When playing Video Poker, always remember that you are playing against a machine, not a human being. Read its rules and payouts, either posted on the machine or available by clicking for more information on the screen. Know that the house will always have the edge; but by seeking out the house’s payout percentage, you can increase your chances of winning, since you are more likely to come away profitably from a machine in a house with a 99% payout than from a house that pays out, say, just 95% of the money put into its Video Poker machines.
One way to gauge the payout percentage is to check the payout lines on “Full House” and “Flush” (see also How to Play). While these can vary with a particular game, the following ratios of Full House/Flush payouts are indicative of the following payout percentages:
Full House/Flush Payout Percentage
9/7 100.7%
9/6 99.5%
8/5 97.3%
7/5 96.4%
6/5 95.5%
That said, keep the following general strategies in mind to maximize your chances for success:
Take Your Time: Remember that, unlike a game involving other humans, a Video Poker machine doesn’t care if you decide quickly or slowly. So don’t rush.
Study the Pay Tables: A full knowledge of what the particular game pays for various hands, and how payouts increase with higher bets, can increase your chances of winning bigger payouts.
Practice, Practice, Practice: The more experience you have, the better you are likely to play. Take advantage of free game sessions to improve your skills and ease.
Treat Each New Hand as a New Game: Because the machine is randomized and entirely electronic, the outcome of previous hands will not effect what happens on your current hand. Do not make the mistake of thinking that it will.
In addition, consider the following basic card-related wisdom to maximize your odds on each hand:
Draw Three for a Royal Flush: If your hand holds out that possibility, do so, rather than drawing four cards for some other possible win.
Breaking a Flush: If you’re dealt a regular Flush, don’t break it trying for a Straight Flush; always break it if you can try for a Royal Flush.
Don’t Break a Straight: Hang onto it, even resisting the temptation to try for a Straight Flush.
No Kickers: When you’re dealt a pair, don’t hold a kicker—that is, one of the three other cards, hoping that one of the two you then draw matches it to make another pair. Doing so actually diminishes your odds.
Stand Pat on Five—with One Exception: Do not draw when dealt a winning five-card hand, unless drawing one gives you a shot at a Royal Straight Flush.
Never Draw Five on a Jack or Better: Keep that face card or Ace, and draw just four cards.
Let the 10 Go: If your high card is a 10, don’t keep it and draw four cards; draw five instead.
