And this article will help you become better at video poker, no matter which variation you choose.
Video poker is unique in that it's the only form of poker that offers you some blessed solitude from others' demands at the same time it engages your brain and provides hours of fun. This one game, whether played in a gaming house or online, combines skill, luck, psychology and modern technology. All the decision-making How to Play & Win on Video Poker Machines Read More ». In 2014, Russian criminals turned the tables on American casinos when they worked out how to beat the poker machines — thanks to Vladimir Putin and mathematics. Dr Karl Kruszelnicki explains how.
BE KNOWLEDGEABLE. Know what game you want to play. It should be a low house edge, low. The Rules of Poker: How to Beat Video Poker Machines Regardless if it's online or on local establishments, one thing you'll surely notice is that one of the most populated section in a waging establishment is the place where video poker games are held.
Here, you'll read on how to:
- Choose the best video poker game
- Improve your chances
- Not make the most basic video poker mistakes
Video poker is a great casino game top play if you know what you're doing.
If you're already familiar with most of the strategies and ways to beat video poker, you can skip this article and go straight to an online casino where you find all the best games.
For this, I suggest you try PlayAmo Casino.
You'll love the video poker selection here, whether you prefer Jacks or Better or any other type of this game.
If you want to play now, just:
Everyone Loves Video Poker - And Here's Why
When you crave for some casino games, video poker is one of the best options you could take.
Forget slots, roulette, or any other game where your skills don't matter. Sure, these games are great when you want to spend the night having some fun, but you can't influence the outcome here.
And that sucks.
Although the luck factor is still the most important one also in video poker, the fact you can choose your actions makes this game more interesting and a little bit more 'strategic.'
That's why it isn't surprising that video poker is the first choice of the majority of experienced gamblers.
Video poker comes with a lower house edge compared to most games. Of course, the casino you play at will surely have some advantage over you (they have to make a profit, after all), but you are not likely to lose too much money over time.
That's why so many people play it.
When you go to any regular casino, you'll see rows and rows of video poker machines.
When you visit a gambling site online, you'll find lots of different video poker games. There's a huge demand for it - and the reason is obvious.
Why should you play video poker instead of its regular version?
There are two major kinds of poker - the regular one, played live with other players, and video poker, where you play against a machine.
Interestingly, video poker can be a much better choice from the two.
Let's name a few reasons:
1. Lower house edge
Did you know that playing against a machine will give you an advantage over playing against other people?
Not only the house edge is low, but you also can choose the variant with the best odds!
2. Anonymity
Tired of making the same old poker face?
When playing online against a machine, you won't need to pretend anymore.
You don't need to pretend having a monster hand or talk your way through a bluff. The cards are those on the screen…take it or leave it!
3. More time to think
This is probably the best aspect of video poker.
As you are not playing with real people, there's no one to rush you. Count the cards and decide your next action at your own pace.
You can even write down what you need on a piece of paper - nobody will judge you.
What You Need to Know About the Rules of Video Poker
Not all video poker games are the same.
There are a lot of versions of this game and you must read the rules before you jump into any of them.
However, some things stay the same.
Most of the video poker versions you'll encounter will have the same premise.
You'll play a five-card draw game with a 52-card deck.
Video Gambling Machines Cheats
And here's the standard steps you have to make after opening a game of video poker:
- Make a bet
- Click the 'Deal' button
- Get five random cards
Now, the actual game begins.
You need to select, which cards you want to hold for the next round, and which ones you want to discard.
Simply click on the cards that you want to keep. They will have 'Hold' written on them.
After choosing to 'hold' some of the cards, click 'Draw' again.
Now, the game will choose other random cards instead of the discarded ones.
The five-card sequence you get is what truly matters.
If you have any of the combinations present on the game's table, you win. If there are none, you lose. As simple as that.
The amount of your winning depends on what kind of combination you get.
For example, these are the possible outcomes of Jacks or Better:
- Jacks or better
- Two pair
- Three of a kind
- Straight
- Flush
- Full House
- Four of a Kind
- Straight Flush
- Royal Flush
The smaller chance to get a certain combination, the bigger the prize.
For example, it is quite likely to get Jacks or Better, so it pays far less than Royal Flush.
Each video poker game will have a different table with different hand values. Be sure to check it out before playing.
The most important thing to get a winning chance when you play video poker is to choose wisely which cards to keep and which to discard.
And that's what we'll talk about in the next section.
How to Win at Video Poker - the Basic Strategy
Even though other casino games don't give you any choice but to trust your gut, video poker is different.
To become a successful video poker player, you need a strategy.
Tip: before applying any video poker strategies in real life, play the game for free, for example, at PlayAmo Casino.
How To Beat Video Poker Machines
It's a smart choice to get better at the game before you use real money.
How Can You Try to Win at Jacks or Better Video Poker?
There are so many types of video poker!
The most common ones are:
- Jacks or Better
- Double Bonus
- Deuces Wild
Of course, there are a lot more. It's important to read the rules before playing each of the games, as they can be more different than you've expected.
Below, I'll describe the basic strategy of an immensely popular video poker game - Jacks or Better.
Choose the Right Video Poker Game
Did you think that all Jacks or Better video poker games have the same outcome?
Think again.
Before anything else, you must know that some online casinos want to make as much profit as possible, thus making the house edge bigger than it should be.
Don't be too lazy and make a research before you play.
Luckily, you don't have to look any further than the pay table of the game. There you will find the return rate involving each winning hand.
You'll be surprised to see how the house edge differs.
Some casinos might raise it to as high as 3 percent, which means that this video poker machine has a 97 percent return rate. Avoid such places at all costs!
On the other hand, a video poker game can have a house edge of 0.5 percent, which would mean a 99.5 percent return rate.
So, why should you settle down with the first video poker machine you come across on the Internet?
A few minutes of research can greatly affect your winning outcome.
Place the Right Bet
The amount of money that you bet on a hand is important.
It's evident that a beginner should not bet as much as a professional - and vice versa.
If you're just at the start of the quest to beat video poker, start small. Get used to your strategy, the rules, and the game itself.
You don't want to lose too much when you're still not sure how to play. Increase your bet only when you feel confident enough.
Once you know your game 100 percent, give it all out and explore the different bet levels allowed in the game.
Don't Rush
I know that it's fun to play casino games as quickly as possible. You bet, you spin, you win - all this excitement makes you feel like you're on a highway to victory.
STOP.
Here's what you need to do if you want to know how to beat video poker - slow down and think.
After all, the biggest advantage of video poker is the fact that you don't need to make a decision as quickly as possible.
So why should you let it go to waste?
Just think of it -
Because of the house edge, you are likely to lose more money the longer you play. As a result, the casinos want you to play as quickly as possible.
But you are not a thoughtless gambling machine.
And that's what gives you the greatest advantage of all.
Video Gambling Machines Cheats
And here's the standard steps you have to make after opening a game of video poker:
- Make a bet
- Click the 'Deal' button
- Get five random cards
Now, the actual game begins.
You need to select, which cards you want to hold for the next round, and which ones you want to discard.
Simply click on the cards that you want to keep. They will have 'Hold' written on them.
After choosing to 'hold' some of the cards, click 'Draw' again.
Now, the game will choose other random cards instead of the discarded ones.
The five-card sequence you get is what truly matters.
If you have any of the combinations present on the game's table, you win. If there are none, you lose. As simple as that.
The amount of your winning depends on what kind of combination you get.
For example, these are the possible outcomes of Jacks or Better:
- Jacks or better
- Two pair
- Three of a kind
- Straight
- Flush
- Full House
- Four of a Kind
- Straight Flush
- Royal Flush
The smaller chance to get a certain combination, the bigger the prize.
For example, it is quite likely to get Jacks or Better, so it pays far less than Royal Flush.
Each video poker game will have a different table with different hand values. Be sure to check it out before playing.
The most important thing to get a winning chance when you play video poker is to choose wisely which cards to keep and which to discard.
And that's what we'll talk about in the next section.
How to Win at Video Poker - the Basic Strategy
Even though other casino games don't give you any choice but to trust your gut, video poker is different.
To become a successful video poker player, you need a strategy.
Tip: before applying any video poker strategies in real life, play the game for free, for example, at PlayAmo Casino.
How To Beat Video Poker Machines
It's a smart choice to get better at the game before you use real money.
How Can You Try to Win at Jacks or Better Video Poker?
There are so many types of video poker!
The most common ones are:
- Jacks or Better
- Double Bonus
- Deuces Wild
Of course, there are a lot more. It's important to read the rules before playing each of the games, as they can be more different than you've expected.
Below, I'll describe the basic strategy of an immensely popular video poker game - Jacks or Better.
Choose the Right Video Poker Game
Did you think that all Jacks or Better video poker games have the same outcome?
Think again.
Before anything else, you must know that some online casinos want to make as much profit as possible, thus making the house edge bigger than it should be.
Don't be too lazy and make a research before you play.
Luckily, you don't have to look any further than the pay table of the game. There you will find the return rate involving each winning hand.
You'll be surprised to see how the house edge differs.
Some casinos might raise it to as high as 3 percent, which means that this video poker machine has a 97 percent return rate. Avoid such places at all costs!
On the other hand, a video poker game can have a house edge of 0.5 percent, which would mean a 99.5 percent return rate.
So, why should you settle down with the first video poker machine you come across on the Internet?
A few minutes of research can greatly affect your winning outcome.
Place the Right Bet
The amount of money that you bet on a hand is important.
It's evident that a beginner should not bet as much as a professional - and vice versa.
If you're just at the start of the quest to beat video poker, start small. Get used to your strategy, the rules, and the game itself.
You don't want to lose too much when you're still not sure how to play. Increase your bet only when you feel confident enough.
Once you know your game 100 percent, give it all out and explore the different bet levels allowed in the game.
Don't Rush
I know that it's fun to play casino games as quickly as possible. You bet, you spin, you win - all this excitement makes you feel like you're on a highway to victory.
STOP.
Here's what you need to do if you want to know how to beat video poker - slow down and think.
After all, the biggest advantage of video poker is the fact that you don't need to make a decision as quickly as possible.
So why should you let it go to waste?
Just think of it -
Because of the house edge, you are likely to lose more money the longer you play. As a result, the casinos want you to play as quickly as possible.
But you are not a thoughtless gambling machine.
And that's what gives you the greatest advantage of all.
Become a Member of a Casino - and Stick to It
Finding the perfect casino is crucial if you want to win at video poker machines as much as possible.
But that's not enough - you also have to stick to it.
Not only because the house edge is low.
So here's what matters too -
Most casinos have great VIP programs that help players maximize their winnings the more they play.
One thing would be bonuses to play video poker.
Even though they are rare, video poker offers can help you win more by doubling or tripling your deposit.
You might even get free plays as a reward for being loyal.
As the time goes by, playing at a single casino will save you lots of cash. Which is the reason you're playing in the first place!
I Want to Play Video Poker! But Where?
You might already have your favourite online casino.
However, this doesn't mean that it's the best place to play video poker at.
If you're up for something new and exciting, check out PlayAmo Casino.
In terms of video poker, it is wonderful. Here you'll find countless variations of this game - with a player-oriented house edge.
And right now, our readers have a huge advantage.
In case you get tired of video poker, explore the huge list of PlayAmo's slots, blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and live dealer games.
Important Notice: This is not our latest article about the promotions at this online Casino. You might no longer be able to claim this offer. To know what bonuses are available right now, have a look at our Casino bonus page.
Disclaimer: Gambling is a game of chance and there's no sure-fire formula that guarantee winnings. You can improve your winning chances by using the right in-game strategies but there is no way to predict when a machine or a Casino game is going to pay. Also, this page contains affiliate links. If you click through and play, we might earn a commission. That's what allow us to keep CasinoSmash free and bring you the best online Casino bonuses!
Bonus info: Terms and conditions apply to the offer. If something isn't clear, have a look at our review of PlayAmo for the T&Cs in full. The offer on this article might have expired by the time you read it. Please refer to the review pages for the latest bonuses and promotions available.
Not many casino games give you an opportunity to win profits. Poker games like Texas Hold'em, blackjack (card counting), and certain progressive slots (jackpots that offer +EV) are among the select few games that provide a long-term advantage.
Video poker also carries the reputation for being a beatable game. It offers over 100% return to player (RTP) on certain variations.
Of course, these variations are hard to find and not accessible to most gamblers. So, is video poker actually beatable?
This guide discusses how you can beat video poker over the long run. It also covers if the methods covered below are actually realistic.
Video Poker Is Beatable in Some Cases
Most real money video poker variations are favorable when compared to the average casino game. For example, the common 9/6 Jacks or Better variation offers 99.54% RTP with perfect strategy.
The '9/6' refers to how this Jacks or Better game pays nine coins for a full house and six for a flush. 8/6 Jacks or Better, by comparison, only offers 98.39% payback.
Here are the highest paying video poker game machines that exist today:
- Full-pay Deuces Wild = 100.76% Return To Player
- Full-pay Joker Wild = 100.65%
- 10/7 Double Bonus = 100.17%
- 10/6 Double Double Bonus = 100.07%
The house rarely gives you an opportunity to win long-term profits. Therefore, the games listed above are quite unique.
You're not going to get rich by playing these machines. This is especially true when you consider that the coin sizes are only worth a quarter ($1.25 per five-coin hand).
However, you can win decent money on full-pay Deuces Wild. Here's an example on how much you can look forward to winning under ideal circumstances:
- You bet $1.25 per hand and use perfect strategy
- You play 800 hands per hour
- 25 x 800 x 0.76 = $7.60 in hourly profits
- The casino offers a 0.1% comp rate
- 800 x 0.001 = $0.80 in hourly rewards
- 6 + 0.8 = $8.40 in total hourly winnings
Most jobs today pay well over $8 an hour. But if you want to make guaranteed money from your gambling hobby, then Deuces Wild offers this chance.
Games With +EV Are Rare
You can see that multiple types of video poker offer positive expected value (+EV). But you'll have trouble finding these machines anywhere outside of Las Vegas.
Sin City is home to the large majority of beatable video poker games. Assuming you try playing anywhere else, such as Atlantic City or Macau, you're not going to find +EV machines.
Even when you visit Vegas, though, you'll mostly be dealing with 10/7 Double Bonus and 10/6 Double Double Bonus games. As covered before, these variations only pay 100.17% and 100.07% RTP, respectively.
Sam's Town is the only Las Vegas casino that currently offers full-pay Deuces Wild. As you can imagine, its Deuces Wild machines are crowded with gamblers who want to make profits. Therefore, you may not even find an open seat for the best games.
Profits Are Theoretical
Video poker isn't like blackjack, where it offers a fairly even payout distribution. Instead, it features a wide range of payouts.
Therefore, video poker can be volatile over the short term. You may not earn a straight flush or royal flush until after playing tens of thousands of hands.
In fact, you'll only get a royal flush on around 1 out of every 40,000 hands on average. Theoretically, you need to play at least 40k hands before receiving a royal.
Maybe you'll find an open full-pay Deuces Wild machine and play a large amount of hands. Even so, you might need to play for many hours before actually realizing the 100.76% RTP and making profits.
What You Must Do to Win Profits
You can see that the road towards video poker winnings is difficult. But if you're still interested in the matter, you can follow the tips below.
Travel to Las Vegas
Some +EV video poker machines are sprinkled around Nevada. If you truly want a real chance at winning, though, then you should take a trip to Las Vegas.
Sin City is the only place in the world with full-pay Deuces Wild and Joker Wild. It also offers a fair number of Double Bonus and Double Double Bonus games.
You can also look forward to some of the best rewards programs in Vegas. These VIP benefits will add to your bottom line.
Look for the Limited +EV Machines
Once in Las Vegas, you need to start searching for the small percentage of beatable video poker games. After all, you can't just sit down to any machine and expect to win.
Most of these games are located in downtown casinos or on the Boulder Strip. Meanwhile, you won't find any of these machines on the Vegas Strip.
Keep in mind that open seats for the most desirable games aren't always available. You may have better luck hitting up casinos during non-peak hours, such as the morning and late evening.
Play Countless Hands to Overcome Volatility
A royal flush only makes up around 2% of the total payback for any video poker game. Considering this fact, many gamblers put too much emphasis on getting a royal.
Nevertheless, you still need to get the best hand at some point to earn over 100% payback. You'll likely have to log countless hands to make it happen.
On average, you'll need 40,000 hands to get a royal. You should consider yourself blessed if you're able to land one within the first 10,000 or 20,000 hands.
Target Days With Double Rewards
Las Vegas casinos commonly feature promotions involving double or even triple points through their loyalty programs. Assuming you visit the casino on these days, you can look forward to a lot more rewards.
These extra rewards won't line your pockets with riches. But they're definitely worth taking advantage of when available.
The Average Player Isn't Going to Beat Video Poker
Unless you live in Las Vegas or can afford to frequently visit, you're not going to win guaranteed profits. You instead need to rely on some luck to be most games.
You should treat beating video poker as more of a hobby than a legitimate way to profit from gambling. If you're already going to be visiting Las Vegas, you might as well take advantage of the +EV machines.
But you won't make a career out of beating video poker. The travel costs and hotel bookings will eat up your profits. Even if you live in Las Vegas, you won't be able to make any more than $8 to $10 an hour with perfect and rapid play.
Should You Still Consider Playing Video Poker?
Video poker may not be beatable from a realistic standpoint. But that doesn't mean you should completely avoid it.
It's still a fine game that has lots of entertainment value to offer. You can play for big payouts while still enjoying some of the best payback in the casino.
Honestly, you have a better shot at winning with video poker than almost any of the other casino games. You can stick with the aforementioned tips to boost your odds.
9/6 Jacks or Better is never a bad game to play in terms of odds. Its 99.54% RTP is right in line with the world's most-favorable blackjack games.
You can even opt for 8/5 Bonus Poker if 9/6 Jacks or Better isn't available. It gives you a solid chance to win with its 99.17% RTP.
Conclusion
Theoretically, video poker is a beatable game. Full-pay Deuces Wild, Joker Wild, Double Bonus, and Double Double Bonus all exist in Las Vegas. You can find Double Bonus and Double Double Bonus machines in other parts of Nevada too.
However, the days where you could bet $1 coins ($5 hand with five coins) on full-pay Deuces Wild are long gone. The latter is only available in one Vegas casino through quarter machines.
You can still win profits from video poker if you're willing to visit Sin City. But you aren't going to make a living from doing so.
Like many casino games, video poker is most entertaining when you treat it as a hobby. Assuming you get a little luck on your side, you could land a royal flush and earn a large profit.
