’re new to video poker, here’s a basic walkthrough of how to play any given game:
- Select your wafer size from the menu and press “Play” to start.
- You will be dealt 5 face down cards which will be revealed one by one.
- You may choose to hold up to 5 cards, which will remain face up the next time they are revealed, any cards not held will be discarded and replaced with new cards.
- If you have a high jack or higher, you will win with higher combinations and receive higher payouts.
- The best hand is a Royal Flush, achieved by holding 10, J, Q, K, A of the same suit.
Now that you know the basics of video poker, you’re ready to employ some top strategies to maximize your video poker gaming experience.
Video Poker Paytable
Struggling to remember the card combinations that can lead you to victory? Knowing how to maximize your hand and which cards are important is crucial to increasing your chances of winning. Here’s a handy table to remember all the different card combinations and how they’re implemented.
If you want a more in-depth understanding of how playing cards and hand value play a role in poker, check out SWERTE99 Poker Cards and Hand Value to learn everything you need to know to become a professional poker player.
Here’s a little reminder of the different hands available in video poker (from strongest to weakest):
| Hand value | Which cards are included | Dividend Payout Ratio |
|---|---|---|
| 4 Ace | The deck contains all 4 Aces, 1 of each suit | 400:1 |
| Royal flush | The 5 highest cards in a row | 250:1 |
| Flush | 5 consecutive cards of the same suit | 60:1 |
| Four types (2s-4s) | All 4 cards of the same suit have a value of 2-4 | 100:1 |
| Four types (5s-Ks) | All 4 identical cards in each suit are worth 5 or higher | 50:1 |
| Full house | 3 of the same species plus a pair | 7:1 |
| Rinse | 5 cards of the same suit | 5:1 |
| Straight | 5 cards in any mixed suit sequence | 4:1 |
| Each of the three has its own merits | 3 cards of the same type | 3:1 |
| Two pairs | 2 separate matching cards | 1:1 |
| Jack or better | The hand contains at least a pair of jacks or higher | 1:1 |
Five Effective Video Poker Strategies
Develop a strategy around spending
The number one strategy to help you get started in video poker is to always follow the odds available on the paytable. Look at the payout you need to achieve and match it to your hand to see how close you are to the requirement. If you have 3 Aces, consider discarding your other cards to find 4 identical Aces.
Look at what you have on hand and strategize based on the most achievable spend. Check out any given hand in the table above so you can get a better idea of what you can achieve based on your hand.
Avoid kicker
A kicker is a term used to describe a card that may be useful but is currently not useful based on the visible hand. Some players hold these cards with the intention of including them in higher-value cards, such as a straight flush or a royal flush. It is not recommended to focus on these cards, as keeping cards that are not immediately available may mean that you reduce your chances of getting a decent win.
If you keep a spare ace in hopes of getting a royal flush, and you have the chance to discard it to create another pair or four kings, your chances may be limited. If it doesn’t come in handy immediately, discard it and focus on the strong hand in your hand.
Don’t chase the highest value combination
Although hitting the perfect royal flush is satisfying, don’t make it your priority to chase the royal flush every hand. Develop a strategy based on the cards you have and the viable payouts available, and discard cards that don’t contribute to success. Focus on the small things and prioritize pairs that have a higher chance of appearing in any given draw.
Understand the role of RTP
One way to help you choose a game is to look at the game’s individual RTP percentage. RTP stands for Return to Player and determines the expected win percentage based on a long game. For video poker, RTP can also be translated as the expected house edge for the video poker game being played.
If a game has an RTP of 99.92%, then the expected long-term return for the player is £9.92 (based on a £10 stake, with a further 8p going to the casino). Shop around for the best RTP video poker games to maximize your chances of winning in the long term.
Act within one’s ability
One of the biggest strategies to stick to is setting a strict budget and sticking to it. Don’t feel the need to chase wins or go to great lengths to get a royal flush. If you need help setting limits, including budgets, deposit limits and session limits, visit our extensive range of fully flexible safer gambling tools to assist you.
Top 5 Tips for Video Poker
- Prioritize Pairs Over High Cards: Even a pair of 2s can beat a high card, so don’t feel like you need to focus solely on high cards to win
- Study your paytable for the best chance of success: Understanding your cards and how they work together is crucial to helping you develop a winning strategy
- Don’t rely on kickers: While it’s perfectly fine to build your strategy around a certain hand, don’t feel the need to chase stronger combos just because you only have one card in your hand
- Play according to your budget: Don’t feel like you have to be a high roller to have fun and know when to walk away from the table. If you need help setting limits, including session times and deposit limits, check out the range of customizable Safer Gambling tools available on your SWERTE99 account.
- Find the game that’s right for you: There are a wide variety of video poker games, with different RTPs and base rules. Test the waters and find what interests you, as there are several poker versions to choose from.
Conclusion
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