In our previous segment on video poker, we went over the basics of the game and took a look at what it takes to be a successful player. We talked about the importance of bankroll awareness, and the need to set your sights according the size of your stack. We discussed the limitations that each player has and how those should always be factored into any gaming strategy. Finally, we examined one of the most crucial aspects in developing winning video poker habits, which is machine selection. In this piece, we’ll expand upon the previous success-building advice and we’ll take a look at some more in-depth strategies that are sure to help you become a more polished video poker player.

We can’t emphasize enough the important role that machine selection plays in the fostering of winning video poker habits. To the untrained eye each terminal looks identical, but to the initiated – a very small portion of the playing populace and precisely what makes the industry so profitable for retailers – the choice of which machine to plat at makes all the difference in the world. By taking the time to read the front of the machine, you can even determine the payback percentage of each machine, particularly what kind of results can expect. In fact, there are some machines which have a payback rate of more than 100%!

So, how can you identify these ‘money-makers’? First of all, you should be out looking for machines which offer progressive jackpots, a feature which will always be clearly identified on the front of the machine itself. As we stated earlier, the real money is in the best hands, such as royal flushes and four-of-a-kinds. Although the odds of getting four-of-a-kind in a real game of poker are very small, in video poker the chances are much higher. Another important thing to remember is that the big payouts only occur when the maximum amount of coins is played. In one example, a Royal Flush pays $1,000 for the maximum five-coin bet and $62.50 for a one-coin bet. Clearly it pays to invest an extra dollar in this case to win almost $940 more.

Just as in Blackjack, there is something called optimal strategy. This is merely a set of guideline which, once memorised, enable you to consistently make the correct decision each time you are faced with a choice. By playing optimal strategy, you can reduce the house edge to just fractions of a percentage point. While it’s much too lengthy to get into here, we recommend you going out and buying a copy of Dan Paymar’s “Video Poker – Optimum Play”. This investment will go a long way to ensuring a successful video poker future.