by Ernie Elwell
In this article I shall try to help you to play video poker more profitably than you may be playing it right now. I shall give you a free video poker strategy that will, hopefully, also make this hugely popular game so much more interesting, exciting and enjoyable to you.
Video Poker offers you more potential to beat the house edge than just about any other game at the casino. So listen up and learn a few of the video poker strategies the pros use. A good video poker strategy can definitely help you to win more money than the average player at any casino.
The more people become familiar with video poker the more they want to play. It
can take a while to get used to the game, but once most people have had a go it quickly becomes
very enjoyable. When you know exactly what you should be doing to play to your best advantage it
can become profitable. So here are a couple of tips you need to
be aware of in
order to play with the best possible video poker strategy.
I recommend you practice these video poker strategies first, but fortunately
it's easy to play online these days without using real money. So you can use your computer to
practice using only virtual money to get used to the strategies - and so giving yourself the best chance
of winning once playing with real money.
Video poker can seem a bit
daunting, not least because there
are such a wide variation of video poker machines that offer alternative
versions of the game, and different payoff charts etc. It's easy to
become totally
confused, especially when you're trying to have a different betting strategy for each.
Don't worry...
Simplified Free Video Poker Strategy:
My advice here is find the most popular video poker games; "Jacks or Better" or
"Double Bonus Poker". These are the most basic video poker games and very easy to learn.
They're also very common so you shouldn't have much trouble finding them. Then
once you've
mastered these you'll have a good foundation for the others.
There are intimidating looking charts you can try to follow which show you the
best move for every possible poker hand you can ever be dealt, and for every different video
poker machine you can find. My advice is don't worry too much about them, especially if you are a
newcomer because they'll probably just scare you off ever wanting to play the game. Also I don't
think they are necessary so long as you stick to a few golden rules. This way you cover the
most essential strategies but it's also still enjoyable and easy to understand.
Ok then, how can you have an edge over the casino when playing video poker?
Now I'm going to show you some sound tips. I recommend you practice
these free video
poker game strategies without using real money at an online casino. Remember, look for the
video poker
game "Jacks or Better" or "Double Bonus Poker".
So here goes.
I've simplified the strategies down to a few simple but
essential tips. In my opinion, this is a lot better than trying to memorize large scary strategy
charts, or having to keep referring to them with each hand you are dealt.
Two most common important video poker tips:
1. When dealt one, two or three jacks or higher, always hold them.
2. When dealt ANY pair always hold them. Even if it's a none paying low pair
(i.e. 10s or lower).
These are very common hands. Knowing what to do is not obvious, but those two
rules will improve your winnings in the long run.
Now for some more very important video poker game strategies for less common
hands but which you need to learn. Please remember that you will have to sacrifice
the easier
but smaller
paying win strategies in order to try for the harder to get but higher paying
win strategies. It
has been worked out that these will win more for you in the long run. These
strategies have been
calculated by mathematicians using computers, so we can trust they are accurate:
Holding a low pair is a stronger starting point than holding a single high card, but not as strong as a four card flush.
Holding a low pair is a stronger starting point than holding a four card straight, but four card straight flush is better than low pair.
Four card flushes are more valuable than four card straights.
It is better to hold two high cards of the same suit than to hold three high cards of mixed suits.
Don't hold three card flushes, but do hold three card straight flushes.
Do hold open ended four card straights (e.g. 4, 5, 6, 7 where a 3 or an 8 on both ends of the straight would be needed). But don't hold inside straights (e.g. 4, 5, 6, 8 where only a 7 on the inside of the straight would do). However do draw on an inside straight if it includes at least three high cards (e.g. do hold 9, jack, queen, king - but don't hold 2, 4, 5, 6).
Practice these video poker strategies for a while for free using virtual money at an online casino. This way you can practice without using real money. Once you get used to playing, and you are familiar with all the hands, it'll become easy to know what to do without having to think about it too much. And I promise your winnings will be much higher in the long run.
CAUTION: Don't join ANY online casino until you check it is NOT blacklisted here. Also, make sure the online casino you join is licensed, secure and certified as a fair and safe gaming environment.
Also remember to look for the best bonuses you can find. The best current offers I can find from safe casinos are: Flamingo Club - offering a 200% bonus (so a $200 becomes $600). Most online casinos offer the video poker game "Jacks or Better", and it will be found in the normal casino download (not to be confused with downloading Poker Software which will be a separate download and is for playing against real people).
Good luck!
Ernie Elwell
See also:
Free Roulette Strategy and
Free Blackjack Strategy
© Copyright 2006 Ernie Elwell - All rights reserved. Disclaimer: The free video poker strategies listed do not represent any solicitations to playing poker or casino gambling. Check your local, state and national government laws before gambling online. We are not liable or responsible for any illegal activities or for any monies gained or lost from any of these free video poker strategies or the online casinos listed above. Terms And Conditions Of Use, Money Making Ideas...Fast and Easy Business Opportunities!