Video
poker is more skill than luck
Dear Mark,
Outside of putting coins in a slot machine and pulling the handle,
I am lost in a casino. Others have recommended that I try video poker. Before
I try video poker, could you please share some tips and strategies? Devin F.
In slots, no matter how adroitly you
insert a coin and how expertly you pull the handle‹the outcome is dumb chance,
blind and underpaid. In video poker, however, your well-honed skill it into a
game of proficiency. Besides which‹ho-ho‹the pay is better. Certain
video poker machines are even programmed to pay out, in theory, up to 100% when
played at the expert level; slots typically return far less. |
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For example, on a Jacks-or-Better machine:
Machine Return Machine Payback
(with expert play)
9 for a full house / 6 for a flush 99.5%
8 for a full
house / 5 for a flush 97.4%
7 for a full house / 5 for a flush 96.3%
6
for a full house / 5 for a flush 95.2% Here
are a few more tips to sharpen your play to expert level and improve your chances
of winning. o If you decide to play a
progressive video poker machine that pays 8 coins for a full house and 5 for a
flush, play on a progressive where the jackpot is more than $250 on a nickel machine,
$2,500 on a quarter, and $10,000 for the dollar.
o Payout schedules are
attached to the every machine. Pick the right one.
o Always play the maximum number of coins in order to be eligible for the
bonus payout for a royal flush.
o As long as you feel like a novice,
Devin, play on the lowest denomination machine, then, as your skill develops,
let it drive you upstairs.
o If your favorite casino offers it, use a
casino slot card to get credit for your play. You might as well accept comp benefits
for your play on their video poker machines. Be sure to ask how many points you
receive per dollar played, and then find out what those points are worth in comps.
o Take your time to study every hand. You are playing against a machine,
that won¹t get irritable or intimidating if your play is too slow.
o In video poker, only 21% of the hands dealt are winning hands of jacks or better,
and 79% are downright dogs. And herein lies the difference between the winning
and the losing players: grooming those dogs‹nearly four out of five -- into
winning greyhounds. Below, Devin, are some playing strategies for those doggoned
hands.
Never keep a kicker card
(a high-value card to be used along with a pair) with
any pair. Holding a kicker to any pair reduces your
return by 5%.
Never draw four cards if you can draw three to a royal
flush.
Never break a straight to draw to a straight flush.
Don¹t draw to an inside straight (where you have
four cards and need one in the middle to fill a straight).
Always keep five-card winning pat hands with one exception:
if you can, draw one card to a royal.
Always keep a low pair vs. holding one high card.
Always keep a high pair vs. a four-card open straight,
a four-card flush or a three-card royal.
Don¹t be timid to draw five cards when you have
zippo.
Still with me? There will be a quiz.
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Good
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