Video Poker Strategy

By Author: Tony Sugamosto
Total Articles: 3764
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A Strategy for Video Poker
There are various reasons why people enjoy video poker over table poker. For one, they can learn how to play the game without having others around watching their every move. However, the ranking of the hands is really the only thing that is the same as in table poker. Because the game is played on a computer, your main objective is to simply draw the best-paying hand.
In video poker, you are dealt a five-card hand. You then get to select which cards you want to discard and receive new cards for. Your video poker strategy is going to depend on the type of video poker you are playing. There are several popular types of video poker, but the most common video poker games are:
Jacks or Better
Deuces Wild
Jokers Wild

Jacks or Better Strategy
The number one mistake that people make when playing video poker is that they feel as though they need to rush. When you get in a hurry, you don't see the hand properly and you're more likely to discard a card that you meant to keep or vice versa. When you are playing video poker, just take your time. The computer ...
... is not in a big hurry and will wait patiently for you to make your play. Here are a few points to remember when playing Jacks or Better on a video poker machine.
Always hold all paying hands when they are dealt to you. Even if you think you can get a better hand, you're better off winning something rather than losing.
The only time you might break up a winning hand is if you're breaking up a lesser paying hand to get four cards for a royal flush. However, this is still risky.
If you have non-paying hands, then check and hold according to these tips:
o Hold any 4 cards for a straight flush
o Hold any 3 cards for a royal flush
o Hold any 4 cards for a flush
o Hold any pair if they are lower than 10s
o Hold any 4 consecutive cards
o Hold any 2 high cards of the same suit
o Hold any 3 cards for a straight flush
o Hold K, Q, or J of different suits
o Hold any two high cards of different suits
o Hold K, Q, J or 10 of the same suit
o Hold any high card
If you are not dealt any of these hand combinations, draw for a new set of five cards.

Deuces Wild Strategy
The main thing you want to remember is that twos, or deuces, can be used as a substitute for any card in this game. So, never discard a deuce!
You also want to do the following if you receive these hands:
If you get 4 deuces, hold all five of your cards because you can't beat this hand.
If you get three deuces, keep a five of a kind or a royal flush. Otherwise, hold the twos only.
If you have two deuces, keep any hand that is a four of a kind or better. Keep any four cards that can get you a royal flush, otherwise just keep the twos.
If you get one deuce, keep any paying hand you get, except if you have four cards for a royal flush. Keep four cards to a flush and keep three cards to a royal flush, otherwise keep only the deuce.
If you are not dealt a deuce:
Keep all paying hands, but hold four cards for a royal flush instead of opting for a lesser paying hand.
Keep four cards for a straight flush.
Keep any three cards for a royal flush.
Keep any pair.
Keep two pair only if the full house pays the same as a four of a kind.
Keep four card flushes
Keep consecutive four card straights
Keep three cards for a straight flush.
Keep any two of the following:
o K, Q, J, or 10 if they are all the same suit.
If you do not receive any of these hands, draw a complete new five-card hand.

Kings or Better Jokers Wild Strategy
Remember that Jokers Wild is a 53-card deck because of the joker. There are actually two types of Jokers Wild and the following pertains to Kings or Better Jokers Wild.
If you receive a hand that contains a joker:
Keep hands that are three of a kind or higher, although, you want to hold four cards for a royal flush, even if you have to discard a lower paying hand.
Remember that the joker is a part of the combination you want. Therefore, if you have a joker and two sixes, then you have three of a kind.
Keep any four cards for a straight flush and four cards for a flush if it includes an Ace, King or both.
Keep three cards for a royal flush.
Keep any four-card flush without an Ace or King.
Keep consecutive four card straights
If you don't have any good combinations, but you have a joker, discard everything by the joker.
If you are dealt a hand without a joker in it, then:
Keep all paying hands, except hold cards for a four-card royal flush.
Keep any four cards for a straight flush
Keep any three cards for a royal flush
Keep any pair from 2s to Queens.
Keep any three cards for a straight flush
Keep any four-cards consecutive straight
Keep two cards to a royal flush if one of your cards is an Ace or a King.
Keep unsuited Aces or Kings
Keep Kings or Aces alone.
Keep any two suited royal flush cards that are lower than an ace or king.
If you aren't dealt any of the combinations above, then draw five new cards.

Obviously, you want to choose a machine that has your game of choice on it. Remember that some games will feature multiple decks, while others are only single. Additionally, some games will also have bonus payments for certain hands as well. This can help to accumulate more coins. Also, keep in mind that each casino may vary in terms of payouts on their video poker machines.